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Chapter Text

    Once upon a time, when the world was just at its begining, two brothers by blood, friends by choice, led together the elves and held together The harmony: The Master of Light and the Master of Darkness. The Balance was perfect; they were Ying and Yang. Life was simple, peacefull, quiet and happy....until the peace shattered along with the Masters' bond.

       The Master of Darkness, full of jealousy, greed and desire to control, started a war against his brother: The Realms War. 

     The world divided in two parts, so did the elves divided in two: the Light warriors, fighting to restable peace, unity and freedoom; and the Darkness warriors, fighting for their Master and to concuer the world.

     Hundreds of years and thousands of souls perished, fighting and bleeding for their greater cause. 

     The Master of Light knew he has to put an end to this madness, or the war would never end.Summoning all his power, he managed to send and trap his brother into the Shadows World, along with The elves that supported The Master of Darkness( who swore to revenge on the Master of Light and concuer the world), and ending the war.

    Once the peace was restored, the Master of Light knew that a single being can't have the entire power, so he created other four elements and Masters to lead the world:

🔥Fire- passion, courage, loyalty,

🌊Water- flexibility, calmness, empathy

🌪️Air- joy, playfulness, youth 

🌱⛰️Earth- realism, protectivness, charm

☀️🌟 Light- truth, harmony, Balance, love, leading all four elements for the greater good

    Together, the five elements protected the world, lead the elves of the five elements, recreating the harmony before.

    Eventually, the five masters realised that they won't be forever, that they needed someone to continue the mission they started, someone to protect the ones that can't protect themselves and the world, both of elves and humans, even If they hadn't the same power as The Masters themselves, but had the heart and were the right hands of them, beings able to bend one of the five elements, to protect, that reappeared generation after generation, mantaining the peace and balance.....

The Guardians.

Chapter Text

Chapter 1

Back in the 2009

The cold autumn air blew through the streets of the small university city of Oxford, Orange and reddish leaves flying. The moon shone brightly in the sky like a brilliant diamond, creating a splendid contrast against the dark navy ocean of stars. The streets of Oxford were now lit by the lanterns, candles and sculpted jack-o'-lanterns, some with spooky grins and expresions, some more goofy and childish.

     It was Halloween, and the streets of the small town were full of trick-or-treaters, knocking on doors and asking for candies, laughters and shrieks of joy filling the cold air.

    On the rooftops, meanwhile, two shadows moved with great speed, jumping from a rooftop to another, their silouettes dark against the bright moon. One was tall, athletic; the other was shorter, Skinny, but both moved like it was nothing to them. The shorter one did a double backflip with a long arc and landed gracefully on the other rooftop. Standing tall at his full 5'10", with full Red armour and with Ginger-coppery hair ruffled by the wind, Morse took a step in front, cross armed and looking at Jakes.

Peter Jakes stopped at the edge of his rooftop and fixed Morse with his gaze.

Peter( smirking): You think You're so good, huh? 

Morse: I don't think .I knew.

Peter(cracking his knuckles): Oh, so You're on, Fire Boy.Fine. Now let Jakes-man How's done.

     Peter took a few steps back, sprinted and attempted a backflip with a spin in the air...only to misjudge and crash straight into Morse, sending both of them rolling on the rooftop's concrete floor, together with Morse's katanas and Peter's nunchucks.

Morse( groaning): Seriously, Peter?

Peter( standing up, rubbing his left arm):Buddy, I'm not an engineer like You. You know how bad I am with math and numbers (he gave Morse a hand and helped him to get up).

Morse( walking): At least improve your aproximations, wouldn't You?

Morse took the weapons, handed Jakes the nunchuks, then walked at the edge of the rooftop, looking Below): Hm, this rooftop has the Best View angles. We'll spot easily the McKenzie brothers if they come to make the deal.( Turning to Jakes) We stay here and Spy.

Jakes( spinning lazily one nunchuck): This îs going to be a long night..

Morse: You know what Inspector Thursday said. No distractions, no stupid and useless fights,no..

Peter( cutting him off): I get it. But seriously, this will still be a boring night.

     Jakes walked to the edge of the rooftop and sit down, swinging his legs lazily. He looked down at the kids laughing, at the costumes, the small stalls and attractions, his green eyes sparkling with nostalgia and the desire to do something one more time.

Morse noticed how the detective longingly stared at the passersby.

Morse:Go.

Jakes( eyes wide, eyebrow raised):Seriously?

Morse:Yes. I will surveil the streets Below. But don't be too long; we're still on work time.

Peter( playfully punching Morse's left shoulder):Thanks! You’re the best!

Jakes got on his feet, sprinted to an edge with a dark alley below, jumped from the rooftop, embeding the blade of his nunchuk-turned-kusarigama ,and slid down with pretty loud ,,Yeah" until he landed on the alley from where he emerged and blended in the crowd of trick-or-treaters. Jakes was lucky that night— he didn’t even need to find a Halloween costume; his armor, along with his nunchaks, made for the perfect disguise.

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      Hiding in the shadows, a dark, tall and Broad silouette stalked with his gaze the two Young Men.

The silouette( to himself): These are The ninjas Master Takeshi told me to find and punish? 

     He watched as Jakes spinned lazily his nunchucks, and grimaced.

The silouette( growling): So dishonorable! How he dares to mock the are of Aikido like that?

      He saw the two ones chat, and the taller one leaping of the rooftop, while the blonde one remained, survening the streets Below.

,,The small room was in perfect silence as Hirata Genkei waited for Master Takeshi Harutoshi to arrive. He stood on his feet,feeling the coldness of the tatami floor of the dojo. Genkei looked onto the floor, his dark Brown eyes and facial expresions unreadable. He didn't flinched when the shoji door opened and his Sensei entered. Master Takeshi Harutoshi was lean, looking dignified in his black kimono with cherry Red blossom embrodery and his two swords at his side.

Genkei( bowing, then sitting after his master took a sit): Konbanwa, Takeshi-sama.

Takeshi( bowing , taking a sit): Konbanwa, Genkei-san. 

     Two samurais drapped in black and with Red cherry blossom embrodery guarded the door.

Takeshi: Do You know why I Told You to come to me, Genkei-san?

Genkei: Iie, Sensei. Your son, Renji-san, told me just to come here.

Takeshi: Good.Genkei-san, I have a mission for You.(Pauses). As You know, our residence in England have been peacefull since we moved from Japan. (Pitch raised, pressing on the words). However, a small clan of ninjas from Oxford intervenes in our activities. Stop them, Genkei-san. Don't asasinate them; is not necesarily. Scary them, maybe scratch them a bit, but no harm from pure hate; we are samurais, not ninjas; we have honour. Do You understand, Genkei-san?

Genkei( bowing again): Hai, my master. I will do as You command.

Takeshi: You can go. But remember: If You fail to succesed You mission, You will suffer the consequences.

Genkei: Hai, Sensei.

     Genkei and his master stood up, bowed, then the earlier one left their London base, blending in the shadows."

Genkei: It's time to teach You a lesson, disrespectful children.

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From the rooftop, Morse shook his Head and continued to watch the costumed people on the streets below, never taking his eyes off Jakes. He smiled, a small smile, but still present.

Morse was so focused on looking after the suspects and Peter that he didn’t notice the second presence on the rooftop in time.

Before he realized where the hot breath on his neck came from, a hand covered his mouth as he inhaled to scream. Another hand grabbed his torso and arms, not giving him the chance to reach for his katanas. Morse kicked his legs, trying to reach the ground and judo-flip his attacker, but he couldn't.

Peter saw the scene and the two figures disappearing across the rooftop. He extended the chain of his nunchaks and turned his nunchucks in kusarigamas. He threw the blade in the edge of the rooftop and gripped the weapons tightly, and used them to climb the building. Once up, he shifted them back into nunchaks and looked ahead.

A tall man , at a solid 6'5", with large shoulders and drapped in black, was holding Morse, who struggled to escape, screams muffled by the hand that covered his mouth.

Peter: Hey, let him go!

Without hesitation, Peter extended one of the chains and struck the man from a distance with a loud crash on the side.The attacker cried and released Morse, and the Detective Sergeant rushed beside his friend, katanas drawn.

Morse( katanas' blades gleaming in the moonlight): Who are You and what do You want?

Genkei( standing tall, unsheating his naginata): I am here to teach You a lesson in humilty, You disobedient children.

Peter( spinning nunchucks): Really? That speech? When do You were born, in Middle Ages? 

Genkei( teeth gritting, a vein popping at his temple): How dare You to mock me, insolent brat?

Genkei lunged with his naginata aimed at Peter, but Peter sidestepped and Genkei regained his Balance.

Peter( smirking): How was that, huh?

    Genkei growled and lunged again, only to be blocked by Morse and his twin katanas. The force of the lunge made Morse's heels scrap the concrete floor. The blond Man grunted and broke away, swinging his blades with sharp accuracy at Genkei, who dodged every move.

Genkei( mocking): This is all You can do, child?

 Peter threw his nunchuck chain to wrapped it around Genkei's right leg, but the older man jumped and avoided it. And in that split of second, Morse jump front kicked Genkei and send him rolling on the floor. He got quickly on his feet and lunged again, swinging his naginata blade at Morse. The Detective Sergeant barely avoided the blade that flew inches away from his face. Peter swung and wrapped his nunchucks chains around the naginata, both him and the attacker pulling on; but the latter hit Jakes in the shin and judo-flipped him on the ground....and in that moment, Morse kicked him and send him on the ground again. 

     Genkei stood up, only to be met by both Morse and Peter in fight stances.

Peter: Do You want round two, freak? 

Genkei: This is not the ending.You will see! I will be back! Hirata Genkei doesn’t get humiliated by kids!

Peter( smug smirk):Maybe in your dreams, masked freak!Try it again — we’ll beat you so bad you’ll cry for a week. Sayonara!

    Morse threw a smoke bomb on the rooftop, Deep purple smoke sorrounding the attacker. 

Morse and Peter jumped to another rooftop, and so on, until their tall, slim silhouettes vanished into the night before Genkei could follow them.

Genkei (muttered): Iwill return.Sooner or later, I will get my hands on you, cursed youths…

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         Later that night, when the Sky started to lit up , Genkei returned to his base, ashamed of his Failure. He passed by some samurais that greeted him, but he didn't respond. Finally, he arrived at the dojo, his heart hammering in his chest. He knocked on the wooden frame and Master Takeshi allowed him to enter.

      Genkei bowed and remained on his feet, as his Sensei walked calmly and stopped. 

Takeshi: Genkei-san, did You managed to scare those ninjas?

Genkei( gulped, considered his words): Master, I...I failed. 

     Icy silence fell over the two Japanesse men.

Takeshi: What do You mean You failed?

Genkei: I-I...They defeated me. I fought them, but they are tricky ninjas; they used their tricks and won.

Takeshi Harutoshi took a Deep breath, then exhaled with The fury of 10 suns.

Takeshi: You failed me, Hirata Genkei-san. You failed your master, your Sensei. Now, You shall face the consequences.

Genkei( whispered, eyes wide, face pale): What consequences?

Takeshi ( piercing Genkei's soul): You are no longer part of the Takeshi clan. I disown You. From now on, You are a ronin covered in shame.Now leave this sanctuary. Never return here, or else....(Pauses, point to the shoji door). Leave. Now.

        Genkei bowed again and left, his Head low, looking on the ground. He was too ashamed to look at the others. As he walked away, Genkei couldn't think at Something else except revenge; revenge on the two Men that ruined him like that....

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2021

(9 months later after the curse of Neil Cruise's haunted house episode)

The sun shone brightly on the clear blue sky in that July dat. A few pinkish-light grey clouds remained forgottten on the infinite Light blue spread called sky.That Friday felt just as busy as any other, or as boring as any other.

From the rooftop of his apartment building, Morse stood on his feet, smoking a cigarette. Waves of smoke curled in the Air as he exhaled both smoke and the stress acumulated that day. His Light blue Button up shirt was wrinkled Slightly and Slightly messy tucked in his black straight jeans. The Air blew gently, barely fluttering His long Green trench coat.His gaze landed on the breathtaking view of the city’s historical buildings and he sighed.

        Morse had a long and exhausting day. The Detective Sergeant not only had to handle a missing person and a theft, but he also had to solve a Murder, that somehow ended to be connected with the theft. He searched all the folders about the victim; worked with Dorothea Frazil ( which wanted informations in exchange for the new newspaper); he had eaten just toast and drank tea the whole day, but he runned on sheer stubbornes, cigarettes and his fire powers. He was exhausted, so he took a break .

 Morse , with a flicker of fingers and some rays of fire, summoned his katanas and started cleaning them while enjoying the scenery. Below on the park lot of the blocks, he noticed the postman walking ți his building, mostly sure he was delivering some letters or packages.

    The Ginger-coppery haired Man dismissed them, put out his cigarette and walked to his apartment. He arrived exactly when the postman arrived at his door.

Postman( looking at the police officer):Sir, are You Mr. Morse?

Morse( hands in the pockets of his coat): Yes, this is me. 

Postman( searching in his bag, handing a letter envelope to Morse): You've got a letter, sir.

Morse frowned a bit, but took the envelope, thanked the postman who left , then entered his flat, the door closing behind him with a loud thud.

Morse(muttering, studying the envelope): This is strange...who sends letters in the 21th century? And who would send a letter to me?

    He looked carefully at the dates..and the sender truly surprised him. It was from Peter Jakes!

    Peter Jakes, who had left England for the U.S. in 2012 and sometimes visited him and the rest of the gang, had written him? Well, that was odd, but...

Full of curiosity, the sergeant opened the envelope and took the letter from inside.

Carefully, he read the content...and immeadiately observed that the handwriting wasn't Peter's. And the content was even worrier.

,,Detective Sergeant Morse,

We haven’t seen each other in a long time, since that fatefull night.Maybe you don’t remember me, but I remember you and what You and your friends have done to me.. Peter Jakes, wasn't he?

 You dishonored me. I was cast out of my clan for being defeated; my master disown me and since then I am covered in shame. And because of that, you and your friend will face the consequences.

He was the first, you’ll be the second. His time is nearly up; yours is coming.

                                                 Your adversary,

                                                  Hirata Genkei,,

Morse (asked himself, eyes narrowed in the paper):What’s going on?

His instincts told him something was off. He knew this won't vanish like it appeared, so Morse decided: he would call Cameron and Jim.

To be continued....

Chapter Text

Chapter 2

     The footsteps of Cameron and Jim's echoed down the staircase as The walked toward Morse's flat. The hallway was pretty dark, only small bulbs that occasionally flickered giving enough Light to not trip.

  Cameron was in front with Jim next to her. The navy backpack hanged from one of her shoulders, occasionally swinging as She walked. Her short Ginger-coppery hair was ruffled, spiky like she was electrocuted, while her brown- Green eyes looked tired even beyond her cherry Red glasses. She had a long day too: She had to stop a fight between two suspects ar her station house( one of the suspects punched her in the ribs; She punched back..harder; and somewhere, Brackenreid clapped), argued half and hour with Higgins that he can't fix his typing machine by HITTING IT BY THE DESK and had to took Murdoch back to his home because he has NOT a driver license( and he can't drive; and he talked the full drive about the stupid action stunts from a movie he watched recently); and her Slightly wrinkled baggy black jeans, black Nirvana t-shirt , long Green flared trench coat and dirty white sneakers gave away; She took a glance at Jim and his impecabile suit and clean look, asking herself how can that Man be so fresh after such a long day, with such a stressful job...and annoying colleagues. And George Fancy? Detective Constable George Fancy was curently sick after nearly an hour of water battle ( in his defense, his nephews started) and staying in FRONT of an working AC; bad move, by the way.

Cameron: Well, what do You think is this time?

Jim: This time what?

Cameron: The letter, Jim! What do You think about this time letter? New enemy, a serial killer, maybe the Master of Darkness?

Jim( scratching the back of his neck): Cam, I don't know. The only thing I understood from Morse's message was that some weirdo threated him with a letter.

Cameron groaned.

     Shortly after, they arrived at Morse's flat.

Jim( looking at Cameron): Well, You enter first this time.

Cameron ( frowned): Why me? Why not You, Jim?

Jim: Well, last time when I entered first in his flat, a shuriken flew inches, INCHES, away from my right ear and embedded itself in the door's frame. 

Cameron ( smirking): Coward.

Jim( arms crossed): Hey! I'm not a coward; I just value my ears.

    Cameron sighed and knocked on the door. Ten seconds later, Morse opened the door with the speed of a small tornado.

Morse( to both his friends): Hello. 

Cameron: So, on what did You get yourself this time?

   Morse stood aside and let them enter. The smell of books and cigarettes hit them immeadiately. They walked down the small hallway and entered the living room.

     Morse's flat was sophisticated; in fact, it was kind of modest, If You looked better. The walls were painted with Light Grey, the floor was made from wooden, the sofa was compact, made from material, a bit washed, but okay; an old, dark Green compact armchair was in the right side of the sofa and a coffee table covered with crosswords, pens and an Empty tea cup stood in front; and at the window, an old, dark Brown desk with a matching chair were placed.

Cameron( flopping onto the couch, eyeing the books and vynil records scattered everywhere): You may wanna start the Spring Clean earlier.

Morse( taking a sit on a chair):Says the one that has her living room table full of sketches, pens and works folders.

Cameron( smirking): It's called creative disorganised order, thank you very much.

Jim( clapping his big chubby hands, sitting on the sofa): So, What's the letter about?

    Morse handed Cameron The letter, Jim moves next to her and they read it:

Detective Sergeant Morse,

We haven’t seen each other in a long time, since that fatefull night.Maybe you don’t remember me, but I remember you and what You and your friends have done to me.. Peter Jakes, wasn't he?

 You dishonored me. I was cast out of my clan for being defeated; my master disown me and since then I am covered in shame. And because of that, you and your friend will face the consequences.

He was the first, you’ll be the second. His time is nearly up; yours is coming.

                                                 Your adversary,

                                                  Hirata Genkei,,

    Silence fell over the room. Cameron and Jim tried to process the content..but Jim had read and didn’t quite understand.

Jim:Hold on, mate.Let me get this straight.What does this weirdo wants from You?

Cameron:Where were your eyes when we read the letter?

Jim( Cross armed over his big bod): In their sockets, where they belong.

Morse:Putting your little banter aside, the letter is a warning; a threat that will be soon applies.And it looks I'm the target.

Cameron: Well, we can deduce some things easily.

Jim: Like what?

Cameron: Well, first of all, Hirata Genkei is a Japanesse name; in Oxford aren't too Many Asian people.

Morse: Yes, but take a better look at the envelope. It says it was send from Camden, London by Peter Jakes.

Cameron ( taking the envelope): Hm...This isn't Peter's handwriting, I'm very sure about this. And I think our suspect is in London.

Morse: And what makes so sure this Genkei is there? He faked the name; he could faked the adress too.

Cameron: I'm not so sure. Can You wait a minute?

      The Ginger-coppery haired woman opened her backpack, searched in and took out a crimson folder. She opened it, and satisfied of the content, She handed it to Morse.

     The blue eyed Man took it and took a look. And when he found Something usefull..

Morse( aloud): .....Hitara Takumi, aged 56, is under arrest for the illegal manufacture and distribution of controlled substances....Hirata Genkei, aged 58, the Brother of the suspect, insists that he was with his brother at his residence in London when....

 Cameron (raised an eyebrow): I have this case because Murdoch and I found evidence that Hitara Takumi sells drugs even here, in Oxford; but this is not the point. The point is that the guy we search is in Camden, London.

Jim( scratching the back of his Head): Isn't Camden a big area, though?

Morse: Today's Friday, the first day of weekend. He have two days to find Genkei. I think that we have enough time.

Jim:Anyway, the letter’s for you, Morse. This Genkei isn’t from our past — he’s from yours. It’s about you and Peter.

Morse: To be honest, I don’t even remember which night he’s talking about.We’ve had SO many night patrols — with you two, with Peter, with Fancy...

Cameron: Did you and Peter beat him up or what? He clearly hasn’t forgotten. Especially since he writes that he lost his honour, which for a Japanesse Man, is, like, everything.

Morse:He’s definitely someone from my past. Someone you don’t know; I don't know. But either way, Genkei’s clearly planning something and we must stop him.

Jim (eagerly, looking at Cameron):Are we taking the car?

Camerom:We’ll fly.When it gets a bit darker, we’ll take off. If we go by car, he might detect us easier. He can recognise Morse's car or even mines or yours, especially if he’s been watching Morse and knows him so well. In the air, he can’t track us. 

Jim: Okay. 

Morse:So be it.

Jim( to Cameron): But I need to take my armor from my place. 

Cameron: Fine. But we meet on the rooftop of Morse's building and leave from there.

Jim( salutes, sits up): Yes, boss!

. Morse rolled his eyes, but said nothing, as Jim walked away, left the flat and closed the door behind him with a loud thud.

Cameron sit up and dusted of her clothes.

Cameron ( to Morse): Well, we should go to the rooftop, shall we?

     Morse saw the playfully look She gave him, so he sat up and followed her outside the apartment to the stairs, heading to the rooftop.

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As The sun began to succumb, rays of Orange, blue and rose melting into navy blue darkness, signaling the arrival of night, Morse and Cameron waited on the rooftop for Jim. A small breeze blew, brushing against their bare arms. Morse stood with his hand in his trousers' pockets, looking from the concrete rooftop to the moon and to Cameron. The Light Guardian walked , cross armed, muttering under her breath things Morse couldn't Hear.

Cameron( pacing): Are You sure You don't remember anything about this Genkei? Nothing after I read the folder?

Morse: If I would have remembered, I would had told you. But no, I don't remembered who he is. We fought and arrested so many criminals and villains; I can't remember all of them.

Cameron( smirking, walking to him): Wow, Endeavour Morse, the Man who knows, like, everything, forgets his enemies?That's Something.

Morse: Well, I'm a human..halfly. But everybody forgets, even the mystical beings.

Cameron: How would be If You forget..I don't know... physics formulas? Oh, or Wagner's operas?

Morse( gasping, pretending to be offended): You take that back!

   She smiled and chuckled, while Morse couldn't help but Smile despite himself; She always knew how to make him laugh and take him out of his lonely, cold mood when they were in their free time. And somehow, he enjoyed this getting under his skin.

     The Light Guardian's laugh faded as She took a pretty serious face.

Cameron: Okay, okay, this was fun, but seriously now, You have not even an idea who this Genkei is?

Morse: No. (Pauses). I-

     Before Morse could finish his sentence, the door to the rooftop slammed open and Jim walked in his Iron-Man style armour.

Jim: Ready to go?

Cameron summoned white rays of Light from her back, spreading and taking the shape of wings resembling those of a peregrine falcon. Morse summoned his fire wings, Orange fire rays spreading from his back, similar to an eagle’s.

Jim, unlike the others, had reactors in his boots; no cool Wings, like Morse and Cameron.(Jim pouted at the begining when he discovered the Wings).

Morse and Cameron nodded. Taking soar, they took of flying, and Jim followed them shortly ( with less Grace and more..noise).

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     As they flew above the ground and the slightly cold breeze ruffled their hair and caressing their skin.Though it was getting darker, the landscapes were still visible.

The fields stretched endlessly like an imense ocean, green with various plants. Occasionally, a tree interrupted the vast green sea, twigs cracking a bit from the wind.

Morse felt the wind in his hair and a sense of something he couldn't identify in that moment.Sure, he had flown many times with different objectives, but the feeling wasn't caused from the flight, of the air that runned down his spine and arms, or the way the moon shone on the Sky; it was a feeling of...deja-vu? No, it wasn't. Dread, premonition, perhaps? Or maybe the ,,gut feeling" how Jim and Peter called it? He couldn't tell exactly.

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     As they closed in the distance, the three police officers were able to see the tall modern building of London rising in the View, along with The Bright lights and the usuall life humm of the city; and after about an hour of flight ,wind and some leaves stuck and removed from hair, they arrived in London and landed on a tall rooftop of a living building.

Jim (cracking his knuckles):And now? Where do we go?

Cameron:The letter was from Camden, so we’ll investigate Camden.

Jim:And where are we now? 

Cameron: In Camden. To cover more ground, we’ll split up: Morse, take the south and southwest. You, Jim, take the northwest and north. I’ll cover the northeast and east.

Morse: Isn't Camden big, though? In Camden leave ,like, over Quart a million of people.

Cameron: I know it's big, but we search the darker, emptier and dangerous places; a criminal or what Genkei is won't wait in an open where people can easily see him.

Jim: They look more like places to get killed.

Morse: We are police officers and warriors; we deal with this kind of threats almost every day. What, are You scared of some normal thief or Something?

Jim: No, I'm not. Ugh, fine.(To Morse, pointing his index finger to the shorter Man) But If I get knocked out cold, You owe me a dinner.

Morse( rolling his eyes): Then fish and chips will be.

Cameron: Let's put the jokes aside and focus on the mission. The faster we finish, the sooner we return home.

    She took of sprinting, jumped and descended, landing with no sound on a rooftop Below and running again. Morse And Jim left soon the rooftop, starting to search in their areas.

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        Unknown to them, someone watched them all that time from the shadows, studying them, Discovering where they go, planning how to take them down, to make them pay for his humiliation.Genkei stood on a rooftop at a safe distance all that time, watching them and contamplating his plas.

Genkei( stroking his beard): Tonight, these three fools shall face my wrath and revenge, especially Detective Sergeant Morse. When I will be done with them, they will regret even knowing the great Hirata Genkei, samurai of honour once, now disgraced and clanless ronin.

    He touched the handle of his naginata, feeling the cold metal of his prized and trusty weapon. Genkei looked around, and with the speed and precision he had always had, he took of running, jumping from a rooftop to another, determined to show the three what he was capable of and teach them a lesson in humilty.

To be continued....

Chapter Text

Chapter 3

Jim's POV:

      The young, broader man jumped from one rooftop to another, barely catching the edge and landing with a loud metallic thud. Each impact echoed through the night air like an anvil hitting the pavement. He grunted, groaned, and muttered under his breath. He wasn't built for this kind of movement — no sprinting, no flipping, no fancy rooftop acrobatics like Morse or Cameron. No, if Jim was anything, he was the tank, the brute force, the muscle of the group. The guy who bench-pressed problems and punched through walls.

      As he jumped another rooftop, he decided that a ground search would be more on his area. But first of all, he took a break to take his breath. Jim stood on the edge of the rooftop, his polished Iron-Man style armour gleaming in the moonlight.

Jim: Bloody thing. I should work more on my resistence, eh? 

