Alternate Allure

CHAPTER 21: FROM THE START [Part I]

"Okay, just ease the throttle forward ever so sli—"

Naturally, Leo immediately slams it.

The Shellraiser launches forward, making everyone get violently tossed back in their seats. Mikey screams exitedly, Raph's eyes light up, and you cling to the armrest for dear life.

"WOOOH!" Raph's voice is pure joy. "What the hell is powering this thing?!"

Donnie points his thumb to a crystal box sitting off to the side. It vibrates while waves of energy run through it.

"The Kraang power cell we got from Leatherhead"

"Wait wait wait—" You twist around, bracing yourself by resting your arm on Donnie's shoulder. "I thought you said that thing was dangerous? You even said the Kraang could track it"

Donnie leans back slightly, letting your weight shift against him. "That's why I put it under a lead glass shield. Now I can regulate the output and prevent the Kraang from detecting its signal. Totally safe... Ish"

You raise a brow. "Ish?"

Before he can answer, Mikey cuts in.

"Guys!" He screams, pointing frantically at the map. "DEAD END!"

"Uh, Donnie?" Leo's voice crackles through the communicator, sounding a little too panicked for your taste. "How do I stop this thing?"

"Don't!"

"What?!"

"Trust me!"

You glance over at Donnie, kinda thrown off, but curiosity gets the better of you. "Donnie, did you...?"

He shoots you this smug-ass look that immediately flips your confusion into full-on excitement. Oh, he's up to something.

"Third button, middle row, please?"

You start stomping your feet in excitement as you slam that button without a second thought, as Leo, Raph, and Mikey start screaming in the background. The button clicks, and a hidden ramp shoots out from the floor, creating a perfectly measured door. You grin like a maniac as The Shellraiser slams out onto the street.

Raph's the first to get his shit together, hollering from the front. "Donnie, you're awesome!"

You can't stop looking at all the screens showing the Shellraiser's exterior, totally awestruck.

"I'll be damned..." You can't stop looking at all the screens showing the Shellraiser's exterior, totally awestruck. "Don, have I ever told you that you're the brightest mind alive?"

Donnie leans back in his chair, throwing his hands behind his head.

"Might've heard that once or twice, yeah" He chuckles, nudging your knee with his. "So, you like it? Be honest"

"Like it? I love it! I don't even—" You let out a breathy laugh, grinning up at him. "I don't even know what to say, man"

He grins wide enough to make your heart do that dumb little backflip thing. "You can always say I'm the best"

You snort, rolling your eyes and shoving his shoulder. "You just want me to feed your ego"

"It wouldn't be the first time you admit it" He bumps you right back, laughing. "Besides, you're the one who started it!"

Just as you're about to say something else, Mikey interrupts, drumming his fingers against the dashboard.

"Hate to interrupt your flirting, but—" He leans forward, squinting at the buttons. "—this thing has a stereo?"