Mikey's P.O.V

It had only been around 12 minutes, I think, after they took Raph that I realized Leo was acting strangely. Not like he has been but worse. He sounded like he was choking a little.

"Donnie?" I cried as I looked up at my older brother in alarm. Donnie must have been thinking hard cause as soon as he looked at me and then to Leo his eyes widened and he unintentionally let me drop to the floor. I didn't mind though.

"Leo? Leo!" Donnie shook he bars as he tried to see into the other cell across from us. Leo was shaking visibly hard and he was gasping. I noticed his blue eyes were smaller than normal. "Shell..."

"D?" I asked nervously as he looked around.

"He's having a panic attack!" Donnie breathed as he hurriedly looked around the room. "Help me calm him down!" My eyes widened and I tried not to have a panic attack myself.

I turned sharply to face Leo, wanting to be of help, and tried to twist my face into that stupid grin I have. "Leo! Hey Leo, look at me!"

Leo was still struggling but you could tell he heard me cause his body twitched and he tried to turn. "Look at me, over here!" I waved and I frowned, Leo was still freaking out.

"Leo you seriously have to breathe or you'll lose consciousness!" Donnie commanded his voice full of worry. I gulped down my nervousness.

"Like this bro!" I demonstrated loudly trying to suck in a long breath. My eyes widened when Leo's wide eyes locked onto ours. He was trying to breathe and it wasn't working.

"Quiet down there!" A Foot soldier yelled and I glared up to where the voice came from.

"He needs help!" Donnie shouted and it was clear my genius-doctor-older brother was panicking himself. I opened my mouth to say something but the Foot guy came down here and glared at us all. I shut my mouth until he saw Leo having a panic attack. "Help him! You got to-"

Me and Donnie choked on surprise and our eyes widened. It was like slow motion when the Foot dude simply used the butt of his sword to knock Leo out.

"HEY!" I cried out in protest but he already left with a huff. My body was shaking and I was getting angry. Why do they have to do this? What did we ever do wrong? You know, other than hit them around but they deserve it!

"Let it go Mikey..." Donnie sighed as he rubbed his face. I looked at him. "Leo's gonna be okay now...he'll be fine when he wakes up."

I opened my mouth to say something else when I froze with horror. A loud shout from Raph came from the over-speaker. He cried out in anger and you could hear loud protesting grunts from a struggle and a fight. I whimpered and shifted closer to Donnie. I put my hands to my ears.

Donnie was frozen, his eyes slightly wide but unlike me he didn't cover his ears. He wanted to know what happened to us, but that was only so he knew exactly what happened and how to help us. I wish I had his bravery and courage...I have to do something about this...

Isn't that what I do? I don't like seeing my brothers so worried and panicky. I hate it. I love to see them smile and laugh, I love to be the one to make them smile and laugh. I have to keep it together, so I can keep them together!

I purse my lips and look at Donnie. His face is pale and he is desperately trying not to vomit or something. I frown and uncover my ears. Raph yells inaudibly, I have no idea what he's saying yet.

"D-Donnie?" I spoke up quietly. Donnie's worried eyes trailed down to meet mine. I smiled. "Have you figured out anything tht might tell us where we are yet?" He blinked in surprise at the random question.

"Right...uh.." He looked around and licked his beak. He looked at floor and studied it. "Well..from previous knowledge I know we aren't in Shredder's lair."

"That's good, Bro." I encouraged, trying to be helpful and not pushy. "Is there any...uh..scientific..stuff you can look for to see where we are?"

Donnie looked behind himself towards me, having been on his hands and knees, and blinked like he was very surprised. I just cocked my head. Donnie then sat down and looked around. "It's very wet.."

"Huh?" I asked stupidly. What the shell was he talking about? I looked at the floor of our cell and noticed it was wet and got wetter the deeper you went towards the wall. I blinked. "What does that mean?"

"Well...there are no pipes leaking..so that tells me.." Donnie looked concentrated. We both flinched with wide eyes when Raph screamed. This was no yelling, grunts, or whatever we usually hear. This was a scream...from Raph.

I sat there frozen as another scream echoed through the dungeon through the over-speaker. Donnie's body shook but he tried to keep concentrating. I felt so bad and useless.

"Ugnhhh..."

I turned so fast that my head throbbed and I swayed where I sat. For a minute I let myself sit there until I focused again. Leo was sitting up and rubbing his plastron, I'm sure it's sore from not being able to breathe.

"Leo!" Donnie cried, throwing himself towards the bars. "Are you okay? Can you breathe now?" I just breathed myself and watched Leo, or tried to.

"Yeah...I'm..yeah I can.." Leo looked dazed and kept rubbing his chest. He looked over at us and must have seen our worry. He tried to smile. "I'm okay.."

Donnie visibly relaxed and exhaled. "Don't do that to us ever again."

"Sorry Donnie." Leo frowned and looked around. I ducked my head low because I knew he was search for Raph. I composed myself and put on a smile. Then I looked up again. This is what I have to do for them.

"Raph is okay. He'll pull through like always and he'll be back tomorrow." I tried to give a good cheery tone. Donnie and Leo looked at me for awhile. Leo gave a grateful small smile.

