Family is Forever

Origami Tsunami: Part 2

{A/N: Photo above is where we left off in part one, and to give you an idea of what caused Aria's shock; The one on the left is 'Foot Lieutenant', while the one on the right is 'Foot Brute'}

Aria's POV:

I can't believe it. The paper thieves are members of the Foot Clan. The people who drove me away from my original family via an ambush against them. I have yet to find out why they were after my family in the first place. Yet at the same time, the group these guys are a part of is the only reason I met my brothers, my sensei, April, everyone who matters to me now.

The thieves gasp as they notice me, even though I distinctly recall them not being present in the aforementioned ambush. I guess their 'coworkers' have told stories about their victory. Well, half victory, since they hadn't gotten to me. Although, I had hoped that my looks have changed over the last six years.

Foot Brute: "Is it..?"

Foot Lieutenant: "It can't be. She was supposed to have been captured by our former superiors."

The brothers all look between the three of us in confusion. I told them why they had found me where they did, an abandoned alleyway with no other place to stay. They know about my past, they just don't know who was responsible for the loss of my former home. No one knows, except Splinter. I told him in the privacy of his room that night, after making sure that the others weren't in earshot of our conversation. He was so honored by my blunt honesty that he decided to tell me a secret that no one else knows about. Now, I ready myself for the fight I've been training for, after all these years. I get into a fighting position as I prepare my 'heroine' monologue.

Me: "Well, I don't know who you think I am, but I assure you, you will not be victorious against me this time. I've gotten stronger, faster, smarter, and better prepared to defend myself against your advances. In accordance with your crimes against my family's honor, prepare to be defeated."

They both scoff as they leap into two separate directions. Raph shakes his head as he gives his command in order for us to prove victorious in our venture.

Raph: "Donnie & Aria, go left. Mikey & Leo go right. I'll take the roof and swoop down like a boss!"

While Donnie & I go after the Foot Lieutenant, Mikey & Leo go after the Foot Brute. As we're in hot pursuit of the target, Donnie turns to me with a look of concern & curiosity.

Donnie: "Stop me if I cross a line, but how do you know these guys without actually knowing them?"

I look to him with a nervous look as I mentally debate whether or not I should give him the full truth. I finally decide to give him a brief summarization since we were currently on the clock.

Me: "Basically, they're part of an ancient organization called the Foot Clan. They're the ones who ambushed my family, forcing me to flee my old home. I ended up alone and scared, until 30 minutes later, when I met you and your brothers. I'll tell the others the same thing later. Deal?"

I raise my fist for him to bump in agreement. An action he takes part in, as his look changes to one of relief.

Donnie: "Deal. To be continued, Grey Bandit."

I smirk as I reply to his little remark.

Me: "Much obliged, Purple Rain."

As we turn to face our opponent, we then slam into Leo & Mikey as the four of us fall to the ground with groans of pain. Raph follows soon after as he swoops down from the roof, only to land on us despite our warnings to abandon that part of the plan. I hit the ground with a grunt of frustration as the others rise to sit up, except for Leo who stands, we all have looks of disappointment at our apparent failure.

Donnie: "Uh, quick question. Did we seriously just get schooled by paper thieves?"

Raph: "I don't swoop like a boss. I swoop like a noob."

Mikey: "Man, this seemed like a really cool idea until we didn't succeed at it."

Me: "You can say that again, Mikey. I can't believe we let them slip through our fingers!"

Leo turns to us, his sword leaning against his shoulder, as he gives us his own version of a pep talk.

Leo: "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!  Where'd my siblings go? Mikey, where's your legendary optimism?"

Mikey gives Leo a quick groan in response as he turns to grab Raph's shoulders and shakes him.

Leo: "Raph, where's your, y'know, your go-getter attitude?"

Leo then walks over to Donnie and kneels in front of him.

Leo: "Donnie, where's your...Your thing, your emotionless passion?

Donnie dons a solemn look as he replies, his eyes focused on me the whole time.

Donnie: *mutters* "Here."

Leo turns to me with a look of confusion.

Leo: "And Ari, where's your kind words of wisdom? And more importantly how do you know those paper crooks?"

Donnie begins to protest Leo's second question before I place my hand on his shoulder and give him a look telling him that I can handle this. I turn back towards Leo as I reply.

Me: "Alright guys, I'm only gonna say this once, because that's as many times I want to bring it up for the time being. So, listen closely and carefully, ok?"

They all give me a quick nod before I tell them what I'd told Donnie before.

Me: "Six years ago, the Foot Clan invaded my home and ambushed my family. I managed to escape to the city streets, which is why you found me where & when you did. Those guys are part of that clan. I need to bring them to justice, but I can't do it alone. I need your help. So, are we gonna do this or are we gonna do this?"

I then don a confident grin as the others copy it on and stand tall & proud, moved by my words.

Leo: "Don't worry, sis. We can still catch these guys, honor your family's sacrifice, and be heroes!"

Donnie: "Absolutely! But that's gonna be a little hard, this was the last paper store in town.

Leo and I look to each other with a quick nod, a plan forming in both of our minds. We then speak simultaneously with sly grins.

Leo & I: "Or, was it?"

Donnie: "Yeah, I literally just said that."

Me: "Yes, yes you did."

TO BE CONTINUED