TMNT - Strike Hard and Fade Away Intro

Note : Due to size limitations, this script contains only the first few scenes. Likewise, the formatting looks a little awkward on the website. However, the formatting is correct in my version of the script.

TMNT : STRIKE HARD, AND FADE AWAY

FADE IN:

EXT. SMALL JAPANESE VILLAGE - EVENING

LOOK OUT over the calm, serene landscape, the sun setting behind the mountain. All is very peaceful as the CAMERA PANS closer and closer to one specific home.

As the CAMERA gets closer to the home’s front window, we begin to see inside.

                                               PAN TO:


INT. YOSHI’S HOME - EVENING

Continue the PAN through the window until we get to HAMATO YOSHI, a forty something man with extreme focus and grace.

He is practicing his moves, his mind in a state of deep meditation. He seems to be completely UNAWARE of his surroundings as his arms and legs flow perfectly through the moves.

Across the room there is a small CAGE. Inside the cage is a RAT.

The Rat watches Yoshi very intently. He seems to be STUDYING the man.

The SHADOWY OUTLINE of a MAN slowly moves in front of the cage. The Rat takes notice.

Yoshi doesn’t seem to notice, he just keep on with his meditation.

A second man, ORUKU NAGI, is slowly creeping up behind Yoshi.

The Rat rushes to the edge of the cage, claws at the door.

Yoshi doesn’t seem to notice any of it. He just keeps moving.

Nagi slowly pulls a KATANA from the sheath on his hip.

In the b.g., the Rat is frantically trying to sctatch the door open, SQUEAKING LOUDLY.

Yoshi continues to meditate, still UNAWARE.

Nagi lifts the sword over his head, preparing to strike the death blow.

He swings down, in a FLASH Yoshi turns and grabs both of the man’s wrists, the blade stopping less than an inch from Yoshi’s face.

When he sees who the attacker is, Yoshi’s EYES fill with RAGE.

                             YOSHI
         Oruku Nagi?

                             NAGI
         Tang Shen is mine, Hamato Yoshi.

Yoshi shoves Nagi, who only backs off a couple of feet.

Nagi glares at him.

                             YOSHI
         Tang Shen loves me. She would
         never love you.

FURY rises in Nagi’s EYES.

                             NAGI
         Her love won’t matter if you
         are dead.

Nagi charges, katana swinging.

Yoshi leans to the right, dodging the blade and throwing his left foot into the side of Nagi’s head.

Nagi stumbles a bit, but it doesn’t slow him down at all. He comes right back with the sword. This time Yoshi leaps over the blade.

Nagi throws a quick punch while his opponent is still in the air, his fist connecting with Yoshi’s jaw.

Yoshi flies back, but manages to turn it into a backflip and lands on his feet.

Nagi has already swung the katana, this time it slices across Yoshi’s chest. The cut is minor.

Nagi grins.

Nagi rushes in again, swinging the sword above his head. Yoshi kicks his arm, knocking the sword from his hand and sending it sliding into the corner.

Yoshi punches him in the face quickly.

Nagi responds with a couple punches of his own.

Go in to a very fast paced, acrobatic series of moves.

Both men are doing extremely well, seem to be the perfect match.

A kick to the Yoshi’s face seems to give Nagi the upper hand.
         
He throws a couple quick punches, BLOOD starting to flow from Yoshi’s MOUTH.

                             NAGI
                   (gently)
         Prepare to die old man.

Yoshi throws a kick into Nagi’s stomach.

Nagi lunges, two more quick punches to Yoshi’s face.

Yoshi drops to a knee, Nagi punishes him with a knee to the chin.

Yoshi falls on his back, his head hitting the floor hard.

Nagi is on him in a flash, another quick fist to the face.

He pulls back for another, but…

                             SENSEI
                   (O.S.)
         Nagi! Stop it immediately.

Nagi freezes, arm back. His head snaps to face his Sensei, an OLD MAN standing in the doorway.

                             NAGI
         Sensei, I -

                             SENSEI
                   (interrupts)
         The Foot do not war amongst
         themselves.

Nagi ANGRILY gets to his feet, stepping away from Yoshi.

Yoshi slowly rises, SHAMEFUL.

                             SENSEI
         What is the reason for this?

                             YOSHI
         I apologize, Master. Things
         got out of hand.

Nagi smirks, DISGUSTED.

                             NAGI
         You are a coward, Hamato Yoshi.

Nagi walks away, passes his Sensei without a glance.

As he approaches the doorway, the light from a BONFIRE outside illuminates his face.

He looks back once he reaches the doorway, the flames making him look absolutely TERRIFYING.

                             NAGI
         This is not over. She will be
         mine. 

                             YOSHI
         Never.

Nagi grins, and then turns his back on them and leaves.

Yoshi’s EYES remain locked on the doorway, HATRED building.

                                               CUT TO:


EXT. SMALL JAPANESE VILLAGE - EVENING

Oruku Nagi storms past the bonfire, determined.

He is walking directly to a specific HOUSE.

                                                     CUT TO:


INT. SHEN’S HOUSE - EVENING

TANG SHEN is sitting on the floor, next to the fireplace. She is reading a MAGAZINE.

The DOOR bursts open. Oruku Nagi STORMS in.

