Changes: chapter 4
#4 of Changes
Changes: Chapter 4
Disclaimer: nope, don't own it, nick has Tmnt franchise ATM.
"I'm attracted to trouble. What can I say? It may be small, or large like the Baxter incident.
-Zero
Chapter 4: cause
"Donnie! Quit it! It was an accident!!!" Raph ran out if the lab... persued by a Donnie with a huge mallet. Zero scrunched his face in worry, and tried not to laugh.
"What did you do raph? Crash his computer looking up something, perhaps porn?" He asked, laughing now. His laughing finally ceased when Raph bound past him, and He had to start running, with Donnie closing in fast.
"No! That's not even close! I accedently put a large scratch on the shell cycle while sanding it down! He went nuts! Like I couldn't even repaint it!" I had to chuckle as we ran. Leo had walked into the doorway, when he saw us.
He ran to intercept Donnie and take the mallet. After managing to take it away Zero sighed and stopped "Raph, how long do we have before the conference?" He asked.
He thought "A good 10 minutes I guess. Sensei should be awake by then" he said. It was the day they were to tell sensei. Donnie calmed down finally.
"April is opening up her uncle's antique shop. She says Zero can work up there." Donnie said. He agreed and he said he would call her later.
The paper doors opened and sensei walked out, smiling oddly to himself. "Splinter, we all need to talk" Zero said. Mikey bounded out from who knows where and stood beside Donnie.
He nodded, like he had anticipated this "Yes... let's... talk over a cup of tea. All of you" he said.
After getting tea, Donnie got coffee, they sat on the sofa, splinter in his arm chair. No one knew where to start, but Raph pipped up first "Sensei, Me and Z need to tell you something..."
Splinter looked serene and shook his head "Rapheal, nothing has to be said. Xercies, Rapheal, you have my blessing. You may continue your growing relationship"
Zero's mind went blank, that's all it could do. He got his thoughts together "Shit... the odd smiling... I thought you had new soap operas to watch" he said.
Splinters eyes widened "There are new programs? I would very much like to watch them" he said.
Zero face palmed at this "No, But if I come across one I'll tell you. So your ok with all this, just to make sure" He asked. He just nodded and that was that.
Raph was beside him before He could even register him. He was grinning madly and hugged Zero. A little schoolgirl like, but ok. He smiled and patted his shell "so then... I think I will take him out tonight" Hesaid finally.
Splinter nodded "be back before dawn, you have a job interview with April" Donnie said. Zero nodded "and we will have to tell her about you and raph" that part he had not thought through.
"Right... wonder what her reaction would be... probably hysteric. Come on Raph... let's go practice. I also need to make a few phone calls... two of which I had forgotten to do the whole time I've been here. They are probably hysteric themselves..."
He sighed and pulled out the shell cell Donnie crafted for him. He started with April. Telling her he'd take the job and stop by her house to give her some news. She gave the address, he said good bye, and hung up. Two more calls to make after practice.
Zero and Raph sparred, but Raph was trying to pin Zero for a reason opposite of sparring . They moved in a dance that had no end. fists blocked, kicks avoided, foot to plastron, sweat flying, and that burn of passion.
Everyone stopped to watch. Zero had a slight upper hand when he would use Raph's weight against him, rendering tackling useless to the turtle.
The session went on until training time was over. It was a tie. And they bowed to each other, and shared a kiss "Now I have some calls to make, want to listen?"
Raph blinked, but agreed "Who are you calling anyway?" he asked. Zero shook his head and told him to wait and see.
Donnie had set up his old phone number with the new shell cell. So it had all hos contacts in it. He dialed and waited for an answer.
"Z? Is that you? Shit man! Where have you been? It's been weeks!"
Zero sighed "Techie, calm down. I'm out of the city right now. But i will be back tomorrow. I met someone though..."
"You met the one?!?! I have to meet him! Wait... did you talk to Blake yet?" Zero sighed.
"No. I was calling him next. I also need him to make me something too. Would you like to talk to Raphael though? He's my one"
Keith AKA Techie was one of Zero's two best friends. His namesake Techie came from his computer skills. Raph nodded and Zero handed him the shellcell.
"Raphael huh? Italian, nice. So far Zero speaks highly of you. But I want to make this clear. I will keep my eyes... well ears for the time being on you."
It was on speaker, so zero heard every word and laughed a little "protective for nothing" He said quietly.
