The new friends walked through the New York City Sewers. It is amazing how a new experience can bring people together. Not that all these beings were people. Only Chuck Lee was. He stood at a height of 6 feet and 220 pounds. He had wavy brown hair and hazel eyes. He had been the bad guy, until his conscience didn't allow for it anymore.
The "friends" were mutated turtles. They stood at only 5'2". They walked on two legs and had been taught the way of ninjitsu by a mutated rat. Each of them also used a specific weapon that matched their personalities. Leonardo, the eternal student most proud of being a ninja ... and what ninja didn't have a katana? Raphael, his sarcastic, quick wit matching perfectly with the sai. During a fight it was harder to tell which did more damage. Michaelangelo mastered the whirling nunchaku, to match his whirling humor. And last, but not least, Donatello. He was the technology of the turtles, carried the ninja weapon of wisdom ... the Bo.
The five of them kept walking through the sewers. This is part they always hated. But being ninja, that they were, they needed stealth in a world that didn't believe in ninja anymore.
"I really gotta remember to get some noseplugs," Chuck thought to himself. The smell of rotting food and sewage was almost overpowering. It was all he could do to keep himself from gagging.
The darkened sewer did not offer much light, but Chuck still could make out their shapes ... their domed heads and some outline of their bandannas. They lowered their bodies. He followed suit. "It's nice to understand the way of the ninja," he smiled inwardly.
The slowly crept along for a few minutes until they reached the door. Michaelangelo pushed it open. They made their way inside. Chuck became a little nervous. He had never met the one that they call "sensei" or teacher. Chuck jumped a bit as Donatello called, "Master Splinter, we're home."
Chuck felt a touch on his left shoulder, "Welcome to our humble abode. Let's go spar."
Chuck patted the hand, "In a minute Raphael. I'd like the honor of meeting your sensei." Raphael sighed and grumbled. He flopped on the couch and flipped on the television.
"Who is this?" a voice with a slight Japanese accent asked.
Startled, Chuck turned, to the master, and bowed, "Splinter, I am a retired elite guard."
"I did not know of such a thing." His whiskers twitched as his dark eyes looked Chuck over.
"Neither have I," Chuck nervously smiled. "I believe I am the first."
He gave back a warm smile, "Well, if my students have trust to bring you here, then welcome." His gaze shifted over to Raphael, now standing next to Chuck.
"Sensei, he promised to spar me," Raphael blurted out.
Chuck wondered what motivated Raphael. He always seemed ready for a fight.
Master Spinter continued smiling, "May I have the honor of watching?"
Chuck answered by flashing a daring smile at Raphael.
Michaelangelo called from the kitchen, "Dinner will be done in an hour." Splinter nodded, and ushered Raphael and Chuck from that part of the lair.
The trio passed Donatello. Chuck paused to watch him use the "hunt and peck" method at his keyboard. The felt the need to tease, "Hey Donatello, If I have time...I could type for ya."
"Yeah." He lifted his hand, not looking at Chuck.
Chuck followed Raphael and Splinter as they passed Leonardo. "What is the book Leonardo is reading?" he asked.
"Chess." Splinter told Chuck.
"Hmmm, I'm not a great player, but I like a game now and then."
"Guess I'll have to keep from breaking your fingers then, eh?"
"Heh Heh, you and what army?" Chuck shot right back.
Chuck followed Raphael and Splinter to their training area. Raphael turned to face Chuck as Master Splinter walked over and sat on the side, his legs crossed. He said simply, "Begin."
Raphael lunged a punch at Chuck. He barely had time to react. Chuck twisted his body as he used his right palm to block. He instinctively closed his hand and back fisted Raphael upside his cheek, "Oops, sorry." His apology was not so serious.
Raphael growled, "It's ok. Not bad." He smiled cunningly.
Master Splinter commented, "Thank you for showing us areas that need work."
Chuck smiled, not taking his eyes off of Raphael. "It's my honor as one ninja to another."
"I think it's time to visit my boyfriend..." Pimiko started.
Yep, women are soft, Tatsu thought to himself.
"We'll see where his loyalties are. And if he is in with my Father's enemies, then he will be destroyed also."
Well maybe she won't be so soft, Tatsu thought. Tatsu was only about ten years older than Pimiko and he couldn't keep from wondering what it would feel like to feel her body against his.
"Hey Donny, wanna help me here, after all we have a guest today."
"Can't Mikey. Got my own recipe working right now."
Michaelangelo realized that Donatello was flirting on the Internet and he was jealous that he couldn't join his brother. "What ya got cooking, good looking?"
"Well, I got some chicks here...one is called SexyNurse and another NYCgrrl."
"Well, Don, if you're sick of playing doctor, I'll take the nurse."
"Whatever Mike." Don had to quit ... he wanted to to get back to work on some new stuff he had started in his lab.
Michaelangelo turned his attention to Leonardo. "Wanna help, fearless leader?"
Leonardo was unsure. He didn't cook much, that was Mikey's job. But Splinter had been wanting them all to take up new challenges. "Ok, sure Mike." He said, putting down the book.
Raphael lifted his leg.
"Is that a roundhouse coming?" Chuck queried.
He put his leg down as his jaw dropped, "How'd ya know?"
"You telegraphed a bit." To demonstrate what he meant, Chuck lifted his knee straight up and past Raphael's body line, then at his side, stopping short. "Now that's a roundhouse," he smiled at Raphael. "It's been my experience that almost every kick can be started like that." Chuck also demonstrated the front kicks, crescent kicks, side kicks and hook kicks... "They all can start the same way. Making it difficult to know what's coming."
