AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story takes place immediately after the events of "Honor Restored".

        Princess Mallory waited patiently in the throne room for her guests to arrive. "Father, what are you doing out of bed? I thought you were still sick!"
  "I'm feeling much better, my dear." replied Emperor Alesiter as he barely managed to suppress a cough. "As it turns out that head-cold was merely a 24 hour bug. Are those turtle friends of yours here yet?"
  "Not as of yet. When I contacted the news manager at Channel 6, I was informed that Miss O'Neil and the Ninja Turtles were just leaving Japan."
  "Sire, we have gotten word of your cousin, Professor Sopho."
  "That treacherous vermin! Has he no shame in trying to usurp my kingdom?!"
  "Do not worry, Father. I am certain that once the Turtles are here, they will help us. I think I'll take a quick shower before they arrive."
  That very moment, the plane carrying April O'Neil, the Ninja Turtles and their Master Splinter landed just outside the castle.
  "So what part of the world is this country located?" Leonardo asked as they got off the plane.
  "Malacuria is an uncharted country on the border of the North Atlantic and Labrador Sea." April explained. "It's east of North America and west of-"
  "Yea yea, we get it. It's a top secret country on a need-to-know basis!" Raphael interrupted.
  "What's got you so wound up, dude?" Michaelangelo asked.
  "Sorry, I guess I'm just a little jet lagged!"
  "We are all quite weary from the flight, Raphael. Hopefully our hosts will have some food prepared for us to help settle ourselves." Splinter remarked.
  "So did your boss say anything as to why we've been summoned here?" Donatello asked.
  "He didn't really give me any specific explanation."
  "I can't help but suspect we're here protect the royal family from an invasion!" Leonardo stated.
  "It is a likely possibility. Small countries like this are vulnerable to outsiders who wish to overthrow their government." Splinter mentioned.
  "Given what happened with that Lydium 90 stuff, I bet some crazy mad scientist is gunning for the place!" Mikey deduced.
  "Whatever the reason we've been summoned here, I just know there's a big story waiting to be reported!" April said.
  "I dunno who's more obsessed, you with the news or Michaelangelo with pizza!" Raphael commented.
  "Actually, I've been kind of craving burritos a lot lately. They're a lot less messy!" Mikey replied.
  That moment a limo approached. "Miss O'Neil and the Ninja Turtles, I presume?" called out the driver.
  "That's us!" Leonardo said excitedly.
  "Princess Mallory and Emperor Alesiter have been expecting you."
    Back at the castle, Mallory just finished up her shower and put on a robe. "Ah, that was refreshing!" she said as she heard a knock on the door. "Who is it?"
  "Your Highness, please come to your father's main chambers immediately!" a guard said in a frantic manner.
  Mallory quickly put on a robe and ran to her father, only to find him bedridden and sweating heavily and struggling to breath. "Oh my God! Father, what is wrong?"
  "I-I don't know. I went to eat some chef's salad for lunch, and I immediately started choking and coughing! In hindsight, I was so hungry, I might have accidentally eaten that first bite without chewing it well."
  "You do not look well, Father. Please stay in bed. I will inform the doctor immediately of your present state."
  "But what about Sopho?" Emperor Alesiter asked as he coughed and wheezed.
  One of the main guards approached the doorway. "Princess, your guests have finally arrived."
    "I will inform Miss O'Neil and the Turtles of the situation. You just get some rest." Mallory said as she kissed her dad on the forehead and headed back to her room to change into her royal uniform before heading back to the throne room to greet her guests. "My friends, it is so wonderful to see you all here! It truly has been too long!"
  "I'll say, dudette! So like, what's up?" Michaelangelo asked.
  "For the last month or so, we have been receiving threatening letters from a distant relative who wishes to usurp the kingdom! From the information I have gathered, you four have dealt with him a few times before."
  "I'm almost afraid to ask who he is!" Donatello remarked as he was handed a photo of the person in question. "Professor Sopho?!"
  "Hah! We've beaten that geek pretty easy before!" Raphael stated.
  "In your country perhaps, but here in Malacuria he has access to what some would call heavily advanced technology and weapons!"
  "We've seen a lot mad scientists fail from their own evil. No matter what Sopho throws at us this time, we'll be ready!" Leonardo said.
  "It does my heart well to see you four still stand for honor and justice." Splinter replied.
  "For sure, Sensei! If there's one thing we Turtles can't stand, it's bogus dudes trying to take over the world!" Michaelangelo stated proudly.
  Just then Emperor Alesiter came in coughing and wheezing. "Ah, I see our friends have finally showed up."
