#Lady. Red mask. Who has a red mask? Raph. Who painted it? RAPH. He made a lady in HIS color mask | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

2k18leo · 5 years

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TMNT 2007 talk

Okie dokie since we’ve been on hiatus for a long long time, but I still want to talk turtles, I figured I’d talk about the TMNT 2007 film again. If you’ve been with my account for a while you may know what a huge fan I am of this particular movie (of course I love the other films and may talk about them at a later date, but this one just hits differently for me mainly because it’s what got me into the Ninja Turtles in the first place)

So, I have already briefly covered my take on the 2007 film as a whole. Aaaand, @my-sai-and-i _and_i wrote a post that goes in depth about the emotional scarring that the fight had on Leo and Raph. It’s a wonderful post and you should def check it out 👌🏼

I am currently watching the 2007 film (yet again (HA what is my count up to now? Can’t keep track. Lol moving on—)) and once again I am breathless at the climactic fight BATTLE that Leo and Raph have. Every single time I watch it, my love for the franchise grows even more. I think this may be because I’m actually such a fan of the TMNT trope that is the constant butting heads of the two oldest brothers (oof sorry not sorry 🤭). I’m also going to talk mainly about this fight scene because it’s literally the EXACT scene that I started watching when I was first introduced to tmnt. That is already talked about in another post, however 😂

Okaaay, let’s get into this thing. First off, the score for this chase scene is already making you very anxious for some sort of confrontation between the two boys. It gives you chills right off the back. Whenever Nightwatcher accidentally cornered himself I got to thinking what it would have been like if we had seen Leo and his trip out into the city instead of the diner scene with the 12th monster. Like, was he just out looking for Raph and heard police scanners saying there was an issue with the diner? Then he headed over to possibly help, but ran into the vigilante Nightwatcher. I can only assume he was already looking for Raph since Splinter right beforehand advised Leo that he needed to get off his high horse and work things out with Raph. Since April and Casey were in the lair, I’m sure Leo didn’t expect Raph to go back to their apartment. He probably went around to their old hangout places in the city (before Leo was sent to South America) but since he had been gone so long, maybe he figured his brothers didn’t hang out anymore since it wasn’t all four of them. Sure, Casey’s a great friend, but never a replacement for one of the turtles. Leo could have also gone back to the construction site that they had partly demolished with that first monster a couple nights prior. Raph did make a point in saying that they needed to find out who was responsible for the sudden burst of creatures in New York. Don’t get me wrong, learning where the 12th monster was when Raph fought it was important I guess? I mean, it made the stone generals stationed in the area, but still not THAT close to where Raph and Leo ended up (they ran quite a ways. A mile at least.)

Okay, back to the rooftop scene. The setting was beautiful and I just— *chef’s kiss* love it. The rain. The red glow of the Red Eye Club sign. Which, I’m just now thinking about this but if an English teacher was asking you what the red sign symbolized I do believe that that could be some sort of symbol/foreshadow that Raph will be the one who comes out victorious in the upcoming brawl. In case I’m not completely giving that a whole-ass stretch, I looked up the Red Eye Club to see if it was a real place but all I got were a bunch of pictures of marijuana so I’m gonna assume NOPE. It could be a minor detail or it could just be a coincidence 🤷🏽‍♀️ I mean the neon sign did not have to be red specifically. Lol don’t @ me 😂

Anyway, I love the way the rain falls on the metal of Raph’s armor. I can only imagine how much of a BITCH that rain was to animate.

Leo starting off with the good cop persona is very in touch with his character and I like. He’s still the “talk first, shoot later” wise character we LOVE, while Raph is so much the opposite (which we LOVE JUST AS MUCH (ugh sorry im gushing again)). I like how Raph stayed silent. He didn’t give his identity up. He didn’t try to stop Leo from starting a fight. He WANTED to fight Leo. And this was the perfect opportunity without Leo holding back by being aware of his own brother under the suit. It’s sort of like a Red Hood/Batman type scene. And, it’s hardly audible but, Leo then continues to try and calm down the vigilante by saying “The road you’re on is a dead-end. Believe me, I’ve tried it.” He has no idea who is behind the mask. For all he knows, he’s talking to a complete stranger, yet he is still trying to be the voice of reason. The Nightwatcher could be a deranged murderer for all he knows. He is only aware of what the News has been recently saying. You can tell he doesn’t know everything about this vigilante (which, side note but, this all seems a bit hypocritical if I’m honest. Up until Donnie and Mikey got jobs, all the turtles/Casey/possibly April did was vigilantism. I mean, does Leo think that the Nightwatcher is correlated with the monster sightings? Is that his main reason for being a vigilante to stop a vigilante??) ALSO when Leo said “…believe me, I’ve tried it” is that referencing his time in South America? I know he “got caught up in his own world” and “forgot about everyone else” but does that necessarily correlate with what he’s talking about? Did something really bad happen in South America that we didn’t see? Did he become like Hawkeye (cough* Ronin) in Endgame?

This also makes me wonder what would have happened if Donnie and Mikey had gone out to help Leo search for Raph. It could have been like a Teen Titans scene where Robin was posing as Red X and the rest of the titans unknowingly fought their ally because he was seemingly just another villain. If things played out that way, I’m not even sure that Raph would have put up much of a fight. He didn’t have any major beef with his younger brothers. The scene would have probably been way less emotional as well. Plus, Leo probs wouldn’t have been captured.

