Perfect Enemy
Can you believe it? I've started writing on the sequel to Waiting For You. Please read that first before reading this one.
This is just a short prologue for now, but I'll have a real chapter when I can. Hopefully this will tide you over until then. Please enjoy and as always, reviews are welcomed and encouraged.
Summary: Alisa's brother suddenly appears in her life again. Leading her to believe he was ejected from the Foot, she begins to trust him once more. Unbeknownst to Alisa or the Turtles, David is a pawn in one of Karai's games; the deadliest they've ever played. Warning: Character death. Rating is subject to change in later chapters.
Disclaimer: TMNT and all its characters belong to Viacom International. All rights reserved. I claim only David and Alisa as I created them.
So It Begins
Prologue
The young ninja silently navigated the vast winding hallway to his destination. He was alone in his journey as he headed to the top of the towering fortress. Some would call this place the bowels of hell itself, but it was the only life he'd known for over ten years. Yet, it was a constant struggle to survive.
It was a grueling test to pass each day. It quickly separated the weak from the strong. The lucky ones lived to see another sun rise and then begin the cycle all over again. Those who did not were worthless; left behind to die in dishonor. Or maybe they were perhaps even luckier than was thought. The only escape in the Foot Clan was death.
The young man sighed to himself. Nowadays, his own life was hanging in the balance. The escape of his sister with the turtles, nearly a year ago now, was on his head. He followed reports of their clashes with them over the months to try to track down where they stayed, but it was no easy feat. Those who survived the encounter, and increasingly fewer did when she was with them, never saw them leave. They simply vanished without a trace.
The mistress was becoming angrier and more disgusted with him as he continued to keep failing to bring her results. How long before she would decide to run one of her steel claws through him? Weeks? Days? Hours? He had escaped death numerous times already for his incompetence, but his luck could not hold out forever.
He finally reached the end of the hall then, standing before a set of huge ornate double doors decorated with intricate Japanese symbols and artwork. A few moments later, they began to slowly open seemingly by themselves. Anxiety crept in his stomach and settled there like a hardened lump as he stepped inside the room beyond.
He was greeted with near total darkness, save for a few torches. The flames flickered and shuddered, casting a ghastly glow across a portion of the chamber. It only served to resonate the evil residing here; black, soulless and empty.
He tried to stave off the fear stealing into his heart as he approached a low Japanese wooden table at the front of the room. He knelt before the small, shadowed figure sitting behind it. She knew that he did not have what she wanted. So why was it then she had summoned him?
"You wished to see me, Mistress Karai?" he spoke, his voice low and respectful.
"Yes, David," the Kunoichi answered, her ruby red lips quirking into a particularly cruel smile, "I did."
Her voice sent terrible chills down his spine. He did not like the tone it held. He was certain she was planning to do something with him. Every nerve in his body was screaming at him to run, but he couldn't. His loyalty and training was far stronger and forbade it.
"I presume you are well aware why I have called you here," she continued.
She paused a moment as she fixed him a piercing glare. He swallowed thickly.
"Hai, Mistress," he replied, "I am working as hard as…"
"No," she cut him off, sharply, "You have not. Your efforts are sickening. Your constant and utter failure disgusts me. Yet, your loyalty only precedes your incompetence which is why you are still alive."
Suddenly, she stood up with an object in her hand and came around the table to his prone figure. He tried not to flinch as he then felt a sharp prickling sensation along his upper back and shoulders. The clawed blade lightly raked his skin through the thin material of his gi.
"The time has come now, however, to take more drastic actions," she added, "It will be a bit… messy, but I'm afraid I have no choice. I will explain later when you are in position."
In position? For what? He had no more time to contemplate as the blade punctured into a shoulder. His vision exploded in stars and he nearly fell over as he gave a short cry. White hot pain seared all over his body and blood began flowing heavily from the wound, quickly soaking his uniform.
"Karai," he managed to gasp, "W-wait… NO!"
His scream reverberated off the walls as the claw came down again.
"And now, let the games… begin," Karai hissed.
End Prologue