Shen SCREAMS as Nagi walks over to her.

                             SHEN
         What are you -

Nagi interrupts her by grabbing her arm and YANKING her to her feet.

He forces her in close, face to face.

                             NAGI
         You will be my bride.

She tries to pull back, but he’s too strong. He glares into her eyes.

                             NAGI
         You will love me and only me!

She stares at him, trying to look brave.

                             SHEN
         I love only Yoshi.

He throws her to the floor.

She looks up at him, terrified.

                             NAGI
         If you ever say that name again,
         I will kill Hamato Yoshi!

She scrambles to her feet, and tries to make a break for the door.

Nagi catches her by the hair and flings her back to the floor.

Her head hits REALLY HARD.

Nagi kneels above her and grabs her collar.

He pulls her face closer to his.

                             NAGI
         Say it. Say you love me, and
         only me.

She glares at him, silent.

                             NAGI
         Say it or die.

She SPITS in his face.

He punches her right in the NOSE, BREAKING it.

He gets to his feet, wiping the spit off of his face. He kicks her in the RIBS.

Shen SCREAMS in agony.

He reaches down and grabs her SHIRT, pulling her to her feet. He PUNCHES her again.

He grins at her, SADISTIC.

She looks at him through a vail of blood. She is coughing a lot, choking on the blood in her mouth.

                             YOSHI
                   (O.S.)
         Release her!

Nagi looks to the doorway, where Yoshi stands, now holding Nagi’s SWORD.

Nagi GRINS at his nemesis.

                             NAGI
         You may take solace in the fact
         that she remained faithful to
         you, Hamato Yoshi.

Nagi looks back at the BLOODY face of Tang Shen.

                             NAGI
         To the very end.

Nagi goes for the DEATH BLOW, but Yoshi stops him with a fast KICK to the side of the head.

Nagi stumbles, dropping Shen, who goes to the floor.

Yoshi is in a RAGE, and ATTACKS.

His anger makes him sloppy, and Nagi dodges his blow, delivering one of his own.

Yoshi doesn’t miss a beat, swings the SWORD. He barely misses Nagi’s face as his opponent leans back to avoid the steel.

Nagi throws a punch, Yoshi dodges and puts a KNEE in his gut.

He follows the knee with a PUNCH to the face, and then a quick KICK to Nagi’s mouth.

Nagi takes a couple steps back, but with less than a second to recover lunges at Yoshi.

Yoshi swings the KATANA. Nagi leans over backwards to avoid it, and then KICKS Yoshi in the gut.

Yoshi SWINGS again, and again Nagi DODGES, the blade TEARING his SHIRT but not his flesh.

Nagi CATCHES Yoshi’s sword arm by the WRIST with his left hand and PUNCHES Yoshi’s face with his right.

Nagi twists and hurls Yoshi to the floor, keeping a hold on his WRIST.

He KICKS Yoshi in the face repeatedly, until Yoshi releases the SWORD.

Nagi takes the SWORD, points it at Yoshi’s face with a smirk.

                             YOSHI
         Even if you kill me, Tang Shen
         will never be yours.

                             NAGI
         Then she will die with you.

Nagi STABS at Yoshi’s face. Yoshi moves his head, but not quickly enough. He is SLASHED across the cheek.

He REACHES out, his hand finds a BROOM.

He grabs the broom and holds it up in time to BLOCK  a second SWIPE.

Nagi seems surprised, and the distraction is enough for Yoshi to swing the broom, SMACKING Nagi in the head.

Nagi STUMBLES off of Yoshi, giving him a chance to get to his feet.

Yoshi SWINGS the broom, Nagi SLASHES at it, slicing the broom head right off of the stick.

Yoshi keeps swinging, HITTING Nagi in the ribs.

Nagi swings the katana, SLICING Yoshi’s arm.

A GRAPHIC SERIES of BLOWS and CUTS as the two men battle ferociously.

Nagi THRUSTS the sword, Yoshi dodges and swings the broom stick backhand across Nagi’s face.

Nagi stumbles, Yoshi hits him again, the stick BREAKING in half.

Nagi is STUNNED.

Yoshi tosses the stick aside and begins throwing PUNCHES. Several of them, all in Nagi’s face, over and over, until the man falls to the floor.

Nagi looks up at Yoshi, gasping for air, his face covered in blood.

Yoshi KICKS him in the face.

Nagi’s head jerks, and the GASPING STOPS.

His EYES remain open, a vacant, LIFELESS stare.

Yoshi stares down at him, BREATHING HEAVILY.

He takes a couple steps back, begins to TREMBLE.

Tang Shen slowly walks up behind him.

She reaches over, putting a hand on his shoulder. He JUMPS, startled, but when he realizes it’s her, he sighs and cups her hand with his.

                             YOSHI
         It’s over, my love.

                             SHEN
         Yes. Now we can be together in
         peace.

He looks back at her, a TEAR runs down his cheek.

                             YOSHI
         You do not understand.

His eyes go back to Nagi’s body.

                             YOSHI
         I have taken the life of a Foot.
         I have brought great dishonor
         upon myself, and my dojo.

He kneels, taking Nagi’s KATANA.

                             YOSHI
         I am left with only one choice.

He looks back at his lover’s TERRIFIED eyes.