Whenever Raph first wields his weapons, signifying he’s ready to fight, Leo gives a very small smirk. He wants to fight as much as Raph does. But for different reasons. Raph knows his opponent and is angry with him— furious even. Leo… I think deep down he loves to fight. He knows he’s good at it. He knows he’s going to win. But it’s probably been a long time since he’s actually felt that great adrenaline rush of a fight (yes, I’m aware he was in the fight with the first monster but that’s not a one-on-one duel) Which is why when he says “Trust me when I tell you. You don’t want to do this” he says it in a way that he’s still trying to be the voice of reason… BUT it’s also very much a threat. He’s been wanting a proper fight for a while. There’s a certain thrill I’m sure he gets when he’s faced with someone who is probably an even match for him. Even with the threat he gives, he’s fully aware that his opponent will strike.

COCKY LEO.

I’m not going to even try to get into the subject as to why on earth Leo cannot recognize his own brother under the suit because @my-sai-and-i already explained that WAY better.

I mean, Leo is chuckling as the Nightwatcher does his second swing. It’s funny to him because he still knows he’s going to win this fight. There is no doubt in his mind that he will defeat this amateur clown in a costume. But this is the way, I’m absolutely positive, Leo acted as a teenager to common criminals on the streets. He’s always known how good he was at fighting, so I can bet money he was cocky growing up. And yeah, it’s way different than how he was fighting the raiders in the beginning of the film. Back in South America he acted all dark and silent, more than likely trying to keep up the persona of the Ghost of the Jungle. If he acted all cocky and obnoxious to the raiders, I’m sure word would get out, which might frighten the villagers even more. Being his sneaky stealthy self, he was less likely to scare the villagers, and probably able to keep up the thought that he was just a peaceful legend (kind of like Katara as the Painted Lady in Avatar (I’m referencing soooo many other things, but it makes sense to me 😂)) So, now that Leo’s back in the place where he grew up, of course, his old cocky tendencies would come back. It’s almost nostalgic for him.

Another thing. Leo is completely defensive for the majority of this fight. He hardly ever throws an actual blow. He jumps back out of the way when the Nightwatcher swings his chain at him again. Which is a completely smart move. Another reason to note that he KNOWS WHAT HE’S DOING. He’s fought for about 20 years (we don’t actually know their ages in this movie (or do we ?) but I would guess around 18-20 ??) so he’s fully aware of the fact that one of the best fighting techniques is letting your opponent tire themselves out so you can then finish them off and become victorious. But Raph’s temper has always led him to go guns blazing. Shoot first, questions later.

Leo continues to mock the Nightwatcher because he knows he’s going to get a rouse out of him. He spent a good enough time sparring with Raph to figure out how to egg on that temper. A temper that would then make Raph angry and thoughtless, thus becoming rash with his fighting technique. Ultimately becoming careless and in total defeat. Again, don’t get me started on how Leo has NOT recognized his brother yet. Even after Leo has eluded yet another strike from the chains and the Nightwatcher turns around, Leo still gives a CHUCKLE to his face. He’s begging for that temper to be released. He’s ready for a real fight. And Raph’s more than ready to finally kick his big brother’s ass.

Raph absolutely takes on the offense with a full charge to Leo as he does three heavy swings. Leo eludes all three until coming back with a counter-attack on the third. Leo does a fair job of holding his defense until Raph throws a huge right hook to the side of Leo’s head. I mean, it’s enough to knock him back a few paces and shake it off. This is when his face really goes completely serious. He’s just been caught off guard. There’s something in him that’s telling him to quit the wise-guy act. I mean, it was a simple punch, something I’m sure he is mentally beating himself up for misreading. Yet, he doesn’t charge back. He stands his ground while Raph is still the offender.

Then Leo tries to continue to coach this dude by telling him how anger is destructive. This is probably something Splinter did as they were growing up. Also, Leo never once unsheathes his weapons on the Nightwatcher (yes, he ultimately does with Raph, but that’s later on. Hold tight, my dude). Even when the Nightwatcher drew out his chains, Leo didn’t react by drawing his own blades. I feel like being able to hold your own during hand-to-hand shows power/strength, while fighting with weapons shows skill. Which is another reason why I think Leo teased him at the beginning of the fight; he didn’t really expect this vigilante to have had any actual training with these weapons. He’s probably just some punk who thinks it’s cool. Another Casey Jones or Purple Dragon that could probably be knocked on his ass in 3 hits max.

Leo’s uppercut is powerful as hell. He shot Raph like 6 feet in the air. And that can’t be easy. I can’t imagine how much these boys weigh. They’ve got the mass of a typical bodybuilder + the weight of their shell + the weight of their weapons PLUS Raph’s entire armor. That’s heavy as hell.

Okay. The “Goodnight, Dark Prince” line. I don’t like it. It doesn’t seem to fit. When has this character ever been referred to as the Dark Prince? The only other thing Leo has referred to this vigilante is Nightwatchmen. Though, I get that it would be kinda redundant to say “Goodnight, Nightwatcher.”

