TMNT: Drako's Nexus - CH5

Drako waited in his quarters as the Battle Nexus Tournament progressed.  Until Hamato Splinter was close enough to the Daimyo, all he could do was wait until the proper moment to strike, and everything he worked towards would be his.  

His Assassins had reported that only participant from the Dimension known as Third Earth in the Tournament, was Hamato Splinter himself, and that his four Adoptive Sons were not present.  For Drako that was good news, it did not require a keen observer to notice the lingering, and still intense resentment the self-styled Ultimate Ninja carried towards them, and one Leonardo in particular.  Had they been present, the possibility of his desire for vengeance could easily have jeopardised their - and in particular his own - plans that had to be enacted over the course of the tournament.  

It was not much longer before one of his Dark Assassins emerged from the shadows to bow before him.  

“My Lord, the Rat, Hamato Splinter has advanced to the Second Round.”  He spoke to the red dragon with great care.  

“I see.  And what of the Daimyo’s Son?”  Drako queried, his emerald eyes piercing him.  

“He has prepared the summons that will send his Father to where we will be ready to strike.”  

“Good.  All is proceeding as planned.”  Drako replied with a cruel chuckle.  “Remember, the rat must be close enough to interfere before you attack if he is to shoulder the blame for his act.”  

“It will be done.”  

“And you will, unless you wish to suffer the, consequences, of failure.”  He added the unveiled threat.  “Now, go.”  

Alone once more, he reviewed his plans in his mind.  Once the Daimyo was dead, his Son would become the Daimyo by way of Birthright, following which the War Staff would become his as per their agreement.  

That, of course, was the plan that they had agreed on some years back, but the large dragon had his own plans, and over the same years had been busy developing, and enacting them.  Now with the support of enough of the Council, he could begin the task of bringing his own dark goals to fruition.  It was simply a matter of waiting for the right moment.  

Movement from the shadows caught his eye, and facing it, another Assassin under his employ revealed himself.  

“My Lord.  The second round of the Tournament is concluded.  Hamato Splinter was defeated.”  

“What?”  Drako exclaimed, the news surprising him, considering his performance the last time.  

“It is true, a warrior known as Kluh vanquished him, following a strike to his right leg.  He was transported to alongside the Daimyo following his defeat.”  The Assassin explained the outcome, fear emanating from him.  

“Ah, the one I broke.”  Drako replied, calmed.  And then he couldn’t resist a laugh, one that was devoid of humour, that injury he’d inflicted on him back then appeared to have taken its toll.  “When the Daimyo’s Son makes his move, I am to be informed immediately, ensure that the others are aware of this.”  

“Yes, my Lord.”  He relied as he left to comply with his orders.  

With the intermission between the second and third rounds to allow the remaining contestants time to recover, now would be the best time for the Daimyo to fall.  and for the rat to take the blame for it.