I am just blown away by your sweet reviews. Each one just makes me so happy, so, thank you guys so much. I'm sorry if these chapters seem to keep getting shorter, but trust me, they're leading somewhere. I hope. Nah, just kidding, they're definitely going somewhere.
That obvious hole next to the clock of the Foot Clan HQ was a good place to begin. They had to be cautious, because they couldn't just jump to the roof like any normal building surrounding them. Instead, they had to climb the fire escape on the opposite building's side and jump from there.
They had never done this before. For a number of reasons, anyway. Leo was conflicted as he climbed onto the apartment building's roof, wondering if this was really the best course of action. Just… hauling themselves into Foot HQ with no plan, no back-up, and without their sensei's blessing. Did they need it? Maybe.
But it was kind of too late for that. They were already intent on going in. What would be the point of going to the lair first?
All that would do was get Master Splinter to stop them from going to form a plan. And if they wait and try to organize this all out, Donnie might run out of time.
Leo had to shove the ideas in his head away. A few chills shook him from the cool night air. He and his brothers leapt the rooftop difference one at a time, landing smoothly and pressing their backs against the walls of Shredder's triangular roof. Naturally, Leonardo took the lead to the very edge, his ninja focus taking over. He peered inside The Shredder's lair intently, keeping to the shadows as he did this discreet movement. It was empty except for the two Foot ninja guards standing at attention. He drew a katana and narrowed his eyes, hearing the small click of his brothers' weapons unsheathing in response.
He crouched inside, keeping on his toes with controlled weight. His free hand's palm flattened itself against the wall as he made his way inside. He didn't have to look beside him to know that his brothers were following, at least one weapon at ready as they slithered through the darkness.
Raph threw a shuriken. It cut through the air in front of the two Foot ninja, drawing their attention as it embedded itself into the mirroring wall. Both guards' attentions turned towards the small weapon, giving the three enough time to leap down onto their enemies, the force of their jump instantly knocking them out.
Raph and Mikey each grabbed a guard, hauling them around and hiding them behind The Shredder's throne. Michelangelo let out a soft snicker, but Leo wasn't really sure what his little brother found so funny. So he bluntly ignored it and studied the room.
The doorway at the end of the walkway had to lead somewhere important. Mikey was already parading his way over, going a bit slow as he looked down at the water on each side of the ground level. "Dudes! Can we have a fishtank under the floor too?" Mikey asked excitedly.
Raph walked over to his side, looking down at the water for himself. "We already live over sewer water, what more do you want?"
"Pet fish?"
His older brother rolled his eyes. "I don't even see fish in there." Raph retorted, his arms crossed with impatience.
"Don't you guys think this is a little too easy?" Leonardo interrupted, stepping towards them with an irritated glare.
Raphael shrugged. "Shredder isn't here spitting orders to people, so I guess they don't need the extra guards." He took a few moments to survey his surroundings. "I wouldn't bite the hand that feeds me if I were you."
"What does that even mean?" Mikey tore his gaze away from the water.
"It means we shouldn't complain about our luck." Leo answered without thinking, keeping one katana in his hand as he made his way across the room.
"Why would we complain in the first place?" Mikey asked, with all innocence. "When the lucks on our side, I say booyakasha!" He put one fist in the air, a grin spreading on his face.
"Keep it down you idiot!" Raph smacked him, giving him a look that said it all. Leo motioned for them to follow him to the triangular doors sitting opposite of Shredder's throne. He pressed his large hand against the wood, holding his free hand up to motion stillness. And then he pushed it open, revealing the circular steps that lead down the building. They began to make their way down, taking multiple at a time. Two guards stood at ready on the floor below, and were quickly dealt with before any trouble could be made.
They entered the doorway.
Yeah, like I'm really going to sleep.
Despite the doubt in his mind, he tried anyway. Closed eyes, slow breathing, trying to position himself in a way to where he wasn't that hurt. His arm was still stinging, blood pouring down his skin like tears. The bleeding had slowed a little, but there wouldn't be any treatment for it soon. Duh.
Why should he expect it? Then again, The Shredder did promise to keep him alive until he told him what he wanted. Wouldn't that count for some treatment? What if he bled to death overnight?
Stop being ridiculous. Donatello very well knew this open wound in his arm wasn't going to kill him. But paranoia was starting to give him some awful thoughts. He gave a shaky swallow, trying to get himself to calm down and rest. He was going to need it.
Four foot ninja stood in the room. Two were stood on each side of him, in the corners of the room. The other two stood at the doorway at the other end of the darkness. He knew because he occasionally heard them speaking to each other in Japanese, speaking about things he wasn't really sure he knew about. Something about jets. And a gang. Were the purple dragons in on this? Donnie did a headcount of how many enemies they had, just because he had a few hours with nothing to do. Dogpound, Fishface, Purple Dragons, the Kraang, Shredder, Karai, Baxter Stockman... wait... did he count as an enemy? He supposed he did, he had to have some credit for making that big maze. Donatello was secretly impressed, curious to know what the man had used to create such a place. Guess he'd never find out, his brothers destroyed the device completely before he could get his hands on it.
How about you stop thinking about that for a few seconds and focus? Maybe he'd have to get out of here himself. At least try in case his brothers couldn't reach him here. So he subtly opened his eyes, raising his gaze to his right arm's shackle. He bent his wrist, getting his fingers to feel around the fetter, trying to find some sort of lock or chain attachment on it. Perhaps he could loosen it enough and get his arm free. But what about the guards? They'd have him by his neck before he unlocked all of his chains with one good arm. He about gave up on using his wounded arm, for multiple reasons. And besides, what would happen if he managed to free both arms? He'd fall on his face, his feet still dangling in the air from the chains holding them.
A little hysterical laugh was forced back down his throat, and he seized his lips shut. Not the time to laugh at funny images like that. The guards were still a problem. Right. Were there still shuriken in his belt? He could try and sneak his arm down to grab a few and pin the guards to the wall. Or maybe just one-handed punches as they came near him, if he didn't have the small weapons.
His mind racing, he forgot to notice that there was no way he could loosen his chain with one hand. It was magnetically sealed, digitally locked from another source. Well crud.
There was no other choice but to rest and await his brothers to rescue him.
Honestly, he wasn't very fond of being the damsel in distress. But he was running through multiple options in his head, and none of them worked. Frustration crawled its way through him, and he clenched his right fist. His left hand lay still, for he was too afraid of attempting to move, which would probably result in getting another shock of pain.
His face was still pounding. All those repeated punches were taking their toll on him. His eyes closed again, his breathing slow, he tried to think optimistic. His brothers would probably show up before Shredder ever would, and he'd go home and treat his arm. He'd have a few slices of pizza and something to drink. Mikey would make a few jokes, like asking him how he enjoyed himself at his sleepover. Raph would probably give him a pat on the shell and go to his room, which was really his way of saying I'm glad you're safe, now let's get life back to normal. And Leo might launch into a new plan of defending yourself when you're unexpectedly attacked. Let's call the plan, psychic ability! Donnie chuckled softly to himself.
The darkness surrounding him and the four guards at ready reminded him where he was, and he pushed his laughter down, focusing on breathing his way into rest.