That’s another thing. Leo never meant to kill this dude. Just knock him out to drop him off at the police station later. Leo doesn’t kill. I mean, the very beginning of the film where he had his one-on-one with the raider leader almost implied that he killed him. Because the shot changed as soon as Leo made contact with the guy and all you hear is a loud scream making a flock of birds fly away in fright. If he was dark enough to kill these types of men (because IF he killed him, that probably wasn’t the first guy he had killed) in South America, that’s most likely the “dark path” / “dead-end” that he was referring to earlier. But I guess being back in the city does make him revert back to his old tendencies (but it shouldn’t completely disregard whatever messed up shit he had done in South America. That stuff should still be carried with him). Not even Raph is low enough to kill criminals. In his first scene in the film all Raph does is knock out some burglars and chain them up for the cops to find later on. It makes me wonder what would it have been like if Raph had gone to South America instead of Leo, while Leo stayed in the city. Would Leo have taken on his role of his own Nightwatcher? In the 2012 series, we see him become some sort of vigilante but he’s got Karai and Shinigami with him. It doesn’t seem very in character for Leo to go solo like Raph did. Of course, Leo would still miss the fight, but I’m sure he’d wise up and get a job just like his younger brothers.

Okay, here we go. Here’s that brother angst we’ve been waiting for. When Leo first realizes who’s actually behind the mask, he’s not angry. He’s not mad. Not even disappointed. He’s really just shocked out of his mind. Complete disbelief. He just walks closer to Raph in hopes to talk to him. Perhaps apologize for fighting him just moments before, that he truly had no idea. But Raph doesn’t even turn to face his brother before doing a powerful back kick to Leo’s chest. Which, of course, takes Leo by surprise. Sure they had had a couple arguments since he’s been back but honestly that’s how Leo remembered things being with Raph. He remembered small quarrels. Nothing serious. They had always butted heads. Even though Splinter warned Leo that Raph had taken Leo’s absence pretty hard, he didn’t really know what that meant until now. He didn’t understand why his brother had so much pent up rage toward him.

And Raph is throwing all these words at Leo. Calling him out by saying that he believes the world revolves around him. That they couldn’t possibly survive without him. I’m sure these words sting a bit to Leo but that’s not what he’s focused on. He’s starting to register everything. THIS is why Raph has always had an issue with him. THIS is the reason for his younger brother’s constant attitude. And when Raph says that they got along just fine without Leo, for a split second, you can totally see the pain that causes Leo. Like, that shit hurted. But he raises his voice and retaliates by calling him out on his bullshit. He’s telling Raph how immature it is that he’s taken up this new persona (*cough* still a tad hypocritical since he did basically the same thing as Ghost of the Jungle) because it’s causing danger to their family. I mean, at least the villagers were never truly afraid of Ghost, but the citizens of New York are terrified at what the Nightwatcher is and his motives. It’s all they’re talking about on the News lately. Raph has been causing a panic without even realizing it because he’s been too blinded by his own good intentions.

But Raph doesn’t want to hear it. Leo hasn’t been around. He left. He wasn’t there when the turtles were just sitting by without a leader while criminals still ran amok. I mean, Raph has been angry at the thought “why does Leo get to go?” “What are we supposed to do now?” And with Donnie and Mikey being too passive to stop Raph, there really isn’t anyone around to keep Raph from straying from this road. How can Leo honestly expect things to go back to normal?? How can this big shot waltz back into our lives after he’s missed the last year and a half? And how the hell does he think he’s still the boss of me?

And now Leo is trying to explain to him that the reason for being gone so long was to better himself for Raph and the boys. It wasn’t up to him to go to South America and be gone for so long. He didn’t ask for it. Just like Raph never asked to be second best. He didn’t want someone to lead him. This is just how things turned out. Neither of them can help what they went through in the past. It’s just a recipe for disaster when one party is trying to be the best they can be for the other party and positively beats themselves up if they let the second party down. Aaand when the second party is completely resentful of the first party because they were chosen for the role the second party wanted. Leo can’t get over the fact that no matter what he does to better himself for Raph, Raph will still disregard it. And Raph can’t get over the thought of the living embodiment of perfection that is his older brother, so he’s angry with himself for not being as perfect and takes it out on Leo.

And Raph has become his own leader. He’s become a lone-wolf that doesn’t need a leader anymore. He has good intentions (even though they are not being followed through quite right) and Leo is just coming back and messing everything up. Things have changed and Leo needs to realize this. But Raph also needs to take into consideration that Leo is trying to realize this. He’s been trying to reconnect with his brother. But Raph has put up such a strong wall around everyone that he thinks talking isn’t going to help.

Leo telling Raph that he isn’t ready to become his own leader is a tiny bit selfish in my opinion? I mean, I agree, but still. Like Leo sees that Raph never went on a hardcore training period off in some jungle halfway across the world. So, he thinks, how CAN Raph be ready if he hasn’t done that? But that’s the thing. Leo and Raph have their own way of doing things. Leo, in multiple iterations, tries so hard to have his brothers be exactly like him. If he achieves something a certain way, he expects his brothers to reach their achievements by doing it the exact same way. But Raph is fully capable of reaching his achievements his own way (same with Donnie and Mikey). That’s something that Leo has had a difficult time wrapping his head around.

I also don’t feel like Leo outwardly staying that he’s better than Raph is true to his character. There’s no doubt in my mind that Leo believes that and has thought it on SEVERAL occasions. But with his “gotta be the bigger man” personality, it’s hard to believe he would stoop so low as to actually say it to Raph’s face.

Now Raph laughs at this. And I feel like most of it is a fake laugh, but there’s still a part of it that’s real because he’s finally ready to show Leo that he’s better than him. This is the real fight that RAPH has been waiting for. The perfect match. The leader and the lone wolf. The Ghost of the Jungle and the Nightwatcher. Leo and Raph.

