"Sooooo," Kintaro says in a peevish tone as his hand rests on his cheek, "Is this when we start getting into the action?"

"We're almost there. Be patient," Usagi tells the young boy as he goes back to reading the book, "Five years later, the main square of the Salamandrian kingdom was filled like never before to hear the announcement of the great Prince Newtralizer's bride-to-be."

≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫

In the center of the kingdom, Prince Newtralizer, a newt with black and orange skin and dark yellow eyes, was dressed in the finest royal clothing and upon his head a golden crown. He stood on the castle balcony looking down at his subjects. Behind him was his aging father, King Sal, along with one of the Prince's loyal men of the court, Count Tiger Claw.

Prince Newtralizer raises his hand, silencing the crowd. "My people! A month from now our kingdom will celebrate its 500th anniversary," he announces, giving a sense of power and authority to his subjects, "On that sundown, I shall marry a lady who was once a commoner like yourselves, with no title to her name," he paused, watching the crowd's reaction as they whisper to one another. They were so surprised that their prince chose a commoner over a woman of royal blood. The prince smiles, "But know you will not find her common now. Would you like to meet my bride and your future Queen?"

The crowd cheers with excitement, their happiness booming through the land like a thunderstorm. They were excited to meet this mysterious woman.

Prince Newtralizer proudly smiles as he gestures to the entrance of the castle below with a red carpet, "My people... Princess Mona Lisa!"

Near the entrance to the castle, Mona Lisa entered the crowd with the trumpets playing for her as she presented herself to her subjects. She was dressed in an elegant blue gown, decorated with the finest jewels, along with a silver tiara on her head. The people bowed to her in an instant as she approached them, blessing them with her presence. Great waves of people kneeling before her moved Mona Lisa, but she stood motionless, refusing to smile, something she hasn't done in years. Though she was now in a position of great power, had the finest dresses and jewels, lived in a grand castle, and was about to marry a prince, Mona Lisa has not felt true happiness since she was with her love all those years ago.

≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫

"Mona Lisa's emptiness consumed her. Although the laws of the Salamadrian Kingdom gave Newtrailzer the right to choose his bride, she did not love him."

"I don't blame her," Kintaro scoffs, "He took her away from her home and forced her into an arranged marriage! That is dishonorable!"

Usagi continued reading, "As the days passed, Mona Lisa resentment towards her future husband grew. Despite Newtralizer's reassurance that Mona Lisa will one day grow to love him, the only joy she found in her life was during her daily ride through the kingdom."

≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫

During a warm afternoon, Mona Lisa rode her horse through the kingdom, her long sleeve teal present dress flew in the fresh spring wind as she rode on. Riding her horse reminded her of the good old days when she would hide her stead through her family's farm. A memory like that to her felt as if it had happened centuries ago. Mona Lisa traveled far, near the waters by the edge of the kingdom as the sun began to slowly reach the horizon. As she rode by, she spotted three men by a small dock up ahead. There were two turtles, one scrawny with a gap in his teeth and the other, shorter than the other, with dark blue eyes and he had two faint but noticeable scars on his cheeks.. Mona Lisa could guess the second turtle was a swordsman, noticing the blade resting in the holster that was on his belt. The third member of the trio was a tall and rather intimidating alligator. These three mutant men were dressed in dirty commoner tunics and messy pants, though the tallest turtle seemed to be dressed more nicely and cleaner than the other two.

"A word, my lady?" The scrawny one says as Mona passes by.

Mona stops her horse and looks at them, her hands ripping tightly onto her horse's rein. She made sure she kept her distance from them, for though they presented themselves as friendly, Mona had her suspicions, "Yes?"

"We have just come from a long journey at sea and need food and shelter for the night," the turtle explained, "Is there a village nearby?"

"I'm sorry, but there is nothing nearby," Mona Lisa tells them, "Not for miles.

He evilly smirks at her, sending a chill down her spine, "Then there will be no one to hear you scream."

The alligator quickly reaches over to Mona Lisa, his claws coming towards her. Mona tries to fight back, leaving a few good hits onto him before he reaches the nerve on her neck. The beginning of her scream was all Mona gave before passing out. Unconscious, she falls off her horse and the alligator catches her. Carefully he carries her over to the dock over to their small ship as the swordsman turtle prepares the boat to set sail.

The scrawny one pulls out an article of clothing from his satchel. It seems to be an army jacket and begins ripping a piece of fabric from it. He then proceeds to tuck it in between the saddle of Mona Lisa's horse.

"What are you doing?" The swordsman turtle asked.

Still working on setting up the ripped fabric onto the horse, the other turtle says, "I'm ripping off a piece of fabric from the uniform of a Triceraton Army officer."

The alligator looks at him, confused, as he carries an unconscious Mona Lisa to the ship, "Triceraton?"

"The kingdom across the sea! They are the sworn enemy of the Salamandrain Kingdom!" He hits the horse's rump and it takes off as he continues, "Once the horse reaches the castle, the fabric will make the Prince suspect the Triceratons have abducted his bride. Once he finds her dead body on the Triceraton's borders, his suspicions will be totally confirmed."

The alligator looked at him with worry, "Y-You never said anything about killing anyone."

"I've hired you to help me start a war," he explains as he boards to ship, "It's a prestigious line of work with a long and glorious tradition." he gives a mischievous grin, seeming like he was the only one truly enjoying what he and his team are doing.

"I just don't think it's right, she's just an innocent girl..."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Am I going mad or did the word 'think' escape your lips?!" The turtle says angrily, "You were hired for your strength because you lack brains, you hippopotamic land mass!"

"I agree with Leatherhead," the other turtle says as he boards the ship with them.

The tall turtle grew more angry, "Oh! You finally decide to speak up about this! What happens to the princess is none of your concern. I will kill her," he studied the reactions from both of the men, seeing that they are growing hurt from his words, so he raises his volume more, "And remember this, Leonardo! NEVER FORGET!" He shouts as he gets in the turtle's face, "When I found your sorry shell, you were so slobbering drunk you couldn't even buy brandy! And you!" He turns to Leatherhead and approaches him as the gator backed up in fear, "Friendless, brainless, helpless, hopeless. Everyone sees you as a monster and that's all you'll ever be!!"

The turtle walks away from Leatherhead, leaving him with sorrow from his insults. Though Leatherhead is a giant and looks intimidating we wouldn't hurt anyone, well, not without reason. Leonardo quickly notices his friend's pain and approaches him. He places his hand on Leatherhead's shoulder and gives him a soft smile.

"That Donatello, he can fuss." Leo says, using slight emphasis on the last word.

Leatherhead looks at Leo, "Fuss... Fuss..." his eyes widened with realization of what Leo is trying to do,"I think he likes to scream at us."

"He probably means no harm." Leo continues.

"He's really short on charm."

"My friend, you have a great gift for rhyme!" Leo complements with a bright smile.

Leatherhead finally smiles and looks at his friend, "Yes, some of the time."

Donatello rolls his eyes, annoyed with them and their little game, "Enough of that!" He shouts as the ship begins to set sail out to sea.

Leo keeps going, "Leatherhead, are there rocks ahead?"

"If there are, we'll be dead!"

"You two are a disgrace!" Donatello groans.

Leatherhead smirks and looks at Donnie with a teasing glare, "Want me to grab and shake your face?"

"NO!" Donatello screams, his voice being heard for miles as the ship sailed off into the setting sun.