  "Father, you really do not sound well! I fear I must take you to the emergency room straight away!" Princess Mallory spoke.
  "But what of Soph-" Emperor Alesiter could barely speak as he had another coughing fit.
  "Don't worry, your highness. We'll deal with Sopho if he shows up!" Leonardo stated. "In fact, while you and the princess are away, I have an idea how we can fool him." he added as he grinned at April.
  "Well, it worked on Shredder and his goons that one time." April said with a sigh.
    Several minutes later April was sitting by herself in the throne room wearing one of Princess Mallory's dresses, while the Turtles and Splinter were just outside in the main lobby.
  "I sure hope the Emperor is doing okay." Donatello spoke.
  "I am certain he will be fine. Most people his age are prone to illness, but they manage to bounce back." Splinter mentioned.
  "Hey that got me wondering. How old are you by this point, Master Splinter?" Raphael asked.
  "How old do you think I am?" the wise rodent said with a smirk.
  Michaelangelo couldn't help but chuckle, when his stomach started to growl. "Man, I'm getting hungry. I could sure go for some of those mini pizzas."
  "Not while we're on guard duty!" Leonardo remarked. "Besides, you've been pigging out a little too much lately!"
  "Well, excuse me for getting the munchies!"
    Little did the Turtles realize, but as they were talking, Professor Sopho had managed to sneak right passed them disguised as one of the royal guards. He quickly ditched his costume and ran into the throne room. "Ah, Princess Mallory! Too long has it been!"
  "Oh great." April said under her breath as she tried her hardest to imitate Princess Mallory's accent. "You dare to come in here?! I should have you executed!"
  "Now now, my dear distant cousin. I only wish to take your father's place as rightful ruler of this modest country. Where is he anyway?"
  "That's for me to know and you to mind your business! Now leave before you get your head put on a spike!"
  Sopho sneered for a moment as he started getting suspicious. "It's not like the princess to make such ruthless threats."
  "Well, you give me no choice, you little creep!"
  "Creep?!" Sopho then started breaking down in tears. "Now you've gone and hurt my feelings!"
  April sighed. "Some villain you turned out to be." she said in her normal voice.
  "Ah ha! I knew I was being fooled." he said as he wiped away his tears. "You're not even the real Princess Mallory!"
  "That's right! I'm April O'Neil of Channel 6 News, and I didn't come alone!"
  "Yes, I saw those four menacing reptilian friends of yours, and their pet rat! To be honest, I wasn't quite prepared to deal with them. I had hoped I could simply barter with his majesty over the remaining Lydium 90 reserves, which I have confiscated!"
  "Tell me you didn't bury them deep below the surface of the Earth."
  "Of course not. I am aware of how unstable the substance is when subjected to pressure. That being said, once the real princess and her father have shown themselves, I shall-"
  "You'll do nothing, baldy!!!" Raphael shouted as he and the rest of the Turtles came rushing in.
  Sopho raised his hands in defeat. "Oh shit." he mumbled. "I knew I should've sprung for some henchmen. But no, I had to go solo this time!"
  "Okay, that's enough out of you, professor!" Donatello stated as he proceeded to tie up the villain. "Frankly I'm surprised that you've sunk so low."
  "Well, if somebody hadn't gotten my university shut down, I wouldn't be flat broke and unable to afford any gadgets!!!" Professor Sopho said with a sob.
  "Gee, I'm starting to feel a little sorry for this dude." Michaelangelo said.
    "Evil has a way at chipping at one's soul." Splinter said as he looked Sopho in the eyes. "After what we went through with Oroku Saki in Japan and what has transpired here in Malacuria, I have a strong feeling many of our enemies have chosen to admit defeat. This is a major turning point, my sons."
  Just then Princess Mallory returned. "My friends, I had gotten word that Sopho was seen not far from the palace and... oh, you've caught him!"
  "Oh yea, it was a piece of cake!" Raphael stated.
  "How's your father feeling?" Leonardo asked.
  "Thankfully, he is on the mend. As it turns out he had come down with a minor case of Pneumonia. Thankfully the doctors are treating his symptoms. Anyway, thank you for apprehending this vial traitor! He will be dealt with accordingly!"
  With Sopho taken into the custody, the Turtles, April and Splinter bid Mallory farewell as they got back on the Channel 6 jet and headed home.
  "Hey April, why are you still wearing that dress?" Michaelangelo asked.
  "Mallory said I could keep it. She doesn't really like wearing these things. I promised her that I'd ship her a few of my spare reporter jumpsuits."
  "Great, now she can pretend to be you!" Raphael joked, prompting everyone to laugh.

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