Shredder o Splinter?, (Shredder or Splinter?), is a story in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic published by Rizzoli. It appeared in issue 18, 1992, of the Italian children's magazine "Corriere dei Piccoli".
Appearing in Shredder o Splinter?[]
Major characters[]
Minor characters[]
Species[]
- Human
- Mutant rhinoceros
- Mutant turtle
- Mutant warthog
- Turtle
Objects and vehicles[]
- Bō
- Commutatore Cerebrale
- Commutatore Portatile
- Katana
- Modulo da trasporto
- Nunchaku
- Sai
Locations[]
Summary[]
One beautiful, sunny day, Splinter goes topside to take a walk, something unusual for him. People give him odd looks, but he is for the most part ignored. Except for Bebop and Rocksteady, who are hiding around the corner in an alley. When Splinter is within range, Bebop hits him with a stun beam. The pair then carry the unconscious Splinter to a waiting Modulo da trasporto and transport him to the Tecnodromo.
Krang congratulates the mutants for doing a good job. Rocksteady points out that Splinter is waking up. Splinter wakes to find himself strapped down to a machine and asks where he is, so Krang replies that he’s in trouble. Splinter tells him not to fool himself because the Turtles will come to free him. Shredder, in the chair next to Splinter, says that they are about to play a nice trick on those four shell-heads. Splinter demands to know what is happening. Krang says that he is in a Commutatore Cerebrale (brain switch) and soon his mind will be in Shredder and vice versa. Shredder brags that when he is Splinter, he will be able to approach the Turtles without problems – and destroy them.
Krang presses the button to activate the machine. As lights flash and surround the pair on the device, Rocksteady asks his partner if he sees that stuff and Bebop says yeah, if only he understood what was going on. A moment later, Shredder, now in Splinter’s body, rises. Krang tells him he’s ready and that Splinter’s muscle memory will lead him to his secret hideout. He also warns Shredder not to mess with the Turtles. Shredder says they won’t find out about him and will only understand the trick when it’s too late.
Meanwhile in the lair, Donatello is relaxing with a magazine while Raffaello tells Michelangelo that there’s some pizza with anchovies and plums left. Michelangelo approaches with another fresh pizza and warns his brother to watch his stomach, since he’s already had five. Leonardo shushes them because he’s trying to hear April O'Neil reporting the news. Shredder-Splinter arrives and greets the Turtles, who say they were waiting for him and had gotten worried. Shredder-Splinter assures them he just went for a walk. Donatello pats him on the shoulder and says that’s good. Shredder-Splinter is pleased that they don’t suspect a thing.
Back at the Tecnodromo, Splinter-Shredder keeps an eye on his two mutant guards as he tries to think of a way to get free. He begins sawing at his straps with his gauntlet blades and manages to cut himself loose. Bebop and Rocksteady are startled when he runs towards the door because they don’t know if they should shoot him. Krang orders them to let him go because he really wants to see how Splinter, in Shredder’s body, will convince the Turtles of the truth.
In the lair, Leonardo asks what Donatello is doing as he watches his brothers mix something in beakers. Donatello tells him that he’s making a paralytic liquid. He turns and greets April, who has arrived in time to hear what he’s making. She says that maybe he can use the liquid against Shredder. Overhearing the conversation, Shredder-Splinter thinks they are stupid and if only they knew he was there listening. Suddenly, Splinter-Shredder breaks out a grate covering and slides through a pipe into the lair. He shouts that Donatello can try that liquid right now. Donatello turns towards him and says that’s what he’s going to do, adding that he doesn’t know how Shredder got there, but he’s going to regret it.
Splinter-Shredder points at Shredder-Splinter and tries to convince the Turtles that he is actually their enemy. Donatello refuses to believe him and Splinter-Shredder quickly explains that he was captured and their minds were reversed. He made it to the lair by using Splinter’s muscle memory. April wonders if it could be possible. Splinter-Shredder then says even if it hurts his real body, he will convince them. He dives towards Shredder-Splinter, who shouts that he’s attacking. Leonardo tells his master not to be afraid and the Turtles jump in between the pair. Splinter-Shredder stops, stating that he refuses to fight them and swiftly dashes out of the lair. Leonardo wonders if he’s gone mad.
Raffaello comments on his tone and a certain light in his eyes. Leonardo says that for a moment he thought the man spoke the truth. Shredder-Splinter asks if they have any doubts, but April says no. She places some boxes containing pizza on the table and says that if Shredder made them nervous, step up to the table. Donatello tells her she knows how to bring back their smiles. April then presents a dome covered plate, saying it’s Splinter’s favorite dish. She removes the top and says it a beautiful fish in soy sauce. Shredder-Splinter licks his lips at the enticing smell and thinks to himself that the Turtles will soon be cooked like the fish.
However, Shredder-Splinter takes one bite and spits it out, exclaiming that it’s disgusting and raw. April says that of course it’s raw because he only eats raw fish. Michelangelo stops mid-bite to give Shredder-Splinter a suspicious look. Shredder-Splinter congratulates April for having discovered the truth. He then pulls a weapon on the Turtles and says that now they are in his hands. Undaunted, Michelangelo sweeps the weapon from his hands with his nunchaku. Shredder-Splinter decides he’d be better off removing the reversal and takes out the Commutatore Portatile (portable brain switch) from his robe. He zaps himself, and nearby, Shredder’s body is zapped as well.
Donatello asks his master if it’s really him and Splinter says yes, that he’s finally come to his senses. Raffaello apologizes for what happened, saying that if it wasn’t for April… Splinter cuts him off, telling them to forget it. Then he asks if there is any raw fish because he’s hungry. In the Tecnodromo, Bebop and Rocksteady are occupying the brain switch machine. They note that the boss has returned and Bebop asks if the exchange is over. Rocksteady says he feels cool. Krang complains that he thinks the switch is broken. Shredder tells Krang that he amazes him and asks if he doesn’t realize that two morons, if switched, are still two morons.