Ma Che Tartarughe D'Egitto! is a story in Le Tartarughe Ninja, published in Il Giornalino #8 dated May 8, 1996.
Appearing in Ma Che Tartarughe D'Egitto![]
Major characters[]
Minor characters[]
- April O'Neil
- Concierge
- Akkah Niscionneffess
- Akkah’s henchmen
- Akkah's Second-in-command
Species[]
Objects and vehicles[]
- Briefcase
- Cane
- Sword
Locations[]
- Egypt
- Cairo
- City of the Dead
- Giza Plateau
- Great Pyramid of Giza
- Great Sphinx of Giza
- Hotel
- Khan El-Khalili Bazaar
- Pyramid of Khafre
- Cairo
Summary[]
The Tartarughes and April O'Neil are in Cairo, Egypt, in the heart of the fabulous Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, the largest bazaar in all of Africa. However, the Tartarughes are bored and complain about not being able to enjoy a real vacation for once. Leonardo refuses to move and Donatello tells April that his brothers are right. He asks if she really has to interview “what’s his name”. April says his name is Akkah Niscionneffess and that he’s a dangerous arms dealer wanted by the police. She says no one has ever interviewed him and it will be the hit of the year.
Don tells her that they’ve been out and about since this morning and that they are feeling a bit peckish. Michelangelo says that his stomach is emptier than Leo’s head. Leo threatens him, but April interrupts to ask that they wait for her there just long enough for her to ask a couple more questions. In the meantime, they should find something to eat. Don wants to know if she’s kidding, because that could be dangerous. Leo asks if he’s crazy because how can eating be dangerous? A nearby vendor lifts the top from a pot and asks if they would like some Koshari. Miky thinks it smells good and Raffaello says his taste buds are on fire.
As he begins to eat, Don tells April not to go too far. She replies that he shouldn’t worry because she’ll be back in a heartbeat. Leo tastes another dish and asks what it is. The vendor says it’s a salad of peppers, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, olives, and hard-boiled eggs. Miky says that they’re keeping it light. Raf adds they are getting diet points, whoever gets the most points, wins. While they are eating, April strolls through the bazar, looking at various wares. She doesn’t notice a man pointing her out to another man and then both following her. Suddenly, they grab her from behind. She starts shouting, but goes unheard.
Later, the Tartarughes are in the lobby of their hotel. Don comes down in the elevator to say that April wasn’t in her room and wonders where she could have gone. Raf can’t believe she’s left them in a lurch. They are interrupted by the Concierge who says there is a message for him. As he hands it to Don, he says some guys brought it a little while ago. Don reads the message, which says that if they are interested in seeing their friend alive again, try not to miss the “sounds and lights” show tonight at the pyramids. A p.s. warns that if they contact the police, it would be an unforgivable mistake. It is signed by Akkah Nisciunneffess. Don says they’ve kidnapped April. Miky wonders what the sounds and lights is about. Leo threatens that if they hurt a hair on her head…. The Concierge gets their attention again to say that it’s a folk show, an unforgettable experience. Miky asks what Don thinks, but his brother doesn’t know.
That evening, the Tartarughes attend the show at the Giza Plateau. The announcer points out the sights; the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Great Sphinx of Giza. A man approaches the Tartarughes and says that this is all just a tourist trap and the plain at night, without a soul around, is the real show. So is entering the Pyramid of Giza alone. He says that if they want, they can do it tomorrow night because the pyramid will be open, just for them. Miky says they’ve got it, but they don’t care, they know the trick. Don adds that they are do-it-yourself tourists. The man says that if he was them, he would try and maybe bring a million dollars. Mikey wants to know if he happened to fall head first off a high chair when he was little. The man walks away, calling back that this is the only way they’ll see their friend again. Don calls out for him to stop, but he doesn’t. Though the Tartarughes try to catch him, they no longer see him. Raf says he’s disappeared into thin air.
The next night, the Tartarughes approach the Pyramid of Giza. Don is carrying a briefcase and says it’s seems strange to him when there’s no living soul around. They walk towards the entrance and Raf asks if they should go in. Miky sarcastically says they’ll wait for mama to come out, then they’ll call a taxi. Don passes them to enter, holding a flashlight. Leo starts laughing and says he’s thinking about the face they’ll make when they see newspapers instead of money. Don shushes him, worried that they’ll be heard. He sees a light ahead and says maybe they’re in there. The Tartarughes enter a large chamber and are greeted by Nisciunneffess’ men, who says they were waiting for them. Leo comments on the atmosphere and then Don asks where April is and if she’s all right. Nisciunneffess’ Second-in-command replies that their master decided to change the agreement. An angry Leo says he’ll tell them what he thinks of their master. Miky tells his brother not to be vulgar. The Second laughs, calling them funny, and then asks for the money.
Don pops open the briefcase and yells “surprise” as newspapers spill out. Miky asks why they don’t laugh again. The Second is angry and says they are in serious trouble, but Don says he feels sorry for them. In a flash, the Tartarughes make short work of the men. The Second tries to run away, but Leo catches him and drags him back inside. He tells the man that before he loses his patience, the man will tell them exactly where April is being kept prisoner. The Second says Leo’s threat doesn’t scare him, but a punch to the face changes the man’s mind.
The next morning, in the City of the Dead, Nisciunneffess, accompanied by men in suits, approaches a mausoleum. An underling comes out to greet him, saying all has been done according to his wishes and the prisoner is inside. Nisciunneffess enters and walks up to April, who is tied to a chair. He says that she is in an unpleasant situation because of her curiosity. He asks her name and she answers, adding that she’s an American journalist. He says he understands and that she’s shown an excessive interest in him. She counters that he always denies himself to everyone.
Nisciunneffess says that given his activity, notoriety would be deleterious. No one, except his collaborators, has ever seen his face. Since April set foot in Egypt, she has done nothing but ask questions to everyone about him, too many not to cause a disturbance. April explains that she wanted to interview him and it’s very important to her. Nisciunneffess says if it’s just for that, why not? April asks if he really means it and Nisciunneffess asks why he shouldn’t? She’ll have the interview, which, unfortunately, will never be published. April says she doesn’t understand. He replies that he’s sorry, but she’ll never leave there alive.
The Tartarughes make a sudden entrance and Leo calls out that Nisciunneffess is exaggerating. He should never say cat if he doesn’t have it in the sack. Nisciunneffess asks one of his guards who they are and the man replies he’s never seen them before. Leo announces they are the nemesis. Nisciunneffess tells his men to crush them and then get out of here. His men, however, are quickly defeated by the Tartarughes, who free April. With pen and notepad in hand, April stands over Nisciunneffess and asks for her interview. He says he’s at her disposal.
The next day, a newspaper headline reads “American Journalist Contributes to the Capture of International Arms Trafficker”. Don congratulates April and she says it was all thanks to them. Raf looks at the picture on the front page and says they are all very photogenic. A young boy comes up to them and says he can’t believe his eyes. It is the famous April O’Neil from the newspaper. He asks for her autograph. Don gets the boy’s attention and tells him that as he can see, Miss O’Neil is not alone. The excited boy looks at him and says his eyes are popping out of his head. He flings himself at Don and shouts that he’s the Power Rangers. Don says he guessed right on the first try. Leo tells Don it’s just a misunderstanding and Miky says he’s calling the newspaper tomorrow to clear up the matter. Don states that he’s morally offended. Raf looks at the reader and apologizes, then says “Kowabunga to everyone!”