A Plan Is Forming

The sun rose, blanketing the city that never sleeps in brilliant red, orange, and gold colors from the sunrise overhead. In the secret laboratory in the basement of the Eric Sacks estate, he watched as the Foot carried wooden crates into the room.

"Mr. Sacks, you need to come to see this," said one of the Foot soldiers nervously.

Sacks walked over to the semi-trucks back, heading to see what the situation was all about. He moved the Foot soldier out of his way to find one of the wooden crates was not properly secure, and the containers blocked half the mutation canisters in front of them except for one. Furious with his mutagen was out there somewhere in a city of million people to try and find a needle in a haystack. Sacks then thought if the canister broke and splattered on someone, he would have to find the mutant first; he would use it as a weapon against the turtles and the rat from foiling his plans like the last time they crossed paths.

Sacks told them to put up the mutagen canisters but to be careful if there some damaged. Walking in and out of the long corridors heading towards the chamber at the end of the corridor with the sounds of fighting were getting louder. Sacks opened the door to see his master fighting the Foot soldiers doing a training exercise. Sacks waited patiently by the doorway for the training to be over. After finishing the last of the Foot soldiers, he walked over to Karai, standing in the corner handing his shirt. Grabbing it, he put it on, tying it in the front, seeing Sacks standing in the doorway waiting for a reply.

"You should be out there in the lab I provided for you to work on our project with the mutation. The rat and those accursed turtles thought they had destroyed all the mutations from our last encounter. For they won't suspect it which will give us the upper hand in our attempts to take over of New York," explained the Shredder with triumph in his voice.

"Master, about our mutation supply, one of the crates was not properly secure, and there was an accident while the truck was coming here. When looking through the damaged crate, one of the mutagen canisters was missing. However, this is both a good and bad situation. The good meaning the canister is undamaged in the collision the bad meaning someone was exposed to the mutation, mutating into some creature running around the city," explained Sacks.

The Shredder was furious about his shipment of mutagen, not a complete success like he had hoped. The Shredder thought about the idea that someone was turned into a mutant, then this would change everything in their takeover of New York.

"Karai, take the Foot soldiers with you to search New York for the mutant or the canister. Don't return until you can bring at least one of them," ordered the Shredder.

"Yes, Master," said Karai bowing to him before leaving.

"Sacks, are there any more of those cages left from the last time we held the turtle's hostage," asked the Shredder, a plan forming in his head.

"Only one Master Shredder, but I can build m..." Sacks were interrupted by the Shredder "...No, one will be all we need because the mutant's blood would be more useful during our take over and stopping those accursed turtles and their rat once and for all."

"I'll get everything ready," explained Sacks.

"Good, for we are not going to lose this time. Now leave me and get ready," ordered the Shredder.

"Yes, Master Shredder," said Sacks leaving the room.

The Shredder looked down at his right hand, taking off the bandages seeing that he was getting worse from the last battle with the turtles. The pain would be unbearable for any other human being, but this was the Shredder, a man who fears no one. He put fear into the hearts of others. He re-wrapped the bandages back onto his hand, going into his chambers to mediate.

~ * ~

Venus had fed Mimi putting on her cloak in the sewers, placing her hood over her head, coupling her weapons onto her back, heading to the turtles and Splinter's home to further her ninjutsu training. The turtles were awake eating, unaware of Venus' arrival. Splinter walked into the kitchen, brewing tea when the alarm system went off. Don rushed over to the computers with the others close behind him. He pulled up the thermal imaging camera onto the computer to see a figure was headed towards the lair.

"Guys, someone is headed this way," explained Don.

"Let's go," ordered Leo.

They pulled out their weapons headed out of the lair before Splinter could stop them. Venus was walking down the entry tunnel into the turtle's cave. When she heard the sounds of battle cries echoing throughout the tunnel heading straight for her. Before Venus was able to react to what was happening, she was slammed into Raph's wall.

"Guys wait," pleaded Venus.

Splinter came out into the tunnel, hoping he wasn't too late. He saw Raphael had Venus pinned against the wall.

"My sons stop," shouted Splinter.

The turtles stopped to look over at Splinter with blank stares of confusion across their faces. Raphael still had Venus pinned to the wall, which made her scared to move.

"Sensei, this figure knows where we live," explained Leo.

"My sons, this figure is Venus," explained Splinter.

"What!?" they shouted together.

Venus found it safe to remove the hood covering her face with the guys in shock. Raphael released Venus, grateful for Splinter, for stopping them because she didn't want to hurt her friends.

