Il Mostro Del Central Park is a story in Le Tartarughe Ninja, published in Il Giornalino #19 dated May 11, 2008.
Appearing in Il Mostro Del Central Park[]
Major characters[]
Minor characters[]
Species[]
- Gorilla
- Humans
- Mutant turtles
Objects and vehicles[]
Locations[]
Summary[]
Two o’clock in the morning in New York City’s Central Park. For a week, the area has been declared a no-go zone, due to an unidentified monster that appears to have made the park its home. Witnesses described the monster as having a luminous gaze that shined in the dark shadows between the trees.
From a hiding place in the underbrush, Michelangelo reports in on his Shell Cell as “special agent orange” and says he has nothing to report. Leonardo replies that he’s gotten too into character and they are not secret agents. Mikey replies that he’s trying to have a bit of fun and it’s possible that his brother takes everything too seriously. After informing Mikey that they are there to hunt the monster terrorizing New York and not to play, he asks for a report from Raphael and Donatello. Both report back that their areas are all quiet. Donatello asks if they’re sure a monster exists and it wasn’t something made up by a prankster. Leo tells him that Master Splinter wanted them to take a look at the situation and they shouldn’t disappoint him.
A noise in the bushes draws his attention and he tells the team to join him. Sword drawn, Leo leaps from hiding and startles a woman who is hiding nearby. She says he scared her and then realizes he’s a mutant. Leo replies that she seems to know about mutants and then introduces himself. He tells her she’s in danger and asks if she hasn’t heard about the monster. The woman responds that the monster is an animal she was treating in her laboratory and which escaped. She prepared a bottle with the scent of his favorite food and is releasing it into the air so that he’ll come out of hiding.
There is a loud roar and Leo turns to see a huge gorilla coming towards them. He puts out a protective arm and tells the woman to stay back. Announcing that the beast doesn’t scare him, Leo leaps. The gorilla knocks him right out of the air. Leo acknowledges that the creature is strong, but he is tough, which the he’ll now demonstrate. Just then, his brothers arrive and Don announces that reinforcements have arrived. The gorilla sweeps Mikey aside and then Don hits the creature on the back with his bō, but discovers that he’s rock solid. Raphael delivers a hard kick to the gorilla’s face and says he knows he felt that.
Don reaches out to Leo and asks if his brother is ready for a long throw. Leo says he is and tells his brother not to save his energy. Don responds by tossing Leo straight at the gorilla. Both of Leo’s feet strike the gorilla’s head and it drops to the ground. Raph comments on the gorilla’s size and suggests they knock him out completely and then call the police. The woman asks them to stop and says she’ll take care of it. She holds out a device and activates it, which also activates a collar around the gorilla’s neck.
With the gorilla out of commission, several men arrive in a large van and load the creature into the back. The woman announces that he will wake up safely within the walls of the laboratory where he will receive both food and affection. Don says that he feels a little sorry for him. Asleep like this, he just looks like a big hairy monkey. The woman introduces herself as Karen Todd and thanks the Tartarughes for helping to catch the gorilla. She then asks that they keep this a secret. Leo responds that if she keeps them a secret, they will do the same. Then he asks if she’ll take care of notifying the authorities that the danger of the monster has ended. She says she will. Then she prepares to leave and says that maybe one day, they’ll see each other again.
As the sun begins to rise, the Tartarughes perch on tree limbs high over the park. Don says the park is safe again, but it’s too bad they can’t enjoy the citizens’ applause. Leo tells him that Master Splinter will be happy with them and that’s enough for him. Mikey states that he’s hungry and asks about having a nice breakfast now.