“THE FIFTH TURTLE”
Written by Francis Moss
MWS Production #9059-010
CAST OF CHARACTERS: Leonardo, Michaelangelo, Raphael, Donatello, Splinter, April O’Neil, Shredder, Rocksteady, Bebop, Ninja Foot Soldiers, Irma
GUEST STARS: Zack, Street Punks, Zack’s Brother
LOCATIONS: Technodrome, Turtles’ Lair, Channel Six News, Zack’s House, Marconi Labs, Planetarium
VEHICLES: Turtle Van, Technodrome, Pneumatic Modules, Turtle Skateboards
SYNOPSIS:
Dressed in their human disguises, Donatello and Raphael venture out of their Turtle lair to buy supplies to make pizza. On their way back, via what they believe to be a shortcut, they are intercepted by a gang of young street punks. Suddenly, a young boy wearing a Turtle costume, and who calls himself Zack “Master Ninja Turtle and the Scourge of Evil Doers,” drops in from out of nowhere. As he prepares to defend Donatello and Raphael, Zack falls flat on his face, allowing the real Turtles to dispatch the hoodlums with ease. Afterwards, Zack explains how he wants to help them fight crime, but Raphael tells him that he is more of a menace than a crime fighter. The kid leaves in a huff, picking up Donatello’s Turtle-Com, that the brainy Turtle had lost in the scuffle with the would-be attackers.
Meanwhile, down below the Earth’s surface within the Technodrome, Krang tells Shredder that within 24 hours there will be a rare planetary conjunction, involving the Earth, the Moon, the Sun and Mars. Shredder is to siege the local planetarium and place a stolen quantity of “Capsidium Crystals” at the base of the telescope. When the light emitted from the celestial alignment strikes the crystals, it will create enough energy to raise the Technodrome to the Earth’s surface.
Later that night at Channel Six News, April and Irma receive word that there has been a break-in at Marconi Labs. The perps are described as looking like a rhino and a warthog. That can only mean two things: Rocksteady and Bebop. April contacts the Turtles via her Turtle Com and Zack, using his stolen Turtle com, receives the same information as the TMNT.
At Marconi Labs, Shredder is in the process of “liberating” some Capsidium Crystals when the Turtles arrive. Zack arrives as well, however, being a clumsy adolescent, he trips and falls into a pit in the center of the room. This gives Shredder the opportunity he needs to distract the Turtles and escape with the crystals. Rather than fight Shredder, the TMNT elect to rescue Zack, who is about to be crushed by a swinging pendulum.
Before he departs, Shredder vows to raise the Technodrome by tomorrow night. As the Turtles and April try to figure out what that could possibly mean, Zack makes his escape.
The Turtles return to their secret lair. With the help of Splinter, our heroes try to deduce Shredder and Krang’s plan to raise the Technodrome. Suddenly, they hear a noise outside – it’s Zack, who is welcomed by Splinter for his ability to find their secret lair, something no one has been able to do before. In exchange for promising not to interfere anymore, the Turtles give the boy a grand tour of their facilities.
Meanwhile, Shredder has obtained Zack’s address and sends Rocksteady and Bebop to kidnap him. Zack eludes his would be kidnappers and overhears their plans for setting a Turtle trap. The lad dons his Turtle costume and, breaking his promise to Splinter, sets out to save his fellow Turtles.
At the Turtles secret lair, Donatello realizes that Shredder will use the crystals in conjunction with the telescope at the Planetarium across from the City Park. When the TMNT arrive at the building, they’re greeted by laser fire from Foot Soldiers. Fighting their way inside, the Turtles are forced to give up when they discover that Shredder has taken Zack hostage. Now nothing can stop Shredder!
Within moments the planets are aligned and the Capsidium Crystals begin to glow as the light is converted into energy… energy that does, indeed, begin to raise the Technodrome!
Donatello realizes that the crystals are sensitive to sound, so he utilizes feedback from Zack’s Turtle Com – a neat and painful trick he displayed to Splinter and the Turtles earlier in the episode. Suddenly, the planetarium echoes with an ear-piercing sound that shatters the crystals and causes the Technodrome to fall back toward the center of the Earth.
Using a broken crystal shard, the Turtles cut themselves free from their ropes and go after Shredder, Rocksteady and Bebop. However, Shredder uses a smoke grenade to cover their escape.
Back at the Turtles secret lair, Zack is given his own Turtle Com and made an honorary member of the TMNT.