"My sons, I've asked Venus to train with today," explained Splinter.

"That's awesome," said Mikey with excitement.

"Yes, it is now. Let's go back into the lair to begin our training," suggested Splinter.

They followed Splinter into the dojo waiting for him to tell them what to do.

"Today, you will be sparing each other so I can see how well your skills have improved," explained Splinter.

"Um, Sensei, there's five of us who will Venus spare," asked Mikey.

"Venus will show her skills. Now Michelangelo will spare against Donatello while Raphael will spare against Leonardo," ordered Splinter.

The boys faced each other, with Venus standing next to Master Splinter.

"Hai Mi," shouted Splinter.

Mikey was trash-talking while Don was standing there waiting for his younger brother to engage at him already. Raphael wasted no time engaging at Leonardo, who dodged his sai headed for his shoulder, countering with a bow to the gut with his fist. Raph staggered backward, frustrated with Leo engaging at him again. Leo dodged him again, this time flipping over Raph kicking him in the shell. Mikey finally committed to Don, who was still standing there pushing the red button on his bo staff, which extended into a longer one hitting Mikey in the chest, sending him into the wall.

Don had won this round, and they watched Raph and Leo fighting, wondering who was going to win this time? Raph was getting ticked off with Leo. He kept thinking to himself, 'What's with Leo all of a sudden? Wait, is he trying to impress Venus?' Raph finally got what was going on and stopped what was going on and just stopped in his tracks. Mikey, Don, and Leo could not believe what they were seeing. Did their hot-headed brother stop engaging Leo he hated a lot?

Something was up, and Leo was on full alert. Leo was cautious about what Raph's motives were because this was the first time he stopped in the middle of a fight. Leo was not sure what to do, and he stopped too. Raph knew Leo was onto him; quite frankly, he just wanted to embarrass him in front of Venus. Raph was not the type who was into the whole romantic scene and was the wrong turtle to ask for help when trying to impress a girl.

"What's the matter 'fearless leader' afraid to get your shell handed to you again," trash-talked Raph.

"Don't bet on it ninja dropout," Leo countered back.

Don and Mikey being the younger siblings, mocked by saying 'oooo' to what Leo said to Raph. Which made him frustrated; he engaged at Leo, not holding back. Leo had enough of his brother's action finishing the fight kicking him in the chest, sending him into a wall. Leo knew Raph all too well; seeing his short temper would give Leo an advantage to end the fight. Raph got up, ready to engage at Leo for payback knocking him on his shell. Splinter said something in Japanese, which made the boys stop to face him. Now it was Venus' turn to show the boys her ninja skills. The boys stood on either side of Splinter while Venus pulled out her bow and arrow facing Splinter and the boys waiting for okay to start.

"Hai Mi," said Splinter.

Don had built in an obstacle course for his brothers and himself to keep on their progress in training. As each target was falling or coming at her, she shot an or used her katana to hit the targets it took Venus less than 1:35 seconds. Venus placed her katana back into its holster. As she did so, a target strayed, but she took out three throwing stars hitting the target. The guys were unable to say anything but stare at her, impressed with her skills, especially Splinter. He walked up to Venus while Don was calculating how many targets she missed and hit.

"I'm most impressed with your skills, Venus, especially for someone so young to have the skills of a master. You've made your father and uncle proud," Splinter complemented with a smile.

Venus bowed to Splinter, saying, "Hai Master Splinter, I only wish they were here to witness my process."

"I"m more than confident they have been watching you train without you stopping until you got it right. I'm sure your parents can see how strong and passionate you are towards both skills, which explain how you are almost a full kunoichi and Shinobi," reassured Splinter placing a hand on Venus' shoulder.

"Hai Master Splinter," said Venus smiling at him.

Don finished calculating the figures at least 5 to 10 times, thinking he had made a mistake, but it wasn't. The others looked over in Don's direction seeing him being speechless.

"Yo, Don, you have it done yet, brainy ack," asked Raph impatiently.

"What's wrong, Donnie," asked Leo, concerned.

"I've calculated the figures again and again. Well, Venus got 100% in less than 1:35 seconds. She beat Leo's time by 10 seconds," explained Don, shocked.

Everyone got awkwardly silent in the room; for the first time, someone could beat Leo's time. Not even Raph was able to come close. Raph enjoyed this too much; he finally met someone, or should he say a girl who was able to take a 'fearless leader' off his high horse. Leo was shocked; he knew Venus was good, but he underestimated her. He was not going to make the same mistake again. He was changed, taking this opportunity to train extra harder. Splinter looked up at Venus after looking at his older son, knowing something was going on with Leonardo but would not confront him about it until the time was right.

