This is a transcript for Grudge Match, the sixth episode of season four of TMNT (2003 series).
| VOICE-OVER INTRO | |
| Raphael | It may look like just another day in the Battle Nexus, with the crowds and the cheering, but trust me, this day was gonna be special. I was looking forward to somebody finally shutting Mikey up about being Battle Nexus champion. But it was starting to look like they were gonna shut Mikey up permanently. |
{Opening sequence; title song}
| The episode begins with Leonardo running across a rooftop, leaping over to another and landing in a crouched position. Raphael jumps onto the roof’s ledge behind him and throws a sai at Leo, who pulls a katana and bats the sai aside. Donatello suddenly appears atop another roof high above Leonardo and leaps down to attack him. Leonardo dodges, turning to face both of his brothers. | |
| Raphael | You’re asking for this, Leo. |
| Donatello | Big time. |
| Leonardo nods and his brothers charge. They begin to battle. | |
| Raphael | Give it up, Leo. You’re going down. |
| They push against each other with their weapons. Donatello appears in the reflection of one of Leonardo’s blades, running towards him. Leonardo twists and flings Raphael into Donatello. Both hit the rooftop and groan. | |
| Leonardo | Again. |
| Raphael | Leo, if I have to attack you one more time, I’m gonna really attack you. |
| Donatello | I’m all for training, but I think you’re going a little overboard. |
| Leonardo | I said again! |
| Raphael | All right, that’s it. You and me are having words about this attitude of your lately. |
| Splinter | Raphael, Leonardo, enough! Your brothers are not incorrect, Leonardo. It is sufficient for today. We will discuss your training further after we collect Michelangelo. |
| Raphael | Hey, where is bozo the turtle? |
| Cut to a television set which is showing Silver Sentry flying over the city. | |
| TV | Justice Force. Filmed on location with the men and women of the world’s premier hero team. |
| Two boys watch TV inside their apartment. On a fire escape behind them is Michelangelo, also watching the show. | |
| Boy | Yes! |
| Michelangelo | Best show ever. |
| Leonardo | Ahem! |
| Michelangelo | Oh, hey, is the break over already? |
| Back on the rooftop, Leonardo proceeds to lecture his brother. | |
| Leonardo | Mikey, you’ve been blowing off all our training sessions lately. |
| Michelangelo | What is the big deal? So I missed one little sparring match. |
| Raphael | If I have deal with Mr. Intensity’s little war games here, so do you. |
| Splinter | You are not taking your studies seriously, Michelangelo |
| Michelangelo | Come on, guys, I don’t need to train. I’m the . . . . |
| Raphael | Don’t say it. Don’t you say it! |
| Michelangelo | Battle Nexus champion. |
| Raphael | Ahh, uh! |
| Michelangelo | What? |
| Donatello | What is that you rub your big win in our faces every chance you get. Mikey, you keep the trophy on top of the TV. |
| Raphael | It’s a wonder you don’t wear that thing around your neck. |
| Michelangelo | I, uh, tried. The chain kept breaking. |
| Raphael | You won the Battle Nexus championship by sheer dumb luck, emphasis on the dumb part. |
| Michelangelo | Well, if I remember correctly, I beat you fair and square. |
| Donatello | Ooh. I don’t wanna see this. |
| Splinter | Michelangelo, you need to train and more importantly, you should approach your accomplishments with humility. |
| Michelangelo | You mean accomplishments like—being the greatest warrior in all the multiverse, right? |
| Raphael | Ugh! |
| Michelangelo | Come on, training? I’m the Battle Nexus champ -- |
| A bright light suddenly appears, interrupting him. The family looks up to see a blue swirling portal growing in the sky above them. Kluh drops out of the portal and attacks Michelangelo, knocking him back against a wall. | |
| Michelangelo | Huh? Kluh? |
| Three more Levram warriors leap down from the portal. | |
| Raphael | Mikey! Mikey, hang on! |
| Raphael runs to aid Mikey, but a Levram warrior jumps on him, pinning him to the roof. Another Levram appears out of the portal. It is Ammag, Kluh’s father. | |
| Splinter | What is the meaning of this? The laws of the Battle Nexus do not -- |
| Ammag | Take them all! |
| The Levram begin battling the turtles and Splinter. Kluh lifts a still stunned Michelangelo in one hand and slams him against the wall. | |
| Kluh | Now, where were we, champion? |
| He throws Michelangelo into a brick chimney. Stomping over to him, he lifts Mikey again, pinning him to the chimney as he prepares to hit him. Kluh punches, but Michelangelo manages to escape his hold and Kluh hits the bricks with his fist. Michelangelo flips away from him as Kluh pursues, continuing to take swings at the turtle. | |
