Golden Angel

Struggling to wake up, Artemis groaned before opening her eyes.

“OW…”

“ARTIE!”

Jumping in surprise, she gasped at the sudden hugs from Mizu and Don.

“I…I can’t…BREATHE…”

Moving back, the two started asking questions too fast to understand.

Finally, she put hands over their mouths, eye twitching.

“Headache and you two doesn’t make me feel very nice…”

“Sorry…” Don apologized.

“But what happened?”

Sitting up, the crimson-eyed turtle rubbed her neck.

“A dart…Some kind of poison…I’ll be fine. My healing got it all out, I think…”

Something caught her eyes, and they widened.

“Leo?!”

Immediately moving to his side, she gripped his hand tight.

“LEO?!”

Splinter put a hand on her shoulder, trying to reassure her.

“He should be fine, my daughter…He was also poisoned…”

A fire started in her eyes, and you could see the sparks on her skin.

‘Whoever did this is going to pay…’

Her hold tightened, and she closed her eyes.

‘I’ll kill them…’

“Leonardo poisoned? Who would do such a thing?”

Something in her screamed to strike, and she glared at the Ultimate Ninja.

She was in a near rage, her senses screaming at her to attack now, before it was too late…

“I’d think you’d know.” She growled.

“Artemisia.”

She only looked away, but didn’t apologize for her rude assumption.

She believed it, after all.

“Rest assured, Splinter-sensei, I will get to the bottom of this atrocity.”

The man looked at her in confusion, and she glared back.

“I had heard you were also poisoned…”

“Don’t underestimate the healing powers of a Waterbender.”

Mizu nodded.

“Didn’t you know? She’s the Avatar.”

This new tidbit of information obviously caught the Ultimate Ninja off-guard, but he composed himself.

“Stay with your brother, Donatello.” Splinter ordered.

“Artemisia-.”

“I’m going back into the competition.” She stated stubbornly.

“I’m perfectly fine.”

“…Be careful, my daughter. I will return shortly. I must speak with the Daimyo.”

Artemis nodded, standing up.

Pulling water from her flask, she made it into a star, and it glowed brightly.

“Artemis…”

‘She’s putting her chi into it…’

Putting it onto his plastron, the jade-skinned turtle kissed Leo on the forehead.

“Don’t die on me, love…”

With another untrustworthy glare at the Ultimate Ninja, she headed for the arena…

‘He’s going to die once all of this is over…’

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“The following warriors will advance to the next stage of the competition.”

As names were listed, along with dimensions, Artemis walked through the crowd of warriors in search of the others.

“Artie? Where ‘ave ya been THIS time?” Chi demanded, but there was the slightest hint of worry in her voice.

“…Nothing I couldn’t handle…Don’t worry.”

Mikey and Raph seemed just as worried, but shook it off.

If Artemis said not to worry, then there wasn’t much to worry about.

They had to meet back there in a ‘mega-quargon’, and the four teens had confused looks.

“How long is a mega-quardon?”

“Pretty damn long, I’d think…” Chi supplied.

“Let’s go find Leo and Don and rub it into their faces!”

Artemis didn’t have the heart to tell them Leo was hurt…

They’d stop fighting and lose their chance…

So she said nothing and followed them, though she knew Chi could sense her distress.

Though seemingly dense, the Earthbender was very connected to strong emotions and could identify them.

Walking through the streets of the surrounding city, the Earthbender closed her eyes as she followed the group.

The streets were crowded with warriors and civilians, and Chi weaved through the crowds more easily than most.

“Make way! Battle Nexus Finalists, coming through!” Mikey exclaimed.

“Mikey…”

“Yes, Artie?”

SMACK!!!

“OW!!!”

“Will you shut up? I’ve got a major migraine…”

“Pst. Hey. Turtles.”

Artemis felt her eye twitch, her patience and temper coming to a boil.

‘I swear to KAMI, I’ll-!’

“Care to place a wager on me for the next round? The odds are on favor three-to-one.”

“Beat it, rhino. Fin’ some other sucker.” Raph replied.

“Wait! What are the odds on me?” Mikey asked, not moving.

“The longshot? Two hundred-to-one.”

Chi glared, putting a hand on Mikey’s shoulder.

“Don’t let ‘im get ya down, Mike. ‘E just wants ta seem like a hot-shot.”

“And you? You’re at LEAST ten-to-one.”

She smirked, grabbing him by his shirt and pulling the rhino down to her level.

“Mind if I beat the hell out ‘a ya ta prove how bogus this shit is?”

He seemed to realize something that surprised him.

“You’re blind!”

“Good job, Mr. Observant.” She scoffed, releasing him.

“If that’s how long it takes ya ta figure shit out, I wouldn’t trust ya wit’ a bag of sand.”

Artemis sighed, getting between the rhino and them.

“Let’s not start anything before the next round, Chi.”

Mikey seemed curious now, and turned to the rhino again.

“Hey, what are the odds on Artemis?”

“Her? Two-to-one.”

Mikey grinned, putting an arm around her shoulders.

“THAT’S my sis!”

“Mikey, stop it…You’re embarrassing me and making my migraine worse…”

Grabbing his mask tails, she started dragging her brother after her, Chi following not far behind.