                             YOSHI
         Seppuku.

TEARS fill her eyes, Shen rushes to him.

                             SHEN
         No! I won’t let you.

                             YOSHI
         It is not my choice, my love. It
         is the only way.

                             SHEN
         No, we can run away together,
         disappear.

He seems CONFUSED by that.

                             YOSHI
         That is the dishonorable action
         of a coward.

                             SHEN
         You’d sooner leave me alone?

He looks at her, deeply confused.

                             SHEN
         We can leave this place together.
         I don’t care about honor, and I
         don’t care about the Foot. I
         only care about you!

He looks deep into her eyes.

The KATANA falls to the floor.

The MAGAZINE on the floor, opened to a picture of NEW YORK CITY. On this picture…

                                           DISSOLVE TO:


EXT. NEW YORK CITY - DAY

EST. SHOTS of the city.

Eventually, the CAMERA arrives on HAMATO YOSHI, who is happily walking up the block, his beloved RAT perched on his shoulder.

TITLE READS: TEN YEARS LATER

Yoshi is carrying a bag from the PET SHOP. He reaches in and grabs a wafer, which he holds up to the Rat.

                             YOSHI
                   (loving)
         Here you go Splinter. Eat up
         little one.

Slinter the Rat takes the wafer in his front PAWS and begins to nibble on it, PERFECTLY BALANCED on his Master’s shoulder.

                             YOSHI
         Good boy. Now let’s hurry home.
         
He walks down the street.

The CAMERA MOVES AHEAD, very QUICKLY, LIFTING off of the ground as it goes.

It ends up going through a nearby window, into a darkened apartment.

At first we SEE only a HAND, the hand of someone LYING on the floor.

It is REVEALED to be TANG SHEN, bloody, DEAD.

The front DOOR OPENS, and Yoshi steps in.

He sees Shen immediately.

                             YOSHI
         Shen?

He rushes to her side, DROPS to a knee.

Splinter scurries off his arm and goes to check her out.

                             YOSHI
                   (yelling)
         Shen?

Splinter notices something else in the room.

As Yoshi stares at his dead wife, a SHADOW fills the room.

Yoshi’s head snaps to look at the intruder. It is a MAN wearing an outfit covered in razor sharp BLADES.

                             YOSHI
         What have you done?

                             SAKI
         Hamato Yoshi?

                             YOSHI
         Who are you?

                             SAKI
         I bring a message from my father. He wishes for you
                to join him.

Yoshi’s EYES WIDEN as the Shredder ATTACKS.

Splinter watches, helplessly from Shen’s side.

Saki is much younger, much faster, much stronger. It only takes a few quick SLASHES from his gauntlet.

Yoshi FALLS to the floor, DEAD.

Saki stands over his body, glaring down at the old man.

After a moment, Saki turns and LEAVES the apartment.

Splinter slowly WALKS over to Yoshi’s body.

He looks at his Master, sadly.

On his EYE,

                                           DISSOLVE TO:


EXT. STREETS OF NYC - DAY

Still on SPLINTER’S SAD EYE.

REVEAL he is now outside, lying in a pile of garbage on the side of the road.

He is very DEPRESSED, just watching the busy PEOPLE walking by.

Among the RANDOM assortment of people there is a BOY carrying a small AQUARIUM. Inside, on a ROCK with a little bit of water surrounding it, are FOUR TURTLES.

A MAN steps off the curb, turns out he is BLIND.

A TRUCK is heading right at him.

The Boy with the aquarium notices. He quickly sets the aquarium down.

                             BOY
         Be right back guys.

He RACES to the Blind Man.

Splinter takes notice of the events. He looks at the Truck.

A SIGN on the side of the Truck reads “TCRI”.


INSIDE THE TRUCK

The TWO MEN in the Truck are both STARING BLANKLY at the road ahead. They look like they’re HYPNOTIZED, or dead.

Neither one seems to notice the Blind Man right in front of them.


BACK OUTSIDE

The Kid is RUNNING full speed, hoping he will make it in time.

Splinter watches as the truck gets closer to the Blind Man, the Driver still completely UNAWARE.

The Kid grabs the Blind Man‘s arm, BARELY pulling him to safety before the Truck kills him.

The Truck flies by, the front passenger tire hits a big POTHOLE.

The Truck bumps violently. A GLASS CANISTER with STEEL caps on either end, filled with some GREEN LIQUID, comes FLYING from the bed of the Truck.

The CANISTER hits the Boy right in the FACE, bounces off and flies through the air. One of the METAL ENDS hits the glass wall of the AQUARIUM, breaking both the aquarium and the canister.

The TURLTES are covered in the thick, green LIQUID that was inside the CANISTER.

The Blind Man is angry.

                             BLIND MAN
         What the hell’s wrong with you
         kid?

He whacks the Kid in the HEAD with his CANE.

                             BLIND MAN
         Pickin’ on a blind man, what’s
         your damn problem?

The Blind Man continues his journey, MUTTERING ANGRILY to himself.

The Boy rubs his head, an UPSET, CONFUSED look on his face.

                             BOY
                   (mutters to himself)
         Well, there’s my good deed for
         the day.

He turns back to his aquarium, only to be SHOCKED when he sees the glass is SHATTERED, and the whole thing is covered in a weird, green OOZE.