| Michelangelo | Maybe we can talk about this over coffee or something! |
| Ammag | Kluh, tear him apart. |
| Ammag throws a spear to his son. He slices at Michelangelo, but misses when Michelangelo leaps over the blade. Kluh catches hold of Michelangelo’s ankle and slams him down on the roof. When Kluh swings the blade down, Michelangelo catches it on his nunchaku. Another portal appears overhead and Gyoji arrives. | |
| Gyoji | In the name of the Ultimate Daimyo, you are ordered to cease all combat. |
| Ammag | On what grounds? My son and I were told this challenge was approved. |
| Gyoji | Your son Kluh will face the champion in a time and place stated by Battle Nexus ceremony and law, as it has been ordained and executed for all time. As you well know, Ammag. |
| Michelangelo | Master Splinter, what the shell is happening? |
| Splinter | Silence, Michelangelo. Am I to understand that Michelangelo has been challenged? |
| Gyoji | Based on the interferences in the final match of the Battle Nexus championship, Ammag has appealed the decision on Kluh’s behalf. The Daimyo has granted Kluh an honored right of query to be answered only by ordained combat. In third Earth vernacular, a rematch. |
| Michelangelo | Wait a minute, are you saying – Don, what’s he saying? |
| Raphael | Oh, I hope he’s saying what I think he’s saying. |
| Donatello | You’re going back to the Battle Nexus, Mikey, to fight Kluh. Man, it stinks to be you. |
| Raphael | This is the best day of my life. |
| Gyoji | In three days time, the champion will defend his honor at the Battle Nexus. |
| Ammag | Grr! |
| Gyoji | We are well aware of your disdain for Battle Nexus rules, Ammag. There will be no combat outside the arena. In three days, all will be decided. |
| Gyoji takes his leave. Kluh punches the rooftop and scoops out at handful of rock. | |
| Kluh | Three days, Earther, I will grind your bones to dust [he pulverizes the rock in his hand] and take my honor back. |
| All of the Levrams portal off of the roof. | |
| Michelangelo | So, uh, who’s up for some training? |
| Raphael | I’ll tell you what I’m up for. Watching you get pounded into paste. Oh, I cannot wait. |
| Donatello | But you don’t need to train, right Mikey? After all, you’re the champion. |
| Michelangelo | Master Splinter, you’ll help me, right? You’ll train me. |
| Splinter | Training, Michelangelo? Surely there are comic books I could be reading or perhaps I could go watch television instead. Ah, wait my son, I know. Perhaps instead of training I will go eat pizza. |
| He follows Raphael and Donatello, who run away laughing. | |
| Splinter | Yes, pizza sounds very appetizing right now, with pepperoni and karma |
| Michelangelo | Hey! Uh. |
| Leonardo | I’ll help you train. |
| Michelangelo | Ha! Leo, really, you’ll train me? Ha ha ha, thanks bro! |
| Leonardo | I wouldn’t start rubbing my shell just yet. We’ve got a lot of work to do. |
| The scene shifts to an alley at night. The turtles wait as Splinter draws the glyph that will open the portal to the Battle Nexus on the wall. | |
| Michelangelo | I really appreciate you guys coming to support me. |
| Raphael | Support? Ha! I wouldn’t miss you taking this beating for all the world. |
| Splinter begins to chant and the portal opens. The family steps through and surveys the surroundings. | |
| Michelangelo | Well, looks like no one’s home. Might as well head back [someone pops him on the head] Ow! |
| Splinter | Come. Battle Nexus rules dictate Michelangelo must present himself at the pavilion of past champions. |
| Michelangelo strikes a pose next to his statue in the pavilion. | |
| Raphael | Knock it off, Mikey. You’re gonna attract pigeons. |
| Michelangelo | I think somebody’s jealous. |
| Raphael sticks his tongue out at Michelangelo. A sound behind them causes Leonardo and Donatello to look back. | |
| Donatello | Looks like the ultimate ninja’s looking for a rematch, Leo. |
| Ue-Sama peeks out from behind a statue. | |
| Leonardo | The Daimyo’s son. |
| Daimyo | Honored guests, welcome once again to the Battle Nexus. |
| Splinter | Old friend, it is good to see you well. |
| Daimyo | And you old friend. You must be proud to see your son, Michelangelo, honor you in battle once more. |
| Michelangelo | Couldn’t I just honor you back home? You know, breakfast in bed, a foot massage--- |
| Raphael | Ah, don’t let him fool you, Daimyo. Mikey can’t wait to get in there and prove he’s the real champion. [Throws pretend punches at his brother.] Hyeh, hah, hah, hah! |
