Trust in the Shadows

Rise of the Turtles: Part 1

Alyssa's POV:

My brothers are standing before one another in preparation for tonight's sparring match. Leo is assigned to oppose Mikey, and Donnie to oppose Raph, all while I sit on the sidelines. Master Splinter decided that whoever is the last man standing after their battles would challenge me in a fight. I like to think he's saving his best fighter for last, but I know better than to assume victory. I learned that the hard way. That said, I do win most of my sparring matches unless I'm up against Leo. In that scenario, either he wins, I win, or Splinter calls a draw. It probably has to do with our upbringing before and after Splinter found and took me in. We both strive for perfection and most of the time, we succeed. Maybe not in a real battle yet, but we're ok with that for now. Each brother gives their opponents a hardened glare as Leo & Mikey leap into action against one another. Leo swings his blades as he goes to strike Mikey while the latter approaches him with a swing of his nunchucks.

Leo: "Yah!"

Mikey: "Oh, yeah! Michelangelo is on the move!"

Leo: "Hyah!"

Even as Leo repeatedly dodges Mikey's attacks, he can't help but taunt his blue-clad brother.

Mikey: "You don't know what to do. I'm here, I'm there. I could be anywhere. How do you stop what you can't even see?"

Eventually, Leo puts this taunting to an end as he spins his sword, the handle hitting Mikey in the stomach as he doubles over in pain. Leo faces his defeated opponent with a cocky grin as he replies to his brother's rhetorical question.

Leo: "Like that."

As Mikey groans in pain, he raises a finger in recognition of his defeat and his brother's way of returning his previous taunting.

Mikey: "Good one, Leo."

Me: "Nice move, Valiente!"

Leo turns to me with a grateful smile. Even though he doesn't speak much Spanish, he's used to me calling him that particular nickname. Meanwhile, Raph & Donnie prepare to spar against one another. Raph's ego is evident as he speaks while cracking his neck.

Raph: "All right, Donnie. Put down the staff and no one gets hurt."

Donnie: "Uh, you said that last time, Raph, and then you hurt me."

Raph: "Yeah, but less than I would have."

Donnie: "Yeah, right."

Donnie runs towards Raph with a loud battle cry, gripping and swinging his staff. Unfortunately for him, Raph dodges every attack until he grabs the staff, spins it once, and snaps it in two. Donnie's serious look changes to one full of fear and nerves.

Donnie: "Should've dropped the staff?"

Raph: "Should've dropped the staff."

Raph then runs to Donnie as the latter turns his back to him. He then bangs the staff pieces against Donnie's shell like a drum.

Donnie: "Ok, ok. Ow, I'm down."

Raph then turns to face Leo as they walk towards one another, their weapons drawn and stances fit for battle.

Leo (Translation): "Onegai shimasu." (Please begin)

Raph: "Whatever you say."

As they fight, Leo manages to disarm one of Raph's sais. It flies across the room before it lands in the wall. Then, Raph disarms Leo, traps one of his hands with his sai, and sends him to the ground. Once his hand is released, Leo takes it in his other hand with a groan, Raph standing over him with a sly grin.