"Ol' Shred head taught you well." Raphael remarked, a look of "why didn't we know that" playing across his face.
"Actually, I learned this before joining The Foot."
"Again, I thank you for enlightening us," Splinter spoke. "Would you be our guest for dinner?"
Chuck bowed toward Splinter, "Sure, ummm, what's for dinner?"
"Depends on what Mikey made," Raphael stated matter-of-factly.
Master Spinter continued, "I hope our mealtime will be equally beneficial for learning more of one of another."
"Me too."
The trio went into the main area of the lair. The rest of the turtles were already around the table, except Mikey. He was serving.
"Hmmm, I think it's actually starting to smell good in here," Chuck couldn't help remarking.
"Well, that would be my excellent cooking, dude." Michaelangelo went next to Splinter carrying a tray with a cover. "Wa la. Sushi for the sensei.
Chuck chuckled, "Excellent cooking, eh? Sushi is raw."
"But wait, there's more."
Chuck looked enviously at Master Splinter's plate. He had california rolls, small octopus, tuna, salmon and shrimp.
Michaelangelo brought out another domed tray. Donatello was looking at it oddly.
"Really hamming it up for our guest, eh, Mikey?"
"You know it, bro." He grinned. "And now, for those sweet aromas ya smell ... Ta da," as he lifted the cover, "Pizza...topped with green peppers, mushrooms, onions and pineapples."
"Michaelangelo. You should not have put pineapple on the pizza with our guest," Splinter scolded.
"It's ok. I really do like pineapple on my pizza." Chuck jumped to Michaelangelo's defense, with a grin, "Besides, I haven't met a pizza I didn't eat!"
Splinter looked at Chuck while everyone was munching happily, "So, who are you and how did you meet my pupils?"
"Well, that's a bit of a story." Chuck wiped his mouth with a napkin. "As I said before. I quit the Foot. In fact, we just came from there to meet you."
"And what of Oroku Saki?" Splinter asked excitedly as his whiskers twitched nervously.
"Gone."
"Eh, Leonardo? Can you elaborate?"
"We can't Master Splinter. But Mr. Lee can." Donatello chimed in.
All eyes became focused on Chuck. He stopped squirming and began. "Well, I became a Christian and God helped me erase my past. Maybe a better choice of words, He delivered me from evil."
"And how did this...God..do it?"
"He sent an angel and took Oroku away for eternity." Chuck lowered his head and said softly, "his judgement had come."
"Judgement for what?" Donatello queried.
"His life...we were made by a creator God and are accountable to him alone."
"How do we know this God is the one?" Raphael challenged.
"Well that's for each person to seek on his own, Raphael. I've tried others and they can't match his claims."
"What claims?"
Well, if you read the bible, there are, at least, forty-four prophecies concerning the coming of Jesus Christ in the old testament which are fulfilled in the New Testament. The time between the testaments alone is four hundred years. With the prophecies starting in Genesis, some two-thousand years before Christ. What other faith/lifestyle can claim that?" Chuck could see the turtles and Splinter were uncomfortable, yet curious too.
"Hmmmm, I am intrigued. Yet, I see how tired we all are from the long time we have spent together. From the challenge of Oroku Saki to this interesting debate we are having. Mr. Lee, would you care to stay and get a good nights rest?"
Chuck bowed in gratitude, "Thank-you Splinter, but I'd like to go back to my apartment. May I return later?"
"But of course, sir. Feel free to stop in anytime," He smiled.
"Master, may I go with...to make sure he gets out ok?" Donatello blurted out, suprising everyone.
"Of course, Donatello. If Mr. Lee has no objections."
"Nope, none that I can think of anyway," Chuck grinned.
Pimiko arrived at Chuck's apartment. She could probably find her way blind-folded. She deftly went up the fire escape. Fortuneatly, for her, he still had his window unlocked. She glanced over his spartan-like settings. Entertainment center, couch, recliner, coffee table. She had helped him get half this stuff, though he had been stubbornly insistant about not having many frills. Being single his needs were basic.
She unlocked his door and slightly opened it. Their code. He'd know she was there. She began intwining her fingers in kuji-kuri and chanting. Becoming invisible to anyone that entered.
Don and Chuck left the lair and walked in silence for a few minutes until Don spoke, " Ahh, Mr. Lee..." He began, but Chuck interrupted.
"Feel free to call me Chuck, please." He smiled.
"Ummm, ok, Chuck. I wanted this chance to talk with you, if you want."
Donatello seemed a bit nervous, Chuck put a reassuring hand on the back of his neck. "Feel free to speak with me, Donatello."
"Well, I, ummmm," he was stammering. "Do you think God could love us, the Turtles?"
"I don't doubt it Donatello. He created you and everyone else on the planet for a reason. His plan is great and sometimes beyond mortal comprehension."
"Created us? We were an accident. A botched disposal of chemicals."
"Well, as a Christian, a person has purpose to their life. That is God's plan for each of us."
"Can we ever learn of his plan?"
Chuck shrugged, "Sometimes, Donatello." He was running out of answers.
Donatello pressed, "How?" He was looking at Chuck inquisitively.
They stopped and faced each other now. "Well, through reading his Word, the Bible, through talking to him, prayer, and sometimes through family and friends." Chuck smiled softly at the turtle.
They walked on, silently, for a few more more minutes, until Donatello finally spoke, "Well here ya are. All you have to do is go through the manhole and you'll be at your apartment. But there is one more thing I have to ask...How would I get a bible?"
Chuck beamed a smile at him. "No problem Donatello. I'll leave a bible on my couch and anytime you want to pick it up will be ok with me."
At that point they said their goodbyes and Chuck went up to his apartment.