"Venus, you're skills are advanced so quickly, and you have been training the same amount of time as my sons. How often do you train by yourself after a training session," asked Splinter most curiously?

"Well, I don't keep track. I know I don't stop training until I've mastered that one skill without making a mistake. Heck, I'd stay up until the crack of dawn in the dojo training. I guess I never really took pride in knowing the amount of time, but the amount of energy, passion, and persuasion put into each blow, strike, and swing," explained Venus.

"Girl, that's deep," said Mikey.

"Well, I'm glad to hear about your passion for both skills. You are welcome to come and train with us anytime you wish," offered Splinter.

"Hai, Master Splinter, next time I'll call first, so I don't get beat up by the guys again," explained Venus cautiously.

The guys laughed, agreeing not to beat her up the next time she came to visit them. Venus ended up smiling and joining in with the laughter, thinking she was the luckiest girl alive to have such awesome friends. They all walked out of the dojo with Venus heading out the lair, but Mikey blocked her.

"What are you doing Mikey," asked Venus.

"Can I go with you to feed Mimi, please," pleaded Mikey.

"If Mikey's going, then I'm going with you guys so I can install a security system in your lair to feel safe," explained Don.

"I'd like to know more about your Shinobi styles," explained Leo.

Everyone looked at Raph, wondering what he was going to say. Anything 'meaningful' yeah like that was ever going to happen, so not.

"Whatever, let's just go," said Raph.

Venus was speechless; she never had anyone come over to her house for long periods. Even though the guys came over to her lair when they first met, they didn't stay for very long. The guys were waiting for her to answer, hoping she'd say yes.

"Okay, let's go," asked Venus walking, pat them, not noticing the big smiles spread across their faces.

After walking around the sewer tunnels for what seemed like hours, they finally reached her lair. Venus unlocked the gate, opening it heading inside. Don got straight to work on setting up the security system for Venus for safety reasons. Venus walked over to the couch, picking up Mimi after hanging up her cloak and weapons. The guys would stare at her because they still weren't used to seeing another turtle, let alone a girl. Sure, April was a girl, but she was human who Mikey was crushing on. The guys would give him a hard time about it because of the way out of their league, mainly Mikey's. Venus started feeding Mimi with Mikey sitting next to her watching what she was doing. Leo sat on the other end of the couch while Raph sat in the armchair.

"Hey, Venus, may I feed Mimi," asked Mikey.

"Sure, Mikey, if she will let you. She's never met anyone outside of my aunt, uncle, and me," explained Venus handing Mimi over to Mikey.

Mikey handed Mimi some lettuce leaves, but Mimi bit his hand instead.

"Ow," moaned Mikey kissing his hand.

The others laughed at this transaction except for Venus, who picked up Mimi before she bit Mikey again.

"Mimi, don't bite; I'm sorry Mikey, she's a sweet turtle once you get to know her," reassured Venus patting his shoulder.

Leo and Don had stopped laughing except for Raph still laughing about Mimi biting Mikey on the hand.

"I like your pet Venus; she hates boneheads feeding her," said Raph, still laughing.

"Oh really, I like to see you try to hold her without getting bit by her," shouted Mikey, tense.

"Fine, Venus, hand Mimi over and a lettuce leaf so I can show shell for brains over here how it's done, right," explained Raph.

Venus nodded in acknowledgment, placing Mimi gingerly into Raph's hands, giving him a lettuce leaf. He took it out of her hand with her sitting back down next to Mikey. Heck, Don stopped what Don was doing to see if Mimi was going to bite Raph as she did to Mikey. Not once Mimi bit him while he held her in his arms.

"Told you, she wasn't going to bit me because I'm not a bone head," explained Raph smiling in triumph.

"Yeah, I think she's in love with you, Raph," teased Mikey.

"Mikey, what are you...Ow...what the heck," shouted Raph looking down at Mimi, licking his wound on his hand.

"Raph, it's okay; she's just trying to get your attention. She's still hungry. She wants some more food, here," explained Venus handing Raph three more leaves of lettuce.

"See, she's totally into Raph," teased Mikey.

Venus took her hand, smacking Mikey in the back of his head.

"Ow," moaned Mikey rubbing the back of his head.