He looked around, the London skyline silent and vast. A light breeze danced over the roof’s edge. It was oddly quiet — eerily so. The kind of silence that made the hairs on the back of his neck twitch. A silence Morse would probably enjoy. He could almost imagine him in the Bodleian Library, flipping through dusty tomes while sipping tea like he was born with a monocle.

Jim: Quiet, this place, innit? Like a library. I think Morse is used to this kind of silence from all those cases at Bodleian.

He sat on the ledge for a good quarter hour, scanning the area occasionally, letting the cool night air dry the sweat on his forehead. Every so often he’d lean forward, narrowing his eyes for any sign of motion — a shadow, a figure, a glint. But all was still.

Jim: Well, time to get up. I have a mission after all.

    He stood and moved slowly to the fire escape, each metal step creaking slightly under his armored boots. He descended carefully, not because he feared the height, but because his armor tended to echo like a medieval knight on a trampoline.

______________________________________________

    Jim arrived in a dark side alley, surrounded by dumpsters and trash. The smell of garbage still lingered in the Air from the heat from the day time, unluckily for the police officer.

Jim (wrinkled his nose): Brilliant. This is where Morse would say something poetic, like 'the air thick with the rot of civilization.' I say it just smells like piss and despair.

He walked cautiously, looking everywhere to make sure no enemy would jump out and ambush him....or be sure he won't step in glass, garbage or other disgusting thing.

He didn’t know martial arts. That was Morse’s and Cameron’s thing. What he did know was how to box — and box hard. He had years of training, and even if he wasn’t a gym rat anymore, his arms were still strong. He’d knock out a door with one punch if needed. The problem? His grace of a Bull in a China shop.

 He tried to be silent, but his metal boots made a small thud sound every time he stepped.Still, the overweight young man tried to stay focused — he had to watch his back.

CLANG!

Jim jumped as if stung by a bee and looked around for the source of the sound.

Jim:What the heck was that?

He walked around, approaching a dumpster like it was ticking time bomb. He lifted carefully the ladder ,his heart racing, and he saw what had made the noise: a cat. A black, small cat.

Jim:...damn cat. What are You even doing here, Little Buddy?( He reached out and gently scratched the cat's head. It purred briefly, then leapt out of the bin and trotted off into the shadows like a ninja).

Jim: Well, that went..well.

The farther he went down the alley, the more fear rooted itself deeper in his soul. His heart pounded like he was in a marathon. The darkness was stronger, the smell unbearable, and somehow, the alley looked like it was infinite.The buildings leaned in closer. The air was thicker. Something about it made his spine tingle.

His heart pounded like he’d run a marathon.

Jim( under his breath):Stupid alley, stupid darkness, stupid city, stupid mission… Why the hell did we come here now? We could have waited till morning.

Jim began to regret agreeing to split up. Sure, it was efficient: they covered more ground, and took them less time.But in action and horror movies( especially horror movies), and even in real life sometimes — considering his job as a cop — YOU SHOULD NEVER GO INTO DARK ALLEYS OR SKETCHY STREETS ALONE AT NIGHT. Especially in a city like London, with a crime rate so high, You could turn it into a building and would be a sky-scraper perfect for a big American City.

And even if Cameron was almost always right, that didn’t mean she couldn’t make mistakes; She was a human being, after all. And in that moment, for instance, She made a mistake. She always meant well,sure. She was a strategist, a warrior..but still. Plus, they didn’t even know what Genkei looked like. From name, he was Asian, Japanesse; but he wasn't the only Japanesse Man in London. There were thousands; and with Those numbers, their search was like one for a ghost.

Jim( under his breath, for himself):No one’s flawless. Not even you, Cameron.

    If he looked back, this whole mission looked insane...but he has more insane missions then this. And the most surprising thing, even for Jim, was that how he realised all of this in such a short time?

        In his lack of attention, Jim couldn’t dodge in time what was coming too him— 

WHAM!

Jim took a punch straight to the face, knocking his head back. The impact rattled through his helmet, disorienting him for a second.

Jim quickly recovered and saw his attacker: a Japanese man, as tall as him nearly, Broad shouldered, with a battle skirt made from metal, large ankle trousers, shoulder pads, chest plats, a hat made from bamboo, a long dark cape and...tabi and sandals. His arms were muscular, the muscles defined and honed by years of training in martial arts and weapons wielding. The naginata in Man's hands was polished and so sharp that it cut even looking at it.

      Jim squited at him, but he couldn't recognise the Man in front of him. He took a fight stance, fists raised in classic boxer stance.

Jim:Who are you?

Genkei( circling Jim): You don't know me, but I know You. I watched You and your blond friends, Morse and the girl. Cameron, isn't She?

Jim: What do You want from us, freak? Why did You send Morse that letter? Why are You stalking us?

Genkei didn’t bother to answer and readied a new attack, but Jim was faster and socked the warrior right in the face.

Genkei barely reacted. He immediately pulled out a dagger and prepared to stab the young man, but Jim blocked the strike, and the dagger flew into a dumpster.

Jim caught Genkei by his arms and threw him into a wall; the Villain hit the concrete wall with a crack and fell to the ground face first. Knowing that he hadn't to much time to glee from there and alarm Cameron and Morse, Jim activated his boot reactors, flying several meters up toward the rooftops.

When he reached a safe altitude, he scanned the alley with his scanning device from his helmet, but saw no trace of Genkei.

    Jim wasn't that stupid; he knew that if he got closer, the attacker would strike again, so he figured it was safer to stay up there, maybe fly to alarm his teammates.

But then...

      Genkei jumped from a shadowy corner and tackled Jim, both crashing on the ground with a loud crash when they met the concrete ground.

Jim tried to get up, he felt like he could ,but couldn’t move, feeling a big weight pinning him down.

The villain stood up and placed his foot on Jim’s chest, leaning heavily on that leg.

Jim (weakly):Who are you?

Genkei: Hirata Genkei. And I’ll show you the consequences of your actions.

He raised his leg and slammed a kick into Jim’s ribs.

Pain exploded in Jim’s side. He coughed and curled slightly, but couldn’t fight back.

He watched, barely conscious, as Genkei turned and vanished into the alley’s darkness.

For the next victim, Genkei would show no mercy.

To be continued....

Chapter Text

Chapter 4

Cameron's POV

The night sky above Oxford was an ink-black canvas, the stars hidden behind thick clouds as if the heavens themselves were bracing for a storm. Cameron’s tall and slender figure darted across the rooftops like a specter, her movements silent, precise, and impossibly fast. The wind tugged at the ends of her flared trousers, and her breath steamed faintly in the cold summer night.

She didn't had time to waste. Something felt wrong. A subtle pressure in the air — like static before lightning — tickled her skin and tightened her chest. Her Light powers were reacting. She paused at the edge of one rooftop, crouched low with her hand on the roof tiles, scanning the dark alleys and distant streetlamps flickering below.

The sensation wasn’t like anything she had felt from her team. Not Morse’s sharp, fire-laced energy, nor Jim’s grounded, heavy presence. This was unfamiliar. Twisted. Malevolent.

Her heart rate picked up. She rose slowly to her feet and drew her Light staff from her back in a smooth, practiced motion. The staff glowed faintly with her touch — an extension of her will and a weapon of focused power. The city stretched quietly below, but she wasn't longer listening to its normal sounds. She was listening for something else: a threat, an enemy.

And then, with no warning, the roof across from her trembled as a figure landed heavily. Cameron took a defensive stance, brown-green eyes narrowing.

The figure was tall and broad, with a squared posture that screamed strength and discipline. His black outfit resembled a modernized samurai uniform — tactical, flexible, designed for stealth and speed. His face was weathered, like carved stone, with silver-streaked black hair pulled back tightly and cold, dark eyes that glittered with menace.

He smiled.

Genkei:Well, well… who do we have here?

His voice was smooth, almost amused, with just enough condescension to make Cameron’s grip on her staff tighten.

Cameron ( coldly):None of your business.

Genkei:It’s exactly my business to know who you are… Cameron Grey.

Her blood ran cold. Her name, spoken so casually, hit like a slap. This man knew her. Not just vaguely — he knew her.

Cameron( voice low but steady):You must be Genkei.

Genkei:Exactly! Smart girl, I see.

Her jaw tensed. 

Genkei:You were a ninja. You came to Oxford, tried to attack Morse in a cowardly way — unworthy of a true warrior — and you were expelled by your clan for it.

Genkei (clapping slowly):Bingo!Your chubby friend isn’t as clever as you are.

Her stomach twisted, but she didn’t let it show. 

Cameron(tone sharp, almost venomous):What did you do to Jim?

Genkei:Oh, nothing much. Got a few bruises, that’s all. He’ll be fine.

Liar. Cameron knew men like Genkei. He wouldn’t show up just to leave bruises. The fury in her chest surged up like a tide. She didn’t need to wait for a confession — she could already feel the violence behind his words. She lunged at him without hesitation.

Her staff cut the air with a sharp whistle as she aimed straight for his temple. He dodged easily, spinning to the side and trying to land a punch, but she blocked it with the shaft of her staff and rolled away.

Genkei (smirking, circling her like a vulture): Impressive!Agility, reflexes, speed, combat skills — well-trained. You could join me. You’d be a great partner.

Cameron( through gritted teeth, growled almost): Never.

She attacked again, a blur of movement. Her staff struck with speed and precision — aimed to disable, not to kill. But Genkei was fast. Too fast. He dodged and deflected until one hit finally connected — a solid crack to his ribs. He grunted, staggered back slightly.

Cameron pressed on, but he seized the moment between strikes, grabbed her staff with both hands, and yanked it from her grasp. It flew across the rooftop and clattered near a rusted ventilation duct.

Cameron pivoted into a defensive stance. No weapon, no backup. Just her training — and her instincts.

She dodged his punches again and again, using her speed to keep ahead of him. But Genkei was relentless. His strikes came faster, more aggressive, each one testing her limits. Then he caught her — a swift grab to her right arm, locking it in a grip like iron.

Genkei(snarled, dragging her toward the edge of the roof):You’re not getting away!

She fought, kicked, twisted, but it was no use. He was stronger. His hand moved to her throat and lifted her — 20 centimeters off the ground — her feet dangling, her breath cut off in a single second.

She clawed at his wrist, her vision beginning to blur, stars flickering at the edges. He leaned in close, his breath hot and foul.

Genkei( whisperes):If you survive.I’d love for you and your fat friend to witness Morse’s defeat. Now…

He let go.

Time stopped.

The wind howled in her ears as she plummeted. Her body crashed through two rusted balcony railings, then smashed into the crumpled roof of a long-abandoned car. The impact exploded through her spine and ribs, jarring her senses and driving the air from her lungs.

Pain. Blinding pain.

The world tilted sideways. Broken glass glistened around her. A metallic taste filled her mouth. Her head spun, and for a moment, she couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe.

  Genkei dissapeared for a short time from the edge, only to return with her bo staff scepter of Light. 

Genkei( admiring the weapon, fingers running across it): Such a well balanced weapon. Light to wield, heavy when strikes. The wood and metal Balance îs perfect..and this weapon belongs with it's possessor.

     Genkei walked on the edge and let the scepter fall over Cameron.

Genkei:Two down. One to go…

Genkei’s voice echoed above as he vanished into the darkness.

Her hearing buzzed, but she forced herself to move. She gritted her teeth, rolling off the car and collapsing beside it. Her right arm felt half-broken, her ribs throbbed with each breath, but she pushed herself up and leaned heavily against the wreck of a nearby limo.

Her legs trembled under her weight. Her face was pale, but her eyes burned.

Cameron(whispered, staggering forward):I must reach Morse before that maniac does… before it’s too late…

Every step was agony, but giving up was never an option.

______________________________________________

The rooftops loomed high above her now — unreachable. She limped through the narrow alleyways, one hand pressed tightly to her side, the other gripping her staff scepter on which She leaned on as She walked.Each breath was a struggle. Each corner could be the last.

But she kept going.

Cameron( hissed to herself):I’m not letting him touch Morse.

Images of Morse flashed in her mind — his stubbornness, his quiet humor, his absurd car, the way he always walked slightly ahead of the group like he was already calculating the next twenty steps.

And the way he looked at her when he thought she wasn’t paying attention.

She wouldn’t let him fall. Not tonight. Not ever.

She paused, leaning against a brick wall, sliding down into a crouch. She needed to think — fast. Genkei would go after Morse with the same calculated brutality he had used on her. She’d seen his tactics. He wouldn’t strike from the front. He’d wait for Morse to lower his guard — and then attack.

Cameron(under her breath, eyes darting toward a rusted fire escape.):I need to get to the lookout point...But I can't go Alone...I have to make it back to Jim. 

    She took her phone from one of her pockets and searched the tracking app; She found Jim's location...and turned out he was moving too to Morse's direction. She pocketed it back with a shaky hand.

Clenching her teeth, she pulled herself up the metal rungs one by one, pain lancing through her arm with each movement. But she made it to the rooftop. And then another. And another.

She was wounded, leaning for support on her staff, but her light wasn’t gone. She could still summon it. She could still fight.

She looked to the east, where the skyline dipped near the warehouse district.

Cameron:Please, let me make it in time.

And with that, she ran — one hand glowing faintly, a thin line of silvery-white light trailing behind her in the dark.

To be continued....

Chapter Text

Chapter 5

Morse's POV:

Morse leaped gracefully from rooftop to rooftop, his boots barely making a sound on the cold stone and metal beneath him. The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of distant fires. His breath came steady but quick, heart pounding beneath his armor as he scanned the surroundings.

Who was Genkei? Why did the name ring such an ominous bell? Where had Morse heard it before? What had happened between this stranger and the others — and what role did Peter play in all of this? The questions piled in Morse’s mind, swirling chaotically like leaves caught in a storm.There were so many questions, but so few answers. 

His thoughts were abruptly broken when he halted atop an old building. The structure was ancient, probably built in the 1940s. Its brick façade was worn and chipped, and it was currently undergoing renovation. Steel scaffolding wrapped around the sides like metallic vines, and piles of construction materials — cement bags, wooden planks, metal rods — were scattered across the rooftop.

The whole scene felt eerie, almost abandoned except for the faint creaks and groans of the scaffolding swaying gently in the night breeze.

A subtle sound snapped Morse out of his reverie — the scrape of a boot on gravel, light but deliberate. Instinctively, he drew his twin katanas with a fluid motion, the blades gleaming in the moonlight. His body tensed, ready for anything.

From behind the rooftop access hatch, a shadow moved with terrifying speed. Genkei appeared silently, landing with the grace of a predator just inches behind Morse. The katana blades caught the moon’s reflection — and in that gleaming surface, Morse saw the stranger’s face mirrored back at him.

Too late.

A strong hand clamped over Morse’s mouth, stifling any cry. Another arm pinned his torso and arms tightly against his chest. Morse struggled to twist free, kicking and writhing, but the grip was ironclad. He couldn’t strike, couldn’t defend.

The voice ( low and cold, almost a whisper but filled with menace.): Do you remember now?

The memory hit Morse like a bolt of lightning — that Halloween night, months ago, when he and Peter had encountered a strange figure lurking in the shadows. That weird, silent man who had followed them — Genkei.

Panic mixed with anger surged through Morse’s veins. He twisted harder, tried to break free, but Genkei’s hold was relentless.

Then, desperation sparked a plan.

With all his strength, Morse angled one katana upward, aiming for Genkei’s face. The attacker blinked, not fast enough to avoid a shallow scratch across his cheek. A sharp hiss escaped him.

Seizing the moment, Morse wrenched free, spinning backward and raising both katanas in a defensive stance. His breath came in sharp bursts, adrenaline flooding every fiber of his being.

Morse (eyes locked on his opponent.):You’re Genkei.You came that Halloween night and tried to grab me — just like now.

Genkei (smiled, a cruel, twisted grin.):Oh, your friend has competition for ‘smartest warrior.’ She’s quite the fighter — and a true leader.

Morse’s jaw clenched, his grip on his katanas stronger.

Morse(eyes narrowed):What did you do to her?

Genkei laughed, a sound void of humor, dark and unsettling.

Morse (shouted, fury burning bright.)WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?!

Genkei( unsheating his naginata, blade shimmering under the moonlight):What I’ll do to you now.

Without warning, Genkei lunged forward. The fight erupted with a violent clash of steel and flesh.

Morse blocked and parried, his katanas striking with swift precision, aiming to disable or disarm. But Genkei was formidable — his forearms, protected by thick bracers, deflected each blow as if they were mere twigs. Genkei swung his naginata with precision, aiming at Morse's sides, but Morse managed to Dodge, flipping over Genkei and blocking the weapon, metal clashing with metal with a metalic sound that echoed from the force of the hits.

Morse: You won't get away with this; we will stop You, defeat You. 

Genkei( snarled):You think you’ll beat me? I’ve trained for 45 years! More years than you’ve been alive, You disrespectful brat!

Genkei pushed Morse back with overwhelming force.

A violent shove sent Morse skidding across the gravel, fighting to keep his footing. Pain blossomed in his ribs where the impact had landed.

Genkei (roared):Now let’s finish this!

 He charged again with the ferocity of a wild beast.

Morse met him head-on, blades blazing with fiery energy. He slashed and stabbed, weaving through Genkei’s defenses with all the skill and speed he had as the Fire Guardian. But Genkei caught the blades mid-air, wrenched them free from Morse’s grasp and tossed them aside like discarded toys. Genkei swung his naginata again, but Morse backflipped and landed crouched, the blade slashing the air.

Before Morse could stand up, a brutal front kick caught him in the stomach. The breath left his lungs in a harsh whoosh as he flew backward.

He crashed hard into the scaffolding, laying on his back on the wooden surface.

Metal groaned and twisted under the force of the impact.Planks snapped, bolts popped free, and the entire structure began to collapse with a deafening crash, and before Morse could even try to move, he felt himself falling along with the metal and wood parts. The time seemed to slow down for a moment, then slammed back in its own rythim as he hit the ground.

Dust and debris exploded into the air, trapping Morse under the fallen pieces of the structure.

He lay beneath the tangled mess of metal and wood, breath ragged, muscles trembling with pain.

His body ached, blood trickled from cuts on his forehead, cheeks and arms where the defenders from the forearms stopped, but his mind refused to surrender.

Somewhere in the distance, voices shouted — faint, yet urgent. Morse’s ears strained, but he couldn’t tell who called.

The noise was a beacon, a warning signal loud enough to alert allies — and perhaps, an unknown force drawn by the chaos.

Morse tried to push aside some rests from him with his remained strength and shaky hands, ignoring the fire licking through his ribs. He knew the battle wasn’t over — not by far. But he remained trapped, hands falling at vis sides.

  The Fire Guardian tried to stay awake, but he felt his eyes heavy and dizzy, and he slowly , despite his efforts, succumbed to unconsciousness.

     Genkei stood at the edge of the wreckage, breathing heavily, eyes gleaming with cruel satisfaction.

Genkei( muttered under his breath, a promise etched in venom.): One down, just one more to go. I have just to find him, and my mission will be completed.

The night was still young, and the battle was far from over.

To be continued.....

Chapter Text

Chapter 6

    As Cameron sprinted and jumped from rooftop to rooftop, with Jim behind her, his heavy boots clinking with loud thuds against the concrete. Her mind raced, putting the pieces back together: the disohonor, the feud, the threat from the letter; She understood what had happened then partialy, but enough. She thought of Morse, him being Alone with that jerk. Morse was a skilled fighter, but so was she, and She was stronger then her second in command,but that didn't stopped Genkei to defeat her.

     Cameron runned, but not like her life depended on it, but like Morse's did( and actually did).

Cameron and Jim arrived on the rooftop where the fight had taken place. The air still buzzed with residual energy. Shards of metal, splintered wood, and smoke lingered from the chaos that had unfolded only minutes earlier. Genkei stood with his back to the collapsed scaffolding, arms crossed, calm as if nothing had happened. A thin smirk played across his lips as he admired his handiwork, unfazed by the wreckage around him.

Cameron, bruised and sore from the fall and her earlier fight, hold her bo-staff , her knuckles turning white. She took up a defensive stance, determined, focused — her light brown-green eyes burning with fury. Beside her, Jim stood like a wall of muscle, armored gloves gleaming faintly under the moonlight. His stance was aggressive, fists clenched.

Jim called out, voice bouncing across the empty rooftop.

Jim: Hey, sharphead! Missed us?

Genkei (calmly, his voice like cold steel):You’re too late.You missed my battle with Morse. A shame. You might have learned something.

Cameron(voice trembled not with fear, but with rage barely contained):You’ll pay for that, you worthless scumbag!

Without further warning, she and Jim launched themselves at Genkei in a synchronized frontal attack. Cameron’s staff was a blur of light and motion, while Jim’s armored fists swung like sledgehammers.

Genkei blocked the first strike from Cameron with his forearm, but Jim was already there — a brutal punch slammed into his gut. Genkei gasped, vision blurring momentarily. Before he could recover, Cameron swept his legs and delivered two quick strikes to his ribs and shoulder, knocking him down hard onto the rooftop.

Jim turned to run toward the collapsed scaffolding, thinking Genkei was done — but the assassin wasn’t finished yet. With surprising strength, Genkei grabbed Jim’s ankle mid-run and yanked him down. Jim hit the concrete with a loud grunt, rolling to shield his head.

Genkei spun up and lunged at Cameron. She blocked the first few blows, her bo staff scepter spinning very fast, but he moved faster this time. A flick of his wrist revealed a small dagger. He aimed it straight at her chest.

Cameron’s eyes widened — she shifted her stance to deflect but knew she might be too slow.

Suddenly, a chain zipped through the air — fast and loud. A wooden stick at the end of it smacked the dagger from Genkei’s hand.

A voice (familiar,shouted from above):Remember me?

Peter Jakes landed in a crouch, his nunchaku chain recoiling like a snake.

He stood tall, spinning his nunchaku.

Peter( grinning):What, you thought I’d let you and Morse have all the fun?

Cameron(exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with both relief and surprise):Peter!

Before Genkei could recover, Peter yanked the chain again, pulling Genkei off balance, then spun in a full circle and slammed him into the concrete wall nearby. The impact cracked the plaster and sent dust into the air.

Genkei (growled, wiping blood from his lip): You idiot.

Peter( bouncing his nunchaks): What’s that?Couldn’t hear you over the sound of justice.

Jim (shouted suddenly, pointing):Watch out!

Genkei had already sprung back up and hurled a broken metal rod toward Peter’s chest. Peter dodged — barely — the rod scracthing the edge of his metallic blue-green chest plate.

Cameron:Jim, go after Morse!Peter and I will give this bastard a beating he’ll remember even in the afterlife!

Jim hesitated for a split second, glancing at Peter and Cameron — both in full combat mode. Then he nodded and took off, scanning the area.

Cameron and Peter launched into a fierce coordinated attack. Cameron struck high while Peter attacked low, forcing Genkei to split his defense. For the first time, Genkei looked genuinely pressured. His movements became more desperate, more erratic.

Cameron moved like a shadow, light on her feet but deadly. Her strikes were clean and precise. Peter, in contrast, was faster, trickier, using the reach of his nunchaks to catch Genkei off guard.

Genkei deflected a kick from Cameron and countered with a spin punch, but Peter intercepted with a swing of his nunchaku that hit Genkei’s knee.

Peter (mocking):Gettin’ old, huh?

Meanwhile, Jim had flown down to where Morse had fallen. He landed and started yanking of the debris and metal scraps.His heart clenched when he saw his friend — pale, surrounded by broken wood and debris.

Jim (shouted, yanking more frantic):Morse!

The sergeant groaned. His eyes fluttered open, unfocused.

Jim: I got you, mate. Hold on.

Jim gently lifted Morse’s trembling frame. The lightness of his body always startled Jim — like picking up a bundle of bones and nerves.

Morse (blinked, lips dry):Jim...?

Jim:Yeah. Gotcha.

Morse coughed, wincing, but then his hands ignited in a controlled blaze. His breathing steadied. With Jim’s support, he stood, legs trembling, cracked his neck, then summoned his wings — fiery, enormous, trailing embers as they unfurled. His eyes, normally cool light blue, now glowed with fierce orange fire.

Together, they rose to the rooftop.

Peter and Cameron had forced Genkei into a corner. He was bleeding now, panting. He raised his arms to block another attack — but then the air changed.

Everyone turned.

Morse hovered above them, eyes glowing. The wind shifted with the heat of his fire.

Cameron and Peter stepped back immediately, knowing what was coming.

Morse raised his arms. A blazing inferno burst from his palm — a thick beam of fire that rocketed across the rooftop and hit Genkei square in the chest. The blast was deafening.

Genkei screamed, flung back like a ragdoll.

In that moment, Cameron instinctively opened a portal with a sharp motion of her staff. The spinning Light blue vortex appeared just in time — Genkei fell through it, still ablaze, and vanished.

The portal closed a second later.

A strange silence fell over the rooftop.

Jim returned to the group, landing with a heavy thud. Morse landed shortly after, his fiery wings dissipating like sparks in the wind. His eyes dimmed, returning to their natural light blue. He swayed — then collapsed to his knees.

Jim caught him.

Jim( to Morse):You okay?

Morse (nodded weakly):Yes. Just... tired. And kind of bruised.

Peter walked over, clapping a hand on Morse’s shoulder. 

Peter:You two thought our Othello here would die that easily?

Cameron gave a small smile — the first in a while. 

Cameron:Let’s go home.

Peter (nodded):Sounds good. And hey — next time, invite me earlier.

A little later, Cameron opened a portal for Peter, who stepped in with a wink and vanished on his way back to America.

As the three remaining Guardians soared over the city of Oxford, the adrenaline began to wear off. Jim finally asked the question that had been nagging him.

Jim:What happened to Genkei?

Cameron’s voice was calm.

Cameron: Well, let's Say that I sent him back to his clan. I’m sure they’ll deal with him. If not... well, I’ll open another portal.

Morse didn’t speak. He was still recovering, but he glanced at Cameron with a look of gratitude.

The three flew silently over the quiet city. Below, the lights of Oxford glowed gently — warm, peaceful, unaware of the battle that had just taken place on its rooftops.

In the sky above, their silhouettes faded into the night.

And they never heard from Genkei again.

The End

Chapter Text

Chapter 1

New York City, 2012, 6 PM

     It was a peacefull evening in the lair of the teenage mutant ninja turtles. The four brothers were minding their own business: Leo was cross-legged on the floor, watching a Space Heroes episode, glued to the screen and sometimes quoting Captain Ryan; Raph was feeding Spike some lettuce leaves and watching Space Heroes with Leo( Raph didn't mind the show, actually liked it a bit, but he will never admit that); Donnie was in his lab, working on a new project of his, the soft humming of machines being hidden by the big heavy closed doors; Mikey was in the kitchen, preparing one of his ,,special" pizzas( anchovy, wasabi, jellybeans, marshmallows, chocolate syrup..and other some dubious ingredients), singing loud and off-key a song he made on place; and Master Splinter was in his room, meditating, enjoying every moment of that fragile peace ( because in a household with four loud and riot teenager boys, peace was rare).