                             BOY
         Oh, no!

He RUSHES to the tank, and is again SHOCKED when he discovers his new TURTLES are gone.

                                                     CUT TO:


INT. SEWER - DAY

The FOUR TURTLES are SLOWLY walking along, being led down the path by SPLINTER.

                                           DISSOLVE TO:


TITLE SEQUENCE

A MONTAGE of STILLS. The PICTURES are intended to look ancient, hand drawn.

SPLINTER with the TURTLES in a large ROOM, which will be their LAIR.

The TURTLES, as well as SPLINTER, are MUTATING, taking on a more human form.

A JEWELRY STORE is being ROBBED by a group of NINJAS. SCROLL to reveal the SHREDDER, watching from afar.

The TURTLES and SPLINTER look even more HUMANOID, and have become BIPEDS.

SPLINTER teaching them BATTLE STANCES.

The SHREDDER standing before a HUNDRED NINJAS, arms spread in a glorious SPEECH.

The TURTLES and SPLINTER, now fully MUTATED, and have begun wearing their attire.

Another NINJA robbery, this time it’s a BANK. Again, the SHREDDER watches from a rooftop across the street.

With their respective weapons, the four TURTLES are sparring, Master SPLINTER watching from the side.

LEONARDO, slashing with his KATANA.

DONATELLO, swinging his BO.

MICHAELANGELO, attacking with his NUNCHAKU.

RAPHAEL, thrusting a SAI.

The FOURSOME, kicking back on the couch, eating a PIZZA.

The SHREDDER, on the ROOFTOP. Behind him, an army of NINJAS, looking out over the city.

CLOSE ON the Shredder’s EVIL EYES.

                                         FADE TO BLACK.



ACT ONE



FADE IN:

EXT. ABANDONED FARM - NIGHT

EST. SHOT of the FARM, the dark, abandoned BARN, the worn down SILO, a SWAMPY little LAKE off to the side.

A LOUD CRASH comes from inside the BARN.

                             MICHELANGELO
                   (O.S.)
         Ow!

                             RAPHAEL
                   (O.S., amused)
         Dumb ass.

                             MICHELANGELO
                   (O.S.)
         Shut up!

                                               CUT TO:


INT. OLD BARN - NIGHT

MICHELANGELO, in his ORANGE MASK, is lying in a pile of broken WOOD and HAY from the old loft the just crashed through.

RAPHAEL, in his RED MASK, can’t stop CHUCKLING.

DONATELLO, in his PURPLE MASK, comes out of nowhere and drop kicks Raphael, knocking him to the floor next to Michelangelo.

                             RAPHAEL
         Hey, what the hell Donnie?

Donatello snickers.

                             RAPHAEL
         Oh, yeah?

He quickly gets to his feet and LUNGES at Donatello, driving his shoulder into his brother’s sternum. Both Turtles go to the floor.

LEONARDO, in his BLUE MASK, extends a hand to Michelangelo. He accepts it.

                             LEONARDO
         Focus, Mikey.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Hey I’m focused! It’s just, there
         was this butterfly, and -

                             LEONARDO
                   (interrupts, stern)
         Focus, Michelangelo.

Leonardo walks away. Michelangelo seems hurt.

                             MICHELANGELO
         My full name. He must really be
         mad.

Leonardo’s FOOT comes right at Michelangelo’s head.

His EYES get huge, and he ducks, dodging the kick.

                             LEONARDO
                   (nods)
         Better.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Yeah, that’s right.

Leonardo kicks him in the jaw. Michelangelo fies through the air, landing on his butt.

Leonardo smirks.

                                               CUT TO:


EXT. ABANDONED FARM - NIGHT

There are a lot of CRASHES and BANGS coming from inside the barn.

Over at the SWAMPY LAKE, obscured in the shadows, there is the silhouette of a MAN, up to his knees in the water, looking at the BARN.

                                                     CUT TO:


INT. OLD BARN - NIGHT

The Brothers continue to spar.

Donatello swings his bo, Raphael ducks under it and lunges with his sai.

Donatello sidesteps the sai and brings up his KNEE, smashing it into Raphael’s abdomen.

                             DONATELLO
         Ha ha!

                             RAPHAEL
         Oh, yeah?

Raphael brings back his elbow in response, hitting Donatello right in the mouth.

                             RAPHAEL
         Like that?

Donatello spits some blood onto the floor.

                             RAPHAEL
                   (grins)
         Nice.

Donatello swings his bo, hitting Raph upside the head, knocking him down.


ACROSS THE ROOM

Michelangelo and Leonardo are circling, facing each other, weapons held in front defensively.

                             LEONARDO
         Come on, Mikey. Make your move.

Michelangelo is noticeably nervous about making the first move.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Hey, you know Leo, I’ve been
         thinking. What’s with all the
         violence?

                             LEONARDO
         We’re ninjas, Mikey.

                             MICHELANGELO
         I know, but, like… what kind of
         a message are we sending, anyway?

                             LEONARDO
         What do you want to do, man?
         Fight crime by petting kittens?

                             MICHELANGELO
         Well, no, but… yeah.