Raph smiled "yes... well I'm sorry you don't trust me yet. But I don't care how many hoops I jump through. This isn't some fling, or one shot. "
"Good. Now then, hand the phone back please" Zero shrugged and raph handed the shellcell back.
"Nice talking to you Techie, but I have to talk to Blake" they exchanged goodbyes and zero hung up.
"I need to caution you a little on Blake... he's loud when worried or excited" he said as he dialed. The phone picked up on the third ring.
"Z! You disappeared on us! We have a problem. One of the other free-running teams is challenging us for our turf! We need you in a few weeks for the match!" raph had pulled away from the phone and it sounded like Blake calmed "Where are you anyway dude?" he asked.
Zero gave him the same story he gave Techie "And that I met someone" he said.
Blake groaned "Is it another douche? Because I do not want you hurt like what happened with..."
Zero cut him off quickly "No, he is not a douchebag. And don't mention him. That was years ago. But I'm out of town until tomorrow. I got a job at an antique store, and I will see about that match. What type is it? Jump, balloon, race, or skill?"
It looked like Raph was going to ask about that, but Blake's answer was immediate "Balloon, which is surprising because they aren't that high of a class" he said.
"Also, Blake, I need use of your crafting skills. How fast can you get me twin scythes, as sophisticated as you can manage?" he asked. He could almost feel the guy smiling
"2 weeks at the most . Depends on your definition of sophisticated" he said.
"your definition, not mine" Zero said. He told raph he would explain in a minute.
"Good, pick them up in a week. Bring your one and then you can have them, Not before" he hung up.
Zero sighed "Great... he wants to meet you, and Blake makes sure there is no way to ever say 'NO' to him. Damn, you'll have to meet him. And techie might be there too knowing he will contact Blake in the week."
Raph sighed "and about that Freerunning business, and the crafting? That was kinda confusing. First off, what is a balloon challenge? Then the Scythes part next"
Zero smiled "Let's start with the basics. In New York you probably have heard of the Parkour World once or twice.I lead a team, Phoenix. We're a high ranking team in the world. We have only 10 members, which is low to be high ranking. If you want to join, you will need a full body suit, which shouldn't be hard, and a full understanding of the rules. A Balloon challenge is a type of high class challenge. We're going to hook a balloon to a small can of pressurized helium oxygen air. The balloon is injected with the air, and it goes flying. The amount of helium and air makes it afloat for an hour. You have an hour to catch the balloon. First to catch the balloon wins. It could be a ground challenge or a roof challenge as well"
Raph nodded in interest "Wait... I can join, just nobody can see under the suit, as simple as that? We need a suit though. And the scythes part"
"Ahh. Now that's The interesting part. In those weapons you made, you left out one I think is needed to complete the entire set. A kasurigami is a sickle on a Chain. Bit a sickle is a mimi scythe. A scythe was a ninja tool, and in mythology deaths executioner weapon. It is a great weapon. But I asked for twin scythes, two shorter one handed weapons. They are better than a scythe. And knowing him, they will probably be able to shift into a full scythe. He has great crafting skills. Leo would like him. Donnie would like techie as well. And that was what the call was about."
Raph chuckled to himself "that's funny. You said Leo would probably like him"
Zero's ear perked and he grinned "Oh you guys need to grow up and stop easdropping. Spying on me is hard to get away with." He said.
Leo, Mikey, and Donnie opened the dojo door "Aww how did you know?" Mikey asked.
Leo looked intent on keeping his frown "This parkour business sounds dangerous. How safe is it?" same old worrying Leo.
"Safe for those that know what their doing. And raph should know what he is doing. You all should. You do know how to jump buildings, right? Raph knows."
Leo nodded, resigned. Donnie had a spark on his eyes "Looks like Casey and April get new friends in on the secret. And ones a smart guy. Score for a genius." Donnie said cheerfully.
Mikey frowned for once "no one new that I would like?" he asked. Zero thought about it
"Actually... I think I know something, not a someone... but first I need to convert you into an Anime fan to love it" he said. Mikey looked confused
"Anime? Never heard of it. Is it like comics?" he asked. Zero sighed and started to explain Manga was like a comic, just you read backwards, and that anime was animated versions of those manga. Mikey was thrilled "twice the excitement" he said.
That night, Zero and raph snuck out. They were going to April's. They were roaming the rooftops, going to April's. Zero noticed the other 3 turtles tailing them though. He sighed as he climbed down the fire escape and raph went to the window.
The light was on and the door unlocked. April was still moving around the shop, boxes in hand. She was setting up the store still, he realized.