       As The credits rolled on the small and old TV, Leo crawled to the VHS boox next to the TV and started searching another VHS tape with another Space Heroes episode.

Raph( from the couch): Yo Fearless, ya ain't got bored from watching this? I mean, C'mon, it's the 6th time Ya watch this episode.

Leo( not looking up, searching): It's actually the 4th time, and no, I didn't get bored ,and Captain Ryan 's tactics are very well!

Raph( snorted): If ya Say so...( turning to Spike). What d'ya think, Spike? Ain't It borin'?

Leo( looking deadpean at Raph): Seriously? You are asking your pet?

Spike chewed a lettuce leave.

Raph: See, even Spike agrees with me the show it's borin'.

Leo( raising an ,,eyebrow", a small smirk tugging at a corner of his mouth): Then why do You watch the show with me?

   Raph's mouth opened, then closed. Then opened again, to respond , but the Red banded turtle didn't have the chance because an awful smell emerged from the kitchen straight in the main area. The smell was so awful, it hit Raph's nose like a freight train . Leo wasn't far from him: the stinck hit him so bad that he gagged.

      Mikey slid down from the kitchen, holding up in one hand a tray with...something that belonged to a nightmare.

( from the kitchen, singing): 🎶Yo, Mikester's here, ready to serve You the Best pizza from--

Raph( pointing an index finger toward the plate): What ...the shell is that?

Mikey( lowering the plate to everybody to see the pizza): My Salty-Sweet Combo Pizza, bros! 

        The smell became worse; the pizza looked worse. Raph yelped and nearly fell of the couch; Leo took one look, then slapped both his hands over his mouth to not throw up.

        Suddenly, the lab's doors slammed open, and Donnie sprinted from there, holding a small, round device in this hands.

Donnie: Guys, I cracked the code! I found out that this is a--( the smell hit him; he stopped in his place, his brownish-reddish eyes wide). What is this SMELL?!

Mikey( holding the plate to his brothers): Do You want some?

The older three brothers nodded in disagrement.

Mikey: Well, more for me then!( He dig in the pizza).

    His brothers groaned and Donnie muttered Something about Mikey's pizza being bioweapons when Leo spotted the device in Donnie's hands.

Leo( pointing to the device): Donnie, what is that doing?

Donnie( extending a hand, the device on his palm): This a Kraang teleportation device to Dimension X. I re-engineered it so we can travel not only there, but around some other places across the New York City! 

Mikey( wipping his mouth with The back of his hand): Oh, it's sounds cool! Can I touch it?

Donnie: Mikey, no. Everytime you handle my inventions, they malfunction or backfire.

Mikey: C'mon, D! Just this time!Please!

Donnie: No.

    But Mikey was undereted. When Donnie, Leo and Raph didn't pay attention, Mikey snuck the device from his brother's hands.

Mikey: Oh, looks good, bro!

Donnie( eyes wide, lunging for Mikey): Mikey, give it back!

    The Orange banded turtle dodged and Donnie missed, but Leo and Raph tackled him and tried to take the device from his hands. When Raph managed to reach it, Mikey pressed accidentaly some buttons, and the device's screen lit up bright Pink.

Donnie( from the floor): WHAT DID YOU DO?!

Mikey(panicking): It was an accident,I swear!

      The turtles watched with wide eyes as The device levitated and projected a Bright Pink triunghiular portal under them, on the floor. The turtles didn't even had time to blink as they fell. They screamed, and before the portal closed, the device fell into it.

______________________________________________

Oxford, England, 2012, 11 PM.( Before Peter Jakes' leave in USA)

       The navy blue Sky was even darker then usual as heavy clouds covered it, the moonlight barely reaching the City Below. The wind that blew till then stopped, a sign that a storm was coming.

       Morse and Cameron were walking down the Albert Street after their night patrol was eventless and the clouds started to come. The Street was Empty, they two being the only awake souls in the Darkness that moved under the light of the lamposts, their Ginger-coppery hair reflecting under it.They knew a heavy rain will come, so Cameron called it a night and She, Morse and Jim went back home: Jim Alone, and the two Detective Sergeants together. They had dismissed their armours, remaining in their usuall clothes: Morse in navy blue straight jeans, a Light blue Button up shirt, black shoes and his military Green long trench coat, and a backpack on one shoulder with folders; Cameron in black flared jeans, white sneakers, a red long sleeved shirt with a black polo t-shirts over it, her dark green flared trench coat and her navy blue backpack slung over one shoulder. They walked side by side with fast steps before the rain starts. 

Cameron( looking at the Sky): I hope it doesn't rain before we arrive home.I don't have my umbrella; I forgot it at work.

Morse: Speaking of forgeting...I...I forgot my flat's keys at work..

Cameron( raising an eyebrow): You did? 

Morse: Yes, I mean, I left Inspector Thursday at his home, then Jim called me to come fix his computer. And after I managed it, it was already the patrol time, so I didn't go back to the Cowley Station House to retrieve my keys...and I left my car at my place..

Cameron( amused, shaking her head): In this case, You have to crash somewhere over night. How about my flat? It's close to yours, and You'd have enough time to arrive at work on time. (Smiles) Plus, You have some old but in good condition work clothes at my place after I borrowed them for my impersonation.

Morse( blushes): Your place?

Cameron: Yeah, my flat. You have come there like plenty of times for the movie night or for solving cases.

Morse: Well, I--( he shrugges) I will. It's not like the first time, right? And I stayed over night at your flat enough Times during the movie nights.

Cameron: Good. But we should hurry or the rain will catch us( She slipped her arm through his, holding gently onto his forearm.)

Morse blushed harder, but he remained like that, his Pink cheekbones hidden by the Darkness and the small amount of Light.

    Morse panicked a bit. He was right with that he remained at her place over night; but it was during movie nights, where there were Peter, him, Cameron, Dr. Julia Ogden, Jim after he started his career in police force, and sometimes Dr. Emily Grace, Dr. Julia Ogden's morgue assitant; and they didn't always remain over night, just Morse, Jim and Peter, , sometimes all three, sometimes just two;but just him and Cameron? That was new. And as much as it frightened him, Morse still liked the idea. He loved her; but She also was his Best friend since forever and leader; what If he screwed the things up? What If their Bond broke because one of his mistakes?

      She observed he was lost in his thoughts; he saw him like this enough times to know that his thoughts were swirling in his mind, but She didn't bother him, so they continued their walk in silence.

______________________________________________

      A Pink triunghiular portal opened at the rooftops level, and four mutant turtles fell, screaming, on the cold concrete pavement of a dark alley. They landed on a pile of tangled limbs and shells. 

Raph( standing up, groaning):Ugh, where the shell are we?

Donnie( standing up, dusting his knee pads): It's pretty dark but...this doesn't look like New York City.

Leo( already up, adjusting his katanas): This place feels weird... Are we still anymore on United States?

Mikey ( smiling nervously): At least we are on Earth...

Thwack!

Raph slaps Mikey's back of head.

Mikey: Ow, dude!

Raph: We're here cuz of ya, Mikey. If ya wouldn't play with Donnie's gizmo, we'd be home, not in this weird place!

Leo: Raph, cool off. Now it's not the time to argue with Mikey. And You( pointing at Mikey), when we are back home, we'll have a serious conversation about why You should not things that You don't understand and that can be dangerous.

Raph muttered Something under his breath and crossed his arms, but didn't fight back.

Leo: This place it's definetly not our City; we should check the sorroundings, and maybe we'll Discover where are we.

Donnie( holding a device that looked like a remote control with two small antenas and his T-phone): Guys...I don't think were even in United States anymore.

Raph( raising an ,,eyebrow"): What d'ya mean?

Donnie: I mean, I used my GPS main tracker and the T-phone for signal and it says we're in Oxford, England.

Leo(sapphire blue eyes wide, jaw dropped): What?!

Raph( flailing his arms): Donnie, this is like on the other part of the world! Ya gotta fix this, Man!

Donnie: We don't have the Kraang teleportation device anymore; it fell with us in the portal, but arrived in a Different location. Without it, we're stuck here, in England.

Leo( leader voice): Okay, so we have a mission then: to find the device and go back home.

Raph: Yeah, but, we don't know where it is. It can be anywhere.

Mikey: What If we use Donnie's GPS main tracker to find it? Doesn't it have some chipe or something?

     His brothers looked at him dumbfounded.

Raph: This...is actually a good idea.

Mikey( smug): Yeah, I'm not just a pretty face, y'know.

Raph( smirking): Pretty like an old sock, sure.

Mikey: Hey!

______________________________________________

            Morse and Cameron were walking when they Heard shouting and loud voices; four voices, exactly. They stopped in their places, and listened carefully.

#1 Voice: No, no, no!

#2 Voice: Donnie, what happened?

#1 Voice: The GPS main tracker's battery is at 0%! 

Cameron and Morse moved silently and pressed themselves against the wall of the building that edged the alley, taking a look in the alley. Three short and robust silouettes and one average and thin silouette were visible in the Darkness. 

Morse( whispered to Cameron): Who do You think are them?

Cameron(Light brown-green eyes squinting): I'm not sure. They are too short to be Master of Darkness' soldiers or some thieves from the Golden Snakes. Hm....

Morse: What?

Cameron: It's just me or they sound like...

Morse: Boy teenagers?

Cameron: Yeah!

     They remained hidden against the wall, as the two Guardians listened to the four beings.

#3 Voice: So Ya're sayin' that we have no way to find the damn device since yer tracker has no battery an' have no place to charge it?

#1 Voice: I don't have where to charge the tracker, Raph! We're trapped across the ocean, far away from home and any ally, in a dark alley with no energy source! 

#2 Voice: We need to find a place to hide, guys. Rain's coming, and I'm sure it's not a simple, couple-of-drops rain.

       As of cue, a thunder cracked and spread across the dark Sky, booming with The fury of a sledgehammer.

     The thunder's Light flashed for a short time, but enough to reveal four mutant turtles, one with an Orange bandana yelping and jumping the blue-banded one's arms.

Morse looked stunned, while Cameron wasn't impressed at all.

Cameron:Morse, summon your katanas. We're going in.

Morse: Are You sure?

Cameron( summoning her bo staff scepter of Light,): I am.

     Morse summoned in a flash of fire his twin katanas and gripped them tightly, as he followed slowly his leader. They creept to the alley, now fully seeing the turtles.

      Another thunder cracked and Light up the alley, and Leo saw the two humans.

Leo( unsheated his katanas at lighting speed, turned around, facing Cameron and Morse): Guys, we have company!

     One by one, Raph, Donnie and Mikey unsheated their weapons, the brothers taking fight stances.

Leo( to Cameron and Morse): Who are You and what are You doing here?

Cameron: We can ask You the same thing, maybe start a fight, but my friend and I don't want this. We came here in peace.

Leo: Peace, You Say?

Cameron: Yes. 

Raph: And how's that ya two ain't scared of us? We're giant mutant turtles that talk, walk an' are ninjas that kick butts; humans usually, Y'know, scream an' run when see us.

Morse: Well, we aren't exactly humans..not fully.

Donnie( lowering his bo staff): What do You mean? You are mutants, too?

Morse: We...My friend and I are human- elf hybrids. We can prove it.

Donnie( tapping his chin): Hybrids, You Say?

Morse: Yes. ( To the Light Guardian)Cameron..

She nodded.

          The two officers took a couple of steps back, then summoned their Wings, fire and Light spreading and taking ; fire and white rays emerged from thier palms like tendrils and the turtles watched in awe.

Cameron( dismissing her Wings and the rays): Now You believe us?

Mikey( baby blue eyes sparkling): THAT WAS AMAZING! Are You two superheroes from a fantasy world?

Morse: We're the protectors of Oxford and police officers. I'm Morse, She is Cameron Grey. And a few people know about our hidden nature, and we...hide all supernatural, mystical and mutant elements from humans.

Mikey: That's cool! We do the same thing in our city: we protect New York City from the Foot Clan, Shredder, Kraang and other evil mutants!

        A thunder cracked and boomed even harder, starting everybody. A cold wind started to blow, biting the skin of the turtles.

Leo: We should find a place and quick, because the storm is coming.

Cameron: How about If You come at my flat?

    The turtles looked at her; then Raph looked at Leo, who really considered this.

Raph( bandana tails fluttering in the wind): Ya're not really considerin' this, aren't ya, Fearless?

Leo( bandana tails also fluttering in the wind): What choice do he have? The storm is coming, and he no place where to hide.

Raph: But we barely know them!

Leo: And we have to trust them. You saw what they are. If they really wanted to kill us, they would have tried it already.

Raph: Fine.

Cameron: Guess You come with us then.

______________________________________________

           Morse and the turtles hurried as they followed Cameron down the streets.

          The wind intensified, cold bitting even more and sharper.

Leo: How much do we have?

Cameron: At the End of this Street we take right, arrive in a parking lot edged by blocks, then go straight for the block with the rose Garden , climd to the second floor and we're at my home.

Donnie(walking): We kind of have a problem.

Cameron: What problem?

Donnie: How are we supposed to follow You in without being spotted by humans? Your building has no fire-exit stairs to climb on.

     She said nothing, but thought about a way. As they walked, thunders cracked even more, making Mikey whimper sometimes. When they reached the park lot, She stopped. They froze on their places.

Cameron: Maybe...do You see the balconies, and the one from the second floor?(She pointed to her flat's balcony).

Leo: Yes...Do You suggest us to climb the balconies till we reach Your flat?

Cameron: Yes, I do. Morse and I will go first to enter the flat and the balcony door. Then You come when we wave at You. Okay?

     The turtles nodded( and Raph rolled his eyes), and Morse and Cameron sprinted to the block.

      Soon after the Guardians entered, light rain drops started to fall over them, running across turtles' shells, arms and legs, soaking their bandanas.

Raph: What were ya thinkin' of, Leo? What If She an' her broodin' friend leave us in the rain? What If it's a trap? Did he said they're coppers?

Leo: I was thinking right, Raph. If She really wanted to capture us, then She would have done it already.

Mikey( to Donnie, whispered): Should we do something?

     Before Donnie could open his mouth to respond, a Voice shouted and all four turned: Cameron was on the balcony, gripping the railings with one hand and waving with The other, while Morse hold open the door.

Leo( to Raph): What were You saying?

Raph growled and followed Leo, Mikey and Donnie as they sprinted in the rain, the cold water soaking them from head to toe. They arrived at the block, jumped , climbed the railings until they arrived at her balcony. They entered quickly, Cameron last, and Morse closed the door just when the actuall storm started.

     To be continued.....

Chapter Text

   Chapter 2 

 As heavy and cold water rain drops hit with fury the Windows of the flat, the four turtles stood in the living room, dripping water that formed puddles under their feet on the floor. Mikey and Donnie trembled; Leo tried to keep his composure, but his clinking teeth betrayed him; and Raph sniffed and pretended it didn't happened.

Cameron stood in front of them, hands on her hips.

Cameron: You are soaked to your bones.

Raph( cross-armed): We're fine.

Cameron: No, You aren't. You are all literally two steps away from a cold or a pneumonya. Aannd, You're literally dripping water that soaks my floor. So I'm not letting You like this.

Mikey( chuckled): Dudette, Raph can be dying and he will still Say ,,I'm fine".

Raph glared at his youngest brother, and Mikey smiled weakly.

    She walked away and vanished for a few minutes before returning with four large towels from the bathroom: one green, one blue, one pink and one yellow.

Morse(sitting on the arm of the sofa): Come on, take the towels. She doesn't bite.

Raph( under his breath): Now..( Leo elbows him). Hey!

Leo: Just take a towel. 

       One by one, they took a towel wrapped it around themselves: Leo the Green one, Donnie the blue one, Mikey the yellow one...and Raph the Pink one.

Raph( with The towel around his shoulders): Seriously, Pink?

Cameron: I hate Pink too. But If it matters, this îs the only Pink thing in this flat, except from some of my pencils that I use in my sketches.

Mikey: Like, drawing-drawing?

Cameron( smiling): Yes, and for my engineering sketches.

Donnie: Wait, You're an engineer?

Cameron: Yes. And Morse here is one too.

Mikey( bouncing on his heels): Oh, can I see your drawings? And Donnie your sketches?

Leo: Mikey, I'm not sure about this level of...curiosity.We are guests here.

     Morse shifted his weight on the sofa's arm, chuckled, took a cigarette from the packet from his coat's pockets and lit it up with a flame on his index finger tip. He took a long drag and exhaled, the smoke curling around him.

      Cameron looked at Morse's unreadable expression, then at Mikey's puppy eyes, Donnie's curios eyes and at Leo's serious expression.

Cameron (sighs): Tomorrow, okay? Now You need to dry.

Raph: Well, we're leavin' immeadiately. We ain't gonna be trapped in this fancy college city--

 BOOM! Tap-tap-tap

         A thunder cracked outside, followed by big, cold and heavy rain drops falling with a high speed and hitting the windows with no mercy.

Morse: Well, If You don't want to fight and lose the battle with Mother Nature's wrath from the outside, I suggest You to stay here.

    Raph looked at Donnie. The purple banded turtle was searching something on his T-phone, clearly very interested.

Donnie: The Weather App says that is code red of precipitations since till tomorrow at 7 AM UK hour, with strong aversions, wind blowing at 43,49 mph, and-

Mikey( raising a hand): So, we stay here over night?

Donnie: Shortly, yes.

Raph walked and flopped on the couch with The pink towel around his shoulders, arms crossed, muttering ,,sewer apples".

Mikey: Do You know what this means? 

Leo( already knowing what his youngest brother would say): Mikey-

Mikey( jumping on her table, arms up, towel falling): PAJAMAS PARTY, DUDES!

Leo( pinching the bridge of his nose): Mikey, we have a mission tomorrow, we are guests here and-- Get down from the table!

     The Orange banded turtle jumped from the table and sat on the floor, pouting.

Cameron(eyeing the turtles): Well, I told You our names, but I don't know yours.

Leo:So...I am Leonardo and the leader.He( pointing at Donnie) is Donatello and our genius inventor; there( pointing to Raph) is Raphael, the Muscle of our team-

Mikey: And I am Michelangelo, the party dude! But You can call me Mikey!

Cameron: Well, nice to know You better. Now, we need to plan who sleeps where because my apartment has only one bedroom.

Mikey: I call dibs on the couch!

Cameron: No dibs. We do it properly. So, the sleeping spots would be the couch, the armchair, maybe the bathtub, and the floor in the living room.So, now, we need to place everybody. ( Tapping her chin, eyes squinting).. Hm...maybe Mikey and Raphael-

Raph: Nope. First, Raph, not Raphael; feels to formal. Second, Mikey'll pester me, an' we'll end doin' WWE an' breakin' somethin'.

Cameron: So no Raph and Mikey, good.

Morse: How about I take the bathtub?

Cameron: If You take the tub, then Raph can take the armchair, Donatello the couch since he's the tallest and needs the most leg space, and Leonardo and Mikey can take the floor, and nobody will bicker!

Leo: Sounds good.

Cameron: So be it. I'll go after pillows and blankets and be right back.

      Cameron turned and headed to her bedroom to grab the items, while the turtles made themselves confortable. Morse put out the cigarette, and when Cameron returned with the blankets and pillows and the clothes he forgot at her place, he took them, surprised to see that he forgot also a white tank top and some gray joggers, saluted her and went straight to the bathroom, the door closing behind him.

Donnie( holding the GPS main tracker): Do You have Socket in the living room?

Cameron: next to the bookshelf.

Donnie:Thanks!( He plugged in the device to charge)

Cameron( putting down the blankets and pillows): Alright. Now, I'm going to sleep. See You in the morning, night!

The turtles greeted her ,,good night" and slumped, drifting to sleep...

______________________________________________

      Around 2 AM, the flat was peacefull and quiet, only Raph's snoring and the storm outside breaking it sometines. It was the kind of hour when even the ghosts sleeped, but one turtle's stomach didn't agreed with that.

      Mikey laid back on his Shell, staring at the ceiling when his stomach let an ungoldly sound: a rumble like a chainsaw.

Mikey( to himself, whispered): Man, I'm hungry. My stomach's starting a revolution! Does Cameron have pizza in her fridge?

       The freckled turtle looked left and right, then slowly, with all his ninja stealth, he got up and tip-toed past his eldest brother's sleeping form, the table where their T-phones were discarded along with their weapons,down the hallway and entered the kitchen.

        Cameron's kitchen was a small, huddled room. The cupboards were all pale yellow; the walls were white, and the kitchen counters from both the island and the rest where white with grey veins. Mikey spoted the kitchen, and silently and slowly, he opened the door.

Mikey( looking on): Hm..Let's see what You've got: lettuce, tomatoes, beans, peppers,cheese, steak.... No,no ,no! Where's the pizza?! Oh, chocolate candies! ( He snachted the bag , closed the door and leaned against the fridge, sitting on the floor, happily muching chocolate candies.)

       He was so focused on the candies that he didn't observed or felt the person that sneaked in there too.

The person: Ahem. What are You doing?

    Mikey, startled, spit a candy in the trash can and jumped nearly three feet in the air.

     Morse stood at the kitchen entrance, dressed in a white tank top and gray joggers, his hair a mess of curls and waves, arms crossed. His blue eyes stared at the freckled turtle like trying to read his soul.

Mikey: Uh, funny story, I..Uh...The candies called me!

Morse(raising an eyebrow): Cameron's chocolate candies called You...from the fridge...at 2 AM?

Mikey nodded.

Morse( pinching the bridge of his nose): You're stealing her food, Michelangelo!

Mikey: I'm borrowing it! Scout's honour!

Morse( deadpean): You are not a scout. You are a 14 years old teenage mutant ninja turtle that lives in New York City's sewers and robs my best friend's fridge! 

Mikey: I'm 16!..soon.

Morse: Go back to bed. Now. And put back the candies.

Mikey( putting the candies back in the fridge,backing away, hands up):Sheesh! No need to go full detective on me, y'know.

Morse: Go!

   Mikey quickly walked past Morse and back to the living room. The Fire Guardian sighed, and walked back to the bathroom. 

     When the Detective Sergeant shifted in the tub under his blanket, feeling the sleep coming in, the bathroom's door creaked open. Morse raised his Head and saw Mikey's Head popping in.

Mikey: Quick question: Is Cameron You're Best friend- Best friend, or Best friend-girl friend?

Morse's right eye twiched.

Morse( Voice low, dangerous): Michelangelo..

Mikey( gulped): Yes?

Morse: It's 2 in the bloody morning. I'm tired. I have work tomorrow at my station house in Cowley.(Pauses). If You don't go back to sleep in the next five seconds, I WILL set your nunchucks on fire and program your phone to play Wagner on loop.

Mikey( gasps): You wouldn't!

Morse(smirks): Try me. Five..

Mikey: You-

Morse: Four.

      The Orange banded turtle vanished in a blink of an eye, the door closing behind with a small thud. Morse smirked, then flopped back on the pillow and fell asleep.

To be continued....

Chapter Text

     Chapter 3 

      The Air was heavy and damp, the smell of rain still lingering from the last night's storm. The Sky was a medium blue and pretty clean , a few pinkish clouds discarded like broken glass. The moon slowly descended as The sun climbed back, ready to announce the start of a new day. Water occasionally dripped from the edges of the buildings or gutters, and big puddles were spread across the ground in varioud and random places.

     In the warm and confortable flat, the four turtles were still passed out on the living room, curled under the blankets and pillows, and wearing their gear.

    Meanwhile, in the bathroom, as Morse nested even more on the fuzzy and warm blanket Cameron gave him, his hand watch's alarm ringed at precisely 6:30 AM, signaling him to wake up. He groaned, rolled over and stopped the alarm.

    Morse sit on the edge of the bathtub, rubbing his eyes and yawning. He didn't caught up too much sleep last night, and he wanted so much to sleep, at least a bit more; but he had to prepare himself and go to work.

    Forcing himself to wake up and snap out sleepines, he splashed some cold water on his face, brushed his teeth as well as he could with toothpaste on his washed hands, and started to dress up for work. He folded nearly his pajamas, and carefully to not wake up the entire flat, he put on the black old suit, the red slim tie , the white Button up shirt and his black shoes, nearly losing his Balance and falling. He ran a hand through his curled Ginger-coppery hair, took the clothes and all his things and left the bathroom.

       Morse tip-toed and put on his military Green long trench coat, and couldn't help, but take a look at the four sleeping forms sprawled across the living room. Leo was curled up on a blanket and the other covering him, looking peacefully and not like a stressed leader; Mikey was half-sleeping on Leo, the Orange banded's Head and one arm on his eldest Shell, legs sprawled and half out the shared blanket; Donnie was on his side, one arm over the couch edge; and Raph frowned even in his sleep, arms crossed and legs dangling over the armchair's arm.

       The blond Man looked at his watch: 7:00 AM. He Heard the sound of furniture creaking in Cameron's bedroom, and he quickly took his backpack( and Mikey's T-phone that was in the lateral pocket and Morse didn't observed) and left, closing the door behind him with no sound.

______________________________________________

         Quarter an hour later, Cameron was already on her way to her station house, driving her black E-class Mercedes and humming ,,Not Afraid" by Eminem. She woke up surprinsingly cheerful, and her clothes reflected it: Light blue wide leg jeans, white sneakers, Green t-shirt and a medium blue denim jacket, while her short hair was in a messy bun and her backpack rested on the back row. And at the same time when She left her flat, her blankets weere folded neatly and the pillows over on the couch, and her four Green guests thanked her and left through the balcony , getting down by the railings. Mikey even waved her.

      So, She didn't have reasons to be upset. But her Best friend won't be so lucky.

_____________________________________________

       As Morse drove his silver DeLorean down the Broad Street, Detective Inspector Fred Thursday couldn't not observe his bagman's dishelved hair and tired eyes with subtle dark circles under.

Fred : Morse, lad, did You slept the last night?

Morse( eyes on the road): Mmm, yes, sir.

Fred( deadpean): You didn't. And don't try to lie to me, son. Your half-asleep expression says everything. You had a tough night patrol again, didn't You?

Morse: No, just...I arrived home lately. Barely missed the storm.

Fred: One day, this double life will send You to a long sleep wherever will be.

Morse( short glance at his boss): And until then, I will be awake and fighting because I have enough time to sleep after I die.

Fred( muttering under his breath): Stubborn..

Morse smirked.

           Soon enough, they arrived at the Cowley Station House, and after Morse parked the car, they entered the precinct headed to their offices, ready for whatever that work day planned for them.....