Leo still tries to have him call off this fight. He’s confident in himself that he will win. Both parties are, in fact. They’ve both developed such different fighting styles since the time they’ve sparred together, that they’re basically strangers to each other now. They both know this isn’t going to end well. That things will be different after the dust (rain?) settles. Leo has a negative outlook on it. He doesn’t think that Raph will ever be happy towards him again. If anything, Raph will probably shun him. This defeat could push Raph over the edge. This could make Raph leave for real. He doesn’t want that. It pains him that he has to fight his little brother. But Raph? Raph has a positive outlook. He believes that after he defeats Leo, Leo will then see Raph’s true potential. He’ll be recognized as the best, no longer second-best. He finally gets to prove to Leo that things are different.

Leo visibly sighs and shakes his head knowing there’s no getting out of this fight. His stubborn little brother won’t back down. It wouldn’t be honorable for Leo to stand down and admit defeat. It also wouldn’t be honorable to disgrace Raph by completely disregarding that he’s his brother and just going for the kill. He’s at a complete crossroads here. So, ultimately, he draws his swords.

The shot of the two boys staring at each other from across the roof — I want that as a poster !! It’s so gorgeous. I’m just noticing this now but it’s split JUST down the middle in terms of color. It gives a very yin and yang type picture. Leo is on the side where the red neon sign is glowing bright, thus making him glow a faint red color. Raph, on the opposite end, is on the side where the shine of the moon is hitting down, making his armor almost glow a pale blue. Ugh so much symbolism I may cry. Right off the bat you can tell the differences in the two boys. Raph has been in his ready-stance for a while. He’s been waiting for this. Leo stands tall with blades in hand but not in an attack stance. There’s still that sliver of hope that Raph will back down. It’s still early enough to put this behind them, but that window is fading fast. As the rain beats down around them, Leo realizes that the window is closed. Nothing will stop this fight. It’s happening. There is no going back.

Per the theme this rainy evening, Raph is the first one to charge. He runs like the brute he has become, fists clenched around his sai so he’s ready to stab or punch. Leo charges in a very graceful samurai run. Also the music. The thundering drums that beat so deep and so fast. It’s such a powerful scene.

The shot of the tip of Leo’s blade grazing the water on the roof is STUNNING. Honestly, who thinks of these details because I hope they got a RAISE back in 2007 😂 it’s beautiful

I also love how they both jumped toward each other as their first move. This shows that they are now both on the offense. Something snapped inside Leo to make him change up his tactics a bit. Almost to throw off Raph, who has never been the best at a defensive position. His strong suit is in the offense.

Still the differences between their fighting styles after the jump. Leo did a beautiful forward shoulder roll, which is a proper technique of coming out of a forward jump. It keeps your momentum going into your next attack. Raph landed on his feet which, may not be ideal, but gave him a split-second advantage to be on the offense for the next attack. Leo then had to block with his sword. This fight goes FAST. I’m watching it so carefully and I’m sure there are things that I’m missing. I love how Leo does a roll over Raph’s shell, and up until now I figured he had made contact with his shell, but he actually didn’t because just as Leo started his roll, Raph ducked forward out of the way. Then Raph does a couple kicks towards Leo’s head, which cause water to sprinkle EVERYWHERE and it’s gorgeous. Raph is just going ham and not letting up on Leo as he’s still going for those strikes. (Lol I took a stage combat course over the summer so I know a little bit of the lingo (but good god I am no expert so please call me out if you know I’m using improper terms)) Watching this scene makes me want to do a move chart with a list of moves they are doing and in the order they’re doing it haha. Finally, Leo is able to squeeze in two strikes towards Raph, both of which he ducks and then blocks.

The camera angles are wonderful. Have I talked about that yet? I mean the shot of the two of them squaring off. The little shot of the two of them fighting between the E and the D in the neon sign. And even the upcoming shot from below when they’ve got their weapons locked together. So beautiful.

This scene also really shows the details of the Nightwatcher suit.

And when Leo is able to do an X cross block with his swords at the downward blow Raph is throwing with his sai, and the camera angles are just moving with the characters. UGH. Here you can see that Leo really is mad. The fury of the fight is showing through his eyes as he watches his brother with a predator-like stare. *frantically looks up synonyms for furious* and boy oh boy, Raph is just seething as he twirls his blades. This small segment of them circling each other (sort of like a Spaghetti western style) is a fighting trope that I really dig. Sais are actually a lot larger than I gave them credit for. Those sharp boys are HUGE.

The way they have their teeth bared as they circle each other reminds me so much of two very dominate male animals fighting. Like two lions fighting for the pride. When Leo finally comes to a stop his eyebrows furrow just a tad bit more, almost impatiently waiting for Raph to make another offending move. Or possibly giving thought as if the fight was coming to its end. And Raph’s pupils are crazy dilated as he charges yet again. It’s like a sickness that has infested his mind, this constant need to one-up his older brother. It’s making him crazy. And the heaviness of that armor is making Raph charge like a rhino or something. And the shot of Leo tightening his grip on his blade gives the implication that there may have been a split second where he believed Raph was ready to be done with the fight.

Their eye contact hardly ever breaks during this scene. Raph is wanting to see that split second of worry in his brother’s eyes. He’s wanting to see that hesitation.