Mikey looked over to Leo. Then Don, Raph they pointed to Venus while holding back their laughter.

"Venus, what the heck was that for," asked Mikey.

"It serves you right for mocking your brother. You're just jealous because Mimi likes him and not you. Get over it; she'll warm up to you soon enough; this is her first time meeting different people. This whole experience is overwhelming for her to give her a break, will you? Geez, you're such a dork at times," explained Venus folding her arms.

The others all damaged laughing after Venus' comment while Mikey got red in the face from anger and embarrassment. After the whole situation with Mimi, Mikey went over to Don to see what he was up to while Raph was taking a nap in the armchair, unaware Mikey had placed Mimi into his lap, Mimi was sleeping. Venus was right about Mimi warming up to Mikey, but she still didn't stop biting him, so he put her in Raph's lap. In her dojo, Venus and Leo were explaining to him about her Shinobi abilities telling him everything that she knew from her uncle and father.

"So, you just think of the happiest memory, and that's what triggers your powers," asked Leo, interested.

"Yes, Leonardo, but it's not all I do to trigger it. I have to mediate clearing my mind of everything and focus on that one memory to do it," explained Venus hoping Leo was getting it.

"If you don't mind me asking, but what is the memory you chose to trigger your power," asked Leo, hoping he was not going to upset her.

"I think about being with my parents. We're just sitting and talking like I used to do when they were alive," answered Venus, not making eye contact with Leo when she answered him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you with the question," apologized Leo.

"Leonardo, you didn't know, and it's fine by the way it's as hard to talk about now as it would have been if we met when I was twelve. We would talk about how my parents met each other, school, and other things. It's just a memory, but it felt so real, you know," explained Venus looking a Leo smiling at him.

"I understand it's what helps you cope with what has happened that your power is somewhat triggering these memories to help you see there still a part of you and will never truly leave," explained Leo smiling back.

Venus felt a tear stray falling down her cheek. Leo wiped it away, looking away from Venus, getting up, turning away from her, thinking he was hurting again.

"What's wrong, Leonardo," asked Venus, now with her standing up confused.

Leo turned around to face her, saying, "You're crying, and I feel like I'm causing you pain by talking about it."

Venus smiled at him, saying, "Leonardo, those were happy tears. I'm not upset that it was beautiful what you said about my powers helping me cope with the loss in my life. In a way, I always felt the same way just never knew how to put in words the way you just explained."

Venus wrapped her arms on his neck, hugging him, and he did the same. When they broke apart, they both heard someone snuffling in the doorway. They quickly looked over to Mikey, Raph with Mimi on his shoulder, and Don.

"That was so beautiful," said Mikey, snuffling, holding on to Raph.

"Mikey gets off me," shouted Raph pushing his overly emotional brother off him.

Venus and Leo were starting to blush a little, and Don thankfully caught it before Raph or Mikey, who was now holding onto him.

"Mikey knocks it off," said Don taking Mikey off Don patting Mikey's shoulder, "Venus, I finished installing the security system throughout your lair. This here a portable visual of the layout of the cameras provided by yours truly. This button automatically locks the gate and arm the system. Plus, I outfitted your alarm sound into our shell cells, so we're alerted too of the situation. Which reminds me I remember you saying 'you call first before coming to visit' well I made for you, you very know shell cell with our numbers outfitted to your contacts."

"Thank you, Donatello, that's very generous of you," said Venus smiling at him.

"Guys, it's getting late. We'd better head back to the lair," ordered Leo.

"Aw, see you later, Venus," said Mikey hugging her.

"Later, Venus," said Don.

"Later, oh, here's Mimi," said Raph.

"Careful Raph, you might have a stalker," mocked Mikey.

"Mikey, I'm going to knock you out of your shell," shouted Raph running out of Venus' lair.

They could hear Mikey's girlish screams throughout the sewer tunnels telling Raph to stop chasing him.

"Well, I'll see you later," said Leo.

"Okay, try to keep Raph and Mikey out of trouble for," said Venus smiling.

Leo laughed a little, saying, "I'll try, but I can't promise you anything."

Venus watched the guys head back to their home before locking her gate, heading back into her dojo to meditate. Venus ended up having a vision about a laboratory with her blood getting drained and someone laughing wickedly, watching her lose consciousness. Venus was breathing heavily like after waking up from a nightmare. She had no idea what the dream meant or if it was something else, but one thing was for sure she would talk to Splinter about it. Until she was particular about the vision she had, she wasn't going to let the guys worry about her without knowing what it meant.