                             LEONARDO
         Well, sorry Mikey, but with the
         Foot out there, we have to stay
         in top form. That means we have
         to keep practicing.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Yeah, but -

Leonardo throws a punch, sword still in his fist. He pops Michelangelo in the cheek.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Dude!

Michelangelo swings back, but Leonardo leaps into the air and throws a kick, knocking Michelangelo onto his shell.

Leonardo stands above him, KATANA pointed at Michelangelo’s neck.

                             LEONARDO
         See what I mean?

Donatello comes FLYING in from OFFSCREEN, colliding with Leonardo, knocking him to the floor.

                             RAPHAEL
         That all you got?

He rushes in, heading for Donatello, but Michelangelo swings his NUNCHAKU and the chain wraps around Raphael’s ankle, TRIPPING him.

Raphael lands on his Brothers.

Michelangelo leaps to his feet, proud of himself.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Yeah, Mikey wins the battle!
         
                             RAPHAEL
         What? With that cheap shot?

Raphael gets to his feet and rushes Michelangelo.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Yikes!

Raphael tackles him.

                                                     CUT TO:


EXT. OLD BARN - NIGHT

Michelangelo and Raphael can be HEARD INSIDE, crashing around.

A PAIR OF FEET are slowly walking toward the barn, feet wearing WORN OUT, untied combat boots. His JEANS are soaked with swamp water.

                                                     CUT TO:


INT. OLD BARN - NIGHT

Michelangelo is being backed into a corner by Raphael, who grins at his brother.

Raphael spins his sais as he advances.

                             RAPHAEL
         Whatcha going to do, Mikey?

                             MICHELANGELO
         I’m not too sure yet, but it
         probably involves a lot of
         bleeding.

                             RAPHAEL
         Yeah, I’ll try to make it quick.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Thanks bro!

Raphael charges.

Michelangelo is ready and leaps into the air. He does a split in the air, swinging both sets of nunchakus down on Raphael’s head.

Raphael hits the floor, chin first.

Michelangelo lands on the floor, proud of himself.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Yeah!

Leonardo and Donatello step up behind him.

                             DONATELLO
         Good work Mikey!

                             LEONARDO
         That’s enough for today. Let’s
         head back to the Lair.

Donatello and Michelangelo nod. They turn to follow Leonardo out of the building.

                             MICHELANGELO
         I totally rocked!

Donatello pats him on the shell.

                             DONATELLO
         You totally did, bro.

Raphael SCREAMS as he rushes Michelangelo from behind, tackling him.

Donatello steps aside and watches.

Raphael rolls his brother over and starts punching him.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Hey, hey, hey! Dude! Time out,
         game over!

Raphael pins Michelangelo, and gets right down in his face.

                             RAPHAEL
         Why, cause Leo says so?

                             MICHELANGELO
         Well, yeah. I mean, isn’t he the
         leader?

                             RAPHAEL
         According to him.

Donatello grabs Raphael’s shoulder.

                             DONATELLO
         Knock it off, Raph. I’m hungry.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Yeah, bro. I’m with Donnie.

Raphael glares at him, a long, cold glare.

                             RAPHAEL
         Well, actually, I could go for a
         slice or two.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Or ten!

They laugh, and Raphael helps Michelangelo up.

A RAT scurries by. None of them notice.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Hey, wait til I tell Master
         Splinter how I knocked you on
         your butt, eh Raph!

                             RAPHAEL
         He’ll never believe it, Mikey,
         but go ahead.

A couple more RATS run across the room, behind the Turtles.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Hey Leo?

                             LEONARDO
         Yeah Mikey?

                             MICHELANGELO
         Can we get extra pepperoni on
         the pizza?

                             LEONARDO
         Sure, Mikey.

                             MICHELANGELO
         And extra cheese?

More and more RATS are about, the room seems to be filling with them.

                             LEONARDO
         Sure, Mikey.

They turn to the door, and are all stopped in their tracks by what they SEE.

The RAT KING stands in the doorway. Aside from the boots and soaking wet jeans, he is naked except for the tattered, blood stained bandages covering his torso, arms, and most of his face.

                             RAT KING
         You intruders aren’t going
         anywhere.

                             RAPHAEL
         What the hell?

                             MICHELANGELO
                   (frightened)
         It’s the Monster!

He backs away, nervous. Donatello looks skeptical.

                             DONATELLO          
         The Monster is just a myth,
         Mikey.

                             RAT KING
         I’m no myth. And you’re
         trespassing.

Raphael steps forward.

                             RAPHAEL
         Get out of our way, pal.

He tries to push past the Rat King, but he is effortlessly shoved to the floor.

Raphael looks up, surprised. The other Turtles are shocked as well.

                             RAT KING
         Trespassers must be punished.

                             LEONARDO
         I think he means business, guys.

Raphael grins as he gets back on his feet.

                             RAPHAEL
         Good.

He pulls out his sais.

                             LEONARDO
         Raph, don’t rush in to anything.

It’s too late, Raphael is charging the Rat King.

He leads with a sai, but it’s easily dodged. The Rat King counters by grabbing Raphael’s wrist and bitch slapping him several times.

He releases Raphael, who stumbles back to his brothers; their mouths are wide open in disbelief.

                             RAPHAEL
         Okay, Leo. What’s Plan B?

                             LEONARDO
         Split up. If we can surround him,
         we can catch him off guard.

