That evening Splinter was meditating. He sat in the quiet dojo, alone, trying to find his inner peace but the recent turn of events troubled even his wise, well trained mind. The master was struggling himself with this enormous loss to his family. He hadn't felt this way since that day, so long ago, when he lost Tang Shen and thought he had lost Miwa. Sighing he opened his eyes and rubbed his forhead with his palm, he was getting a headache. He closed his eyes once more and tried again. He struggled for a little while then he felt a familier presence in the room. He slowly opened his eyes but there was no one there. But he could feel something... His gaze searched the room but found nothing. Sighing he closed his eyes for a third time. 'Father...' His eyes snapped open, this time he stood up. There was something here. Or something had been there, he didn't feel it anymore. Troubled he looked around, nothing seemed out of place.

"Sensei," Raph came into the dojo "we are going to go out. We want to check up on April and Casey. Haven't heard anything from them since they went home last night. That and maybe seeing them will help Mikey."

Splinter turned to look at him. "All right, my son. But remember this, none of you are in any good emotional state to fight. Stay away from trouble. Do not go against my wishes on this or I will have you three stay down here."

Raph sighed. "I understand fully, Sensei. I promise we won't go looking for anything, we just want to see April and Casey."

Splinter nodded. "Go. But be careful."

"We will." Raph turned and left the dojo.

Splinter watched him go, wondering if he was making a mistake by letting them go topside. But something inside told him it was the right thing to do and that everything would be ok. He looked around the dojo one more time, his mind still troubled. Something didn't seem right but he couldn't put the pieces together...yet.

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Donnie was still troubled by the events in the lab this morning. It had been bothering him all day and he was thinking about it now as he gathered his things to get ready to go to April's. Raph was now letting Splinter know what their plans were for the evening. He and Raph had deccided to get Mikey out of the lair. He had drawn within himself more and more as the day wore on. Donnie could fully understand why, everything here reminded them of their older brother and Mikey was having a had time coping. It was hard on him and Raph also and the stress of being strong for their little brother was getting to them. They had to subdue their own grief to be strong for Mikey. Getting out of the lair would do them good, he hoped.

Donnie placed his bag onto his work table. He had packed a few things like snacks and drinks, they just wanted to hang out with their friends for a bit, no patrolling tonight. So he had packed his bag accordingly. He turned to go to his fridge to get some treats he knew his little brother really liked but Donnie had to hide from him if he ever wanted any. Donnie smiled as he pulled them out, little pizza rolls, Mikey loved those things. Maybe they could use April's microwave to warm them up. He placed them in a small cooler and went back to the table to place it in his bag.

When he got back to the table he noticed that his device he used to track kraang power surges was sitting next to his bag. He frowned, that hadn't been there before...had it? He could have sworn he had put it away on the shelf where it was supposed to go. He picked it up fully intending to put it back where it belonged, something stopped him though. He looked down at the machine in his hands and, not really understanding why, placed it into his bag. He zipped his bag up just as Raph was coming into the lab. "We got the ok to go. He just asked that we don't fight tonight. I told him that wasn't even close to our plans."

"Yeah, I don't think Mikey is up to it anyway. That's the last thing we need right now."

"I agree with you on that one. I don't think he's going to be up to it for awhile. I already called April and let her know we are coming. Casey is already there. We can go when ever you are ready, Donnie."

He grabbed his bag. "Let's go."

They got Mikey and they made their way to April's.

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Raph led the way to April's. Once they got their he had his brother's wait on the roof while he went down to her window. He knocked on her window and waited for her to open it. When she did he had noticed that she had been crying. Seems like that's all any of them did anymore was cry. Raph had broken down a few times himself today when he was sure Mikey couldn't see him. "Hey, how are you guys holding up?" she asked him softly.

"I'm not sure we are. Especially Mikey." He replied just as quietly. "We are worried about him." Raph closed his eyes and sighed.

Casey came to the window. "Hey, Raph. So what's the plan for tonight?"

"We just wanted to hang out is all. See how you guys were doing and get Mikey out of the lair for a while."

"I talked to Dad. He said we could chill on the rooftop. Told me to hang out as long as I needed to and Casey got permission to stay here tonight." April told him.

"Thanks April."

She smiled. "It's all right, Raph. That's what friends are for. Can you come in and help me? I figured if we were going to be out there for awhile some blankets would be nice and some pillows to sit on."