Now Leo charges and he has taken full offense. He strikes at Raph many times, closing him into the wall under one of the two signs. He throws seven blows before doing a jumping spin kick to Raph’s abdomen. You can tell that blow sent Raph back a ways, maybe even farther if that wall wasn’t there to stop him. He probably has some form of whiplash. And even as he’s starting to lock eyes with his opponent again, Leo’s sword comes RIGHT BY HIS NECK. Leo literally got so close to making a fatal would for Raph. And no, Leo had no intention of killing Raph. He was probably aiming to give Raph a nasty slash on his cheek. Just a warning. Something that would remind Raph to stay in his place.

Now here it is. The locking of their weapons. The climax of the fight. Raph is enraged and is gritting his teeth so hard that he’s shaking. In the shot from below, you can see the absolute force that they are using to one-up the strength of the other as their muscles are just quivering. And Raph tries to make himself become larger to push Leo back. Leo gives a quick glance down to his weapon in fear that the thin blade will give out. Swords aren’t meant to withstand this kind of pressure.

And when they do break. b o i. The shock and pain that sweeps through Leo is heartbreaking. He just lost. Even before Raph throws the final blow. Leo’s swords are finished, just as he is. His swords. The weapons he’s most likely had since he became leader all those years ago. A literal extension of his body. Taken away from him in an unforgivable instant. And right as Leo is taking a glance back up to Raph, Raph is already coming up to powerfully kick him straight through the jaw. Through his kick, Raph is still in his jump twirling around to deliver the fatal blow to his brother’s head. The spear of his sai is centimeters away from Leo’s head as he falls back and hits the concrete behind him. As soon as his eyes open after being knocked back, he registers how close that blade was to piercing his skull. He’s been around long enough to recognize a deadly shot. You can tell his mind is racing in that fraction of a second as he sees the blade and looks back up to Raph to question why on earth he would throw such a potentially devastating blow. And just like that, Raph standing above with Leo pinned to the ground, he has won. He has defeated Leo. Even still, you can see their expressions change numerous times as they process what has just happened. Raph still bares his teeth in anger/triumph. He’s finally showing Leo what he thinks of his “place”. Finally showing him that he is a worthy opponent to Leo.

Again, Leo is in shock. All he’s thinking is “why” and “what” and many other synonyms for said terms. You can see his eyes flit between Raph’s own as he continuously tries to read what his brother is thinking. Then his brows furrow once more as it finally sinks in. Raph hated Leo for so long. Up until the point where he came close enough to kill him. It didn’t matter how much Leo trained to be better for Raph. Raph still hated him. Every fiber of his being. He’s confused and frightened still as to why. Just because they fought doesn’t mean there was any resolution. Leo is still left in the dark as to WHY his brother actually despises him.

Raph, still seething, is beginning to shake all the way up to his face. Then it hits him. What he’s done. His pupils widen as his eyebrows slowly shift up. That’s Leo. That’s his older brother. That’s his family. That’s who he’s got pinned down. Who he nearly sent a sharp blade through the skull. Who he nearly murdered. Leo is still staring up at him, I’m sure wondering how someone could be filled with so much hate. Maybe for a split second, if the Ghost of the Jungle actually did kill those raiders in South America, Leo saw himself in Raph. Perhaps that scared him. This could have been the path Leo was headed down if it wasn’t for April coming and pleading for Leo to return home. No one was able to help Raph. No one tried to stop him from going too far down this path. Was it because he had been absent? Was this all because he left? This is what Raph really thinks of Leo, huh?

I love how no words are spoken here, yet again. It’s brilliant what can be said without any actual words. There’s so much emotion between the boys after what just happened.

And here’s Raph again. Still processing. He tries to shake it away as if it’s just a bad thought or a nightmare. He’s in disbelief of his own actions. He then starts to shy away from Leo as if in apology but honestly what’s to be said after that that will make everything better? He also looks a little to the right of Leo, but we don’t get to see what he’s looking at. Up until this point, I’ve always just figured he was just looking away in thought, not on anything in particular. But now, I feel like he could possibly be looking at the rain falling on the concrete roof as if to help him figure out that this is reality. That he’s actually here in this moment. And so is Leo. OR, he could be looking at Leo’s broken swords, which is also bringing him back to reality. He destroyed a part of his brother. He could have done so much more destruction. He gets up ever so gently as if Leo is a paper doll that will break under his weight or a sudden shift of movement.

Leo still clutching onto his sword handles is probably subconscious instinct, like when something suddenly scares you and your muscles clench up and you hold tighter onto whatever. And here you can see that he’s actually showing that he’s in pain. His adrenaline is wearing off so the blows from just moments before are actually beginning to enflame his body. I’m sure there’s a part of him that’s scared of Raph now. Like there’s no more teasing or mocking. If he were to try it again, I’m sure he believes things could spiral out of control again. Something neither of them wanted anytime soon. His face is a little hard to read when he stands up, but mostly because he’s in pain and is showing that in his gestures and expression. Knowing Leo, he’s probably mentally asking so many questions. I’m sure he wants to talk. I’m sure he wants Raph to talk. But what on earth are either of them to say?

