Rise of the Turtles, Part 2

"Rise of the Turtles, Part 2" is the second episode of the animated series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012 TV series). It originally aired on September 29, 2012.

Major Characters
Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, Michelangelo, Splinter, April O'Neil, The Kraang, The Shredder

Secondary Characters
Kirby O'Neil, Snake/Snakeweed, Carlos Chiang O'Brien Gambe, Spike

Main Locations
Turtles Lair

Plot Synopsis
Continuing where the previous episode left off, the Turtles are standing by the crashed van wondering over the mutagen they just found. Leo reasons that the kidnappers they're after are somehow connected to their mutation fifteen years ago. Mikey continues to insist that said kidnappers are alien robots, and tries to prove it by pulling off the driver's face, but the man (named Snake) is just an ordinary human. When The Turtles interrogate Snake, they learn that he works for The Kraang, that they have been kidnapping scientists from all over the entire city, and are planning to take them out of the city that night to an unknown location outside of the city.

The Turtles have Snake take them to the Kraang's lair, which is heavily guarded. As Leo, Raph, and Donnie argue about how to free the hostages, Mikey accidentally lets Snake escape. The Turtles chase after him, but when Leo and Raph find his hiding place, they decide to trick him instead of capture him. Leo makes a fake plan to use Snake's van to drive into the enemy headquarters, knowing that Snake can hear him. The Turtles then return to the lair to gear up.

At the lair, while the Turtles prepare for their mission, Leo asks Splinter why he chose him to be the leader. Splinter says he must discover that on his own. Then Leo voices his fear of failing to Splinter. Splinter says failure is something every leader must be prepared to face and tells him the story of his greatest failure: his last battle with his rival Oroku Saki, which ended in the losses of his wife Tang Shen and their child Miwa.

Later, Snake and the Kraang are waiting for the Turtles to show up. As Snake expected, the van comes speeding toward the building and explodes in a fiery crash. A canister of mutagen flies out of the van and splashes Snake, causing him to mutate. Meanwhile, the Turtles use the crash as a distraction so they can sneak into the base unnoticed.

Once inside they find the place full of alien robots, proving that Mikey was right all along. They fight their way through the enemy lair until they find the cell where the girl, April, and her dad are trapped. Just as they get the doors open, more robots come and carry them off. The Turtles give chase but are stopped outside by the now monstrous Snakeweed. Leo, Raph and Mikey stay and fight him (and more robots) while Donnie goes to rescue April and her dad, who are taken to a helicopter.

Donnie grabs onto the helicopter as it takes off. While he struggles with the Kraang, April falls out. He has to let go to save her, allowing the Kraang to escape with her father. They go back to join the other Turtles, where Leo has come up with another plan to defeat the robots and Snakeweed. They taunt the Kraang into shooting at a power generator, and the explosion covers their escape. The Turtles take April to her aunt's apartment and vow not to rest until they rescue her father.

Back at the lair, Splinter praises Leo for his success. Leo thinks he understands why Splinter chose him to be the leader now, saying that he sensed in him a true warrior's spirit that would forge them all into heroes. Splinter, however, says the real reason was simply that Leo asked to be the leader. Then Mikey interrupts, saying that they made the news. The anchorman on TV reports that there are "Ninjas in New York" after police found one of their shuriken.

Meanwhile, in Tokyo, Japan, The Shredder sees the same news report and recognizes the symbol on the shuriken. He believes that Hamato Yoshi is training a ninja army in New York and decides it's time to pay him a visit.

Quotes
Raphael: (While threatening Snake) "Now you could turn out handsome like me, or you could turn out disgusting and deformed, like Mikey here."

(Raphael breaks off a Kraang-droid's arm and blocks a door with it)

Raphael: "That'll hold them."

(Leonardo, Donatello and Michelangelo stare at him)

Raphael: "What?"

Leonardo: "You...are seriously twisted."

Raphael: "Thanks!"

Master Splinter: "I am impressed Leonardo. You proved to be an affective leader under the most difficult circumstances." Leonardo: "Thank you sensei, and I think I know why you made me leader." Master Splinter: "Oh? And why is that?" Leonardo: "Because you sensed in me a true warrior spitit, that could forge us all to the great heroes we're destined to become." Master Splinter: "No." Leonardo: "No? Then why did you make me leader?" Master Splinter: "Because... you asked." Leonardo: "That's it? But you seemed so certain you were right." Master Splinter: "As a leader you will learn that there is no right and wrong, only choices." Leonardo: "So you could have chosen any of us?" Master Splinter: "Yes." Leonardo: "Even Mikey?!" Master Splinter: "No... That would've been wrong.:

More to be added...