______________________________________________

         The sun cascaded warm golden rays on the streets of the Oxford. Students, teachers and residents walked down the streets, the city humming of chatter and laughs; cars' engines pourred like cats on the roads; and birds occasionally flew above the buildings, like small dark points lost in an ocean.

        As the everyday life of the city hummed on the streets, the four ninja brothers jumped and moved like shadows across the rooftops and dark alleys. Donnie, with his now charged GPS tracker leading the way along with Leo, Raph grunting and Mikey the last, stealing glances at the monuments and historical buildings.

Raph: How much do we have till the device, Donnie?

Donnie( looking at the screen of the tracker): We are 12 streets away from the location of the teleportation device; after the 12th one, we turn right and we're there.

Leo: But we need to be carefull. It's day time, we don't know this city and we don't have the night's darkness cover, so we need to keep a very low profile, or the humans will see us.

Raph( rolling his eyes): Yeah, yeah, we know this, Fearless.Don't ya have to remind us everyday, y'know.

Leo( turning to Raph): I do, because there are plenty of cases when I told You, and You forgot of ignored: Pulverizer, that Man that recorded us-

Raph( throwing hands up): I get it! No need for lessons!

         The leader in blue ignored the last comment and moved on first, and signaled his brothers to stop at the edge of the rooftop. He crouched down and looked below: a large Street full of people, cars honking sometimes ,clearly not a safe-zone for them to pass unnoticed.

         While the older turtles taught and talked about what way to take to find the device, the Orange banded turtle wandered on the rooftop, flailing his arms in boredom. In one point, Mikey stood and layed down on the concrete floor, hands at his chest, fingers fidgening. Seeing that his Brothers were now debating loudly( aka, Raph and Leo arguing), Mikey reached in his Belt for his T-phone...only to not find it. His baby blue eyes widened and he stood up, searching with more panic.

Mikey( internally): No,no,no! Where's my phone?! Dude, where....No way..

Mikey(jumping on his feet, shouting):GUYS!

         All three brothers, Raph and Leo face tot face and Donnie ready to intervene, turned to the freckled turtle.

Raph(deadpean): What?

Mikey(gripping Raph by the shoulders): Morse took my T-phone, dude!

Raph( shoving Mikey): He did what?

Mikey: He took my phone that I left in his backpack!

Donnie: Why would You put your phone in his backpack?!

Mikey(cross-armed): To keep it warm and dry it off from the rain, duh.

Raph (smacked Mikey, pointing an accusing index finger at the youngest): Only ya could've done somethin' like this!

Leo( stepping on): Everybody cool down. Mikey, listen. We know where Cameron's flat is. We can return at her place after we find the teleportation device and ask her about your phone and Morse; and she'll call Morse and I am pretty sure he will give You your phone back. Alright?(He puts a hand on Mikey's shoulder).

Mikey(sighs):...Okay.

Leo: Good. Now, we will go down the King's Street, down the long gangue and the Bayne passage. Understood?

All nodded,(and Raph grunted; but Leo pretended to not hear it) and sprinted down the new route.

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           The station house buzzled with chatter and the occasional cheers and whistels of the police officers that huddled at Peter Jakes' office desk to watch the football match on the small Ancient TV of the station house. That day, the Cowley football team was in match with Manchester's team, and almost everybody was watching it. Almost.

           Ignoring the constant noise, Morse was at his desk, so focused that his eyes looked like could Make holes in the papers from his hand. He took one look at his colleagues who cheered again and sighed. And just as he put the papers down, Fred Thursday walked and stopped at his desk, hat in one hand, a wrapped sandwich in the other.

Fred: Can't focus from the match?

Morse( muttering, rubbing temples): They keep yelling like they're on an actual stadion, sir.

Fred(looking at his wrist watch): Well, the lunch break starts soon enough. You come with me at the pub, maybe drink a pint?

Morse: I can't, sir. I..I have to finish writing some reports.

Fred( sighs): Fine. I'll ask Jakes then. See You soon.( he walks away from the office).

       As his boss walked away and another round of enthusiastic yelling erupted, Morse let his head drop onto the desk, groaning and thinking NOT to Set the TV on fire...

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         The gangue the turtles passed was like an infinite dark and empty hallway. The tall old buildings that edged it had new facades, beige and clean.

           Leo and Donnie lead the way, Raph surveing the area and Mikey the last, his mind still at his T-phone.  

          It wasn't the first time he lost his phone; he didn't even knew how many phones have he had before this one, because along the years: 

-he had burned it while cooking

-cracked it while skateboarding 

-smashed during missions, patrols and avoiding ( and eventually getting smacked) by Raph

            So it wasn't the first time. But Mikey's problem was different...he taught. He NEEDED his T-phone. The freckled turtle just needed an opportunity...that came unusually fast.

         Just as they made it past the gangue, Mikey saw the back door of the Cowley Station House opening and saw his chance. He knew that Morse worked there. He knew that the building was the station house Morse worked at. And then, bless his chaotic soul, the Orange banded turtle had an idea. THE idea. 

          When none of his brothers payed attention to him, Mikey pulled from the closest clotheslins the clothes he could find, a long, big and large orange hoodie with a cat on it( ironic?) and yellow knee-high rain boots( ??), put them on as fast as he could....and sprinted from his Brothers like his Shell was on fire toward the door.

And his brothers IMMEADIATELY noticed and went after him to stop him.

Leo( yelling): Mikey, no!

Donnie( hot on his heels): That's a human police precinct!

Raph( also yelling): Mikey, ya gremlin, come back here!   

        But before they could catch their Little Brother, the youngest turtle was already in the station house, the back door slamming behind him. Raph marched and stopped at the door, ready to kick it down out of its hinges, but Donnie and Leo tackled him.

Raph(trashing): I'm gonna beat the Green outta the goofball!

Leo: We can't burst in the station like this, Raph! We're mutant turtles and there are armed human police officers. We need a plan!

Donnie(to Leo): And fast! We're talking about Mikey undercover here!

Raph( stopped trashing, arms crossed): We're doomed.

 To be continued.....

Chapter Text

      Chapter 4

   Morse was a pretty patient person when he wanted. But with The yelling few feet away from him? Fire was boiling in his veins( both literally and metaphorically). And just as he leaned in his chiar, counting to ten...

Jenkins: GO, GO BANKOLE!

Jim: COME ON, KIRWAN! 

      Morse abruptly stood up, the chair clattering behind him. Nobody observed this, and neither when he took his trench coat from the back of his chair and his backpack, heading to the small room with The video-projector they used for cases sometimes to smoke a cigarette and not lose his mind. 

       Mikey, meanwhile, in his hoodie that was long like a dress and swallowed his hands, and hood over his head, was flattened against the wall, looking for Morse. And he spotted him exactly when he saw a petite brunette woman closed to the Detective Sergeant; a smiling and elegant woman with a baby Pink dress, a pretty Light blue trench coat and chic Light Brown ankle boots. The Orange banded turtle closed the distance but stood hidden, listening and watching the two.

Joan: Hello, Morse!

Morse( startled, nearly jumped out of his skin, turning to her): Miss Thursday! What brings You here?

Joan(a pair of keys hanging by her index finger): Well, Dad forgot his house keys and Mom told me to go here at the station and give him them. Do You know were he is?

Morse( scratching the back of his Head): He just left to the pub with Detective Constable Jakes for the lunch break. Eagle and Child, If I remember right.

Joan: Okay. But before I leave, I have a question for You.

Morse(cheeks blushing a faint shade of Pink): Y-yes?

Joan( adjunsting the collar of his Button up shirt): Why do You look like a sleep-deprived zombie?

         In his hidding spot, Mikey's baby blue eyes sparkled with mischief.

Mikey( internally): Dude! Does She love him? Are they together?! No way...and Cameron? Sheeh....Popcorn would have worked so good now..

          Back to Morse and Joan:

Joan( arms crossed): Well?

Morse: Um, work. You know my drill: work and always work. If I don't solve the cases and help your father, then who's gonna do it?

Joan: You need to live a Little. Seriously, You're serious and work-focused like all the time and sometimes You need to relax.. 

Morse(leaning against the wall, trying to play it cool): But I relax. In my free time, I listen opera or complete crosswords or Make some sketches for some inventions.

Joan: If You Say so...(She looks at the watch on the wall). I should leave now. My break is soon ending and I didn't give Dad the keys. And If I'm late at the Bank again, the director will be mad.

Morse: Ugh, sure, go. See You...soon.

Joan: Bye.

           She turned and walked to the front door, brushing her hand on Morse's left hand as She walked, her black curls bouncing. The Detective Sergeant blushed and entered the small room with no word. 

          Mikey saw her approaching and his heart raced, panicked. What If She saw that he's a mutant turtle? He knew She'd lose her mind, scream and the policemen from there would catch him and then...

Joan: Hi?

      The freckled turtle turned so fast that he almost tripped and fell face-first on the floor.

Mikey: Hi?

Joan: Are You lost kid?

Mikey( sweating bullets under his hoodie):N-no! Just...waiting. Uh..officer Morse! 

Joan( raising an eyebrow): If he called You for his case, then You have to wait because He's still in break.

Mikey: Uh, sure, yes.

Joan: Be good, okay?( She patted his Head and walked away, her heels making a rythmic sound as She walked).

         The freckled turtle exhaled, reliefed that She didn't observed his turtle features. He took a look at the distracted officers and moved to the opposite wall, tip-toeing and flattened against it.

Mikey( internally): So, Morse is the the room across the one full of police officers...cool, cool...not cool.

______________________________________________

          Outside the station house, Leo was planning how to break in the station and get Mikey back without them being caught, seen of arrested, while Raph was pacing back and forth and Donnie was leaning against a wall.

Leo( tapping his chin, looking to the storey of the precinct): Donnie, do You have your infra-red goggles with You?

Donnie( putting on his goggles): Yes, why?

Leo: Okay, I have a plan. We're going to climb the gutters, break in the station on the second floor and activate the fire alarm. When everybody gets out, we take Mikey and get out. In and out.

Donnie: This isn't a bit risky?I mean, what if-

Raph: Donnie, we ain't have many options. An' knowin' Mikey, we're really runnin' lut of time.

Donnie: Fine. I will check If it's somebody there.

Leo: Good. We will take Mikey and get out from here fast.

Donnie: The second room from left is Empty.

Raph( cracking his knuckles): Alright, let's go then!

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        As the constables cheered and yelled at the ancient small TV, Jim Strange strechted his arms and got up from his chair.

Jim( muttering): Uh, I'll get stuck If I sit more on this bloody chair.

Jenkins: Hey, Strange, you abandoned the match or what?

Jim: Just moving around, Y'know, putting the blood at work.( His stomach growls). Looks like my stomach's having a revolution.

Morris: More like a nuclear attack, Strange.Ha!

Jim rolled his eyes and walked toward the evidence room where he had forgot his sandwich( yeah, he did when he took some reports) ,hoping that nobody has eaten it.

       The chubby man hummed a song from the 80s and he stopped dead in his tracks when he spotted a short person with an Orange oversized hoodie and yellow knee-high rain boots.

Jim( frowning): Hey, who are You, matey? And what are You doing here?

Mikey froze for a brief second, especially when a towering man like Jim stood a few feet away from him.

Mikey: I'm...My name is Michael...Hampton?I'm Michael Hampton.

Jim: Why are You here? I Heard Joanie asking You and You said Morse called You. 

Mikey( gulped): Y-yes! I'm a..witness! In his case!

Jim(arms crossed): I'm working on that case too.

Mikey( internally): Sewer pizza....( Then to Jim) He called me this morning! Said Something about a, Uh, declaration?

Jim: You look suspicious...How old are You?

Mikey:...18.

Jim: You look more like 12.

Mikey( fidgening with his hands): Uh, I Grew slower then average?

Jim: I don't know about You, but I'm going after Morse to ask him and see If You are who You are. And You come with me.

Mikey whimpered, but he walked with The police Constable to the projector room.

______________________________________________

           Morse was sitting on a chair, one leg drapped over the other and leaning against the back of the chair, smoking a cigarette, the waves of grey smoke curling around him. The blond Man stared at nothing, but his mind still at his case and his hands resting in his backpack on the other chiar.

          He tried to put the clues back together, to find a conection, but he couldn't find; it was like sand sneaking between his palms and fingers. His right hand brushed against his backpack, fingers twitching at the lateral pocket until he felt Something round on it.

Morse raised an eyebrow and searched into it, pulling out a shell-shaped phone. His blue eyes widened, and just as he was going to curse under his breath, he Heard knocking on the door.

Jim( from the outside):Hey Morse, You in there? Here's a kid that says You called him for the case, but I don't believe him. Can You come here?

  Morse sighed , stood up and opened the Dior. And there they were: Jim, in all his 6'2", wearing his navy blue Constable uniform, Brown hair nearly combed, stood next to and towered over a 4'10" person covered with an oversized hoodie and rain yellow boots.

Jim( pointing to Mikey): He says He's Michael Hampton, 18, witness in the case. Do You know this Little guy?

Mikey( waving a hand with The sleeve covering it up and swinging): Hello, Mr. Morse!

     Morse recognised the Voice instantly and nearly dropped his cigarette. He bit his lower lip, took a long breath and, in a very calm Voice..

Morse: Yes, he is Michael Hampton. He's 18 and a student from New York University – Tisch School of the Arts..but he is in holiday here and knows something that might be usefull for the case.

Jim: But why he's so small?

Morse( internally): And why are You build like a fridge?( Then to Jim). Maybe he has Asian genetics?

Jim: Maybe. Anyway, You deal with him now. I'm gonna take my lunch then go back to work. See ya.( He turns and walks away straight for the evidence room).

         Mikey exhaled and wipped imaginary sweat from his covered forehead.

Mikey: Pfiu, that was--

   Morse grabbed the Orange banded turtle by the right forearm and yanked him in the projector room, closing the door with a loud thud behind them.

Morse( arms crossed): What do You think are You doing here?!

Mikey( taking of his Hood, accusing index finger pointing at the detective): Retriving my phone from You, You phone-thief!

Morse( raising an eyebrow): I beg your pardon?

Mikey: Exactly! You took my phone when You left!

Morse( losing patience): Because You left it in my bags' pocket, You menace!

Mikey: Hey! I was drying it off!

Morse(exasperated): Who in their right mind dries his phone like this?!

Mikey: You obviously don't know me, dude.

   Morse pinched the bridge of his nose.

Morse: Do You realise that If anybody from here saw You, You would have been arrested, or worse, send to a special division, or even to MI5 or MI6?

Mikey(hand raised): What's MI5? 

      Morse facepalmed so hard that echoed.

Morse( hands Mikey his T-phone): Your phone..

Mikey( snatches it, looks at it): My sweet electric baby! You're back, bro.

Morse(sighs): We need to take You from here before someone observes You..but first off all...Talk.to.your.brothers.

Mikey: .....

Morse: Listen, I very sure You come here without them knowing. And I am sure they will come to rescue You and maybe cause even more chaos..so Tell them that I get You out from here before they come with some crazy rescue mission.

Mikey: Fine, fine.( He dials Leo's number and calls him). We kind of have to wait...

______________________________________________

Donnie: Why did I agree with this?

Raph(smirking): Ya didn't. That's the funny part.

Leo: Focus guys. We need to find the fire alarm, activate it and take Mikey.

Raph(rolled his eyes): Yeah, yeah, we get it, Fearless. 

Leo side-eyes him, but says nothing.

            Currently, the four ninja turtles, mastering four or five martial arts, protectors of New York ...were costumes like an instalator, a janitor and...a mope bucket?

Donnie( adjusting instalator cap under Hood): Ugh, this cap keeps sliding! Why?!

Raph( from the giant bucket): Ye're the one to complain. Ye're at least not hidin' in this damn bucket.

Leo(pushing the bucket, janitor cap falling on his eyes, hissing through gritted teeth): Be quiet or else our cover is over.

Raph( whispered-yelled): Fine.

Donnie( tapping Something on his smartwatch): The fire alarm is at the End of the hallway, last room....here( they arrive at the room's door)

     Leo opened his mind to Say Something when his T-phone rang, the techo-mix ringtone playing loud. The leader in blue fast took it from his Belt and answered it.

Mikey(cheerful): Sup, bro!

Leo( eyes wide): Mikey!

       Both Donnie and Raph stopped next to the eldest brother, listening with attention.

Leo( on speaker, low sound volume, whispered): Mikey, where are You?

Raph: Mikey, You're in so much trouble.

Leo: We'll talk later about this. Now, Mikey, where are you?

Mikey: Funny questions. (Laughs nervously) O may or not may be at the ground floor, in a room next to one full of police officers?

All three turtles at once: MIKEY!

Mikey: Bros, chill! I'm with Morse! And nobody saw me.

Donnie: Mikey, stay there. We are in the station and have a plan to--

Morse( intrerupting): Whatever You have planned, You need to stop. I will take Michelangelo out and silently through the back door. You three need to get out of here and fast. The break lunch and the football match are almost over, then the work starts again and You risk to be seen.

Leo( firm): We will wait at the back door. See You there.(Closes the call). 

Raph( groaned): Man, we just got in here...

Leo: And now we get out. Let's move.

______________________________________________

           Morse creaked open the door and assessed the field:all constables were gathered at the TV, glued to the screen and cheering like possessed men. Thursday, Bright and Jakes were all out, so he had better chances to sneak. Good.

Morse( whispered, to Mikey): Okay, You come with me. You Make no sound and don't go away from me until You're with your brothers. Understood?

Mikey( salutes): Sir, yes sir!

Morse rolled his eyes and walked put, Mikey close behind him. The Detective Sergeant took one look at his colleagues that didn't observed them, then hurried the turtle.

Mikey: Wait, wait!

Morse: What now?

Mikey: What are You going to Say to your colleague, Y'know, the big guy that nearly caught me? About the declaration and rest.

Morse( smirks): Jim? I Tell him You changed your mind. Now go, kid. Go to your brothers. Tell You're Sorry and that You love them.

Mikey: Thanks.

      Mikey gave the Fire Guardian a friendly smile and exited.

       The Sergeant sighed and leaned against the door. And just then, the last and loudest cheer errupted from the TV area, followed with ,, Oxford ever wins", and Thursday and Jakes coming back to the station house.

Fred( seeing Morse leaning against the door): You alright, Morse?

Morse( jumps on his feet): Yes, sir!

Peter: Sure? Cause You look like You just played Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible.

Morse ( rolled his eyes): Don't You have Something better to do, Jakes?

Peter: Then to tease You? Never.

Fred: Do You want me to give You reports to write, Jakes?

Peter: No sir.

Fred: Then go back to your work before I give You extra homework.

Peter( already marching to his office): Yes sir!

Morse chuckled.

     The old inspector turned his attention back to his bagman.

Fred: So, Something new on your case, Morse?

     Morse adjusted his tie and stopped next to his boss.

Morse: Yes, but slower then I like.

Fred: Not everything's goes as You like, son.

Morse: Indeed...I will continue my work then...

     To be continued....

Chapter Text

       Chapter 5

    Mikey stopped in the middle of the alley and looked around. Slowly, he slid his hand in the pocket of his hoodie and took his phone.

Mikey( whispering to his pocket): Come here, my bud--

   He never saw it coming. One moment he was enjoying his win, the other he was tackled by a green- red blur to the ground, followed by a blue and a purple one that stopped next to him.

Mikey(looking at his Brothers, nervous Smile): Hi, guys! Uh, Sup?

Leo( arms crossed, his sapphire blue eyes giving the Best ,,brother/leader glare", Voice low and serious): Michelangelo Hamato, You are in so much trouble. Do You have any idea in what Danger You put yourself? 

Mikey( defending): I was just trying to get my phone back!

Leo: Do You realise that You could have been caught by humans? Do You realise in what situation You put us after You dissapeared? 

Donnie( frowning): We broke in the station house and planned to create a distraction by activating the fire alarm and to take You out. But what If we were late? What If Morse wasn't there to find You in time?

Mikey: But he was there and nobody saw me! What's with all this fuss If everything is fine?

Raph(gets on his feet, smacks Mikey's back of head): Ya don't get it, don't ya?

Mikey( rubbing his Head): That was rude, bro.

Leo: Mikey, You can't rely just on luck and improvisation. You have to think, to asses the possible threats before You jump in. Not all the humans are good and kind with us like April, Casey, Morse and Cameron..(pauses, sighs). Humans hate us, and all four of us know it.

Mikey( slumps his shoulders): I'm Sorry, Leo.

Leo: And as much as I hate it, You are grounded when we are back home.

Mikey( baby blue eyes wide): WHAT?!Leo, Please, I'm Sorry. I know I made mistakes, but You can't do that, dude!

Leo: You need to understand the consequences of Your actions. We will talk with Master Splinter about this..but this will be later. Now we need to find the Kraang teleportation device.( To the purple banded turtle). Donnie?

Donnie(checking GPS main tracker) : We're less then 10 minutes away from the building.

Raph: Good. We move.( To the youngest) And I keep an eye on ya.

      Mikey said nothing, but followed his Brothers as They sprinted to the location..

______________________________________________

           The four teenage mutant ninja turtles hid in the shadows, observing the sorroundings. The building was tall, with a new light gray facade and windows so clean that the sun rays reflected on it. On a part of the building,scaffoldings stood like abandoned constructions against the unfinished wall. At the entrance, the Deep brown wooden double doors were guarded by two men dressed in black Japanesse attires. Leo's eyes squinted, scanning them both.

Raph( behind Leo): What do we wait, Fearless? We take 'em down and burst in.

Leo: Raph, listen( he observes a symbol on one of the guards' chest)

Raph:Listen what, Man? Hey, Leo, ya saw a ghost or somethin'?

Leo: The Foot...They're ninjas from the Foot Clan.

Raph( acide green eyes wide): Say what? 

Donnie( from behind Raph): Leo, but we're in England! And why the Foot would be here?

Mikey: Oh, maybe they wanna extend?

Raph(deadpean): Ya say this like they're a freakin' company.

Leo: They are here for a serious reason.Shredder wouldn't have send them here If he hadn't a plan.

Raph: We needa get in there.

Leo: Through the front door, Raph? Seriously? We aren't in an action movie!

Raph(slighlty angry): Then how we're supposed to enter then, Leo?

Leo( pointing to the scaffoldings): Through there. That area has a good chance to be empty.

Mikey:( moving next to Leo, loud): Operation ,,Kick the Foot and go home" it's on,baby!

Raph slaps a hand over Mikey's mouth and drags him next to him.

Raph(to his youngest brother, hissing): Don't Tell them where we are, bonehead!

        Leo scanned the perimeter and announced the plan: distracting and knocking down the guards, climbing the scaffoldings, entering the building, finding the device and go home. In theory IT was simple. Practicaly? Nothing goes as planned for them; not fully.

      Mikey reached into his Belt and threw a bomb smoke at the guards, Deep purple smoke sorrounding them like a cloud. With two swift pressure points strikes from Leo, the ninjas fell flat on the ground, unconcious.The turtles sprinted past them, coughs reaching their ears as they run toward the towering metal structures. Mikey flipped into it first, Donnie Simply jumped on it, followed by Raph and Leo , who looked at the door to see If someone was coming and climbed the last after his brothers.

         The four turtles stopped at the last level of the building at a window.

Raph pulled at it, but wouldn't budge.

Raph(growled): It's closed.

Donnie( pulling out a device made with a plunger, a glass cutting knife and a giant compass): Let me do the magic trick!( The purple banded turtle cracked his knuckles, fixed the plunge and cut cleanly the glass; he took glass piece and put back the device). Ta-da!

Raph muttered Something that suspiciously sounded like ,,show-off" and they got inside. Leo unsheated his katanas, looking around while his brothers tip-toed along with him.

Leo( whispered): Donnie, did You locate the device?

Donnie( whispered): It's in the room across this one and the stairs railings, the one with the yellow exclamation mark on the door.

Raph( eyeing the many Foot ninjas that walked at that level): Great. Things can't get worse then this. At least I can kick some Foot asses.

Donnie: Guys, we're outnumbered.

Leo: This time se have no choice. If we want to get the device and go home, we have to confront them. Ready?

    They all nodded. And when a Foot ninja made the mistake to inspect the room where they were...Raph drop-kicked him in the railings, and the turles burst outside, weapons ready and lunged.

 ______________________________________________         

           The moment Raph’s kick echoed through the hallway, alarms blared—a harsh, grating noise that bounced off the walls.

Foot ninjas poured out from side doors and the hallway like a flood of shadows. They hissed, unsheathing blades and throwing shurikens.

Leo: Defensive formation! Donnie, grab that device the second we clear a path!

The turtles burst into motion.

     Leo spun forward, katanas flashing. He ducked a sword strike, pivoted, and elbowed a ninja in the ribs. Another rushed him from behind—but Leo stepped sideways and hooked his leg, flipping the attacker clean over the railing.

      Donnie smacked a Foot soldier with his bo-staff, then adashed toward the yellow-marked door, avoiding throwing stars with slick sidesteps.

      Raph was in berserker mode, grinning.

He grabbed one ninja, swung him like a bat into two others, then blocked a punch with his sai. He headbutted the guy.

Raph: I missed this. A lot.

     He kicked a crate at a group running in, knocking them flat.

      Mikey did flips and cartwheels through the chaos, his nunchucks twirling like helicopter blades. One Foot soldier lunged at him—Mikey jumped over him, landed, and smacked him square on the helmet.Mikey chuckled. The one ninja threw a punch—Mikey ducked, stuck a “kick me” sign on his back, and tripped him.

      Just as the purple-banded turtle reached the yellow-marked door, a group of ninjas ambushed him. He spinned his staff, blocking the attacks and trying to hit back, but they were too many and he had to back off. He blocked other attacks, hit one ninja, but other took his place;Donnie growled through gritted teeth, and his grip on staff was like iron, knuckles turning white. The genius turtle took one glance over his shoulder and saw that he was dangerously close to the railings.

Donnie( eyes wide, shouts):Guys! I need back up , now!

Leo( punching a ninja and sweeping it's feet): Hang on, I'm coming!( He tried to make his way to his younger brother by fighting the ninjas)

       Donnie turned just in time to block with his bo staff a sword aimed at his neck, metal clashing with wood. He broke free from that one, but in a fraction of second, another Foot ninja jump front kicked him hard; the turtle hit the railings with his Shell and lost his balance, falling over it. 

          The purple banded turtle feels weightless and the time slows down as he plummets, letting a short shriek escape his throat. His Brothers turn in horror as they see their Brother fall, pushing every ninja away to reach Donnie.