"Hey Z, can you give me a hand? Some of these boxes are heavy and valuable. I could use a hand"
He smiled "how about 10?" she looked confused, until the 4 turtles went in from the window.
"Hey April, nice place" Mikey said. Raph walked up to Zero and put an arm around his shoulders. April looked confused a little bit.
They helped her set up shop "Casey would be a bull in a china shop here, don't let him work here" Zero said as they finished.
They went upstairs and the turtles, and zero sat on the couch. April stood in front of them "Zero, you said you had news"
Zero smiled and started with Blake and Techie. Leaving out his personal stuff. Mostly the weapon and parkour. Then he got serious. He sighed.
"Also, the most important reason I came here, i mean me and raph. The others followed. April, I'm gay, and raph and I fell in love" he said.
She raised an eye "Tell me that a few weeks ago and I would have laughed. Now I'm just happy for you both. But I have a question... I need to know what you want your schedule to look like for work"
Zero smiled, and everyone else cheered. Raph put an arm around Zero's neck and kissed him. Zero kissed back and looked at April "anytime you need me" he said.
She nodded and looked at them "isn't it late? Shouldn't you be off on patrol or something?" she asked.
Leo shook his head "not tonight. It's Zero and Raph's first night together openly. Looks like their sharing a room. And zero is going to drag a mattress, because two can't fit in that hammock of his"
she nodded "I'll stop bye tomorrow after work. I need to give splinter a few things for giving me a place to stay until I got this shop back. In the meantime, Raph, watch where you walk, there is a janator for this store. He's nice, but a little weird."
After saying goodbye and returning to the sewers. Zero and raph had a mattress and was transporting it to their new room. Tge hexagonal openings were fixed thanks to donnie.
There was thick enough wood to hold a door behind the opening. Raph opened the door and they went inside "where should we set it?" he asked.
They decided on setting it under the hammock. Raph smiled as they moved the rest of Zero's stuff inside the room. "Donnie really finds a lot at that dump, doesn't he?" Raph nodded.
Zero sat down and sighed "I hope at the week mark, that everything will be ok. I don't want to lose you to something stupid. Tomorrow, lets start on your body suit, your going to need it for when we see Blake and Techie.
Raph laid beside him as they went to sleep. Zero kissed him, and Raph nodded "Don't worry Z, everything will be fine. I will never go anywhere"
The week flew by fast. Zero started working at April's, and exploring the many different artifacts throughout the shop. He even found a small multi armed statue. It gave him a creepy feeling, and he had stashed it away.
The group waited till night, and took a drive. April and Casey were with them "were going out of city borders, down to Blake's, legal by the way, Blacksmith shop. I will tell you when we arrive, absurd give directions. I'd drive, but Donnie doesn't trust me behind the wheel"
Donnie protested that last statement, but finally agreed to let him drive back to the garage.
Arriving at a small farmland area, he went up a gravel road "only me and Raph go in for now. If its all ok, I'll rap on the door twice. If not, well... you'll know. Raph, put on the helmet."
After pulling up, Zero and a covered Raph walked up to the door, which opened as if someone knew they were here already. "Z, You better get in, you have a lot to tell us" it was Blake. He was large, standing a few inches above Zero. He was lean though, and a great Freerunner. He had large hands, which allowed him the smallest and largest blacksmith tasks. He could do intricate forging, or simple forging. He smiled, he had a buzzed head of brown hair. His eyes were deep blue, and in his hand, he held a key "this is what you get for our little trade. Show is your boyfriend, and you get the key to your weapons. It's only me and Techie though." he said.
Zero nodded and gestured Raph in. The door closed behind them. Techie-- Keith stood beside the door. He didn't look like a genius. He looked like a surfer with large headphones around his neck. He had long, blond hair, and a set of green irises, a rare eye color.
Zero smiled lightly "no photos, no other witnesses, no cameras or recording devices." Techie nodded as of he heard that before
"That big a secret huh? Why would you hid him from the world?" he asked. zero sighed and told Raph to remove the helmet. The turtle didn't hesitate as he took off the helmet.
Blake looked shocked, and Techie stared blankly. "Is it a costume?" Techie asked, walking up to raph and tugged his skin "Nope, it's amphibious flesh, but with humanoid tone. Dark green, a good color to contrast with The crimson mask. You look like a fighter, but you stand with little scars, strange."
