Flushed is the comic in the forty-first issue of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Appearing in Flushed[]
Major characters[]
- Donatello
- Joe Eyeball (debut)
- Leonardo
- Michelangelo
- Muckman (debut)
- Raphael
Minor characters[]
Locations[]
Objects and vehicles[]
Synopsis[]
The Turtles are engaged in their third fight of the evening with a seemingly endless number of Footbots. Donatello says that it’s really weird because normally they’d be lucky to get into one, maybe two fights a week. Raphael doesn’t care, he’s happy enough to fight all night. Michelangelo tells him to be careful what he wishes for – because now they are surrounded by a fresh batch of them.
Leonardo tells his brothers to dig in, because this is going to get ugly. Backed against a dumpster, the Turtles don’t see Muckman flip open the lid and rise to his full height. When a thrown trash can bowls over a pair of Footbots, the Turtles spin around and see him.
An angry Muckman begins flinging trash and spewing toxic vomit at the Footbots, shouting at them to get out of his alley. When the Footbots are all gone, Muckman spins on the Turtles and demands to know if anyone else wants a piece of him. Raph tells him to take it easy and Leo explains that the Foot don’t understand the concept of ‘do not disturb’.
Muckman apologizes to them, saying they are all right, he just gets crazy always having to break up fights. He can’t understand how the Turtles do this night after night and wants to know if it’s so wrong to just want some peace and quiet. Suddenly a flash of lighting strikes overhead and it begins to rain.
Suddenly Muckman begins to melt. Don realizes that the rain is destabilizing Muckman’s cellular structure and he starts to wash down the grate into the sewers. The Turtles try to grab his arms to save him, but his gloop melts off and leaves behind only bones. Hearing a voice calling to them from below ground, Don pulls the grate cover off and reaches down to rescue Joe Eyeball.
Joe introduces himself and tells the Turtles that Muckman is okay, he’s just down in the sewers. He can’t pull himself together because he’s mixed up with all the sewage. Joe says to get either him or Muckman’s bones close enough and all of Muckman’s bits will be drawn right to either. Don asks if that is sort of like a “Muck-magnet” and Joe says sure.
Mikey dives into a dumpster and retrieves two buckets, which they can use to scoop Muckman’s guts out of the sewer. Raph comments that there is nothing about this mission that isn’t weird or gross. The Turtles put Muckman’s bones into the buckets and then drop into the sewers. Mikey asks his complaining brothers where their spirit of adventure is, and besides, how bad could it be? They pull the manhole cover closed behind them and do not see the Footbots who have reached their location.
In short time the Turtles have reached the main sewer waterway, where rainwater flows into. The sewers run for miles under the city and they wonder how they are ever going to find Muckman. Joe Eyeball tells them not to worry, because like he said… Suddenly, part of Muckman jumps from the water and splats Raph’s face before dripping into the bucket he’s holding. Joe finishes the sentence “…Muckman will find us.”
Don makes the observation that the tunnel goes on for miles in either direction. Leo says they need to split up. He, Raph and Joe will take the left, Donnie and Mikey go right. Raph tells them to meet back here in an hour and to be careful.
The “Muck-collection” continues as the two groups walk their assigned tunnel sections. Segments of Muckman leap into their buckets, though unfortunately for Raph, the muck always hits his face first. Don makes the comment that collecting Muckman is going pretty smoothly. Before he can finish his next thought, Mikey yells look out and accidently shoves his face into the bucket as he pushes Don out of the way of several shuriken.
They turn to battle the Foot, who have invaded the sewers. The Turtles soon learn that the tunnel is too narrow for them to effectively use their weapons. They soon find themselves overwhelmed and pinned on their backs. Both gasp when a new arrival makes his presence known.
Elsewhere, Leo and Raph follow Joe Eyeball, though they haven’t located much of Muckman in a while. Joe assures them that they are about to hit paydirt. Sure enough, they reach a junction where a huge portion of Muckman is swirling. Muckman asks them what’s up and Leo replies that they’ve been looking for him all night. Joe tells him to get out of the pool so they can go home, but Muckman says he’s not going anywhere. He explains that falling down there was the best thing that’s happened to him. Topside, he couldn’t get a break from the fighting and yelling and screaming. Down in the sewers he just goes with the flow and there’s nothing but the peace and quiet he’s been looking for.
They are suddenly joined by the Foot and Tiger Claw with their two captives, Mikey and Don. Leo realizes Tiger Claw is the one who’s been sending Foot ninja after them the entire night. Tiger Claw asks why he should bother with traps and schemes when any good hunter knows to chase down their prey until they’re too tired to fight back. While he’s speaking, he knocks down both Leo and Raph. Joe Eyeball tries to jump Tiger Claw, but is struck by his sword and flung into the water. Muckman wants to know why he’s trying to fight when he’s just an eyeball. Joe tells him that if bad guys are beating up on folks he can’t sit around doing nothing.
Tiger Claw stands over his captives and announces it’s time for them to be delivered to Master Shredder. Before he can make another move though, Muckman’s fist comes flying at him and punches him in the face. Muckman rises up from the pool and attacks as a humongous wave of gunk and trash, yelling for the Foot to leave his friends alone.
In the street above, a manhole cover starts to rattle and shake. Then it bursts open to throw Tiger Claw and the Foot out of the sewers. A short while later, Muckman returns with the Turtles to the street. Leo asks him what made him change his mind and Muckman says he figures that as long as he has his powers he should use them to help people. Raph vows that they’ll never turn their backs on him either. Overwhelmed with feelings, Muckman pulls the Turtles into a hug and a smiling Mikey says it’s like hugging a dumpster.