| Ue-Sama | I can’t remember some things, but I remember you. Did we play together? |
| Leonardo | Uh, yeah, we did. |
| Ue-Sama | You shall be my friend. |
| Leonardo | Sure. |
| Daimyo | Come my friends, the Arena. |
| The war staff powers up and teleports the group to the platform overlooking the arena. Music is playing and a horn sounds. | |
| Donatello | Gyoji, I thought the tournament was only held every three years. |
| Gyoji | True, Donatello, but in honor of the challenge we are holding what you would call exhibition matches. |
| Several warriors do battle in the arena. Losers are teleported to a waiting area, where physicians are standing by in case medical assistance is required. | |
| Michelangelo | Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Worst comes to worst, I get zapped out before I take the big dirt nap. |
| Raphael | Yeah, but after you take a horrendous beating. Man, I should have had Don bring the video camera. |
| Leonardo | Come on, we have work to do. |
| Leonardo leads Michelangelo away. The scene shifts to where a group of Levram warriors are practicing. Kluh uses a blade to slice through an image of Michelangelo which has been painted on the log. His father approaches him. | |
| Kluh | I could have destroyed him a thousand times over by now, Father. Why must we bend to the Daimyo’s laws? |
| Ammag | Because we must show them all what it means to cross us. Those that witnessed your humiliation by this turtle’s hands shall now witness your vengeance. |
| Levram Wizard | All has been arranged. |
| Cut to Leonardo and Michelangelo climbing a snowy peak which overlooks the Battle Nexus. | |
| Michelangelo | I’ve gotta get out of here. Is that why we’re climbing this thing, so I can find a cave to hide in? I don’t wanna get pummeled, Leo. What am I gonna do? [He turns to take in the view.] Wow. |
| Leonardo | I brought you up here to clear your mind, Mikey. Focus on what’s important. |
| Michelangelo | Like going home? |
| Leonardo | No, like pushing yourself beyond your limits to a place where there are no limits. To be so focused, so ready, that nothing and no one will ever catch you off-guard again. |
| Michelangelo | Um, we still talking about me here? |
| Leonardo | In this life we only have each other. If one of us goes down, we all go down, so focus. |
| Michelangelo | Leo, maybe, just maybe—maybe I can still forfeit. |
| The scene shifts back to the Battle Nexus. The Daimyo uses his war staff to sound the gong, signaling the beginning of the match. | |
| Raphael | Show time. Who brought the popcorn? |
| Michelangelo and Leonardo are inside the building. Michelangelo is slamming his head against a wall. | |
| Michelangelo | He’ll probably break my legs. I’ve had my legs broken before, it’s no fun. |
| Leonardo | Michelangelo, you can win this, I know you can. |
| Ue-Sama | Champion, if Leonardo believes you can win, then I do too. |
| Gyoji arrives. | |
| Gyoji | It is time, champion. |
| Michelangelo | [Takes a deep breath and exhales.] Here goes nothing. |
| Gyoji teleports himself and Michelangelo away. | |
| Leonardo | Let’s get you back to your father. |
| Ue-Sama is startled by something he sees behind Leonardo. He gasps and Leonardo spins, drawing his sword. Ammag and several Levram warriors stand there, weapons drawn. | |
| Ammag | Ha ha ha ha ha! You and the boy will be going nowhere, turtle, except perhaps to join your weakling brother in the afterlife. |
| Leonardo | Whatever dishonorable plan you’re hatching, the Daimyo will stop you. |
| Ammag | I think not. The Daimyo sees us as barbarians, but we Levram are not without our own—magic. Even as we speak, my wizard is mystically removing the safety spells surrounding the Battle Nexus arena. [As he speaks, we see the wizard chanting a spell in another chamber.] The battle between my son and your brother will be a fight to the finish. I will have Michelangelo’s head on my wall. That is the Levram way. |
| His warriors attack and Leonardo pushes Ue-Sama aside. | |
| Leonardo | Look out! |
| As Leonardo battles several Levram, Ue-Sama backs away and runs into Ammag, who laughs and reaches for the boy. The scene returns to the arena. | |
| Daimyo | Now we shall settle this right of queries by ordained combat. |
| He lifts his hands and a circular force field forms around Michelangelo. The crowd is chanting “turtle, turtle, turtle”. | |
| Michelangelo | Turtle soup, more likely. |
| Meanwhile, the wizard has continued his chanting. Suddenly the Daimyo groans and clutches his head. | |