They’re exhausted from the fight. Leo is visibly heaving his body. Raph is still stunned as ever as his eyes are fixed on his brother who is SOMEHOW ALIVE ?? He shakes his head slightly as the thought creeps through his mind again. As the more devastating idea enters. He doesn’t even want to consider what the aftermath would have been like. What if it actually happened. What if Leo wasn’t standing right in front of him? What if he was still on the concrete ground, covered in rain pellets, immovable. Just… still. With a single sai protruding from his head. No. He messed up. How could things ever be the same again? How could he move on from this? How could he go home and face his family? His brothers? Splinter? He feels like such a little kid. A scared child who’s worried about the consequences of his actions. He would be disowned. He would be shunned. He would be hated. What was he to do? He glances down at his weapons, still in hand, and gives a tiny gasp. These were almost murder weapons. Of his own brother’s death. So, he runs. Any specific destination, probably not. He just needed to be away from Leo. He has no idea if he’ll ever see him again. Or his family. He just messed up way too horribly. How would anyone be able to forgive him? How could Leo even be facing him?

As he turns away to disappear into the night, Leo inaudibly tries to call him back. Even after all that, Leo’s still trying to reach out to him. He doesn’t want Raph to leave. This is something they NEED to discuss. He’s not mad or angry at his brother. He’s confused. He could see it in Raph’s eyes that Raph was guilty about what he almost did. I’m sure he doesn’t audibly call out to Raph because he’s partially too exhausted to do so. Plus, I’m sure there’s still a bit of fear right on the surface.

As Raph runs, he is most definitely ugly crying. But we can’t see that because of the pouring rain :’D so. And then Leo gets captured and yadayada. Wow. I think I may be FINALLY done talking about this 😂 I’m exhausted. If you read this much I’m honestly super proud of you and I appreciate you haha you’re amazing. If you have anything you want to talk about concerning the ninja turtles (preferably the 2007 film because it’s fresh on my mind, but I’m also down to talk about the other movies or the tv shows) don’t even hesitate to ask. I love talking about the turtles. We can debate certain topics, gush about OTPs, talk about issues we had with certain things. I love all that.

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irmalangensteinremake · 7 years

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Halloween fanfic

Chapter 1: The return of the vampire plague

Every sound of the laughters and the ding-dongs of the doors was covered by the MP3 device, playing The Parade of the Squeletons. It has been so long since the last time she has celebrated Halloween. The last years was nothing but abductions, confussion and fear; aliens taking her place, mutants, ghosts... A best friend with psychic powers! Yeah, it was many crazy years for Irma Langinstein.

But she was determinated to overcome it, and try to enjoy her favorite season. She has dressed herself as the Little Red Ridding Hood with a black dress, long until the knees, showing gray long socks and red ballerinas flat shoes. She put on her long red hooded cape and took her basket; she was ready to go.

"What it's keeping her so long...?" Outside, there's two teenagers waited at the door of Irma's place, that the hockey masked was moaning for waiting her. "I'm dying here!"

"Be patient, Casey." April said as she put her howack wig on. " This is Irma's first night out since... Well..." she sighs. "Just let her be, she need to have fun and forget the Kraang incident."

"Yeah..." he scratched her neck, remembering how horrified she looked in the past.

"Hey guys." Irma came out and locked the door. "Sorry for the wait..."

"Wow, Irma!" Her friend said smiling. "I love your costume!"

"The Red Ridding Hood?" The boy said. "For Halloween?" He felt a punch in his arm, by April, for the mock tone he made.

"Ah, ahaha.." she laughed. "This Ridding Hood knows there wolves out there." She showed her basked full with apples, her small wallet with the KISS logo, a tazer, pepper spray, a small first aid kit and...

"Is that Kraang granades!?" April almost yelled, seeing those devices so close to the apples.

"Just in case." She said, closing the basket with a click sound. "So, shall we go?"

The three teenagers walked through the streets meeting children and teenagers costumes, trick-or-treating around, small food posts,...There was even one antiques shop opened to selling candy and witchcraft items. Irma stoped because she knew the owner, an african-american old woman very thin and wearing a long yellow matching with her turbant, called Madame Akanke. The old lady greeted her and hugged like a grandmother meeting her grandchild for first time in years. The two teenager waited her friend, surprised how much that woman was hugging her and that Irma was smiling so much. In a sec the woman felt the wind change... and that was not a good sign.

"Here, child..." the woman took one of the collars she was selling, a chain with a silver crucifix and a wiccan star. "You'll need it." She put it in her hands and close them gently. They both shared their goodbyes and Irma walked with her friends.

"What was that about?" April asked to her friend.

"She usually give me free lavander for good luck but this..." she said, as she put the chain around her neck. "She most had missed me so much."

While they were leaving that street behind, the wind kept changing; and Madame Akanke got inside her store and lock the door. Someones from way back was acting strange... it was a bad sign.

"Trick or treat!"

"Oohhh... What a cute..." an old lady with a plate full of candy was guessing the disguise of the group of teenagers who called her door. " Group of aliens?"

The four turtles were hesitated to correct the sweet lady who gave them KitKat tablets.

Halloween means so much for them, because it's the only time of the year that they can walk on the streets without being pointed out was freaks. They didn't even needed to wear costumes... Except for Mikey! He wore his elf costume, carrying a full plastic bag with a pumpkin painting on it full of candy, enjoying like a lil boy. Leo has been behaving like a father, making sure he did not get in trouble and not eating all the candy. Donnie was fascinated by the mechanism of some decorations of the stores and costumes of some grown ups; he LOVED one wearing a hand-made metallic costume of Optimus Prime. As for Raph...

"Hey!" He yelled a group of kids teasing and stealing the candy of two kids younger than them. He got their attention as he took the stolen candy. "Knock it off!" Those kids run away. Raph gave the candy back and the kids thank him.