Raph nodded and entered her room. Together the three of them bundled up all the pillows and blankets and Raph tied a rope around them. Then carrying the other end he made his way up to the roof and pulled them up behind him while April and Casey went up the stairs. This was easier than lugging it all up the narrow stairwell.

In a short period of time they had made a comfortable nest of pillows and blankets. They sat and talked about anything and everything and to Raph's relief Mikey started to open up and join the conversation. Donnie had pulled out his goodies and April went back downstairs to warm up the pizza rolls he brought. That even brought a smile on his little brother's face. Raph began to feel better, this was just what Mikey needed. To see that even though Leo was gone, there were still loved ones around. He knew this would be hard to deal with, heck even now he ached for his missing brother, but they would heal. In time.

Suddenly Raph had a strange feeling come over him. A feeling that something that had been missing wasn't missing anymore. He had been feeling this off and on all day, starting with the incident with the punching bag this morning. He looked around at the others and noticed the change in them also. "Ok, guys. I'm going to ask you something. Does anyone else feel...different?"

"I do." Mikey whispered.

"I've been having that feeling all day..." Donnie said quietly.

"In spurts." April added, and Casey nodded his agreement.

They were interrupted by the sound of beeping coming from Donnie's bag. With a stunned look on his face he pulled out the beeping machine. "That's not possible..." He whispered.

"What?" Raph asked him.

"I'm getting a kraang power reading...from right here."

Stunned they all looked at him. Raph was the first to recover. "But there is nothing-" 'Behind you, Raph!' He immediately jumped to his feet and turned around, his sais ready in his hands, not even questioning what he just heard in his mind. He noticed the others were up and ready also, following his lead. They looked into the darkness and noticed a large shadow moving in.

"Well, well, well...look at what I found." Slash said as he moved into the light.

Raph growled in frustration, not tonight, please not tonight. "Leave us alone. Just go away and leave us BE!"

"Now why would I want to do that?" He looked around. "There seems to be one missing. What did he get to scared to come out with you? Your little pansy leader..."

Raph growled again but held his ground. He really didn't want to get into a fight, not tonight. "Just go away."

"No, I don't think I will. I'm going to make you regret turning my offer down when you had the chance." And then he lunged at Raph. He swiftly dodged out of his way but Mikey wasn't as quick. Slash picked him up and slammed him to the ground. Damn it! Mikey was in no mental condition to fight! Why wouldn't Slash just leave them alone! Raph roared and charged the larger turtle as Donnie pulled Mikey away from them. He was ok but he was stunned and Raph could see him shutting down again. This was not what he wanted! Now in a full rage Raph attacked the intruder. April and Casey went to help Donnie in trying to get Mikey out of harm's way. They knew they were no match against the large being.

Raph fought with grief and anger. Hadn't they suffered enough? Been through enough? Lost enough? Raph fought but he knew he was losing his mental control also and in this situation he was no match for Slash. His emotions were getting the better of him and he was making mistakes. This was why Splinter had told them not to fight, but he had too. Finally Slash caught him with a blow that sent him crashing into Donnie. Slash then slowly stalked up to them and raised his morningstar over his head. "Pity, I thought this would be more fun."

"Leo, please help us!" came Mikey's tear filled shout. Raph closed his eyes knowing his brother was losing it, there was no way Leo could...

Suddenly there was a blue light forming in between them and Slash, a light that surrounded a familiar form. He stood tall, his mask bands flowing in an unfelt breeze behind him and had his katanas in his hands, his glare fixed onto the larger turtle.

Raph looked in stunned amazement. "Leo..." He whispered. He felt Donnie reaching for his device which was now beeping uncontrollably. "This isn't possible..." Raph heard him whisper.

In a fury the glowing form of his eldest brother went after Slash. His blades dancing with the grace they all remembered, cutting into the large turtle. Slash tried to fight back but could not connect with the glowing form, his fists and morning star passing harmlessly through Leo's body. They saw fear in Slash's eyes as Leo kept up his attack, leaving more and more cuts on him. Finally the larger turtle backed away. "What are you..." He whispered in fear as Leo slowly stalked in again. Finally unable to take anymore Slash fled, running swiftly away.

Leo stopped and turned to face his brothers and friends who were looking at him in shock and amazement. "Leo..." Raph choked out, a sob forming in his throat.

Leo looked at all of them and smiled, then he faded from sight.