Blake shrugged "Well, Deals a deal. Catch" he tossed the key, and zero grabbed it out of the air. He walked to the door and rapped on it twice "Meet the family"
After everyone flooded in, Zero was carrying a large suitcase "A week is your signature for clockwork and gears. Two is electric based. Out of electric material?
Blake nodded and he and techie were getting acquainted with the others "Good, I like your clockwork stuff, it's more durable, and it's more affective." he unlocked the suitcase, and opened it.
Everyone turned towards him "you two think of everything" he said. First he pulled out straps, and hooked them to his lower waist. Second he grinned madly, and pulled out the weapons.
Two equally semi-long black metal poles we're in his hand. It was obvious that it was clockwork, Because of the shapes of the lines on the metal. The blades of the scythes were the same, except one had a lot indentions like the blade itself. The scythe blades laid on a clockwork pivot system that pulled the scythe blades to sheath them.
The one with indentions on the blade was interesting "Let me guess. You mixed Darksiders 2 with FF13? Techie, did you help him design it?"
Techie nodded "And did a great job making it too. It take 2 weeks to assemble without his help" Blake said.
He then went on explaining how it worked, it's mechanisms, and it's uses. Including what Blake called its "True form' the poles connect, and you twist. The power source, which Blake refused to tell anyone, extended and realigned the indentions on one scythe, creating a wicked curved scythe, with a blade at the other end. It was made for fighting.
The scythes were pretty plain, and black. He had made them with his ebony metal reserves, an honor like being knighted.
Zero smiled and folded them with a flick. He slid them into the holders. Unsurprisingly, they fit like a glove. He walked up to everyone and sighed "Ebony huh? What did I do to deserve that honor?" he asked.
Blake and Techie smiled at each other "Yeah... that's actually payment for a few things plus. First, where have you really been these last few weeks? And what happened to get you from stocktonics to an antique store"
The turtles, April, Casey, and Zero began explaining the story so far. "The sewer? We should visit sometime" Techie said "And those ninjas are familiar. Foot ninjas, take that to splinter, see of he knows anything... you know what? Well accompany you"
Blake nodded and they were stuck with more passengers. Techie was outfitted normally, but with knives hidden, And a lot of them.
Blake had the weirdest weapon the turtles had seen. Zero sighed "Really? Your using that?" he asked.
Blake laughed "it's my best dude. Besides my martial arts skill isn't high" he said. He had gauntlet bucklers. They were defensive, and gave a hard punch.
Zero sighed "ok then, If your going to use bucklers, at least make sure you have a backup weapon." he said.
"I'm not an idiot Z." he smiled and withdrew a large case from the back "do you know what's in this?" he asked.
Zero scrunched his face up "please tell me that's what I think it is? you finally got the hang of them? I thought you couldn't use them right yet?"
"I lied" Blake said. He grinned and unzipped it, pulling one out. "quit odd isn't it though? It's too religious looking to be this useful."
the weapon itself was almost as tall as techie. It was shaped like a cross, but the edges and sides were bladed. A hole was born onto the middle with a pole. It was a cross shuriken. It could be thrown, or used as a sword.
"It's awesome, looks fitting ." he sighed "To the sewers guys"
Splinter sighed "The foot are evil. Do not let them deceive you to their side, they will influence you beyond control. Promise me you will not listen to a snake's lies."
The turtles promised and raph looked at zero "You guys might want to explain. You all know who these guys are, especially Z here." he said. Zero smiled and nodded.
"Purple dragons are not independent, as you believe" Zero said, that got Raph's attention "The Foot are their bosses. We've done spy work in it. It's not pretty. And that they keep their leaders identity a complete secret." he said "it's annoying to get any info on him. All we know is he class himself in armor, and he is a master at Kung-fu."
Zero sighed "that's all we know. Unless you guys made breakthroughs with our mole." he asked. Techie and Blake shook their head.
"Wait, you said your a parkour team, what are you doing fighting thugs and ninjas?" Leo asked. It was a good question.
"Phoenix was formed by me and these two. We're very old friends. It's parkour, but we have other obligations outside of the parkour world. We fight when we feel we must, and that's a lot in this city." Zero said.
Raph was grinning "Great, now that that is settled, we need to prepare for our most troubling problem" he was not grinning anymore.
Leo looked at him "and what's that Raph?" he asked, obviously confused
"Our birthday Leo, it's coming up in a few weeks" that hit home. Leo looked panicked a little, Splinter said he was going to retire after teaching then one last thing on their birthday.
"Shit... this won't be a fun birthday" Mikey said, openly cursing without a happy smile.