           The purple banded turtle closed his eyes and prayed in his mind for mercy,braced himself for death...But when he reached around the fifth floor, he felt himself snatched, pulled by a great force, pain shouting his body as something sharp stung his skin and air ripped from his lungs. He opened his eyes in time to see the white armor with silver and golden details and the short and soft Ginger-coppery hair...Cameron. They both flew and crashed on a wall, falling on the floor with a thud in a heap of limbs.

Cameron( brushing Donnie's long bandana tails from his face): Are You alright?

Donnie( low Voice): Y-yes. Thank You.

       He tries to get up, but the Light Guardian helps him, then She unsheats her bo staff- Scepter of Light.

Donnie( gripping his own bo-staff): How did You know we came here?

Cameron(smirks): Let's Say that a Little bird saw You and told me about this.

      Suddenly, Morse jumped ,in his Red armour and twin katanas unsheated,from Below onto the railing next to them.

Morse: I'm more like a fiery pheonix If You ask me.

Donnie: You spied on us?

Morse: Took an eye on You. But we don't have time to talk now because You have to rescue that device to go home, right?

       Donnie nodded, and the three of them climb to the battle.

______________________________________________

        The Red banded turtle managed to Slam two ninjas to make his way to the railing when he saw Donnie, Morse and Cameron jump and land, ready for battle.

Mikey( mid-fight, seeing his older brother and their new friends): You're back!

Cameron: Of course. Do You guys really believed we'll leave you alone in danger? 

     With no other words, Cameron, Morse and Donnie joined the fight along with the others. Morse flipped, swung his katanas with precision, taking of the Foot ninjas' swords and drop-kicking them; Cameron spinned her staff, knocking out and throwing over the railings the Foot. Leo keept the ninjas at bay, blocking their path to the yellowish-marked door, while Mikey and Raph tripped and slammed the enemies. The Purple banded turtle, having the path clear, sprinted down and kicked open the door, bursting in the room, and started searching franatically for the device.

Donnie( muttering, searching on a desk): Come on, come on, come on, where are--( he opens a drawer and finds it). I FOUND IT! 

     He snatched it and runned out to the battlefield, holding the Kraang teleportation device high.

Donnie( shouting): I found it!

Leo( kicking down a Foot ninja): Then we need to retreat! Now!

Mikey( taking smoke bombs from his Belt): I got it guys!( Throws the bombs, explode and form dark purple clouds around). Booyakasha!

        The turtles and the two Guardians vanished from the battlefield, sprinting down the concrete as They got outside. Cameron and Leo glanced over their shoulders to see If any Foot was coming for them; but nobody was after them.

______________________________________________

         The six warriors stopped in the middle of the gangue, taking their breath.

Raph: This..was actually kinda good.

Morse( raising an eyebrow): Really?

Raph: Yeah. We ain't beat Foot ninjas for three days, man.

Cameron ( to Donnie): That's the device?

Donnie: Yes. It was an alien enemy device I reverse-engineered so we'd be able to use.

Leo: And Mikey is banned from it.

Mikey( grinning): Still worth it.

          The older turtles rolled thier eyes, while Cameron chuckled.

Leo( looking with sad eyes at Morse and Cameron): So we go home now, huh? 

Mikey sniffles , Raph pretends to be cool.

Donnie: Yeah...Wait! (Looking at the two hybrids) I have Something for You( he searched into his Belt and takes out two T-phones). I have built this in case we lost or got ours destroyed. But I think that they will be equally usefull for You two.

Cameron( Slightly blushing): Thank You! But, Uh, are You sure You don't need them?

Donnie( waving of): Nah. I can build others anytime. Plus, You can keep communicating with us.( He gives them the phones and they take them).

Morse( putting his in a trouser's pocket): Thanks.

       The purple banded turtle touched some buttons on the device and it levitated out of his hands, projecting from above a triunghiular Pink portal.

Raph tried to act cool, but his eyes lingered a second too long.

Leo looked at them and told them that maybe they will meet again.

Donnie gave them a sad smile, trying to hide his sadness.

Mikey hugged Cameron hard, then Morse, who went absolutely stiff and awkward.

 Mikey: You ever come to New York, you better call me!

Raph: C'mon, Mikey, let's go.

As the four ninja turtles stepped through the portal, Mikey turned and waved, his Orange hoodie's sleeves flailing.

Mikey: I PROMISE WE’LL MEET AGAIN!

Cue Leo grabbing him by the shell and dragging him in along with the device just when the portal closed.

_____________________________________________

         Morse and Cameron remained frozen on their places, look at the empty spot where the Turtles stood.

Cameron (quietly):They are different, like us… and good.

Morse (lights a cigarette with his finger, replies):Better than most humans.

    A quiet breeze brushed against their bare forearms and faces.

Morse: I should go back to work. What about You?

Cameron: Nah, the others left the station early for a game or something. I told Inspector Brackenreid I had to go quickly to a mission and he was like ,,go, but don't light anything" and left with Murdoch, Julia and the constables.

Morse: Well, I'm not so lucky. I have to leave Thursday home and return in time before Mr. Bright observes my absence and yells at me when I return.

Cameron( smirks, nudges): Mr. Bright enjoys yelling at people. Seriously, If he doesn't yell then Something's wrong with him, isn't it?

Morse( weak Smiley): Yeah..and I think he enjoys yelling at me the most. People seem to enjoy hating me.

Cameron(playfully): Maybe your face plays a role too.

Morse( fake offended): My face?!

Cameron( leans in close): Yes. But despite all your cold exterior, I know that Deep down it's a good, warm heart that doesn't like to be exposed to everyone.

Morse freezed for a moment, then blushed Slightly.

Morse: I should go now..

Cameron: See You later then.

          He walked away toward the back entrance of this station house, while She watched him untill he entered and then left, heading to her flat.

To be continued....

Chapter Text

   Chapter 6

 New York City, 10 AM

         The silence of the empty lair was broken as the four mutant turtles fell on a heap on the floor of the living room from a Pink portal.

Raph( groaning): Ugh, we should stop landin' like this.

Donnie(panicking, looking around): The device! Where-

Leo( holding the device in his hand): I got it.

Donnie( reliefed): Thank God..

      They stood up, dusting of their gear.

Mikey: Good to be home, guys! Sewers, sweet sewers.

Leo: Don't get to hyped. You're still grounded.

Mikey pouted and slumped in defeat, while Raph chuckled.   

          Soon enough, Master Splinter appeared from his room and rushed to his Sons.

Splinter: My Sons, where have You been? I searched You everywhere and couldn't find You.

Raph: Long story short, Mikey messed with Donnie's gizmo an' send us across the ocean in Oxford, England.

Mikey: And we meet two awesome elves that fight crime and love eachother!

Splinter: What?

Mikey: They are police officers, Sensei! And one , Morse, is brooding and pretends to be cold, but he's a cool guy that bends fire! And the other is woman named Cameron and She's so cool and--( Raph slaps a hand over his youngest brother's mouth).

Raph: Okay, Ya're done here genius.

Mikey: Mmph!

Raph: Shut up.

     Master Splinter sighed , a sigh only a father of four mutant ninja teenagers can have, and dragged a hand over his face.

Leo( trying to fix the situation): But they are good persons that fight the evil and hide their nature, just like us.

Splinter: Are they mutants too?

Donnie( intervenind): Actually, Master Splinter, they aren't mutants, but hybrids between mystical beings: elves...and humans.

Splinter: So they are mystical warriors send by the ancient gods.

Donnie wanted to open his mouth to correct his father, but Leo slapped a hand over the purple banded turtle's mouth.

Leo(nervous Smile): Yes, yes they are. But( worried expression) ..it's something there that it's concerning..

Splinter( interested): What is it, Leonardo?

Leo: While we retrieved the device, we found Foot Clan ninjas preparing a base there.

Splinter: Why would Shredder send his soldiers and build a base in England?

Leo: We don't know yet, Sensei. But Something tells me that Shredder has a new twisted plan.

     Splinter stroked his beard, analysing the informations he just heard. 

Suddenly..

Raph( waving hand): Ya licked my hand, Mikey!

Mikey: You didn't lemme go, Raphie. 

Raph( cracking his knuckles): I'll show ya Raphie..( lunges at the freckled turtle ) Come here!

Mikey( dodges and hides behind Leo): You can't hit me!

     Splinter got out of his thoughts and turned to the Orange banded turtle.

Splinter: Michelangelo?

Mikey( smiles nervously): Yes?

Splinter: You caused this disturbance in... dimension travelling, didn't you?

Mikey: Ugh, yes?

Splinter: Then we will have a talk about this. In the dojo.

Mikey: Like now?

Splinter: Yes. And Leonardo will come too because I want the full story and a second opinion about the events.

       Mikey give his Best puppy- eyes, but the ninja master knocked swiftly with his staff on the floor, signaling his Sons to go.

       And just as they three went to the dojo, Mikey saw Raph chuckling and then coughing, trying to hide it, and Donnie giving a weak thumbs-up and mouthed ,,Good luck".

______________________________________________

Oxford, England, 4 days later

         Pink and Orange trays mixed on the Sky, as the last sun rays kissed the town before the night's arrival. The last sun rays entered through the windows of Cameron's flat, casting dancing shadows across the living room.

         The Light Guardian was sitting cross-legged on the couch, sketching a flaming blade on her sketchbook. Morse, who had came for a visit and spend some time with his Best friend, was looking at her books, running a thin index finger on the titles as he read them.

Morse( eyes squinting at a Raymond Chandler book): I see that You keept the novel with Philippe Marlow I gave You in high-school.

Cameron ( looking up from her sketchbook): Of course I did. I enjoyed Marlow's street-smart style and sarcasm.

Morse: He doesn't have that elegance like Sherlock.

Cameron: Yeah, but despite being flawed, he's still lovable and funny.

Morse: Yes, but--

     From her coats' pocket, a short notification sound escaped. She shoved her hand in the pocket and took out the T-phone Donnie gave her.

     It was a message from Mikey.

Mikey: Hi, Cameron! What'cha doing?

     Morse raised an eyebrow , walked and sat next to his leader.

Morse: Don't tell me, it's Michelangelo, isn't he?

Cameron: Yes he is. (She start typing).

       In the chat:

Cameron: Very well, Thanks. How about You and Your Brothers?

Mikey: Training, fighting evil, eating pizza, our ninja stuff. Hey, do You remember when I broke in Morse's station house?

Cameron: Yes, why?

Mikey: I got grounded for a week for this by Leo and Master Splinter.😭😭

Cameron: Who's Master Splinter?

Mikey: Our mutant humanoid rat father that îs a ninja master, duh.

In the flat.

Morse: Only Mikey could have said that.

Cameron smirked.

In the chat:

Cameron: If You're grounded, then how are You texting me?

Mikey: Oh, Donnie helped me. He said he needed me to help him with Something in the lab, and he also let me secretly text You guys...If I Bring him coffee in exchange for the cover, of course.☕☕

Cameron: 😆 of course he did. 

Mikey: Well, I kinda have to return to work...So chat You soon!🤗😁 Btw, Donnie says hi and asks how are You guys.

Cameron: Text You soon them..😘😘

Mikey: 🥰🥰.

In the flat: 

Morse( smiling despite himself): He's a good menace.

Cameron: He has a good heart, Morse, despite his goofiness.

Morse: And turns out to be very sociable for a mutant turtle.

Cameron ( smirks, playfully ruffles his hair): Maybe You could take some lessons from him.

Morse rolled his eyes but leaned his head against her shoulder.

______________________________________________

       Epilogue

Meanwhile, somewhere in New York City, in a tall, dark and towering building, Shredder was pacing back and forth in his throne room, his polished armour clattering as he stepped with his heavy boots.

          Suddenly, the large heavy doors of the room opened, and TigerClaw entered and stopped near the doors.

TigerClaw: Master Shredder, I just received the report from our base in England.

Shredder: Did they finished asambling the base?

TigerClaw: No, Master. Actually, they got ambushed by the turtles and two martial artists humans with weapons.

Shredder( snarling): THE TURLTES?! How did they get in there?

TigerClaw: The ninja commender said that they used a stolen Kraang teleportation device.

Shredder: Those turtles...and now they have allies there?

TigerClaw: A man and a woman, with weapons and strange armours. They said they moved at inhuman speed and that the woman used a strange staff. Some Say that they might be yokais or worse.

Shredder: Tell them to return to New York. I will deal with them here.

TigerClaw: Yes, Master.

Shredder: Send Rahzar and other ninjas in Oxford. He will train them. And considering that those humans seem to not be humans but supernatural beings, I will go in Oxford to finish them myself.

TigerClaw: Your wish is my command, Master Shredder.

       The mutant tiger bowed in front of his master and walked away, the heavy doors closing behind him with no sound.

       Shredder sat in his throne, slamming his right fist in the arm of the throne,feeling his blood boiling in his veins.

Shredder: Those filty mutant turtles and their new strange allies will pay for ruining my plans. When I found them, they will understand why I am called the Shredder..

The End.

Chapter Text

        2017

      It all started with a flood.

It was a peacefull October evening in 2017, cold wind flowing down the streets of Oxford and taking the coppery leaves from the pavement and trees. Jim was watching a talent show, eating popcorn and sitting comfortably on the couch when his phone rang. Without getting up, he took the phone from his coffee table and answered.

Jim: Jim Strange here.

Morse( a bit panicked): Jim, thank fire You answered.

Jim: Hey mate, What's up? Why d'you sound like You're under attack?

Morse: Well, actually, I am...kind of.

Jim( raising an eyebrow): What do You mean ,,kind of"? The Master of Darkness' soldiers are there?

Morse:No, no, Jim. Um, well, my flat got flodded.

        In the next 5 minute, Morse explained how his flat got flooded when a pipe burst during one of his “Fire meditation sessions” (meaning he was probably trying to boil water with his fire powers). So naturally, the universe decided Jim Strange’s apartment would become a temporary refugee camp for the Fire Guardian.

Morse: Can I stay at your flat for a week until my flat is fixed?

Jim: Sure, matey. 

Morse: Thanks...You're the best, Jim. I'll pack my things and come at your place at 21. See You soon!

   The call closed.

   Jim put his phone back on the coffee table and looked back at the TV, thinking that he made a good decision helping a friend in trouble.

......he would regret that a week later

______________________________________________

         At precisely 20:55, when the ending credits were rolling on the TV screen,Jim Strange heard three hard knocks on his flat's door. The Broad Man stood up from the couch that creacked and marched up to his door and opened it.

       And there he was. Endeavour Morse, Fire Guardian, human-elf hybrid, swordsmaster.....drenched head to toe, white holding two suitcases and looking like a very angry drowned cat. His Ginger-coppery hair was plastered on his forehead, his white t-shirt ,from under his military Green trench coat , clung to him like a second skin, showing his pale abs and ribs. His white-and-red Converse squealed every time he stepped, and his Light blue straight jeans were dark blue from the amount of water.

Jim: You look like Death after a cold shower, Morse.

Morse ( sarcastic): Thanks. And You still look like a fridge.

Jim( gesturing behind him): Come in. I'll take a some towels.( He headed to his bedroom).

       The thin man walked in, threw his suitcases next to the coffee table and plopped on the couch, head in his hands. He sighed ,and just then, Jim returned.

Jim gaved Morse a towel and sat next to him.

Morse( drying his hair): Thanks,Jim.

Jim: You're welcome. 

Morse: I just talked with the instalator. He told be that the pipes will be fixed Sunday...and told me to not help him.

Jim: Why not? You really can help him.

Morse( slams the towel next to him, runs a hand throw his hair): Turns out, he doesn't need ,,smartass with overly complicated diplomas engineers" to help him.

Jim: That must have been a good hit, mate.

Morse( deadpean, looking Jim in his Brown eyes): I'm considering setting one of his eyebrows on fire with my fire powers after he finishes his work...and I'm still thinking which one to burn.

Jim( laugh nervously): Heh, well,I prepared the guest room. You can sleep in there while You're here.

Morse: Thanks, but I could have sleept here, or in the bathroom or the floor.

Jim: Nonsense.( Yawns, stretches). I'm going to sleep. You can stay awake If You want.( Yawns again). Night, Morse.( He gets up from the couch and walks in his bedroom).

        Morse remained in his place and watched as his corpolent closed the door behind him. He took one look at his suitcases, back at Jim's bedroom, and back at the suitcases; and he picked them up and walked in the guest room. He didn't bother to unpack them then because he had enough time the next day after work, but still he took and put on long black pajama pants and a white tank top. 

         Morse flopped on the bed and curled under the blanket, slowly drifting off to sleep...

______________________________________________

Monday: The Shower of Doom

6:20 AM.

Jim was standing in the shower.

Hot water. Peace. Enya playing softly in the background. He’s wrapped in steam, grace, and his trusty pink bonnet with “BAD BOY BUBBLE QUEEN” stitched with rhinestones( a gift from Fancy).The world was quiet. The soap was lavender. His soul was clean.

Then the door creaks open. A shadow crosses the curtain.

A Voice: Mornin’, Jim! Your sink’s making death rattles.

Jim froze.

The voice belonged to Morse. Elf. Flatmate. Creature of chaos in a cardigan.

Jim( yelling):MORSE. I AM NAKED.

Morse:I’m not looking. Just grabbing a wrench.

      Jim peeked his Head out from behind the curtains and saw Morse crouched under the sink with a wrench, a biscuit in his mouth, and a cup of tea balanced on his knee.

Jim: YOU'RE HAVING A SNACK IN MY BATHROOM WHILE I’M NAKED.

Morse ( half-muffled from the biscuit): I didn't eat in three days, Jim. Let me eat something or I'll faint.

Jim( exasperated):YOU SHOULDN’T BE IN HERE!

But the older man was already on the floor, under the sink, tools clanking.

Jim threw a rubber duck at him.

Morse (dodged): Excellent trajectory.

Then Jim hurled a bottle of conditioner. It bounced off Morse's shoulder and he thanked Jim for the “refreshing coconut.”

Jim slipped on conditioner, screamed, and knocked over the shampoo shelf.

Morse fixed the sink. Left behind two biscuit crumbs and a sticky note on the mirror that said ‘Nice pipes.’

When the larger man finally got out — drenched, furious, and betrayed — he found tea stains on his bath mat.

Morse( from the entrance door, already ready for work in jeans, a Button up shirt, sneakers, his trench coat and backpack): See You at work ,Jim!

Jim's inner peace packed a bag and left.

______________________________________________

Tuesday: The Spicy Inferno

        That day at the Cowley Station House could have only be described as ,,chaotic as Bell": three murders on a roll, an incident when two arrested men attacked eachother before they were closed in cells( Morse managed to tackle one, he got punched in the ribs, and Thursday punched the arrested Man in the ribs; Jim caught the other, and the suspect kicked him in the shin)....and a mission during work: Jim, Morse, Fancy and Cameron went to stop some soldiers of Master of Darkness before they managed to steal a sacred artifact from Ashmolean Museum.

         So naturally, Jim was exhausted and wanted a simple and delicious dinner. He walked in the kitchen and found Morse stirring Something, humming a Mahler opera.

Jim: Morse, what’s for dinner? 

Morse: Something light. Airy. Just a gentle curry.

   Jim frowned, suspicious of the ,,light, airy curry" Morse cooked.

There are three things Jim discovered about Morse across the years:

1. Morse is the Fire Guardian and fire doesn't cause him burns.

2. Morse's tolerance for spice is inhumane.

3. Jim had heartburn from smelling the stew.

What he served his colleague could only be described as a war crime in a bowl.

The curry glowed. Not metaphorically. It had bioluminescence.

Jim took a bite.

Jim( face beet red):Morse, what did you put in this?

Morse( calm, unbothered):Ghost pepper. Dragon pepper. A whisper of flame essence. A dash of something I found labeled ,,volatile".

Immediately, Jim saw his childhood. His late grandma. A raccoon. A trumpet. All dancing.

He saw his ancestors doing the Macarena.

He saw Cameron giving him a thumbs-up from the clouds.

He died. Spiritually.

    He drank the entire galon of milk, chewed ice cubs and stuck his head in the fridge. Morse, on the other hand, was peacefully eating curry, breaking not even a sweat.

Morse: Hm, needs a bit more spice, doesn't it?

Jim never wanted more in his life to slap one of his friends.

Later, after he partially recovered he called called Cameron and told her what happened.

Jim( also):I think my soul left my body and is now marinating.

      Cameron laughed for 6 straight minutes and closed the call.

______________________________________________

Wednesday: Morning train drill 

             Light Grey clouds were scattered on the lavender-blue sky like lost broken toys. It was half past 4 in the morning, the sun nowhere to be seen. It was the kind of hour were even a city like Oxford was sleeping.

            The Constable was snoring like a chainsaw in his bed, the blanket lazily tucked under his chin , and dreaming about being a Chief SuperIntendent when he Heard a soft crash( Morse hitting the coffee table accidentaly).

           Jim didn't bother to wake up and rolled over. 

         But the sounds kept coming: soft thuds( Morse landing from his backflips, spinning flips and kick- jumps), the sound of air being sliced( Morse practicing kata) and the occasional sound of Something small clattering on the floor( Morse's earphones falling from his ears). Jim knew that Morse was the sound of this noise and choosed to ignore his lunatic flatmate.

         And suddenly every sound stopped. Jim listened for a full minute to be sure he wasn't halucinating; but the noise stopped.

Jim( mumbling, rolling over again): Finally...

        He nestled even better in his bed, drifting back to his sleep and dream when he felt Something poking his cheek.

A voice( whispered): Morning, Jim.

Jim opened his eyes and nearly jumped out of his skin.

     Morse was slighlty bent over Jim, in full armour, katanas sheated across the back toward the right.

Jim: WHAT THE ACTUALL HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!

Morse: Morning training, of course.

Jim( taking a look at the watch from his bedside): It's 4 and a half in the bloody morning! Are You bonkers, mate?

Morse: Oh, Please, Jim. Sleep is overrated. We have enough time to sleep after we die. But now, as we live, we stay awake and live!

Jim( hissed): Get. Out. From. My. Bedroom.

Morse: It's time to get up and train, Jim. Now come on, get up, and rise and shine.

Jim: If You don't get out in the next 10 seconds, I will personally throw You THROUGH the window. And we are at first floor.

Morse: So what? I do insane jumps from higher floors and perfectly land with no broken bones.

Jim( puffing, eyes narrowed): You better run or so help me--

Thwack!

Jim: What the--

Morse( holding a pillow): If You don't get down from the bed the easy way, then I'll get You down with The hard way.( He smacks Jim again).

Jim( throwing the blanket , standing up and cracking his big knuckles): That's it!

       Morse threw the pillow at younger Man's face and sprinted.

Jim( running after Morse): Come back here, You skinny menace!

        They run across the hallway, then in the living room. Jim tried to tackle Morse, but the Fire Guardian flipped and Jim crashed in the wall.

Morse:Ha! Too slow, big guy!

       Jim stood up and chased again.

         After half an hour of yelling, crashing, threats and a neighbour threating to call the landlord, they gave up and slumped on the couch.

Morse: Wasn't this refreshing?

Jim( panting): I hate You.

Morse: Do You want some pancakes?

Jim:...I still hate You.

         Later that day, during lunchbreak, Thursday passed by Jim's office and saw the Constable staring at his sandwich.

Thursday: What's wrong, lad? You look like someone stole You Something.

Jim( pointing at Morse at the End of the room, typing Something): He stole my will to live.

Thursday ( taking his pipe from his trench coat 's coat): Eh, you'll live. I have raised him for 14 years; a week with with him is nothing.

Jim: If I disappear, it was the brooding elf with blue eyes.

         The Inspector rolled his eyes and left, his heavy steps echoing as he walked. Jim hit the desk with his Head.

______________________________________________

Thursday : The Sticky Note Revolution

         It was a warm day. The Sky was clean, the wind was a small breeze that barely brushed and kids were playing and laughing. Jim thought he will finally have a peacefull day. He was wrong.

        He barely opened the door of his flat when he saw the scene.

Books ,about History, Math, Physics, Art, Engineering,and even Detective novels, were everywhere.On the sofa. On the coffee table. On the kitchen counter. On Jim's room.One was titled “50 Ways to Use Fire Indoors (Legally)”.

Jim had enough.

He hid Morse’s engineering projects. Disassembled one “plasma cannon.” Hid Morse’s “Anti-Jim Emergency Kit” (which contains a taser and earplugs). And most importantly, Morse's vynil records with Mahler and Wagner.

        When he returned to the flat and didn't saw them, Morse searched them franatically.

Morse(muttering, searching in the kitchen cabinets): Where are them? Where are them? Come one, where-

Jim( leaning against a wall, arms crossed, smirking): Missing Something, matey?

Morse( eyes narrowing): You did this, didn't You?

Jim: I may or may not. I'm going to take a nap.Good luck finding your papers and things, Fire Boy.

   Morse glared at him.

Three hours later, the sergeant eventually found everything.

In the evening, Jim woke up, walked to his car, and discovers hundreds of sticky notes plastered across the windshield.

Messages include:

“You can hide my stuff, but not your sins.”

“I know what you did last Thursday.”

“I melted all the spoons.”

 “I swapped two eggs from fridge. Psychological test.”

 “You’re now being judged by the bathroom light switch."

A few pedestrians past by, looked and burst out laughing.

Jim stared at his car. Then, up at the sky, like asking the gods.

Jim:Why me?

______________________________________________

Friday – Roast Day (And Not the Edible Kind)

At breakfast in the living room, Morse looked Jim up and down, leaned back and smirked. 

Morse:You know... if I melted you down, I’m pretty sure I could make armor. And maybe a boat.

Jim ( narrowed his eyes): Careful.

Morse:I’m just saying, you’re the only person I know who breaks scales by standing on them.

Jim:Oh yeah?And you’re the only guy I know who could be kidnapped by a strong breeze.

Morse:Your biceps have biceps.

Jim:And your shoulders are made of twigs and regret.

Morse:You know, if we dropped you in a boxing ring, they’d classify you as a ‘walking fridge.’

Jim (raised an eyebrow):Say that again?

Morse:I said... you could legally be a small SUV.

Jim:Oh, you think you’re funny, string bean? You look like a rejected elf model from Lord of the Rings.

Morse:Better than the final boss of a buffet.

Jim tossed a slice of bacon at him. Morse caught it mid-air—with chopsticks.

They both started laughing—until Jim deadlifted the sofa with Morse still on it.

Morse( yelped):Put me down!

Jim just walked in circles.

______________________________________________

Saturday – The Great Vase Incident

Jim’s pride and joy was a rare, hand-painted flower vase from his grandmother.

Morse’s doom came when he attempted a spin-kick and accidentaly hit and took down the vase with his heel.

CRASH.

Jim stared at the fragments of the broken vase. 

Jim:You. Broke. Giulia.