“We wouldn’t want the others to miss my Battle Nexus triumph!”

Large blue eyes looked up at irritated crimson, and the orange-banded turtle smiled sheepishly.

“Um…I mean, YOUR Battle Nexus Triumph.”

“Yeah, sure…”

Releasing him, she started talking with Chi about the next round in hushed voices.

That’s when Mikey bumped into a cart and knocked food on a little purple and green alien…

“…Only Mikey…”

“It’s a gift…A bad gift, but a gift…”

“Oops…” Mikey mumbled as the alien chattered angrily.

“Sounds like the universal language ‘a ‘I’m gonna kick yer butt’ ta me…” Raph stated.

“Yeah, well, if you weren’t such a puny little shrimp, I’d show you how a REAL Battle Nexus Champion fights!”

Artemis smacked her forehead, sighing.

“I just FEEL the karma coming to bite him in the shell…”

Chi didn’t say anything, but stepped up to Mikey’s side.

The little alien grew large, muscular, and Mikey INSTANTLY regretted his big mouth…

The orange-banded turtle was lifted into the air, NOW scared out of his wits…

“Did you know that where I come from, puny little shrimp is a term of endearment?”

Chi sighed, grabbing the aliens wrist and pulling down so Mikey was on his feet again.

“Try an’ hit ‘im. I dare ya.”

Her blank, intimidating expression gave the impression of skill and power beyond her opponent.

There was a bright light, and the gnocchi appeared before a massive fist was raised against her.

“Attend! Attend! The final matches of the Battle Nexus Tournament are about to begin!”

He disappeared again, and brought them all with him to the arena.

“Welcome, noble warriors, to the final stage of the Battle Nexus Tournament!”

A large piece of land came up, slots for battles on the top.

“Before we begin, you’re match-ups will be determined by random lottery. However, due to a disqualification, we are left with an uneven number of combatants. Therefore, the odd one will automatically proceed to the next level.”

With the slightest hesitance, Artemis reached into the strange floating sphere, pulling out a dagger.

Leading Chi, she made sure the Earthbender also pulled one out.

The colors matched…

“Looks like we’re going to have to fight…”

Chi closed her eyes, the smallest of smiles on her face.

“Even if I lose, at least I know it’ll be a good fight.”

Smiling back, the gold-banded turtle put a hand on her friend’s shoulder.

“Me, too.”

They dissolved, appearing in their arena to fight.

Bowing to each other, they took different stances.

Airbending wouldn’t be fair, but Waterbending should be fine…

Chi looked calm as ever, relaxed, when Artemis threw the first wave of water.

Side-stepping, she jabbed earth at the she-turtle.

Jumping away, the jade-skinned turtle made ice knuckles before running in to try and punch her opponent.

Chi dodged and blocked rather well, until Artemis jumped back and threw water over the ground.

Breathing out, she froze the ice until it was slippery.

The Earthbender, surprised, fell over from her inexperience of walking on ice.

Artemis stood over her, and bowed.

“You were a great opponent, Chi-sensei.”

The blind, red/gold-haired girl smirked a bit, closing her eyes.

“I couldn’t ‘a asked fer a better person ta teach…I don’t regret anythin’…”

Nodding, the crimson-eyed turtle prepared to do a finishing move.

“…Watch out for the others for me…”

The girl nodded.

“I will…”

She vanished in blue light, and Artemis breathed out.

‘Thank you, Chi…’

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Ice shielded the Daimyo from the twin katana, and tentacles of water flew to knock the blades from the assassin’s hands.

They turned to see a serious-eyed Mizu, water rippling around her in the slightest of movements.

“Attacking someone while they sleep…How low will you assassins slip?”

Water wrapped around their waists, and tightened.

“Maybe YOU poisoned Leo? Artemis? I already know you ambushed them.”

Chucking them, they hit the wall hard.

“You’re cowards.”

They stood up, and threw shuriken.

Earth came up and defended the Waterbender, who turned to see Chi.

“Guess Artie’s gut was right. No wonder she wanted me ta check on ya guys.”

A samurai sword and Bo staff flew out, knocking the assassins off their feet.

“Well, this should be easy!”

They fought rather well, water and earth and weapons lashing out, until Usagi was thrown through a paper door.

Don was surprised by an attack, though Mizu managed to knock the assassin back with a wave.

The samurai and ninja worked well together, and stopped the assassins from finishing off the Daimyo.

“Why did you attack the Daimyo? Who are you working for?”

There were no answers, but the fighting, if anything, became more fierce.

“Easy, Usagi! Chi! We can’t get information from them if they’re out cold!”

Chi stopped, earth-fist already having knocked one upside the head.

“Uh…Oops?”

“My apologies, Donatello-san.”

Knocking one over, Chi put a threatening foot over its throat.

“Now, tell us who you work for, assassin.” Usagi demanded.

“Or feel the wrath of my blade.”

“…Do you get the feeling he knows something we don’t?” Mizu asked.

Chi’s eyes narrowed.

“Guys…”

They looked out to see many assassins crawling in like cockroaches…

“I feel we are in for the fight of our lives…”