"Dude, I want that costume next year." The turtle could hear one of them saying this as the kids were leaving. He smiled... but it was vanished as he noticied a few figures running into the shadows. Something was up...

"Yo, Raph!" Casey yelled leaving the girls behind. So the turtle decided to ignore it.

The turtles met their human friends and walked to the streets; talking and laughing.

"That costume is so cool, Irma!" Mikey was saying as he was checking her basket.

"Thank you." She said. Mikey was the first turtle she befriended when she met the gang; then she made friends with Donny, later Leo and finally Raph (kinda). "I was looking forward for this..." she noticied more a far some commotion, between a group of people. "...night..." The yelling and some weird roaring and hisses was disturbing the joy of the night. She noticied, and so the turtles and teenager when she stopped. "What's happening?"

"Doesn't look good..." The blue masked turtle said as he stepped forward, placing his hand on one of his katana blades.

People was staring to run. The panic was running in their direction, but the gang stayed stand. The group prepared their weapons, except Irma. She was frozen. Donnie spoted some people attacking each other... And the light of the eyes... He had an horrible idea about what was going on.

"Oh no!" He said. "Guys, does this reminds you something?"

A person runner forward against the group. Raph was pushed back, falling in the floor; using his sais to block the man's urge of bite him. "Vampires?!" Leo and Donnie took that man away from their brother, and Mikey hit him with his huge bag of candy.

"Vamp... Vam... Vampires?!" Irma managed to say. As April grab her hand and started to run along with the gang. "Vampires actually exist?"

"How is that possible?" Donnie yelled, with the bo on his hand.

"Last time it was Savanti Romero's doing."Leo leaded the gang to an alley, to find a save place. "But this is different."

"Last time?!" She asked. "You guys fought vampires before...?"

"And werewolfs and mummies..." Mikey was telling. "Oh! And Frankenstein!"

"The mad scientist?!"

"No, the creature..."

They reached the alley, and started to climb up from the fire emergency stairs. But more vampires followed, one grab Irma's cape dragging her and April back. Irma fell back, April stayed stand and blast many of them away with a psychic power. Donnie and Casey came to the rescue, hitting many of the vampires with the sticks and staff. One vampire dodge April and bite her and another jumped into Irma, the girl screamed covering her face with her arm...

"Gaaahhh!!!" The vampire hissed, backing up, covering his face in pain. Irma saw that the amulet's chain was over the arm and the crucifix facing the vampire. She grabbe the amulet and get up; she moved the amulet forward to the vampires, they all were backing up.

"Back off!!" She yelled as she saw her friend on the ground, covering the bite zone and telling her to go. "April!" But her friend, blast her and Casey with another psychic wave.

"April!!" Donnie yelled as he as on one step of the stair. Up there, Leo was ahead but the end of the stair was occupied by three black hooded caped persons. They toucheds the metallic stair and it was getting so hot that it turned red. The turtles who grabbed it yelled at the pain and loose the balance, falling into the ground. Donnie could dodge the fall of the brothers thanks for the burn he felt touching it. But not Casey and Irma. They found theirselfs surrounded by vampires. And up above, the three figures descended and land in front of the turtles.

"The new dark arc will rise." The three female voices said at the same time, with a voice tone that can create goosebumps. April was holded by two vampires, fighting to get set free. Mikey noticied that she was turned into a vampire. One of the figures approaches, facing the red haired girl. "The supreme witch would welcome you on the coven or being cursed on the fate of the unliving."

"Leave her alone!" Casey yelled, getting up and going to smack their heads with a bat. But one hold his neck and lift him, punching his guts.

April head-punched the figure, it hurted her; then a little sack appeared in her hands. "Thou decision." The untie of the knok let go a grey smoke of ashes that went strainght into April's mouth and nose. Her gasps and heavy breathing of angst and fear was becoming hisses and high pitched screams. The turtles and Irma gasped in horros. A scream of the glasses girl got the attention of the one that was grabbing Jones... She yelled, letting go the human boy and pointed at her!

"It is her!!" She got the attention of the other two. "ARCANA!!!"

The situation seems to getting worse now. Why did they pointed at the short red ridding hood girl? The turtles moved forward, protecting Irma for anything that could happen, as Casey returned with the gang. The figures went forward... but a strong shinning light blinded them, it was coming from behind the turtles and Irma.

"This is a deja vu." Raph said with a groan.

"Let's go!" Leo ordered and all moved into the portal fast. Mikey grabbed Irma's arm, crossing the portal. Irma looked back seeing her friend with fangs and and shinning eyes and the three caped women trying to reach her. Then all was white, and it felt like the gravity was gone.

Another portal was opened and the mutants and the two humans falls into a ground of mud and plants. Raph, Leo and Donnie landed first, managing to land on their feet; while Casey, Mikey and Irma ended piled, groaning in pain.

"Huuuhhh..." Irma moaned. Casey and Mikey got up, making her falling back sitting; she pressed her head for the dizziness. "What was that?" Then she looked around. All was a land with plants, and the sounds of the animals weren't typical.

"Where the heck are we?" Raph said annoyed. "Oh, wait... THIS is clearly Renet doing! The right question is 'when'"

"This seems like..." Donnie was saying as he spoted foot prints... Of really big lizzards. "We are in the ages of dinosaurs."

"Dinosaurs!?" The girl panicked... But then she asked. "Which one? The Trissatic? The Jurassic? The..."