Morse (slowly backing away): It was an accident!

Jim( cracking his knuckles and neck):You’ve signed your will, Elf Boy.

Morse ran. Jim chased. He cornered him on the balcony.

With a smirk and a salute, Morse LEAPT OFF.

Jim gasped—only to see Morse land perfectly like the true ninja he is.

Morse (yelled): Parkour!

Jim leaned over and started chucking Morse’s two suitcases down after him. 

Jim:You want dramatic? TAKE YOUR DRAMA WITH YOU!

Morse (dodged and yelled):YOU COULD BE A WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION—IN A HUG.

Down below, neighbors witnessed a chair, a toaster, a pink bonnet , and a packet of quinoa flying out of the second floor.Then:

Morse (yelling): YOU CAN’T CATCH ME, I’M A FIRE GUARDIAN.

Jim (shouting): I’M A HEAVYWEIGHT WITH ANGER ISSUES.

______________________________________________

SUNDAY – The Day of Reckoning

Jim woke at 6 a.m. in war paint.

He dressed as a monk.

No, a samurai.

No, a silent agent of revenge: Jason Voorhees.

Morse, finally in his fixed flat, had just fall asleep in long baggy red checkered pijama pants and a Grey t-shirt when the door BURST open.

Jim stood in the doorway, wearing a hockey mask, holding a fake chainsaw buzzing like a hornet.It was the final straw.

Jim: TIME TO PAY FOR YOUR CRIMES, DEMON ELF.

Morse screamed a sound so high only dogs could hear. Leapt out of bed. Grabbed his katanas, spun, and tackled Jim into the carpet.

Jim(screaming ,the chainsaw whirred weakly):STOP! IT’S ME! IT’S JIM! JIM! THE CHAINSAW'S FAKE!

Morse (sitting on Jim's chest, held his katana an inch from Jim’s neck):ARE YOU MAD?!I'M A TRAINED NINJA ASSASSIN! I COULD HAVE KILLED YOU!

Jim (wheezed):...yes. After a week with you? Absolutely bonkers. I'm still trying to figure out how Cameron doesn't lose her mind with You.

They layed there, panting.

Morse: ...Next time, I’m staying with Cameron.

Jim: You’re banned from this flat. For life.

______________________________________________

EPILOGUE 

Cameron, in straight black jeans, her Green flared trench coat , white ankle sneakers and a black Button up shirt , knocked on the door. Jim opened it slowly, still wearing the mask, covered in post-curry sweat, looking like a man who hadn’t slept since the Cold War, and holding a cup of lukewarm rea.

Cameron: Hey! What's up, Jim?

Jim: Take him.

Cameron(confused): ..who?

Jim: Take your boyfriend.

Cameron( blushing Slightly): He's my Best friend, not my boyfriend.

Jim: He can be Pope from Rome; I don't care. Just take him.

Cameron: But his flat is fixed and he doesn't live with You anymore.

Jim: He came to visit me.

Morse (entering the room with a grin): Miss me?

Jim flinched so hard he spilled his tea.

Cameron nods.

Cameron:I’m taking him with me.

Jim bursts into tears of joy. 

Jim:Thank the gods. The walls talk now.

Cameron ( to Morse): What did You do to Jim?

Jim( intrerupting): He ruined my will to live.

Cameron( lights cigarette using her Light powers):Sounds like a typical day with Morse.

Jim: You’re all lunatics.

      Morse and Cameron left, and Jim closed the door. And locked it. And blocked Morse's number for six hours. Only six cause they are friends.

      The End.

Chapter Text

      Chapter 1

  The first warm rays of sun passed through windows edged by brown curtains, casting long shadows and landing on the dishelved matress and blanket from the bed. A small ray passed from the higher corner of the window, spilling on the faces of William and Julia, the latter one resting her head on her husband's shoulder. William blinked for multiple times, adjusting to the light of sun from the morning.

He carefully and slowly got down from bed, avoiding to accidentaly sit on her long, blond hair spilled across the pillows and to wake her up.

    Murdoch tip-toed until outside the bedroom, then washed up in the bathroom and changed his pajamas with his impecable three-pieces Brown suit, bowler hat and polished black shoes. He took one more glance at his wife and Sussanah, their four year old daughter who sleept peacefully on her bed, then left to the station house number 4, closing the door silently behind him.

     Murdoch rode his bike to the station house, passing by pedestrians, students who went to courses, teachers and other workers, enjoying the Light and clean Sky and the historical buildings of the Oxford, the sweet scent of flowers floating in the air through the streets.Birds chirped from thier hidden places on the trees, and the city had his usual humm of life.

     The Detective arrived quickly, observing that the station house was as loud and cheerful as ever, people coming in through the double dark heavy wooden doors from the main entrance, and Constables Morrison and Paul guarding them. Murdoch greeted them, then walked in , welcomed by the sound of typing, writing and chatting. He walked past by the constables' desks when Detective Sergeant Cameron Grey, his superior, in Light blue wide leg jeans, a white Button up shirt, a denim jacket and sneakers,stopped him, holding a report in one hand and a sandwich in the other.

Murdoch: Ah, good morning ,Miss Grey.

Cameron: Morning, Murdoch. And stop calling me ,,Miss Grey", it feels too...formal.

Murdoch: Ugh, sure...Sergeant.

Cameron( snorted): You got me here.I didn't Tell You exactly how to call me..Anyway, I've got a case for You. A murder on the Observatory Street, at the nothern edge of Jericho.

Murdoch : A murder, I see. Why didn't you..

Cameron( taking a bite from the sandwich): took the case? ' cause I have another murder to solve in the other part of the city, on the Chinese ward. Crabtree and dr. Robert Harrison are waiting You there. 

Murdoch: Good. Then I will go.

Cameron( taking another bite): Mhm. Sure. See You later then.

  ______________________________________________

          Murdoch took the corner with his bike and saw clearly in front of an old house the Constables securing the crime scene and the photographer taking photos of the scene. And as soon as he came closer, he saw dr Harrison, the pathologist, sitting with his legs under him and checking the dead body of the victim, a man.

       The Detective got down from the bike and let it next to the police car, walking to his colleagues. George Crabtree saw him first, and welcomed him first.

Crabtree ( to Murdoch): Morning, sir.

Murdoch( taking down his bowler hat, crossing himself and putting it back on his Head): Morning, George. What do we have here?

Crabtree: Sir, a pedestrian found him at 7 o'clock here.

Murdoch: And where îs this pedestrian?

Crabtree( pointing behind them, at Constable Jackson and an auburn-haired woman): Miss Ashley Traylen, student at St John’s College. She was walking for courses when She found the dead body and called the police. Constable Jackson's taking her a declaration.

Murdoch: Very well, George.

      Murdoch approached the doctor exactly when he stood up and took of his gloves, dusting of his hands.

Murdoch( saluting with his hat): Doctor.

Robert Harrison ( turning to the Detective, cheerful): Ah, Detective Murdoch! Nice to see You!

Murdoch: Um, Nice to see You too.What did You find, doctor?

Robert Harrison: The victim is a Man in his early to mid-forties. No documents or identification signs, no signs of physical attack. Judging by the early state of rigor mortis, I would Say that he died 4-6 hours ago.

Murdoch: But he could have been poisoned?

Robert Harrison( adjusting his bracelet): Absolutely. But first I have to do the autopsy. Hm, 3 o'clock sounds well? I have other two guys back at the morgue who died on a car accident. They tought that overtakimg other cars will Make them gods of streets; turns out, they made them angels.

Murdoch: If You Discover Something by the time-

Robert: I know, I know, call You. How's doctor Ogden? I haven't seen her since she took the full time job at the hospital.( He headed to his car)

Murdoch( walking by his side),: She had a night shift and I left her sleeping.

Robert: Remembers me of some days in college..dr. Grace told me to ask about her, wanting to go to a girl's night.

Murdoch: She can call her later, Julia's free tomorrow.

Robert( in the car, revviving the engine): Good, I'll tell her. Remember, 3 o'clock the autopsy. The Constables will Carry the dead body to the morgue as soon as possible.

       The doctor started his car , a sleek black BMW Z4, and drove off, leaving Murdoch with the constables who were ready to finish there and leave. Crabtree, who carried a box, stopped when the Detective stood in his way.

Murdoch: George, I need the declarations of the neighbours. Maybe they saw something during night. After all, this street isn't empty.

Crabtree: Yes, sir. 

George said, and hurried away with his box of forms, smooth and eager as ever. Murdoch remained for a few moments, watching the constables finish cordoning off the yard and the photographer angle his last shot. The morning had stretched thin and bright across the street; the ordinary motions of the city—bicycles, deliveries, a dog being walked—made the violence of the morning feel, absurdly, almost out of place.

He threaded his way back to his bicycle, palms still dusted with the fine print of notepaper and the ghost of the hat’s ribbon on his forehead. At the station house the bustle had not lessened: someone was arguing with a woman at the front desk about a lost umbrella; a radio murmured, half-singing, half-muttering, in the corner. Murdoch tipped his hat to Constable Morrison and then walked to the spacious room he thought of as his, containing a chair, a large desk with various gadgets and folders and noticeboard of pinned memos and the occasional photograph.

He set his hat down, unhooked his watch and ran one hand over the face of it, thinking of Julia’s sleeping hair and the light across her cheek. The thought steadied him the way a small, exact ritual steadied other men; he put the watch back and turned his attention to the case.

______________________________________________

Murdoch (as Crabtree reappeared with a notepad already half filled): Find anything from the neighbors?

George (spread his hands): All spent the night. Windows closed. Old Mrs. Penfold says she heard the clock strike three and nothing else. Mr. Hayward heard some carts in the distance but—(he shrugged).No voices, no quarrels. Miss Traylen—she’s still shaken but says she found him and called straight away.

Murdoch read and re-read the statements. They were clean in their way that made him uneasy: precise, apologetic, full of the little asides people add to mark themselves decent and helpful. Nothing to follow. He asked Crabtree to take another run at the houses with Constable Jackson, to make sure the statements were verbatim, to press for anything—an unfamiliar footfall, a stray sound. Crabtree nodded and left, trudging toward the corner where the reporters were starting to gather.

Murdoch spent the next hours in small, unproductive routines. He checked the street for cameras—there were a couple, mounted on lamp-posts at odd angles designed to miss things—and he noted the impossibility of getting a clear view for the hours in which the man had died. He examined the victim’s shoes again, less for trace than to occupy his hands, and rifled through pockets that were, as Dr. Harrison had said, bare of identification. An empty cigarette packet, a matchbox with the corner torn, a single ticket stub for some theatre or other—those scraps told him nothing he could lean on.

       Murdoch sighed and put his magnifying glass down on the desk. There were no evidence, no trace about the attacker, and still, the man was murdered..but how? He always found something, anything to catch on and discover a theory related about the events..but this case was different.

       Even in the lunch break, the Detective looked blankly at his food and didn't bother to eat , too immersed on his thoughts. He absently poked the spaghettis from his bowl when a hand, with long, slim fingers with a blue -band ring on the middle one, placed a fresh and hot cup of tea next to his bowl. Looking up, Murdoch saw the hand's owner: Cameron, and next to her, Constable Charlie Clark.

Cameron( leaning with her elbows on the table): How's going the Murder, Murdoch? Did You find something?

Murdoch: Actually, Sergeant, I am close to a dead End.

Cameron raised an eyebrow, while Charlie stopped mid-chewing his donut.

Cameron: Wait, are You serious? You usually have a theory or something shortly after the begining of the investigation.

Murdoch: This time, I have nothing except for the dead body. Maybe Dr. Harrison discovered something usefull.

Charlie: Maybe, maybe not. ( To Cameron). Hey, this case looks like a Harry Houdini magic number! Like, no trace , but somehow, the trick still happened.

Cameron: Seriously, Charlie?

Charlie( snorted): Oh, don't act like You didn't like the comparision.

Cameron( rolling eyes): I did. But it won't help Murdoch in his investigation.

     Murdoch ignored the banter between those two and took a look at his vintage pocket watch. The break was quick to end and it was just one more hour until the autopsy. He got up mid-banter( the banter switched to cars), took his hat, excused himself and, with determination, headed for morgue.

______________________________________________

      The morgue squatted behind the hospital, a low building of brick and iron, freshly painted white and with new, modern windows, smelling faintly of disinfectant and the cold air of cellars. He left his bicycle and passed a new light Brown wooden door that shut with a measured thud. Inside, the corridor lights hummed, and as the Detective walked, the soft humming of a rock song reached his ears.The walk felt longer than it should, but he didn't bother.

     Murdoch walked into the examination room, where dr Harrison, in his flared jeans, Button up shirt, white lab coat , apron and long gloves, was writing something into a report at his desk. The younger Man saw him and got up quickly, hands clasped, standing next to the slab.

Robert: I see You made it, Detective. Let's get to the business, shall we?

Murdoch: What did You find?

Robert( taking down the blanket from the dead body's face): Well, as I said, the victim is a Man in his early to mid-forties. I didn't found any tattos , dubious illnesses or other possible identificatation signs.

Murdoch: And the cause of death?

Robert: Well, our guy here died around 1 to 2 AM this day, the cause of death being asfixiation.( Opening with two fingers one eye of the dead Man, pointing at the redness). As You see, he has petepetechial hemorrhage that confirms me the asfixiation.

Murdoch: Does it show any signs of physical attack?

Robert: No, there are no signs. And even more surprinsingly, there are no poisons or strange substances in his organism.

Murdoch( confused): Are You sure? 

Robert( nodding Seriously): Very sure. I ran all the tests.

     Murdoch crouched and took a better look at the victim's face, neck and hands, looking for any signs of dirt or other materials.

Robert( smirking): Well, Murdoch, looks like You deal with a professional assassin.

Murdoch: I doubt that in Oxford are professional assassins. And even If they are, they should leave an evidence of their presence.

Robert: Are You sure, Detective? Because this kind of people are like shadows: once the sun rises, they dissapear entiterly. I can Tell You from experience.

Murdoch: Then what should I do?

Robert( taking of his gloves, giving Murdoch a smug smirk): You're the Detective, not me. You're the one that solves crimes. I just dissect dead bodies all day and tell what killed these poor souls...(Takes a cigarette, lights it and takes a drag) well, not all are ,,poor", but You get what I mean.

Murdoch( sighs): Thank You for help, dr. Harrison.

Robert( sitting at his desk, taking a pen): Good luck with your misterious guy. I will keep studiu him, maybe I missed Something.

       The Detective adjusted his bowler hat on his Head and left, closing the door gently behind him. Walking down the corridor, with his footsteps echoing as his leather shoes touched the cold tile floor, Murdoch realised something about his current case: it wasn't like something he had ever dealt before.

     To be continued....

Chapter Text

         Chapter 2

     The sound of high-heels clattering rythmicaly echoed down the hallway of the Cowley Station House, blending in with the typing sound and the loud chatter of constables.  

      Miss Phryne Fisher, glamorous and elegant as ever in a pair of black high heels, a navy blue skirt suit, a purse and a white blouse, marched toward the back of the room with the confidence only She could muster. The Constables couldn't help, but turn their heads toward her, expressing their admiration in various degrees. There, in the last desk and backed by the old, big folders' cabinet, Morse was laser focused on a document, his blue eyes narrowed as he read. Golden sun rays passed through the window, making Morse's Ginger-coppery hair appear even lighter, high-lighting the golden streakes and roots.

       The lady detective smiled, and when she arrived at his desk, She sat on the edge of it, one leg drapped over the other as She adjusted her skirt.

Miss Fisher: Hello, darling.

Morse( not looking up from his papers): Aren't You supposed to work?

Miss Fisher: As a private detective, I have the advantage to have a more free schedule...and more freedom.

Morse: More freedom to pester the others, actually.

Miss Fisher ( ruffling a curl from his hair): Why are You so grumpy, darling? You look like a kicked out hot English poet.

Morse( looking from his papers, deadpean): What do You want?

Miss Fisher ( playing innocent): Who says I want something ? Maybe I just dropped by to see You.

Morse: From what I know, You never come to someone unless You need Something. 

Miss Fisher ( She places her hand next to his): Hm...maybe I came to see what hides beneath those crisp dress shirts ....

Morse( blushing slighlty, shifts uncomfortable): Just get to the subject, can't You? 

Miss Fisher(rolling her eyes, taking a paper from her bra): Fine.You are no fun, sweetie. 

Morse( leaning on his chair, arms crossed): Well? What do You need?

Miss Fisher: It's not necesarry about what I need, but about what others may need.

      The Sergeant took the photo from her hands and took a better look. The photo was of a tall and well-built man, wearing an expensive navy suit with a black tie and white Button up shirt, Golden buttons gleaming from the cuffs, and black sleeked hair, looking every ounce of a rich and respectull man in his fourties.

Morse( looking confused, then titling his Head): And who do You Say is this man?

Miss Fisher leaned closer to Morse, her bows' tails brushing Morse's shirt sleeve.

Miss Fisher: Patrick Hatcher. He has a huge farm in Scotland and many properties across Wales, Scotland..

Morse: And Melbourne, I can Guess.

Miss Fisher: A woman needs what it needs, Morse. You can't stop a woman's needs, can you?

Morse: Don't deviate from subject.

Miss Fisher: Fine. Mr. Hatcher dissapeared two days ago from his vile at the outskirts of Wolverhamptom and his wife called me to find him.

Morse( turning the photo, looking at the Man): Why didn't She call the police?

Miss Fisher ( taking the photo from his hands and putting it back in the bra): Because She doesn't trust police.

Morse: And You Say his name is Patrick Hatcher?

Miss Fisher: Yes, darling. And I came at you because I can't access official reports and I need someone's help..

     She trassed a finger down his shoulder to the arm, feeling the tense muscles from beneath, honed by years of training in ninjutsu and kenjutsu.

Miss Fisher:..someone who wants justice and isn't affraid to dive in some darker business..

     She liked the texture of his dress shirt, the feeling of the heat coming from him... Morse gently took her hand and put it away from his shoulder, glaring at her.

Morse: Listen. I will help You, but stop playing your games. I'm not falling for You, Miss Fisher. For God's sake, You're ten years older then me.

Miss Fisher( sighs): Cameron was right when She said You're serious, disciplined and no-nonsense.

Morse( ignoring her comment): Anyway, I don't think your Patrick Hatcher is who he says he is.

Miss Fisher leaned closer, intrigued, her Green eyes sparkling with curiosity and a sane dose of mischief.

Miss Fisher: What do You mean?

Morse( leaning on his desk): I mean that the man You are looking for is the same person are we looking for: Bryan Garner. Two days ago, a woman named Melissa Fegley reported his dissapearence from their house in St Bernard's Road. Miss Fegley gave us his photo and told us he went missing after he left for work as a postman.

Miss Fisher: Isn't this interesting? A man with two lifes.

         Morse didn't Hear her last comment as he opened his drawer and took out his laptop, placing it on the free space of his desk. He opened it fast and started typing on the keyboard like a pianist during a pianoforte song.

        The Black haired woman got down from the desk and walked behind him, her skirt swishing as She moved, then leaned on the back of his chair.

Miss Fisher: What are You doing?

Morse( looking on the screen): I know it's not the most justified method. I use it only in emergency cases and told by DCI Thursday, but.. I feel like now it's one of those Times when hacking can help us solve the case.

Miss Fisher ( entartained): Oh, sweetie, I didn't know You have this side.

      The sergent typed faster, the screen's blue light casting on his Slender fingers. It took him five minutes, but finally, he managed to acces the e-mails of the dissapeared man.

Morse: There it is. Our suspect has three e-mail adresses: Patrick Hatcher, Bryan Garner and ...John Dutton.( Quickly Reading the latest e-mails from the first two accounts). Nothing unusual here. Maybe we have better chances with the third one.

       Shortly after he accesed the third account, both detectives were surprised by the fact that there were only 3 e-mails, all send by a single expeditor named ,, FC". Morse clicked on each of them, reading carefully the contents; but the third one was the most important.

( The third email message).

   ,,Go to Observatory Street, Jericho, to deliver the packet. You will be given further instructions."

Miss Fisher:..can You acces the ,,FC" account?

Morse( already trying): I can, but If I do it, they will be alarmed about my attempt to hack their e-mail account. And for this crime I can be arrested and go to jail.

       The lady detective stood upright, adjusting her bow, while Morse closed his laptop and stood up, putting on his jacket and the trench-coat.

Miss Fisher( mischevious): Looks like You're ready for action, darling.

Morse( ready): Something isn't right with this case. I don't know why, but my instinct tells me that it's a darker and bigger stake then I initially thought..And we have to investigate.

     The woman took out her car keys from her purse, dingling from her left index finger, suggesting the blond Man that She wants to drive. He sighed, and after a short round of arguing( mostly Morse arguing and Miss Fisher being the mischevious, playful lady She is), they agreed to go with her car , but Morse drove.

Miss Fisher: If You scratch my car's paint, You owe me a dinner; and a bottle of whiskey, of course( then She winked).

      Morse rolled his eyes and revvived the engine, then started fast the Porsche.

To be continued....

Chapter Text

     Chapter 3 

   The sound of cars honking echoed strongly in the air. It was the rush hour in Oxford, one of the worst moments to drive your car, and still, Morse and Miss Fisher did it.

   The Detective Sergeant's jaw was tight, his grip on the wheel so hard that his knuckles turned white. He glared, like If he did this, the trafic will vanish.

    The lady detective, on the other hand, was leaning against the door, admiring her perfectly-done nails with crimson red polish. In one point, She searched in her purse and took out her lipstick and a small mirror to adjust her make-up.

Morse( side-eyeing her): You must me joking.

Miss Fisher ( mid- applying lipstick): Oh, but darling, I'm not joking. A woman, as I told You, has her habits and her needs. And one her needs is to look good despite the event.

Morse: Well, Cameron never uses make-up and she's a woman.

Miss Fisher: Ah, but Cameron is tomboysh-revolutionary, while I am feminine-revolutionary.

Morse( raising an eyebrow): Are You serious?

Miss Fisher didn't respond him imeaditly, but instead finished applying her lipstick with a swift, practiced move, and closed the small mirror with satisfaction, puting her things in her purse and turning to Morse.

Miss Fisher ( trying to hide a smirk): You have so much to learn about women, Morse. But let me Tell You Something: women are like Mysteries. You will learn about them, but You won't fully understand them.

Morse: This sounds like a challenge for me.

Miss Fisher: One that You can't win, dear.

         Morse turned his look back to the road, and imeaditly after the cars started to move and the road to get cleaner, he drove, heading to their destination.

Miss Fisher: So, Morse, we go to the Observatory Street.

Morse: Yes. And we are going to talk to the people living there. Maybe they have seen or know something about our John Dutton that can help us in investigation. After all, I think that is the last place we was seen.

 Miss Fisher: Then You should take right, not left!

       The Fire Guardian took the curbe to right in the last second so hard that the tired screeched against the asphalt. Miss Fisher even held her hat, so hard was the turn.

Morse: Sorry for the sharp turn.

Miss Fisher( smiling): That's nothing. This baby( She patted the door to indicate the car) have done crazier turns.

______________________________________________

          The red Porsche stopped on the Observatory Street, in front of an old house made from reddish bricks. The two detectives got out from the car and marched toward the house's front door, passing the garden with beautiful roses, the small patio and the short stairs.

 Morse adjustied the collar of his shirt and knocked on the door a couple of times.

Morse( to Miss Fisher): Please, don't try anything mischevious.

Miss Fisher ( rolling her green eyes): If You Say so.

       They waited a few moments before the door was opened, and there, a small, well-built woman in her 50s, with long Brown hair and a floral dress, stood, leaning one hand on the frame.

The woman: Hello. Can I help You?

Morse( showing his warrant card): Detective Sergeant Morse, Oxford City Police and Detective Constable Phryne Fisher.

The woman: Huh, weren't you bere earlier?

Morse( confused): What do You mean, Mrs...

The woman: Penfold. Mrs Jennifer Penfold. And what I meant to say was that the police already here, asking if we heard or saw something last night related to the crime.

Morse( taking notes in his notepad): Related to what crime, Mrs Penfold?

Mrs Penfold: To the murder of a poor man. He was found by a girl from St John's College this morning.

       Morse stopped writing for a moment. So, their missing person, John Dutton, could be dead. Could, but he didn't have the proove of this thought.

Miss Fisher( taking the photo of the Man from her purse): Do You know him?

      Mrs Penfold took the photo in her hands with care, like it was a fragile piece of glass, and looked at the man from it. She returned the photo, looking even more confused.

Mrs Penfold: No, I don't recognise him. Should I do? Is he the dead man?

Miss Fisher: Yes, we-

Morse( intervening, serious): We are investigating the dissapearence of the Man You saw in the photo, Mrs. Penfold. And we suspect that this is the last place our missing person went.

       The lady detective side- eyed the younger man, her painted lips pressed in a tight line. The Detective Sergeant, on his hand, didn't observe or flinch and continued the interrogation.

Mrs Penfold: Well, I know nothing about your case, officer. 

Morse: Hm...and how about the officers that came before us? Do You remember them?

Mrs Penfold:... If I remember right..one of the constables was Crab..Crab-tea? Crab-ee? Something odd, in any case.

Morse: You mean Constable George Crabtree.

Mrs Penfold: Yes, that was his name! 

Morse: Interesting..Hm.. I think You helped us enough, Mrs. Penfold.

Mrs. Penfold: If this is all, then I will return to my show. Have a good day, officers!

        And with that, the old Mrs. Penfold closed the door pretty loud behind them,so the Fire Guardian and lady detective walked back to the Porsche. The Sergeant was satisfied with the informations, and just as he was halfway to the car..

Thwack!

   Miss Fisher hit Morse with her purse , pointing the harder part toward his side. He stumbled, then froze for a second, and understood what just happen to him.

Morse: Hey! What do You think are You doing?

Miss Fisher( mischevious smirk): Revening for for hushing me, sweetie. This is what You get for trying to make a woman to shut up.

Morse( annoyed): You were going to tell her everything, I couldn't let You do that.

Miss Fisher: I was trying to obtain her trust, to make her talk, not pierce her soul like someone I know.

Morse: As a real police officer, I don't need to tell the suspects everything about the investigation, with a big, loud and obnoxious-

Thwack!

     Miss Fisher hit him again with the purse, this time reaching his shoulder and part of the cheek.

Morse( pissed of, voice a bit raised then usuall): This is harrasment! You are assaulting a police officer and consists a crime that results in arresting.

Miss Fisher ( defiant): Then come on, darling. Do it. This isn't the first time when I get arrested. But I'm warning You, I can be very...noisy when caged.

       Morse crossed his arms and glared, while Miss Fisher hold her purse and smirked, her Green eyes sparkling with mischief. He knew her well enough to tell that she was going to keep her promise, especially if it involved pissing off the others and making their time miserable.