                             RAPHAEL
                   (impressed)
         That’s a pretty good plan.

                             MICHELANGELO
         See, dude. That’s why you’re not
         the leader.

                             DONATELLO
         Nice!

Michelangelo holds out a hand, palm up. Donatello slaps it.

                             LEONARDO
         All right, guys. Formation
         Alpha-Alpha-Seven!

The other three Turtles look confused.
                   
                             MICHELANGELO
         Dude, we told you. We’re never
         gonna remember all those codes.

                             LEONARDO
         That’s why I made those books!
         You know what, never mind. Just
         split up.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Right!

                             DONATELLO
         Let’s do this!

                             RAPHAEL
                   (sais spinning)
         It’s about time.

They foursome splits, each Turtle heading in a different direction.

Leonardo leaps into the air, grabbing a chain dangling from the ceiling. He uses it to swing to the hay loft above.

Michelangelo rushes behind the cover of some crates, sneaking across them with his shell up against the wood.

Donatello rushes up a small stairway leading to a platform that runs the length of the barn.

Raphael chooses the most direct path, and heads straight for the Rat King.

                             RAPHAEL
         All right punk, it’s payback
         time.

He swings his sai at the Rat King’s face. Rat King leans back to avoid it, and throws a punch.

Raphael sees it coming and DUCKS, the punch flying over his head.

                             RAPHAEL
         Nice try.

Raphael lunges, but Rat King is quick and gets his knee up, hitting Raphael upside the head.

Raphael punches him back without missing a beat.

                             RAPHAEL
         Yeah, come on!

Rat King’s big foot comes up and SMASHES into Raphael’s mouth.

Raphael flies back, blood spraying from his mouth.

Donatello comes out of nowhere, swinging his bo. It SMACKS the Rat King right in the back of the head, causing the big man to stumble a step forward.

Rat King glares back at him only to catch another SMACK from the bo, this one right in the face.

The bo comes back for another hit, but the Rat King catches it.

                             DONATELLO
         Crap.

Donatello’s eyes get wide as the Rat King’s foot comes up and kicks him across the face.

Donatello hits the floor, the Rat King tosses his bo aside.

He glares down at the two Turtles.

                             MICHELANGELO
                   (O.S.)
         Head’s up, bozo!

Rat King looks, Michelangelo is in the air, nunchakus spinning above his head.

His RIGHT ARM comes down first, the wood smacking Rat King in the face.

Michelangelo lands right in front of the Rat King and immediately kicks him in the gut.

The Rat King bends over, and Michelangelo hits him in the back of the head with his chucks.                    

                             MICHELANGELO
         Yeah, dudes! Mikey saves the day!

Rat King stands, FURIOUS, staring right into Michelangelo’s eyes.

Michelangelo SCREAMS like a little girl.

Rat King roars and advances.

Michelangelo FLIES through the air, SCREAMING the whole time. He crashes onto the floor at Leonardo’s feet.

Leonardo is focused on the Rat King, stoic, unafraid.

Michelangelo groans.

                             MICHELANGELO
         What a dick.

Rat King is focused on Leonardo.

                             RAT KING
         Are you going to do something,
         trespasser?

                             LEONARDO
         Oh, I’m doing it.

The Rat King looks confused, but quickly figures it out and turns to look behind himself.

Raphael kicks him in the face.

The Rat King goes down.

                             RAPHAEL
         Yeah!

The Rat King gets right back up.

                             RAPHAEL
         Damn it!

Leonardo CRIES out a BATTLE YELL, rushing at the Rat King.

Rat King turns to face him, barely noticing the BLADE in time to dodge it.

Leonardo swings his other KATANA, the Rat King dodges it as well.

A third strike, this time the Rat King drops an ELBOW onto Leonardo’s FOREARM.

Leonardo grunts in pain, the SWORD falling out of his hand.

Rat King throws a punch, but Leonardo dodges. He punches again, but gets the same result.

Leonardo leaps into the air, SPINNING his leg around, kicking Rat King in the face. He follows up the kick with a back handed fist to the nose.

The Rat King ROARS at Leonardo. Then he lunges at the Turtle.

The other three TURTLES wince. Then they make PAINED EXPRESSIONS as there’s a LOUD CRASH OFF SCREEN. Then they SCATTER, running in different directions as Leonardo FLIES right where they were, CRASHING into a wood post.

Leonardo lies there, DAZED. His Brother’s gather around him, Donatello extending his hand.

Michelangelo and Raphael keep their eyes on Rat King.

Leonardo takes Donatello‘s hand, and gets back on his feet. He nods at his brother, then shifts his attention to the Rat King.

                             LEONARDO
         This guy‘s pretty good.

                             RAPHAEL
         Thanks for the news flash, Leo.
         You got any idea what to do
         about it?

                             MICHELANGELO
                   (light bulb goes
                    off)
         I’ve got a plan!

His Brothers look nervous.

                             DONATELLO
                   (a little
                    condescending)
         Oh, yeah? What’s that, Mikey?

                             MICHELANGELO
         We gotta yell “Cowabunga!”.

He looks at them, excited, as if the answer was painfully obvious. The other Turtles exchange glances, considering it.

They shrug.

                             RAPHAEL
         Worth a shot, I guess.