"Who cares?!" Casey interrupted getting up all nervous. "Why are he here when there's another monster invasion in our hour time.?!"

"This must to Savanti Romero again." Leo explained, trying to keep calm. "Maybe he is trying to conquer the time line with monsters again."

"Renet might have opened the portal." Mikey gasped. "But where is she?"

A thunder sound like interrumpted the young ones. More thunders were coming from one direction, following with roars and yelling.

"Irma," the leader said at her " you better stay here." He made a sign with his blades and all the boys started to run following the noise.

They found a clear zone where a big scaly yellow-brown demon with big horns fighting against a blue dressed girl with a scepter that was the origin of the sound. Mikey was the first one to get into action when the girl was slammed againts the ground by the claw, he kicked at the face at the creature before he could reach the girl.

"Michelangelo?"

"I got your back Renet." Mikey smiled at her, helping her to get up; while the rest surrounded her to defend her.

Savanti rise from the ground, roaring in disgust. "Turtles!!!"

"Duuuuude..." the human said amazed. "This dude looks sick!!"

The monster tried to slam them with his fists, full of rage. The group dodge it, Leo and Raph attacked up into his arms and chest, while Donnie and Casey to the legs.

"Guys..." Renet said trying to get his breathe back. "How did you came in this era?"

"One portal appeared in the most perfect timing and... Wait," Mikey said, now confused " you didn't open the portal?"

"I might... I was checking Savanti Romero and then he attacked me. One of the portals had been opened in the struggle..."

"Wait..." Raph over heard it. "Then, what about the vampire invasion?"

"Vampire invasion?!" The creature roared punching all the boys away. "Altho it might enjoy creating a new opportunity to make monsters conquer the timeline, without Dracula it would be pointless!" He went straight to Renet. "Now give me the Time Scepter!!"

Mikey attack him the nunchakus, hitting in the face, but the monster slapped him and punched Renet making her body slams againts a big rock. Her body falls but her hands still holding the scepter. The creature aprouched to the girl with a triumphant smile, his went to grab it... Suddenly, a red figure appear between them and she blinding him with a went substain. He yelled, squishing his eyes desperately.

"My eyes!!! MY EYES!!!!"

"Well done, Irma!!" Mikey cheered.

"Are you ok?!" The glasses girl tried to help the other girl to get up, placing an arm around her shoulder. "Can you walk?!"

"Huh... I'll survive..." Renet groans, trying to adjust her vision. The two girls walked away from the creature, while the guys surrounded Savanti still in pain.

"Renet, can you get us out of here?" Donnie walked to the girls checking on the injured girl.

"Huh... I don't know..." she tried to get on her feet, waddleling, and showing the scepter. "In the battle Savanti damaged the scepter..." And it was true; the hourglass piece was cracked and two fingers of the monkey hand was missing. Renet' blurry vision was gone and finally saw the face of Irma. Her reaction was a shock. "What are you doing here?"

"Renet!" Raph yelled, seeing the monster getting up. "GET.US.OUTTA.HERE!!!"

"Oh,right! Now, now..." the time traveler tried to make the scepter to work, it blinked but nothing.

"Renet, hurry!" Leo warned, Savanti was glaring at them with hunger of destroy them.

"I'm trying!!" Renet was so nervous now, her hands where shaking.

The creature is about to jump into them. The boys where ready for the comeback. Renet's hands were suddenly hold by Irma's and she move the scepter ppinting at the monster.

"For goodness sake, make this thing WORK!!!"

After the second of the yelling, the blue light of the item glowed strongly; like an explosion that made all the surroundings turn blank.

The buzzing sound was strong. It went low as one pair of eyes opened.

Leo's face was went. As he rise it, he saw that he was very close to a thin river. He kneeled and looked around, he could see Raph between some bushes upside down, next to Donnie who was lying on his shell trying to get up, and he saw Renet on the feet of a tree moaning.

"Is everyone ok?" The leader get up, helping his brothers to get up.

"Just some broken bones... nothing serious." The red masked turtle said.

"Wait..." the tall turtles looked the surroundings. "Where's Irma, Mikey and Casey?" Something fell over the hot tempered, making him say ouch. It was Irma's basket! The three of them looked up to the tree. "Guy? Are you up there?"

"Yeah, bro!" Mikey answered, with belly over a thick tree branch, trying to sit up. "We're ok..."

"Not me!!" A girl voice protested, she was upside down on the top branches. The dress and the cape was tangled with the leaves and thin branches, and she couldn't be more uncomfortable with Casey over her, on the strong branches of the next tree. "Stop looking, Jones!!"

"I'm not looking." He said as he reached his hockey stick and moves the branches around Irma's legs. "I'm just trying to untangled ya."

"No, no, wait...!" The girl couldn't finish the sentence, she was busy screaming as she was falling. Luckily, the tall turtle catch her. She weakly said to her friend: "Thank you."

"Casey!! In what where you thinking!?" Donnie yelled up to the human boy.

As the discussion was in process, the alarming voice of Renet took the main attention.

"It's gone! The scepter! Where is it?!"

In some place on the dark forrest, the weak light of the scepter was turning off; and the hand of Savanti Romero took it as he chuckled evily.

To be continued...

#irma langinstein #tmnt irma #tmnt #tmnt 2012 #Halloween #tmnt teenage mutant ninja turles #Casey jones #leo #Donny #Raph #Mikey #Renet #Savanti Romero #vampires

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