      The blond man sighed, Head slumped in defeat.

Morse( normal tone): Fine. I'm not going to arrest You. And I won't hush You anymore unless it's absolutely necesarry.

Miss Fisher smiled and let her hand on his shoulder, lingering a bit longer then should, and climbed in the car, followed by him.

   Morse put the keys in contact and turned them on, the car's engine purring like a cat. His slender hand moved and gripped the gearshift lever, ready to drive.

    She looked at him and , after a few moments, She slowly extend her hand toward him.

Miss Fisher: Peace?

    He looked at her hand, then at her face that, for the first time in a while, showed honesty. He looked at her shiny black hair, at her diamond-peared earrings that reflected the light, and since she came with him, remarked a sweet scent of perfume, most probably expensive, coming from her.. With a bit of hesitation, he grabbed her hand and gave her a shake, feeling in his hand her delicate hand and the surprinsiny coldness of her ring.

Morse: Peace will be.

Miss Fisher: Good. Now, looks like our Dutton is dead and on Robert Harrison's slab from morgue.

Morse( scoffed): You don't know that for sure.

Miss Fisher: And You can't deny it either. Whatever happened to him, we will find out after Murdoch and company spill the beans.( Pauses).I think we should visit Cameron's station house next, shall we?

      He didn't need to be told twice. He started the car fast, the tires screeching as he drove, agreeing with her idea and, in premiere, trusting her instinct.

    To be continued......

Chapter Text

         Chapter 4

     Station House Number 4 hummed with quiet efficiency, its polished oak floors gleaming beneath brass lamps that cast a warm, amber glow. Dark wooden desks bore the weight of neatly stacked case files, typewriters, and rotary phones, while bulletin boards sagged under a patchwork of wanted posters, missing-person notices, and faded newspaper clippings. The scent of leather, ink, and lingering polish mingled with the faint whir of computers tucked into corners. 

      In his organised and peacefull office, Detective William Murdoch stood at his desk, reading and re-reading the declarations of the neighbours, hoping to find a clue he may have missed. His arms rested on the desk, papers held with the tips of his slightly calloused and tanned fingers.

Murdoch( to himself): There must be something. The victim's murderer couldn't have vanished without leaving an evidence, this is a scientifical prooved theory.

     He focused on his work, the world around him a buzzling backround sound. He ignored everything, even the knocking sound on his wooden door. Then the door opened and George Crabtree peeked inside.

Crabtree: Sir?

Murdoch ( putting the papers on his desk, looking at the Constable): What is it, George?

Crabtree: Inspector Brackenreid wants to talk to you, sir. In his office.

Murdoch ( already standing up): Alright. Thank You George.

Crabtree: Also, Detective Sergeant Grey asks how is your case developing.

Murdoch: Tell her that it progresses very slowly.

        With somehow hesitation, he walked straight at the inspector's officers, carefully not to bump into constables, civilians and desks. 

        He knocked on the door, and he was answered by the gruff, with a thick Yorkshire accent Voice of his boss, that told him to come in.

        Inside, Inspector Brackenreid was standing at his desk, holding a glass of whisky. His hat and the coat rested on the back of his chair, while his black vest above the white button up shirt barely resisted to not pop a button. 

Murdoch: Good afternoon, sir. Constable Crabtree told me that you want to see me.

Brackenreid: Yes.Take a sit, Murdoch. It will take a while to discuss the business.

     The Detective obeyed, took a chair and sat on it, adjusting his vest and tie.

Brackenreid took a sip from his glass and shrugged.

Brackenreid: How is the case doing?

Murdoch ( adjusting nervously his collar): Not very well, sir. I couldn't find any evidence or witnessses and couldn't even identify the victim.

Brackenreid: How did the man die?

Murdoch: Dr Harrison says that the victim died around 1 to 2 AM this day, the cause of death being asphyxiation. However, he couldn't discover what caused the asphyxiation.

    The red head Man took another sip from his glass and opened a drawer , taking the whisky bottle and pourring him more alcohol.

Brackenreid: Bloody hell. And now You're stuck, You Say?

Murdoch: Yes, sir.

    The Inspector though for a solid couple of minutes, thinking what to do next. He took a good sip from the glass and placed it pretty loud on the desk.

Brackenreid: Alright. I have already enough problems with those Chinese people that refuse to talk. Yesterday, two of them had a fight while you were at the crime scene of your case. And they know martial arts. Martial arts! Only Grey managed to stop them without getting a good ol' beat. So about your case...If You can't find anything to solve it until tomorrow evening, I'm closing the case. Understood?

Murdoch ( not to satisfied): Yes.

Brackenreid: Good. Now go back to work, soon Sergeant Grey will give me the report about her case.

      Murdoch saluted and walked out, the door closing silently behind him as his shoulders slumped in defeat. How could he solve the case in such a short time, considering the lack of evidence? And what about the victim? How to let a crime became a lost footnote in the annals of crime? He really wanted to solve the case, but the odds seemed to be against him.

       Feeling defeated, he walked back to his office and closed the door, sitting at his desk with his head in his hands, elbows propped on the table.

______________________________________________

       Across the street, Miss Fisher's red Porsche stopped next to a trash bin, and a group of pedestrians took secretly photos of the car. Morse and Miss Fisher got down from the car, he running a hand through his hair while She straighted her skirt.

Morse( to Miss Fisher, small smirk): I don't think he'll be to happy to see me.

Miss Fisher: More like You aren't happy to see him.

      They crossed the street, then walked the Ancient outside stairs, the concrete bumpy from years of weather and passing people.

Morse: Fine. He doesn't mind me, but I don't like him to much.

        He pushed the door open and let the black haired woman enter first, then followed inside.

       They stopped at the reception desk where Constable Hodge , with a start of baldness and grey hair at temples, was sorting documents, packages and other papers, calm and surprinsingly not bored.

Miss Fisher shrugged, while Morse waited behind her, looking like he was brooding...again.

Miss Fisher: Good afternoon, Constable!

     Constable Hodge turned from his papers to the woman and smiled weakly.

Hodge: Afternoon, madam. How can I help You?

Miss Fisher: Is Detective William Murdoch currently at the station house?

Hodge: Uh, yes. The Detective is in his office. Why do You ask?

Miss Fisher: Let's Say that I have some business with him to solve.

      The old Constable looked confused and scratched the back of his neck, then went back to his work.

Miss Fisher ( passing by Morse, brushing intentionally his shoulder): See, darling. Not everything has to be done in a dark style.

      Morse rolled his eyes and followed her, navigating the crowd, and secretly looking after Cameron. Miss Fisher observed how he looked around, sometimes raising his head, and couldn't resist to not taunt him a bit.

Miss Fisher: Looking for someone, darling? Perhaps for...I don't know...someone special?

Morse tried to keep a serious expression, but the pink blush creeping on his cheeks betrayed him.

Morse: Uh, no, I'm not looking, I mean-

Miss Fisher( gently placing her index finger to her lips): Relax, I'm not telling anyone. And I still need you sharp, so I won't stung You..to much.

       The Detective Sergeant bit his lower lip and continued his walk, cursing himself for his ignorance toward the woman's sixth sense.

        Finally, they reached the office, and the wooden door with a glass portion and big caps reading ,, Detective W. Murdoch" assured them that they reached the right place.

      Morse knockned pretty hard, and shortly after, the Detective told them to come in.

Murdoch( looking in his papers): Did You find something, George?

Morse( frowned): I'm not Crabtree, Murdoch. Do I look like a naive and hyperactive writer to you?

Murdoch( finally looking up, adjusting his bowler hat): Morse. I… wasn’t expecting you. What are you doing here?

Miss Fisher( stepping lightly into the room, smirking): Oh, Murdoch, darling. Don’t act so surprised. I thought you might need a little… assistance.

Murdoch( narrowing his eyes, slightly suspicious): Assistance? From you two? And why exactly would I need help that I haven’t asked for?

Morse( closing the door, leaning against a wall): Let’s just say we’ve been tracking and discovered that our missing person is the same with your victim.

Murdoch: I see. And you think barging in unannounced will make this easier?

Miss Fisher( tilting her head, teasingly): Oh, Murdoch… sometimes you need a bit of chaos to wake the mind. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten that.

Murdoch: You know very well I don't like chaos.

Morse(leaning against the edge of Murdoch’s desk, serious ): Well, too bad, because chaos follows us everywhere. And also, we need your help , and even more, You need our help.

        Murdoch wanted to Say Something but stopped, remembering the deadline Inspector Brackenreid gave him and his determination to solve the case. He didn't want to work with Morse and Miss Fisher, but he had to.

Murdoch ( sighs): Fine. What have You to discovered?

Miss Fisher ( smirking): Looks like You accept our deal, dear.

Murdoch: Just...get to the point.

         Miss Fisher made herself confortable in the chair, while Morse stood on his feet at the edge of Murdoch's desk.

Morse: Listen, we have discovered that the missing person Miss Fisher and I were looking for can be actually the dead man You have to deal with.

      Miss Fisher took the photo from her purse and handed it to Murdoch who seemed surprised. He gave her back the photo and looked at the Sergeant.

Morse: So?

Murdoch: Indeed, he is the victim. What have You discovered?

Morse: The man's name is John Dutton, but has also two different identities with the names Bryan Garner and Patrick Hatcher, one a postman and the other a rich business man.

Murdoch leaned in interested.

Morse: John Dutton's last e-mail was from someone with the name ,,FC" in which Dutton was send to the Observatory Street, in Jericho.

Murdoch: There is the place where the dead body was found.

Miss Fisher: And this is why we came to You.

Murdoch ( standing up): Unfornutely, I don't have any evidence about him.

Morse( raising an eyebrow): And the autopsy report?

Murdoch: John Dutton or whoever he is died around 1 to 2 AM, asphyxiated. However, there are no signs of physical attack or strange substances that can explain this.

A heavy silence fell over the room, broken only by the faint ticking of Murdoch’s wall clock. Miss Fisher leaned back, crossing her legs, her gaze never leaving the detective’s face, while Morse’s arms folded tightly across his chest, his jaw clenched.

Murdoch rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of the case pressing down on him. The office seemed smaller somehow, the air thick with anticipation.

Finally, he spoke, his voice low and measured.

Murdoch: If there’s no physical evidence, no witnesses… then we’re left with conjecture. Purely circumstantial.

Morse ( having a stroke of genius): I'm not so sure about this, Murdoch.

Murdoch( raising an eyebrow): Is that so?

Morse: You see, I think I know how our victim died and who killed it. And also, I think that Melissa Fegley didn't tell us everything.

Miss Fisher: You Say that She lied about him?

Murdoch: This is actually pretty possible. A Man who walks from home in the middle of the night to deliver who knows what can't pass without being observed by someone in the house.

Morse: You need to call her here for interogation, Murdoch. And I need more details about the dead body.

      Reluctantly, Murdoch walked out of his office to tell some constable to bring Miss Fegley at the station house. Meanwhile, Morse and Miss Fisher headed to the morgue, the younger man already feeling his stomach unease thinking that he'll walk in a place with cadavers.

Miss Fisher: Do You have a theory about what happened, dear?

Morse: I think I know what happened. But I am not sure yet and I need some more prooves.

    To be continued.......

Chapter Text

      Chapter 5

    The faint smell of disinfectant lingered in the cold air. The neon lights from the ceiling casted long shadows down the hallway, and the sound of high heels clattering on the tile floor echoed like in a canyon

    The Fire Guardian took short glances at the lady detective and bit his lower lip till it turned a strong shade of pink, feeling cold sweat on his forehead. He hated going to the morgue because he felt so unconfortable near dead bodies. And he hated even more the fact that he was scared of dead bodies. It was an irational fear( he knew very well that cadavers can't do nothing), but it still affected him. However, he refused to show it, especially after his first case when he fainted and Thursday caught him( Morse felt so embarrassed then, despite his boss' fatherly approach); so he swore that no one, except Thursday and Cameron, would know about his fear.

       Naturally, he tried with all his will to not combust. And naturally, Miss Fisher spotted his nervousness.

Miss Fisher( titling her head): What's wrong, dear?

Morse( trying to play cool): Nothing.

Miss Fisher: You seem nervous.

Morse: I'm not nervous, Miss Fisher.  

        The Black haired woman observed his stiff posture, his fists clenched at his sides, the way he bit his lower lip..she didn't buy his lie, but also didn't push him, since She needed his help.

       As they came closer, the sound of a pen scratching against paper and soft tapping of a foot become louder, signaling them that the pathologyst was in his office.

     The Detective Sergeant knocked on the door, and almost imeaditly, Dr. Harrison opened in and stood on one side of the door, gesturing them to come in. The two detectives came in, stopping next to the covered body from the slab.

Robert Harrison (as he sat on his office chair, one hand on the back of the chair): So, which wind brings You here: southwesterly wind or Southerly Buster?

Morse: More like Chinook.

Robert Harrison: Hm, did Murdoch send You here or what?

Miss Fisher: It's a long story, dear. But for now, we need to tell us about your mysterious guest here on the slab.

Robert: Ah, you mean Murdoch's case. 

      The doctor took his mug from the desk and took a sip, the smell of fresh green tea filling the room.

Robert: Well, I will tell what I told Murdoch If he didn't tell You.

Morse: Actually he did, but we came here to talk to you. You and us, from a ninja to another ninja and a pretty good fighter( his discretly looked at Miss Fisher).

Robert: I see... So You think that I found a theory, but I didn't Tell Murdoch because it may spill too much about us?

Morse: Yes. Now, I suspect how the victim died, but I'm not in measure to confirm it because I am not a doctor.

       Robert Harrison looked from the lanky Detective Sergeant to the lady detective, fidgening with his mug. 

Robert: What do You suspect, Morse?

Morse: I know it sounds crazy and that we have no solid prooves about these, but..I think that a trained assassin, a ninja, killed the man, using the pressure-point knockout technique.

Robert( titling his Head): Wait, in Oxford, weren't we, Cameron, you , Jakes that left in America and I, the only ninjas?

Morse: So You think that it was that technique.

Robert: If I think better, yes, actually, this could have killed him. And makes sense, the pressure point blocks the circulation to brain and caused the hemoragy and the asphyxiation..and leaves no signs...But You didn't answer my question: are in Oxford other ninjas?

     Morse hesitated, only because If he told him about the existance of the Foot Clan, then thought he would have had to Tell Robert about the turtles and he couldn't talk about their secret existance. He considered his options, and decided.

Morse: Yes. A clan that came from Japan and wanted to settle a base in this city. The Foot Clan.

Robert( snorted): Foot Clan?! What kind of name is this? They could have better called themselves The Dirty Hands Clan..

Morse( serious): Don't joke about it, doctor. They are very dangerous.

Robert( asking the fatal question): Fine. And who brought them here? 

Morse( lying partially): I don't know. But I know that they have evil plans and I won't let them finish this city. Not over my cold, dead body.

______________________________________________

       Later, after thier return to the station house, Miss Fegley arrived, escorted by two constables to the Interviews Room.

    The interview room was small, almost claustrophobic, its walls bare except for a single clock that ticked with unnerving precision. A dim bulb hummed above, casting shadows that stretched long across the polished wooden table.

Miss Fegley sat stiffly in her chair, her pale hands twisting the handle of her purse. She avoided everyone’s gaze, her lips pressed tight as if any word might betray her. However, she mentained a cold , distanta and unreadable face.

Murdoch stood across her, then placed a file on the table with deliberate care, his calm voice cutting through the silence.

Murdoch: Miss Fegley, thank you for coming. We won’t take more of your time than necessary. But it is important that you answer truthfully.

She glanced at him, then at the others — Miss Fisher lounging with an amused smirk, Morse leaning against the wall, arms crossed, his eyes sharp and unreadable.

Murdoch (sliding the victim’s photo across the table): Do you recognize this man?

Miss Fegley forced herself to look, her eyes cold like the ones of a general from the army.

Fegley( serious): My cousin. Bryan Garner.

Morse’s voice came, clipped and direct.

Morse: Or John Dutton. Or Patrick Hatcher. Which one is it, Miss Fegley?

She stiffened, color draining from her face, and her lips pressed tightly, holding back a fresh wave of fury.

Fegley( irritated): I don’t know what you mean.

Miss Fisher leaned forward, chin propped elegantly on her hand.

Miss Fisher: Oh, darling, of course you do. A man with so many names rarely has an innocent occupation.

Murdoch adjusted his tie, his tone firm but still measured.

Murdoch: We’ve established that he died between one and two o’clock in the morning. Yet you claim you knew nothing of his movements and now about his others identities.That seems… unlikely.

Miss Fegley’s eyes flickered, her composure breaking.

Miss Fegley: I'm wasn't spying , he was a grown up Man!

Miss Fisher: And still, You lived under the same rooftop with him and pretend You didn't know where he went.

     Miss Fegley felt her blood boiling in her veins, an intense Hear creeping down her neck.

Fegley( snapping): He wasn’t hurting anyone! We were just delivering things!

Morse pushed off the wall, stepping closer, his voice low but cutting.

Morse: Delivering what?

A long silence stretched, broken only by the ticking of the clock. Finally, her shoulders slumped.

Fegley (whispering): Packages. Small crates. We didn’t ask questions. We just… carried them where we were told.

Murdoch: Told by whom?

She swallowed hard, fingers tightening around her purse as though it could shield her.

Fegley: An organization. They called themselves… the Foot Clan.

Miss Fisher’s smirk disappeared, her expression turning sharp.

Miss Fisher: Foot Clan? Sounds almost laughable, doesn’t it? But your face tells me it’s anything but.

Fegley: They said they’d take care of us, give us money. All we had to do was deliver. Bryan—John—whoever he was that day—he handled the instructions. I just helped.

Murdoch exchanged a grave look with Morse. The Fire Guardian’s jaw tightened, the faintest flicker of recognition in his eyes.

Murdoch (soft but firm): And what were in these packages?

Miss Fegley shook her head quickly.

Fegley: I swear I don’t know. We weren’t allowed to open them. But Bryan—he said it was dangerous. He said if we crossed them… we’d both end up dead.

The room went quiet again, the weight of her confession hanging heavy in the stale air.

   To be continued......

Chapter Text

       Chapter 6

Murdoch closed the door of the Interviews Room gently, the soft click echoing in the quiet corridor. Morse and Miss Fisher waited nearby, flanked by a constable on guard.

The Fire Guardian retrieved a cigarette from his packet, lighting it with a flick of his index finger. He drew in a long drag, the smoke curling around him like a shadow.

Murdoch coughed and waved the smoke away, while Miss Fisher merely smirked, unfazed.

Murdoch (coughing, scolding Morse): Please, stop smoking.

Morse (exhaling smoke in Murdoch’s direction): What? Too sensitive for a puff of smoke, Murdoch?

Murdoch: I don’t smoke, Morse. And more importantly, it’s very unhealthy and increases the risk of—

Morse rolled his eyes, stubbed out the cigarette, and tossed it into the nearest trash can.

Murdoch: Thank you. Now, you said you have a theory about the murder?

Morse shrugged, then calmly explained his theory: the pressure-point technique that killed John Dutton, and the Foot Clan, a group of ninjas with evil intentions—carefully omitting any mention of the turtles or his own dual nature and ninja training.

Murdoch blinked once, then twice, trying to process the abstract and almost absurd theory he had just heard.

Miss Fisher: Is he rebooting like a computer, or finally having a stroke of genius?

Morse: Both.

Murdoch stared at Morse, concern and disbelief creeping into his voice:

Murdoch: Morse… are you… Did you smoke something strong?

Miss Fisher tried and failed to suppress her laughter. Morse’s jaw went slack, his eyes widening… before narrowing again.

Morse: What?! No—of course not! It’s all real, Murdoch. And I can prove it. But you have to follow me and trust me, alright?

Murdoch hesitated. That’s when Miss Fisher sprang into action.

Miss Fisher (playfully adjusting Murdoch’s tie): Come on, dear. We’re all working on the same side. Do you really think Morse is lying—or trying to hurt you?

Murdoch gently removed her hands from his tie.

Murdoch: I understand that Morse doesn’t have bad intentions. But his methods… they’re abstract. We know so little about this organization. How are we supposed to find them?

Morse: Trust me. I know how—and where—to find them.

Murdoch: Fine. Let’s say we do find them. Like you said—they’re dangerous ninjas. How are we going to stop them?

Morse (shrugging, a hint of irritation in his tone): You just have to trust me. Okay?

The intensity in Morse’s voice, the unwavering look in his eyes, left no room for argument. Murdoch met his gaze and, with a slow exhale, reluctantly nodded.

______________________________________________

Without another word, the three detectives stepped out of the station house. The evening air was crisp, carrying the distant hum of Oxford’s traffic and the faint scent of wet cobblestones. They didn’t rush; this wasn’t a chase. The streets themselves were part of the investigation, each turn, each alley a potential clue.

Morse led the way, walking with long, purposeful strides, his hands tucked into the pockets of his coat,though his gaze flicked constantly to the shadows, alert for anything—or anyone—that might betray the Foot Clan’s presence.Miss Fisher followed,graceful and deliberate, adjusted her bow and kept pace with a confident ease, her green eyes scanning every doorway and alley, her heels clicking against the uneven pavement, and Murdoch brought up the rear, adjusting his bowler hat against the fading light;despite his usual composure, kept glancing over his shoulder, his mind still turning over the abstract theory Morse had presented. The thought of powerful ninjas operating unnoticed in Oxford unsettled him, but he would not let it show. Not to them.

They passed familiar streets, each lined with old brick houses, wrought-iron fences, and the occasional flickering lamppost. In one point, they reached a low iluminated and long street.

Murdoch( to Morse): Where are we going exactly? 

Morse: An year ago, during an investigation, I discovered the base of the Foot Clan, close enough to my station house. And to go there, we pass King's Street, down the long gangue and the Bayne passage.

Miss Fisher( smiling , mischief reflecting in her eyes): So basically, we are knocking at a demon's door. Doesn't sound this dangerous and.. entartaining?

Murdoch: No, it isn't entartaining, Miss Fisher. It's a serious mission and we are going to face deadly assassins that can kill us.

Morse: Not only can, but they will kill us if manage to catch us.( Looking around). I think we are close to the Bayne passage. We need to be quiet. Follow me and, if You want to live, don't make noise.

       Murdoch raised an eyebrow and kept following in silence, already regretting trusting Morse's judgement. He looked at the younger man, but the expression of his face was cold, distant, unreadable, and those icy blue eyes held such an intensity Murdoch have never seen. Then his look turned to Miss Fisher, ever the glamorous and bold detective, skirt swishing as she moved, black hair styled in a perfect short bob.In some points, she was similar to Julia, but otherwise... The Canadian Detective found her too loud, obnoxious, impulsive,--

      They stopped in their places as a hissing sound lingered in the air.

Murdoch ( whispered, turning to Miss Fisher): What was this?

    Her loom answered him negative.

Miss Fisher ( whispered, looking in Murdoch's eyes): Maybe a cat?

     However, the hissing persisted and was followed by the sound of metal clattering and...were those footsteps?

  Murdoch and Miss Fisher turned to Morse, only to discover that he had vanished.

Murdoch( a bit panicked): Where did Morse go?

Miss Fisher: I don't know, Murdoch. 

       The footsteps came stronger and, at the opposite part of their way, three tall and broad silouettes appeared, making the two detective's blood ran cold.

Murdoch( heart beating like a F1 car engine): W-what are those creatures?!

        The called creatures stepped closer, revealing their hideous features: long, jagged teeth coming from large mouths edged by black lips, strong and thick limbs covered with black and deep brown plates and pitch black harem pants; from under sleeveless shirts, tied samurai-like at the waist, small glimpses of defined muscles peeked; and the eyes...the eyes were black, souless, like small voids in the space.

Miss Fisher ( under her breath): Not now, not now...

       Murdoch took a few steps back, and spread his arms, trying to shield her.       

#1 Master of Darkness' soldier( unsheating a large blade): Ennas, díredain!

#2 Master of Darkness' soldier: Mabo te!

       The soldiers unsheated their blades and walked slowly, with heavy steps toward them.

#1 Master of Darkness' soldier( to the other two soldiers): Dego!

      They growled..then lunged. Murdoch closed his eyes and braced himself for death when he heard.. whimpering? He opened his eyes, just in time to see one of those monsters fall and a glimpses of red blur hiding.

#2 Master of Darkness' soldier( surprised): Man i ardh?!

     Murdoch looked franatically around, and when he saw more clearly the red blur, he thought he was halucinating.

      Morse sprang from the shadows holding his twin katanas and spin-kicked the monster, sending it crashing into a wall.  

       The third soldier let a battle cry and lunged, aiming the blade at Morse. However, the Fire Guardian dodged and slashed with his katanas, making the monster shriek in pain and hold its arm.

#1 Master of Darkness' soldier: Pedin i thaur lín!

      The one that crashed the wall got up , gripping the blade with force.

Miss Fisher: MORSE, BEHIND YOU!

      The Detective Sergeant turned just when the monster swung the blade and blocked it with his katanas, sparks flying as metal hit metal. Morse grunted, struggling under the force.

Morse: You are not going to win! 

     He broke off and backflipped, slashing the side of the monster who groaned and held its side. Using the moment, Morse drop-kicked it into a dumpster, making the garbage spill on the ground.

     The remained monster growled and tried to slash the blond man with its claws, swinging wildly as Morse dodged every single time. Finally, Morse blocked the blade and hurled it from his oppoents hands, then slashed the chest of it and let If fall like a sack of bricks.

       Murdoch's jaw went slack and his eyes widened, still froze on his shielding pose. He watched the entire scene and tried ( and mostly failed) to process the action. Miss Fisher, who was still behind him, was very bit surprised, but mostly amazed, and a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

 Murdoch: What just happened?!

       Morse faced his colleagues, and Murdoch could take a better look at the sergeant's armor, from the thigh high crimson red boots, the 3/4 faded Red flared pants, to the sleevles turtleneck shirt, the corset brown plate with a fire-flame symbol and to the long, polished twin swords gripped by strong arms wrapped in bandages from the base of the fingers to the elbow and covered by metal defenders that started from wrists and ended at elbows.

Miss Fisher: Now I really want to see those abs you cover, Morse. And to understand why you hide so toned arms.

      Morse shook his head and looked at Murdoch....and froze for a split of second.

Morse( blue eyes widening, realising the situation): Oh, uh...I can explain.

Murdoch ( incredulous): How..what..what just happened?!

Miss Fisher( gesturing Murdoch to sit on the ground): Dear, You should sit down.

      The Detective Sergeant took slow steps and raised his hands.

Murdoch: What are You?

