The water grew still and Raph realized that his titanic tortoise friend had been taken. Raph made it back to the Hideout, where Leo, Mikey, and Donnie had just left in human disguise. Raph cried out. “Anyone! Help!” Splinter emerged. “My son, what troubles you?”
Raph gasped. “Slash is missing, and I suspect someone or some thing took him.” Splinter rubber his beard. “Hmmm.. Slash is strong, to take him would require something equally strong.”
Raph headed for Donatello’s frigud in lab and began to bash the lock with his Sai tell it broke.
Splinter appeared at the enterance of the lab. “Raphael! You are not well! Do not take the serum!”
Raph held the vial and placed it in his belt.
“I’m not gonna wait around and hope Slash comes back unharmed! I am gonna do something about it.”
Splinter protested. “Calm yourself! Your brothers are at school, you will need their help.”
Raph shook his head.
“No.. I will go to the Shureddā! He will help me save Slash!”
Splinter tried to stop his Son, but he stormed off.
Raphael headed for Central Park, there in the woods he downed the vial and transformed into his human form. He stood on the rock that opened a hatch and he slid to the room where he had bested the Foot Ninjas. There stood Shureddā. His voice echoing in the metallic mouthpiece.
“You return sooner than expected..”
Raph stood to his feet.
“I need your help.”
Shureddā turned, his eyes fixed on Raphael.
“Of course.”
Raphael got on one knee.
“Master Shureddā, I pledge myself to you and this dojo. Please help me save my friend.”
Shureddā waved his hand which had two great blades protruding out of the knuckle.
“I knew when I first saw you, that you were special. I will lend you my Footmen and all my power to help your friend. But I want more than your pledge.”
Raphael sighed.
“What more can I give?”
Shureddā removed his mouthpiece tp reveal a scared chin and lips.
“I want you to be my successor. The next Shredder!”
Raph’s eyes grew large.
“I thought.. I thought Sasuke..”
Shureddā interrupted.
“Sasuke does not have your natural talent, nor the potential. What have you to say to this great honor I bestow upon you?”
Raph nodded.
“I am honored Sensei.”
Shureddā took two gauntlets with razor blades and matching two pronged spikes.
“Wear these as a sign of your elevation. My Footmen will obey you as they obey me, now my son, let us restore New York, starting with your friend’s rescue.”
Raph put the bladed gauntlets on.