                             DONATELLO
         All right.

                             LEONARDO
         Let’s do it.

                             MICHELANGELO
                   (excited)
         Really? Oh, this is gonna be so          
         awesome, you guys!

The Turtles face the Rat King, grinning. At once, they all rush him.

                             ALL FOUR
         Cowabunga!

They leap into the air, their weapons flashing through the air.

They land on all four sides, SURROUNDING the Rat King.

Leonardo kicks for the head as Donatello swipes a foot at the Rat King’s leg.

The Rat King falls over BACKWARD, Raphael catches him by the head and drops to a knee, smacking the back of Rat King’s head on his raised knee.

The Rat King hits the floor. Michelanglo leap frogs off of Raphael’s shell, LAUNCHING himself into the air.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Yee-Haa!

He does a couple quick flips and lands, SHELL FIRST, on the Rat King’s chest.

The Rat King grunts. Michelangelo rolls off and gets to his feet, amped up.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Come on, get up!

                             RAPHAEL
                   (impressed)
         Go Mikey!

The Rat King gets to his feet. Mikey SHRIEKS and dashes behing Raphael. He hides behind him, PEEKING around his shell.

                             RAPHAEL
         There‘s the Mikey I know.

The Rat King lunges with an incredible BACKHAND, a blow so powerful all FOUR Turtles are thrown back, into the structure holding up the HAY LOFT.

WOOD and HAY rain down on the TURTLES.

                             MICHELANGELO
                   (muffled under hay)
         Ouch.

Leonardo sits up slowly.

                             LEONARDO
         Everybody okay?

Donatello sits up next to him.

                             DONATELLO
         Yeah.

Raphael stands up, wiping hay off his shoulder.

                             RAPHAEL
         Yeah, yeah, I’m all right.

He looks up, sees the Rat King walking away.

                             RAPHAEL
         Oh, I don’t think so!

Raphael gives chase.

                             LEONARDO
         Raph, wait!

Raphael IGNORES him, and chases the Rat King out the door.

                             LEONARDO
         Crap! Let’s go.

He and Donatello follow.

After a moment…

                             MICHELANGELO
                   (muffled under hay)
         Hello?

                                                     CUT TO:


EXT. OLD BARN - NIGHT

Leonardo and Donatello rush out of the BARN, looking for Raphael and the Rat King.
                   
                             LEONARDO
         Where did they go?

Donatello spots Raphael running into the DAMAGED SILO, points to them.

                             DONATELLO
         There they are.

                             LEONARDO
         Come on.

They head to the silo.

They thrust open the door, and rush inside.

A moment later, Michelangelo comes out of the barn, very nervous.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Guys?

He looks around, wondering where everybody is.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Guys? Where’s everybody go?

His eyes happen upon the SILO.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Whoa, that place is pretty
         creepy.

He gets a chill.

                             MICHELANGELO
                   (shouting)
         You guys in the creepy silo?

                                                     CUT TO:


INT - SILO - NIGHT

Raphael stands in front of his brothers Leonardo and Donatello, none of them moving. They are simply standing there, shocked, somehat terrified looks on their faces.

                             MICHELANGELO
                   (O.S.)
         Dudes?

Michelangelo enters the silo, happy to see them.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Dudes!

                             LEONARDO
                   (hushing)
         Mikey, quiet!

                             MICHELANGELO
                   (confused, not
                    quiet)
         What’s up bro?

All three SHH! Him.

                             MICHELANGELO
         What?

He seems CONFUSED, but only until he takes a look around. His mood suddenly changes to one of FEAR.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Oh.                              

REVEAL that the silo is FILLED with RATS, HUNDREDS, THOUSANDS of them.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Rats.

                             DONATELLO
         Guys, we gotta get out of here.

                             LEONARDO
         And leave that mad man here? He
         could seriously hurt somebody.

                             MICHELANGELO
         He kinda already did.

                             RAPHAEL
         All the more reason to make him
         pay, Mikey. We ain’t leaving til
         this is over.

                             LEONARDO
         Raphael is right.

Donatello and Michelangelo look at him, not sure if they heard correctly. Leonardo seems defensive.

                             LEONARDO
         Whatever, he is. We can’t let
         this guy out of our sight. He
         needs to be locked up.

                             RAPHAEL
         Hey, my plan ain’t got nothin’
         to do with him gettin’ locked
         up.

                             MICHELANGELO
         So, how do we do this?

He eyes a RAT that is coming uncomfortably close to his foot.

The OTHER RATS are closing in.

Donatello eyes them, realizing how outnumbered they really are.

                             DONATELLO
         We need to take this back
         outside, guys. We’ll die if we
         stay in here.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Yeah. Outside. I like that.

Leonardo looks around.
         
                             LEONARDO
         Okay. Everybody, outside.
         Quick.

The door SLAMS shut.

The Turtles look, the Rat King has his HAND on the door.

                             RAT KING
         You won’t be going anywhere.

                             RAPHAEL
                   (with a sick grin)
         Awesome.

Raphael rushes him, sais held back as he leans in.

Rat King tries to grab him, but Raphael was ready and he leaps, going through the Rat King’s arms, planting his hands on the floor and whipping his legs around the Rat King’s neck. Raphael pulls himself up and PUNCHES him in the face.