Morse: It's a long story, Murdoch. We don't have enough time for me to-

Murdoch: I am not following You anymore until You explain me what is happening.

Morse sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Morse: Fine. You want the truth? I tell You the truth: I am a human-elf hybrid trained in ninjutsu, kenjutsu and other martial arts. I fight the criminals and the villains that lurk on the Oxford and save the citizens. Happy now?

     The Canadian Detective looked at Morse and his armour, then turned at Miss Fisher.

Murdoch: Did..did You know about this?

Miss Fisher: For a while, Murdoch. 

    Murdoch looked like someone told him to quit police force and work on a circus as a magician.

Morse frowned, reading the other's man disbelief.

Morse: Listen. I told you the truth. Now let's move because we have a murder to solve and time isn't your friend's right now, isn't it?

Murdoch stood rooted to the spot, his bowler hat slightly askew, staring at Morse as though he were some apparition conjured from a fever dream. The clang of the fallen blade still echoed faintly in the alley, but silence had otherwise reclaimed the street.

Murdoch (slowly, voice low): A… human-elf hybrid. Ninjas. Monsters. And you expect me to simply carry on as if this were all… ordinary?

Miss Fisher (smirking, brushing dust from her coat): Well, darling, ordinary is rather dull. Don’t you agree?

Morse met Murdoch’s gaze, his expression steady, almost weary.

Morse: You don’t have to believe every word. But you saw what I did—and what they were. If we stand here arguing, more will come. Then none of us will make it out alive.

Murdoch’s jaw tightened. He wanted to demand answers, to insist on logic, to reject this entire bizarre reality. And yet—he had seen the creatures with his own eyes. He had seen Morse fight like no man alive.

Murdoch(exhaled, adjusting his hat with a trembling hand.): Very well. I don’t understand it—and I don’t like it—but I will follow you. For now.

A brief smile flickered across Morse’s face, gone as quickly as it appeared.

Morse: That’s all I need. Trust me just a little longer.

Miss Fisher linked her arm through Murdoch’s with mock elegance.

Miss Fisher: There, you see? Not so difficult. Now let’s get on with it before our charming friends return.

Murdoch sighed, resigned, and the trio moved deeper into the passage, shadows stretching long behind them. The night of Oxford seemed suddenly thicker, heavier—yet their pace quickened, for there was no turning back.

To be continued.......

Chapter Text

     Chapter 7

Walking down the dark alley, Murdoch was still trying to process what Morse told him earlier. A ninja? A human-elf hybrid? These were facts that seemed to came from George Crabtree's books, facts that defied physics, biology and biomechanics, something fantasy that shouldn't be real..and still, he had seen it with his own eyes. How was that possible? How could Morse, a lanky human police officer, be able to take down such big opponents? There so many questions, and so few answers.

     Morse was leading the way, Miss Fisher following close and Murdoch the last, walking as silent as possible. The passage seemed to stretch endlessy and the shadows seemed to dance across the walls.

    When they arrived at the last corner of the passage, the Fire Guardian stopped, lifting a hand and signaling them to stop too.

Morse( whispered, eyes locked on the building in front of them): This is it. This is the base.

      The called building was tall, with a new light gray facade and windows so clean that the sun rays reflected on it. On a part of the building, scaffoldings that once stood like abandoned constructions against the unfinished wall were now gone, revealing the clean fresh finished wall . At the entrance, the Deep brown wooden double doors were guarded by two men dressed in black Japanesse attires. 

Murdoch: Who are those men?

Morse: Foot ninjas. We need to go past them without alarming the whole building.

Miss Fisher: Maybe if I shot a fire with my pistol?

Morse: Too much sound. They are ninjas, the noise means alarm for intruders.

Murdoch: Does exist a back door or something?

Morse: No, it doesn't exist a back door.( running a hand through his ginger-coppery hair).. I think I have a plan, but we have one chance.

Murdoch ( raising an eyebrow): Morse?

Morse took from his belt a small white sack and a shuriken.

Morse: I forgot to bring more powder so it will be one shot.

Murdoch: Shot of what?

Morse( frowning, whispered-yell to Murdoch): It's sleeping powder. I plan to throw the sack to the ninjas and slash it with a shuriken, knocking them out cold. Now, don't distract me. 

      He took a slow, silent breath, eyes locked on the two foot ninjas at the double doors. Every muscle in his arm tightened as he swung the sack toward them. Time seemed to stretch—the world narrowed to the sharp glint of the shuriken and the bag spinning through the air.

With a flick of his wrist, the shuriken sliced through the sack. A soft cloud of sleeping powder burst outward, drifting over the ninjas. They inhaled it, staggered, and collapsed silently to the ground.

Murdoch: Good stars, it worked.

Morse: Let's move.

       The Fire Guardian and the two detectives moved quickly to the front doors, the first called pressing his ear against it and listening carefully. From the inside, there came no sound, not even soft whispers or footsteps, so he creaked it open and took a glance.

Morse( turning to the others): There's nobody inside.

Murdoch: Are You sure? 

   The younger man pushed the door open, revealing an empty and dimly lit hallway. They stepped inside, Morse leading and holding the swords in a defensive stance. Miss Fisher took her golden, peart decorated pistol from her thigh garter, looking around at the closed doors. And Murdoch, on his hand, felt his heart beating against his ribs, cold sweat running down his skin.

Murdoch: This is highly dangerous and illegal..

Morse: You accepted to follow me because of your case. Now keep quiet.

     The lady detective suppresed a snicker as they started searching the rooms from there, looking for anything that may give them a clue about what was John Dutton delivering. Unluckily, they discovered just offices and storage rooms filled with grabbling books and other weapons. And naturally, they moved to the second floor of the building.

Miss Fisher (whispered): This building is so sober.

Morse: It's a ninja base.

Miss Fisher: Even my house's storage room has more personality.

    The Fire Guardian rolled his eyes and kept walking, scanning the sorroundings for possible Foot ninjas. The stairs they climbed were made from concrete, edged by black, metallic railings , adorned with sharp accents. Finally, they reached the floor.

Morse( looking around): The perimeter looks clean. Let's search.

    He barely took a few steps when he heard a creaking sound coming from behind, and turned so fast he almost knocked the black haired woman.

Murdoch: It was my fault.

Morse( whispered- yelled): Murdoch! What the hell?! I told you to be quiet!

   Before Murdoch could respond, a low mechanical whirring echoed from the far end of the hallway. Morse’s eyes narrowed, the katanas in his hands shifting instinctively to a defensive stance. Miss Fisher’s pistol rose slightly, her gaze scanning the shadows.

From the darkness, four figures emerged, moving with unnerving precision. At first, Murdoch thought they were more ninjas, but the faint glint of metal under the dim lights said something else.

Murdoch: What are those?

Morse( quickly): I think they're robot ninjas!

Miss Fisher: What?

     The robots let out loud sounds of synthetic vocal modulation and lunged, aiming the swords at the detectives.

Morse: MOVE! 

      The Fire Guardian pushed his colleagues to the wall and turned in time to block a katana aimed at his shoulder. He quickly broke and spinned, decapitating the robot with a clean strike as another lunged, metal clashing and sparks flying.

      The other three Footbots lunged, saws whirring and conected to metallical tentacles coming from their backs.

Murdoch ( incredoulos): THEY HAVE SAWS?!

    Morse broke free and back away, blocking the swings of the opponents with his own katanas.

Murdoch( to Miss Fisher): We need to help him.

Miss Fisher ( cracking her knuckles): I'm not a very good fighter but I have courage and luck!

     She summoned a white solid shield with green and golden accents, green energy swirling around.

Miss Fisher( under her breath): Now or never...( The shouted): MORSE! 

       She swung the shield with all her strength, flying across the hall. Morse got down , and the shield knocked down a Footbot, giving the sergent the opportunity to strike: he backflipped and broke free, then sppined and cut off the robots' saws.

Morse: Time to finish.

       He spin-kicked one of the robots, sending it tumbling across the hall, then sliced the arms of the remained robot and drop-kicked into the railings, a sharp ornament stabbing into the chest.

       From the across the hall, the Footbot lunged, but Morse turned fast and in a flash of moves, the robot's arms and head flew and rolled across the floor.

      Morse sheated his katanas across his back and grabbed the shield, walking at Murdoch and Miss Fisher, who stood against a wall.

Murdoch: Is it over?

Morse: Yes. I finished those bloody mach-

     They didn't even have time to blink as the sound of a shotgun erupted, sparks flying and the disorted mechanical voice dying as the bullet hit the processor of the forth Footbot and sent the robot on the floor.

Miss Fisher( smirking): Now it's over.

Morse: Impressive.

Miss Fisher: Thank you, sweetie. Now, I think we should start our searching here, should we?

Morse: And I think we should start with the locked room behind Murdoch. If You have Something valuable, then You keep it somewhere locked.

Murdoch: I think I can help You here.

Morse( snorted): You? To pick up the door? Ha. 

Murdoch: You'd be surprised.

Morse( cross-armed): Fine. You can try.

       The Canadian Detective took a small wire and a pin from his coat's pocket and crouched at the level of the doorknob, starting his work with calm and mechanical almost moves. Miss Fisher leaned against the wall, checking her nails, while Morse smirked, side-eyeing the older man sometimes.

Morse: Need some help, Murdoch?

Murdoch: No, actually..

     The door opened slowly with a soft click and Murdoch stood up, dusting of his trousers' knees.

Morse (rolled his eyes, gesturing them to enter): Ladies first.

    Miss Fisher snorted, while Murdoch ignored the sharp line and all three cramped into the small room.

______________________________________________

Morse: Did you find something?

Miss Fisher: Just daggers, darling.

    The Fire Guardian got up from the floor and slammed close the drawer of the closet, feeling a wave of frustration washing over him.

Morse( hitting the closet again): Damn it! We searched all three floors and couldn't find anything! 

Murdoch: Patience, Sergeant. If you want to find evidence, then be patient.

Morse: How about I punch the patience out of you, huh? Patience won't give us the evidence.

Miss Fisher( resting a hand on Morse's right shoulder): Darling, punching Murdoch also won't give us evidence, as much as satisfying it is.

       Morse sighed and slid down against the closet, pulling a cigarette from his packet and lighting it with a flick of his fingers. The smoke curled lazily around him as he leaned back, eyes scanning the room.

Murdoch: You really need to smoke now?

Morse: Helps me think.

Murdoch: Just don’t set anything on fire.

Morse exhaled slowly, eyes narrowing as he scanned the floor, walls, and furniture. His fingers drummed lightly on the closet.

Morse (muttering to himself): Hidden compartment… somewhere easy to miss…

Murdoch crouched beside him, peering at the closet.

Murdoch: You think it’s here?

Morse tilted his head, blowing smoke across the floor.

Morse: Could be. Could be under the floorboards, behind a drawer… these Foot soldiers are ninjas after all. And a ninja always hides himself and his things somewhere very hard to spot.

Meanwhile, Miss Fisher’s sharp eyes darted to the ground near where Morse was sitting.

Miss Fisher: Hm. Is it just me, or does that plank look… wrong?

She pressed her heel down. The wood groaned.

Miss Fisher: I think that something is hidding here, gentlemans.

Morse frowned, then got up and cracked his knuckles, drawing a katana.

Morse: Step back.

With practiced precision, he wedged the blade under the loose board and levered it upward. His muscles strained, wood splintering with a loud creak until the plank snapped free.

Beneath it—papers. Dozens of them, stacked carefully in the hidden cavity.

Miss Fisher crouched, lifting the top sheets delicately, her eyes skimming over them.

Miss Fisher (low, grim): Well, darling… I’d say we’ve finally found something worth our trouble.

       The two men looked went next to her, reading carefully the papers from her hands.

Morse (frowned): Mutagen? Mutations? What are those monsters planning?

Murdoch( eyeing a strange device): Those monsters are you talking about are creating a dispersing bomb.

Miss Fisher: You mean they want to dispers mutagen and mutated everybody in this town?! Where do they even plant it?

Murdoch: I need to do some calculus, but the bomb will be placed somewhere where its range can cover almost the entire city.

Morse: And for this needs height and a central position in the Oxford.. Magdalen Tower.

Murdoch: Morse?

Morse: I think ( gesturing to the papers) that John Dutton was delivering the pieces the Foot needed for this bomb..and the bomb , If they want to mutate all the Oxford, will be placed on Magdalen Tower. We need to hurry before the bomb explodes.

Murdoch: We need to move—now—before it’s too late.

The three exchanged determined glances, their resolve steeling. Without another word, they sprinted toward the exit, shadows swallowing them as the fate of Oxford hung in the balance.

   To be continued............

Chapter Text

     Chapter 8  

  The streets of Oxford glowed under the soft orange and blue rays of the sunset . The three detectives, Morse, Murdoch, and Miss Fisher, hurried along the cobblestones, their pace sharp with urgency, footsteps echoing against the pavement.The mutagen bomb could already be in place, and every second ticked louder in their ears.

As they turned onto Beaumont Street, the growl of an approaching motor echoed behind them. A car—slightly worn, paint chipped here and there, but clearly well-loved—slowed to a stop at the curb.

Behind the wheel sat a familiar face.

Crabtree (leaning from the driver’s seat, surprised): Detective Murdoch? Miss Fisher? Sergeant Morse? What on earth—are you chasing criminals in this part of town?

Murdoch blinked, a mix of relief and exasperation.

Murdoch: George! What are you doing here?

Crabtree (earnest): Well, sir, I was investigating a report about… er… a glowing pigeon.

He paused, catching sight of Morse’s armor and katanas glinting under the streetlight. His eyes widened.

Crabtree: Oh… good heavens. Is… is that a ninja attire?! Are those real swords?!

Miss Fisher smirked, sliding a hand along the polished hood of his car.

Miss Fisher: Darling, you’re a lifesaver. We’re in desperate need of transport.

Morse (dead serious): We need your car. Now. It’s a matter of life and death.

Crabtree’s brows knitted.

Crabtree: Well… all right, but please don’t tell Inspector Brackenreid I let you ‘borrow’ the vehicle. He told me not to scratch it or I pay from my own money for the damage. Also, mind the brakes—they’re a bit touchy.

Without further debate, the three detectives piled in. Miss Fisher slid into the passenger seat, adjusting her hat with elegance. Murdoch, still clutching the papers, ended up in the back beside Morse, whose katanas sheated across his back kept hitting the car's ceiling.

Crabtree (starting the engine): Where to?

Morse (grim, eyes fixed ahead): Magdalen Tower. Fast.

The car jolted forward, rattling down the narrow lanes of Oxford. Crabtree handled the wheel with surprising vigor, though every sharp turn sent Murdoch clutching the door and Morse gripping the back of the seat, muttering curses under his breath.

Miss Fisher, by contrast, was positively delighted.

Miss Fisher (grinning): Well, I must say, this is far more exciting than arriving on horseback.

Murdoch (tight-lipped): Exciting is hardly the word I’d use.

The streets blurred past, lanterns casting streaks of gold and shadow across their faces. The night air rushed in through the window, carrying with it the faint toll of distant bells. As the spire of Magdalen Tower finally pierced the skyline, Morse’s eyes narrowed, determination burning like fire itself.

Morse: There it is. If we’re right, the Foot Clan’s already setting up the disperser. We have no time.

Crabtree slowed as they neared the tower, his hands trembling slightly on the wheel.

Crabtree: Detective Murdoch… I don’t know what you’re all mixed up in this time, but....I wish yoy good luck, sir.

Murdoch glanced at him, voice low but steady.

Murdoch: So do I, George..and thank you.

The car rolled to a halt, headlights cutting through the gloom. For a moment, the four of them sat in silence, the weight of what lay ahead pressing down on them.

Then Morse opened the door, katanas gleaming as he stepped into the night.

Morse (firmly): Stay here, Crabtree. This fight isn’t yours.

Crabtree (stubbornly): With respect, Sergeant…

Morse: Don't. Stay here, that's an order.

The Constable opened his mouth to respond, but the Fire Guardian's intense glare made him stop.

The three detectives exchanged quick glances. Murdoch sighed softly. Miss Fisher smiled. And Morse—reluctantly—nodded.

Morse: Let's go.

Together, they turned toward the looming tower, shadows lengthening , feeling the tension thick in the air.

---

Morse led the way, unsheating his katanas with a short shrink and scanning the perimeter; Miss Fisher followed, holding her golden pistol and her skirt swishing; and Murdoch ended the row, looking over his shoulder and praying to every god he knew to don't let him die there and then.  

  Their footsteps against the tiled stairs echoed like a bell in a grand church, the day light outside fading slowly and getting replaced by the soft darkness of the night.  

  The Canadian Detective grabbed the railings, his heart beating like a set of drums.  

   At the top of the stairs, Morse stopped and gave a push on the door, which opened slowly, creaking like an old floorboard. He squinted.

Morse: Something's not right. Stay close behind me.

He moved on, gripping his katanas strongly, his jaw tight and lips pressed into a line.

And there it was.

Next to the railings, with tubes that glowed from the green substance that runned into them, and glowing buttons, the bomb stood, mocking them.

Miss Fisher: The bomb-

Morse( moving to it): We need to stop it before it explo-

Suddenly, a shadow stretched across the rooftop. A low, metallic click echoed.

From the shadows, a figure descended with lethal precision. Shredder landed silently, a silhouette of menace, blades glinting under the moonlight. His armor reflected the city lights like a predator’s eyes.

Morse took a defensive stance, standing in front of his friends to protect them.

Morse( demanding): Who the bloody hell are You?

Murdoch( whispered): I don't think it's a good idea to insult him.

Shredder: Your skills are impressive, young man. But they won't save you from me.

Morse( smirked): And may I ask who are you?

Shredder( summoning his gauntles' blades): You will see why they call me the Shredder.

Shredder lunged, Morse barely blocking as the blades connected with his katanas. Miss Fisher and Murdoch dove aside, landing in a heap.

Morse and Shredder broke free, the first one's heels scraping against the ground as he backed away.

Morse( barked): Murdoch, go deactivate the bomb, now!

The Fire Guardian spinned and attempted to slash his enemy, only for his swords to get blocked by one of the gauntles and got kicked in the abdomen with great force, making him fly backwards.

Shredder jumped and swung his blades toward Morse, but the sergeant rolled just as the blades stabbed the concrete floor.

Morse( as he jumped back on his feet, through gritted teeth): HURRY!

Murdoch worked as fast as he could, hands slightly trembling from the pression of time, while Miss Fisher gaze moved from the battle to the bomb.

Miss Fisher: Hurry, Murdoch! Shredder seems to be in a very bad mood now!

Murdoch: I'm working!

The blond man dodged multiple fast swings, backing away.

Shredder: You’ve ruined my plans, warrior. You won’t leave here alive.

Morse executed two back handsprings in succession, then flicked two shurikens toward Shredder. The villain deflected effortlessly, forearms blocking the attack. Morse lunged to strike with his katanas, but Shredder caught him mid-air and slammed him into a stone pillar. Morse crumpled to the ground, katanas clattering beside him.

Morse groaned and got on his knees, pain and fear spreading into his body as he heard and saw Shredder walking toward him and dragging his blades against the concrete.

The sergeant's blue eyes widened and desperately tried to get up. Shredder raised his blades, ready to strike.

Shredder: Now I will finish You.

Miss Fisher: Not so fast!

She swung her shield and managed to hit the Villain, making him stumbles and giving Morse time to get up and grab his swords.

Shredder( turning to her): You dare to defy me?!

Miss Fisher: Anytime and anywhere.

Shredder: You will pay for this defiance.

Miss Fisher skidded around the corner as Shredder gave chase, her skirt flaring as she moved.

She looked over her shoulder and saw Shredder coming closer.

Miss Fisher ( shouting): Some help is very welcomed now!

Shredder kept following her, fury gleaming in both his eyes.

Morse, who managed to recover, jumped over the interior railings and tackled Shredder before he could catch up with the lady detective.

Murdoch, in that point, was sweating bullets as he worked faster then he ever did , on that bomb. He took a short glance and saw Shredder throwing Morse again, the latter one rolling on the ground and landing a low stance.

Morse jumped and swung his katanas, each attack fast and precise.

Morse( shouting): What the hell are You doing, Murdoch?!

Murdoch( shouting back): I work as fast as I can!

Morse( blocking another swing of blades): Then work faster!

Morse dodged and blocked every attack, but he felt his arms and legs trembling from the crashing before. He gritted his teeth, and in a burst of being fed up by this, he lit up his swords, flames bright and strong. He let out a battle cry as he managed to front-kick Shredder, making this time the villain to back away.

Shredder( growled): You are a kappa!

Morse( smirked, eyes glowing orange-flame): I'm more then a kappa, You evil tin bucket!

The Fire Guardian and the Villain clashed, sparks flying as metal hit metal.

Miss Fisher, in that time, managed to sneak around and move next to the Canadian Detective.

Murdoch( to himself): Just cut one more site and--

The humming of the bomb and the glowing buttons stopped, and a fresh wave of relief washed over Murdoch, knowing he had deactivated the bomb.

Murdoch( murmured): I stopped it...( Then loud) I stopped the bomb!

Shredder, who managed to grab and threw Morse at their feet, growled and slammed his fist on a pillar.

Shredder: Do You think You can defeat me?!

The Sergeant's breath came ragged, his hands scrapped and bleeding lighlty where they weren't covered. He looked up with wide eyes, hands clenching on the swords, as Shredder closed the distance between him and the trio.

Suddenly, they heard the sound of police sirens from below, stronger as they got closer.

Shredder (growled): You may have won this battle, but you will never win the war.

With a blur of motion, he vanished into the shadows, as silently as he had arrived.

The rooftop fell still, the only sound the ragged breaths of the detectives. Murdoch extended a steadying hand, helping Morse back to his feet. His katanas still glowed faintly, the fire flickering before dying down. Miss Fisher brushed dust from her skirt with a sharp flick of her wrist, her expression half-annoyed, half-exhilarated.

Below, the wail of sirens swelled, red and blue lights flooding the cobblestones. Police cars screeched to a halt, officers spilling out with rifles and pistols at the ready. From their vantage point, the trio spotted the unmistakable copper-red hair of Inspector Brackenreid and, beside him, the tall, outline of Cameron Grey.

Miss Fisher (leaning over the railing, shouting): Hey, Cameron! (She waves.)

Cameron looked up, brown-green eyes wide and one eyebrow raised.

Cameron: What are you three doing up there?

Morse (gritting his teeth, smirking despite the blood at his lip): Enjoying the view. What do you think we’re doing?

Cameron( rolling her eyes): You’re not funny, Morse. Get down here.

Miss Fisher exchanged a look with Murdoch, one brow lifted, as if to say she hasn’t changed a bit. Murdoch only sighed, his hands still trembling slightly from the delicate work on the bomb.

Together, the trio descended the winding stairs. The air was thick with the mingled scents of smoke, sweat, and cordite. At the base of the tower, the officers closed ranks, parting as Brackenreid strode forward, fury written across his face.

Brackenreid (snapping): Murdoch! What devilry are you tangled in this time? And you—Miss Fisher, for heaven’s sake—Oxford is not your playground. And Morse—bloody hell, what are you even wearing?!

Miss Fisher(smiled sweetly): Fashion, Inspector. You should try it sometime.

Murdoch cleared his throat.

Murdoch: Inspector, I can explain these..events that led me to solve the case.

A murmur rippled through the officers. Relief, disbelief, suspicion. Cameron Grey stepped forward, her eyes fixed on Morse.

Cameron( eyes softning, arms crossed): Morse, what have you done this time?

Morse: Saved the day, saved the city..

 He stepped closer, mouth so close to her ear,that she could feel his warm cigarette-breath against her skin.

Morse( whispered): The Foot is back..and brought mutagen in Oxford. 

    He stepped back and she stared at him, not because she taught the idea was crazy( she never didn't think his ideas were crazy), but because it meant a new threat had come to their city.

Cameron gently cupped his face, turning to have a better look of the scratches and other wounds from him.

Cameron( brushing his left cheek with her thumb): You need to clean your wounds. And patch up your deeper ones that bleed.

Morse: I'm fine.

Cameron: No, you're not. Your hands are trembling. I take you to your flat and help you.

Morse opened his mouth, ready with a retort, but the weariness in his limbs betrayed him. With a sharp exhale, he sheathed his swords, the steel ringing softly, and gave Murdoch and Miss Fisher a last, fleeting glance.

Morse (quietly, to them): Go home. Rest. This isn’t over.

Miss Fisher tilted her head, her smirk returning.

Miss Fisher: It never is, darling.

Murdoch gave a solemn nod, papers still clutched under his arm.

Murdoch: Good luck, Sergeant.

Cameron ( rolled her eyes, a small smirk tugging at the corner of her lips): I'm not going to bite him, Murdoch. But I wish You good luck because Julia is waiting for You home and trust me, She's nervous.

   Murdoch raised an eyebrow, while Morse mouthed something similar to ,,damn" or ,,dang".

   Cameron gently guided Morse down the cobblestone streets, her hand steadying him as he limped slightly, fatigue etched into every line of his body. The cool night air contrasted with the warmth radiating from his fire-lit swords earlier, and she could feel the faint tremor of exhaustion beneath his armor.

Cameron: You really need to take better care of yourself.

Morse gave a tired smirk, his blue eyes flickering faintly with lingering firelight.

Morse: Someone has to save the city.

Cameron shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Cameron: We save the Oxford Morse. We are the Guardians, aren't se? And someone has to make sure you survive saving it. Come on, we’ll get you patched up.

Morse: And after you parch me up, maybe tomorrow, can we train together, on my building's rooftop?

Cameron: Sounds like You aim for a date night, Romeo.

Morse blushed and smiled awkardly.

Cameron: What about a walk in the Botanic Garden, at 7 PM, tomorrow. Good?

Morse (nodded): Yes.

They moved through the quiet streets, the echoes of sirens fading behind them. 

Meanwhile, Murdoch and Miss Fisher made their way back through the darkened streets, the adrenaline slowly ebbing from their veins. Murdoch clutched his papers a little less tightly now, the tension leaving his shoulders as he glanced at the elegant detective beside him.

Miss Fisher: Well, that was… invigorating, wasn’t it?

Murdoch (dryly): Invigorating isn’t exactly the word I’d use.

She chuckled, her eyes sparkling in the lamplight.

Miss Fisher: You’ll live to exaggerate it in your reports tomorrow, I’m sure.

Murdoch sighed, the weight of the evening still pressing lightly on him.

Murdoch: Yes, well… goodnight, Miss Fisher.

Miss Fisher: Goodnight, Detective. Do try to stay out of trouble until the next adventure.

With a final wave, they parted ways, each disappearing into the calm night, the city finally quiet after the chaos.

The End