First off: I apologize that this story will probably not be as well written or interesting as other fanfiction stories. I'm really new at this, and your guys' stories kick so much ass (especially you Buslady and Dawnatello)

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the TMNT characters or characters in the TMNT universe

Notes: This story is from the Next Mutation, so it does have Venus in it. Only this is my personal version of it (i.e. more serious like the first movie). And the character of Slash is like the one in the Archie universe (more serious, evil), still I don't own him either.

Rating: M for foul language and violence

The Bonds of Love and Evil

Chapter 1: Beginnings

Pound…

Punch…

Slash…

The sounds of the good old punching bag echoed throughout the lair. With each punch and each kick, the anger boiled and burned through his veins.

"Goddamn Leo. I swear, always trying to pick a fight."

From afar, the sight of Raphael fighting the bag looked as if he was fighting a war with an unseen enemy. And he was losing, for the bag never tired nor weakened. Unlike himself. A picture-perfect example of the fight within his soul, trying desperately to battle his demons, and yet he seemed to get nowhere and accomplish nothing.

Thus, it was time for a breather. As the sweat glistened off his body and the tired breaths excelled out of his lungs, a friendly figure appeared near the doorway. A certain individual by the name of Michelangelo. Looking over, Raph was silently relieved that it was Mikey, who was now watching. Out of all the people, (well, people and mutants), that he knew, Mikey was the best of company. Raphael, while a lot times not seeming so, had always enjoyed his company. They were best friends and close confidantes, and both knew that the other had a fondness for not being too serious. Throughout the years, there were many times when Mikey's optimism and joy for life had helped Raphael through dark times. He had never admitted this to Mikey, of course. He just wasn't ready to be open. He wondered if there would ever be a time in which he WOULD be ready.

Mikey, munching and crunching on a fat filling candy bar, applauded and hooted.

"Alright Raph, awesome job killing that bag. I bet it never knew what hit it. But be careful, they tend to sneak up on you."

Raphael couldn't help but grin.

"Oh shuddup ya dumbbell."

As Mikey walked toward him he had a faked, hurt look on his face.

"Oh Raph, that hurts. That really hurts right here," Mikey taps his plastron, "Maybe I should go and come back when you have a better comeback. I mean c'mon, dumbbell? What a lame."

Raph gave a bewildered expression.

"What a lame? What the hell is that?"

"What? I think it sounds pretty good, like a T.V. catchphrase of something."

Raphael covered his face with his hand, muttering 'oh boy.' Mikey became silent for an instant before deciding to speak again.

"So, yet ANOTHER fight with Leo, huh?"

"How'd you know?"

Mikey gave him a 'give me a break' expression on his face.

"I may APPEAR dumb, but that doesn't mean I AM dumb. I mean, fights between you and Leo are about as natural as an oral bowel movement. You guys will even fight about your past fights. So come on, give, what happened this time?"

"First off, a guess. You got that line from Clerks, right?"

Mikey pouted and shrugged with a grumbled 'yeah'.

"Nice try. Next time something original, huh? And to your question, I just wanted to go out for one fuckin' hour. That's all, and he decided to give me shit about it."

Mikey responded, "Well that's his job as older brother, to watch out for us."

"Yeah I know, but…"

Before he finished, Venus appeared in the doorway.

"What's up guys?"

Both Raphael and Mikey stared and replied 'Nothing much.'

"So, Leo giving you a tough time about going out?"

Raph huffed, "Yeah, but it ain't no biggie. Just the same old shit."

"Well Raphael, don't worry about it too much. Leo's just blowing off steam, he's been worried about the recent activity of both the Foot and Dragonlord's gang. Oh, and by the way Raphael, now you know how I feel."

And with a friendly grin and a big wink, she exited out of the area.

"What the hell did that mean?"

Mikey tsked and waved his finger in front of Raph's face.

"Come on Raphie boy, it's pretty obvious. It means that what Leo lectures you on is the same as what you lecture Venus on. I mean, how many times has this scene played out. 'Venus don't go out, it's dangerous.' 'Oh Raph, it's my life.' Yada, yada, yada. Sound familiar?"

"Yeah, but Venus… I mean I…"

Mikey immediately started closely studying his older brother, knowing that although tiny and seemingly insignificant, Raph's loss for words actually spoke volumes. Mikey himself had a crush on Venus, along with some…pleasant dreams. But he realized for the past couple of months the way Raphael acted around Venus. He knew in his heart that Raph had loved…scratch that, STILL loves Venus. And it made him very sad inside to see his brother's heart breaking. More so because he knew Raph wasn't able to talk of it. He knew about this, but he never brought it out. He didn't want to embarrass Raph. When the time's right, that talk will arrive. Quickly to get off the subject and snap Raph out of a future funk, he spurts out:

"Anyway, how about a good game of Grand Theft Auto III?"

"Uh Mikey, that's a one player game."

"I KNOW THAT. But I could always need your help on it. You'd know more than anything on how to play it right."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well, what's the game about? A dirty, stinky, ugly hoodlum with criminal instincts like YOU who wants to…"

But before he could finish, Raphael tackled Mikey to the floor for some friendly wrestling. As Raph had Mikey in a headlock, giving him the noogie of a lifetime, he finally let the younger turtle go.

"Yeech Raph. Need a little deodorant action there, ya almost killed me."

With a chuckle, the red banded turtle said, "Get outta here ya little shitbird."

"So you coming or what?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'll be right there."

As he strolled towards the location of his eager younger brother, he couldn't help noticing Venus and Leonardo kissing and laughing and moving together into Leo's room. And as the door slammed shut, his eyes immediately did the same. It hurt. Even now it hurt. He remembered when she first came into their lives. She was a mystery to him. He was unsure as to her true intentions. Was she a spy? A hidden enemy? He was always one for not trusting in others too quickly. Pain and hurt could very quickly come to pass over him like a shadow. But as he got to know her better he began to like her. Even grow to love her. She had a gentle, yet sassy way with her. Very kind, and yet able to handle herself. But he could feel that Leo would be the one to capture her heart. Maybe a part of him believed that's how it should be, that he didn't deserve her. Raph always wanted himself to protect her. That's why he followed her so many times. There were times when he thought, 'Why didn't I say something? Why didn't I take the chance?' But the answer was simple: he wasn't good enough for what she deserved. She deserved someone who was calm, responsible. Not a hothead. But that doesn't mean it didn't hurt any less. Just another factor to be angry, sad, or hurt about.

And as he strolled by, he looked in a mirror to his left.

"But that's how my life goes, huh Raphie boy."

And with a rub of his eyes, clearing away the early shadings of tears, he moved off to his awaiting brother.

Meanwhile: At that same moment at the Foot Clan's state of the art lab.

A sturdy collection of wires and tubes came out of what looked like a high tech version of a coffin. The noises of beeps, clicking of keyboards, and awaited breaths filled the giant lab. This same lab was where Shredder and his clan experimented on various things. Their experiment today, however, would put those past tests to shame.

A sudden, loud clang was heard and a lab technician turned around in his swivel chair, facing the Shredder.

"It is done, my master."

And as he turned back around, he pushed a single button. One button that would begin events no one would have expected. The steel doors of the 'coffin' rose a couple of inches before sliding off to the left side.

All the Shredder could do was smile and say, "And now it begins."

And as the smoke from the chamber/coffin lifted, a single hand emerged and reached for the sky.

A green hand, with three, thick fingers.

More to come soon