The Rat King glares at him, and Raphael punches him a few more times, until the Rat King falls, Raphael landing on his chest.

                             LEONARDO
         Nice.

A RAT brushes Michelangelo’s FOOT. He SHRIEKS very loudly, scrambling to safety.

He isn’t looking where he’s running, and RUNS right into the WALL.

The WOOD cracks.

It distracts Raphael, who looks to see what the commotion is.

                             RAPHAEL
         What the hell?

The Rat King takes his chance, and PUNCHES Raphael in the face.

Raphael FLIES off the Rat King, landing by Donatello and Leonardo.

Donatello is looking in Michelangelo’s direction.

                             DONATELLO
         Did you see that?

Raphael looks over at Michelangelo.

                             RAPHAEL
         Yeah. Mikey’s a little bitch.

                             DONATELLO
         No! Well, yeah, but I’m talking
         about the wall. It cracked.

                             LEONARDO
                   (agreement)
         This is a pretty old building.

Raphael gets to his feet.

                             RAPHAEL
         Let’s do it.

They RUSH the wall, shoulder’s front.

The WOOD cracks severely when they hit it.

This upsets the Rat King.

                             RAT KING
         What are you doing?

The Turtles slam into the wall again, CRACKING it more.

                             RAT KING
         You will not escape! I will
         destroy you!


The Turtles smash the wall again, BREAKING through. They fall to the ground OUTSIDE the silo.

The Rat King gives chase.

                             RAT KING
         You will all die!

The building begins to collapse.


OUTSIDE THE SILO

The Turtles get back to their feet, looking into the hole they made. They can see the silo begin to cave in.

         
INSIDE THE SILO

The Rat King is rushing for the HOLE, a large PIECE of wood from above lands on him.

He goes to the floor.


OUTSIDE THE SILO

Michelangelo takes a step toward the silo.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Dude!

Donatello grabs his arm.

                             DONATELLO
         You can’t go back in there.

They see more DEBRIS fall.

                             MICHELANGELO
         We gotta get him out of there!


INSIDE THE SILO

The Rat King is trying to CRAWL out from under the RUBBLE. More continues to fall.


OUTSIDE THE SILO

Michelangelo wants to go, but Donatello won’t let him.

They watch the silo FALL, the Rat King disappearing in a cloud of dust and rubble.

Michelangelo looks VERY upset.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Dude.

Donatello looks at him, wants to make him feel better.

                             DONATELLO
         Hey, bro. there’s nothing we
         could have done.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Yeah, but -

                             LEONARDO
                   (interrupts)
         Come on, Mikey. Let’s go get a
         pizza.

Michleangelo’s eyes light up.

                             MICHELANGELO
         With pickles?

                             LEONARDO
         Yeah Mikey. With pickles.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Sweet!

Leonardo pats him on the shell, the four Turtles walking away from the silo.

                             MICHELANGELO
         And kettle corn?

                             LEONARDO
         Kettle corn?

He looks at his brother, disgusted. Then, on second thought…

                             LEONARDO
         Yeah. Kettle corn.

They walk off.


BACK AT THE RUBBLE

The Rats are everywhere, surrounding the pile, SQUEAKING.

The Rat King’s arm, still. Some Rats find it, and gather around it.

His FINGERS FLEX slightly.


                                         FADE TO BLACK.


FADE IN:

INT. TUTRLES’ LAIR - NIGHT

Splinter is MEDITATING, quietly sitting in a corner on his BLANKET.

There is a CALM, SERENE moment, and then…

The DOOR BURSTS OPEN and the four TURTLES come barging in noisily, each carrying FIVE PIZZAS.

                             RAPHAEL
         Oh my God! It was so bad a-

Leonardo throws his hand up, unintentionally sticking it right in Raphael’s face.

Leonardo HUSHES his brothers, looking ahead at his meditating Master.

Raphael doesn’t appreciate his brother’s hand in his face, but his respect for Splinter keeps his mouth shut.

Leonardo CROSSES over to where Splinter is sitting and kneels beside him.

The other three TRY to be quiet as they make their way to the couch, but Michelangelo slams his foot into a table leg, and SHOUTS OUT in pain.

                             MICHELANGELO
         Ow! My toe!

Donatello wraps his hands around Michelangelo’s mouth, muffling him.

                             RAPHAEL
                   (harsh whisper)
         Dude! Quiet!

Michelangelo looks ashamed, Donatello eventually lets go of his face.

                             MICHELANGELO
                   (whispers)
         Sorry.

Raphael shakes his head, and they continue to the couch.

Leonardo looks from his brothers to his Master, who still seems to be unaware of their presence.

Leonardo BOWS his head, eyes shut. He meditates with Splinter for a moment.

                             SPLINTER
                   (eyes still closed)
         You were in a battle?

                             LEONARDO
         Yes Master. We were ambushed
         during our training session.

Splinter opens his eyes.

                             SPLINTER
         Yes. You have done very well. It
         seems you are finally ready.

                             LEONARDO
         Ready, Master?

                             SPLINTER
         Ready for the mission you have
         trained your entire lives for.
         The time has come for you to
         avenge the murder of my beloved
         master, Hamato Yoshi.          

The Turtles look at their Master, suddenly very SERIOUS.