| Daimyo | Uh, something is not right. |
| Kluh is teleported into the arena. He spins his weapon and turns to face Michelangelo. He charges and the fight begins. Michelangelo dodges several blows, but then grabs onto Kluh’s weapon and is flung against the forcefield. He hits hard and drops to the ground. Kluh swings his weapon but Michelangelo leaps onto the staff. He’s shaken off and Kluh breaks part of the staff on Michelangelo’s shell. Kluh grasps Michelangelo by his ankle and lifts him. Splinter gasps in surprise. | |
| Raphael | That’s not right! |
| Donatello | Why didn’t Mikey disappear? Kluh’s weapon shouldn’t have even touched him. |
| Splinter | Daimyo, what is happening here? |
| Daimyo | Someone is magically altering the laws of the Battle Nexus. |
| Ammag | Yes! [Ammag arrives with a contingent of his warriors.] Now the combat is mortal. And my son’s victory will only be complete when the turtle lies crushed and lifeless. |
| Raphael | You did this? [He draws his sais.] That’s it, whack bag, you and me are having words. |
| Splinter | No! [He stops Raphael.] |
| Daimyo | You presume too much, Ammag. The essence of the Battle Nexus flows through me. I can feel your wizard now. I will put an end to-- |
| Ammag | You will do nothing, Daimyo, unless you would risk this. |
| One of the warriors hands him a sack. Ammag turns it over and catches Ue-Sama when he falls out. He holds the boy high. | |
| Daimyo | No. My son. |
| Donatello | No. |
| The Daimyo lays his war staff on the ground in front of Ammag. | |
| Kluh | Now, now you learn the meaning of pain. |
| Kluh punches Michelangelo in the chest, slamming him into the forcefield again. | |
| Michelangelo | I should be porting out of here any second now. |
| Kluh grabs his arm and lifts Michelangelo. | |
| Kluh | No one to save you this time. No interference. [He punches Michelangelo several times.] Do you hear that? It is the sound of your own defeat. Soon it will be over, first for you, and then for your pathetic family. |
| Michelangelo flashes back to his conversation with Leonardo and his brother’s words “In this life we only have each other. If one of us goes down, we all go down, so focus.” | |
| Michelangelo’s eyes snap open and he kicks off from Kluh, freeing himself. He bounces off the forcefield and grabs his nunchaku. | |
| Michelangelo | All right, if this is what you want, come on then. |
| Kluh growls and charges. Michelangelo avoids him and slams his ankles with the nunchaku, knocking Kluh to the ground. On the platform, the Daimyo kneels before Ammag. | |
| Daimyo | I lost my son once; I cannot lose him again. |
| Leonardo | And you won’t! |
| He runs past Ammag and snatches Ue-Sama from his grasp. | |
| Ammag | What? No one could defeat three Levram warriors. Impossible! |
| Daimyo | Nothing is impossible, Ammag, [he grabs his war staff and stands] especially when one fights with true honor. |
| Kluh picks up his partially broken weapon. | |
| Kluh | I will destroy you. |
| Michelangelo shouts and charges. He outmaneuvers Kluh, delivering blow after blow until the Levram is face down on the ground. Michelangelo stands over him, spinning his nunchakus. The Daimyo uses his war staff to surround Ammag and his warriors with mystic energy, lifting them into the air. | |
| Daimyo | Gaze upon what you have done, Ammag. Now your son’s life hangs in the balance. I will let Michelangelo decide your fate—and the fate of your son. |
| Ammag | No! |
| Kluh | Do it. Finish me! |
| Michelangelo stops spinning his weapons. | |
| Michelangelo | I don’t think so. My father taught me better than that. Besides, you’re already finished. |
| He taps Kluh on the forehead and the Levram falls backwards, completely unconscious. The crowd cheers. Shift to a ballroom. The guests are cheering and Splinter, along with the turtles who are wearing special outfits, wave to them. | |
| Daimyo | Michelangelo, step forward. |
| Michelangelo joins the Daimyo on the podium. The Daimyo holds up a large jewel like medal attached to a ribbon. | |
| Daimyo | For your valor and nobleness of character, I hereby award you the Battle Nexus medal for unparalleled honor. |
| He places the medal around Michelangelo’s neck. | |
| Donatello | And I thought the trophy was bad. |
| Raphael | Oh, we’re never gonna hear the end of this. I’m gonna have to move out. |
| Michelangelo | So wicked. |
| Later, in a quiet chamber, Leonardo stands looking out of windows. Michelangelo walks up to him. | |
| Michelangelo | Leo, I wanted to say—thanks. |
| Leonardo | You did good, Mikey. You did good. |
{Roll end credits}