"Yeah. I'm sure your right Mikey." I beamed at the very small accomplishment.

"Of course I am bro, it's me!" I grinned almost for real and Donnie actually gave a slightly small smile. But of course, Shredder has to ruin the good thing I've built.

Raph screams louder than before and it sounds more painful. This was horrible and dread pumped in my system while I fought the urge to hold my ears. Leo looked up with a pained and panicked expression meanwhile Donnie was trying to pretend he couldn't hear it.

This is going to be a long night...

Raphael struggled best he could but his arms ached SO badly. His wrists throbbed painfully, so much so it was almost all he could think about. His limbs were restrained to a lab table but there were no lab equipment. At least if there were he'd know what to expect.

It was so eerie. All he wanted to do was see his brothers, see how they were doing. Leo wasn't doing too hot when he left. Hopefully Donnie will find something soon and maybe they can get out, anything.

Suddenly the door to the grayish room opened and Raph turned his head. He growled angrily when Shredder walked in with Stockman. He kept him waiting half an hour for that useless mutant?!

"I was beginnin ta think ya weren't gonna show ya face." Raph smirked. Shredder glared down at him before hitting him across the face with the side of his gauntlet. Raph barely cringed but knew his cheek would swell from the impact. At least he wasn't cut.

"Don't tempt me to take your life." Shredder growled as a warning. Raph just glared back at him, unafraid. Raph was never scared of death, he knew it would happen eventually. Granted, he'd rather not die now though. Shredder saw the threat meant nothing to Raphael. "Or I could just take the life of your brother. I'll let you guess you which one."

Raphael's eyes widened. "No! Don't do that!"

Shredder chuckled as he nodded to Stockman, who buzzed to Raph's other side with a tray of needles and syringes. There was one beaker of fluid he did not know. Donnie would though. "Just a little Stockman, I want him to suffer."

Raph gritted his teeth as he watched Shredder. "Little low to be beating up on someone who can't fight back."

"Shut up imbecile!" Shredder growled and hit Raph in the same place on his face. Raph cringed this time and felt his cheek pound like his wrists. "Where..is..Splinter?"

Raphael didn't even say anything. He just glared at Shredder hatefully, refusing to even open his mouth. Shredder cross his arms. On his other side Stockman was preparing the needles and syringes. Raph tried not to get anxious but it was inevitable.

"You know Raphael, you remind me of myself." Shredder taunted and Raph glared even more, horrified by the idea. "Angry, stubborn, and deadly." Raph involuntarily shuddered and Shredder chuckled. "You'd be a good asset-"

"I'd die first." Raph simply stated before Shredder could finish. Shredder just stared at him.

"Suit yourself." Shredder sneered as he looked at Stockman. The fly mutant finished preparing the first syringe. "Is it ready yet?"

"Yesss Master." Stockman answered uneasily. Raph snorted.

"So yer gonna stick me with a needle to hurt me?" Raph asked.

"No, not stick you with it. I'm gonna drop the contents of it all over your plastron." Shredder grinned wickedly. Raph's eyes widened. No he couldn't...possibly..He dropped only a tiny bit of the stuff on Raph's plastron and Raph screamed loudly as he felt it burn his protective plastron. He struggled with the restraints while Shredder laughed the whole time. "Care to tell me where Splinter is now?"

Raph cringed and bit his lip hard to keep from letting the water in his eyes overflow. It just burned so much. "N-Never..."

Shredder frowned hard. He looked at the syringe and dropped more of the stuff onto Raph's plastron, one in the same spot the other near his center. Raph screamed loudly in agony and struggled. "Like it? It's acid."

Raph's eyes snapped open and he tried to look angry but he just felt his body spasm and shake hard. He didn't want to admit he was scared. He didn't want to feel that anymore. His cheek throbbed, his plastron burned constantly and his wrists were aching more from the struggling.

"Where is Splinter?" Shredder questioned again, leaning in with a growl. Raph shook harder and cried out when Shredder put pressure on one of his wrists. "Tell me!"

"I'll see you in hell first." Raph spat and it genuinely surprised Shredder, who was beyond all hope at this point. He could seriously kill this turtle. Stockman gawked with a wide mouth at the scene in front of him. Shredder slashed Raph's plastron near the burn marks and then dropped the rest of the acid on the wound. Raph screamed impossibly loud and unashamed at the pain he was feeling.

'Raph..! Raphh!...ts...e...ril!..' Raph blinked through blurry eyes and burning pain. April? 'Hang on Raph! Just a little longer!' Inwardly Raph was so relieved that April made a connection to him.

"Why won't you break?!" Shredder screamed angrily and Stockman ducked by he table. Shredder threw the tray and the material with the acid went on the floor, barely missing Stockman, who shivered. "What time is it?!"

"9-9 p.m...Massster." Stockman answered immediately, to get himself out of trouble. Shredder took a moment and sneered down at Raph, who was groaning with closed eyes.

"Release him." Shredder simply said to Stockman, who twitched in surprise. He released Raphael from his restraints but the turtle simply groaned loudly and shook. "Chain him up, throw him in the corner and leave him to bleed. I need to talk to Tigerclaw."

"Yess Masster." Stockman bowed as he watched Shredder leave. He shivered from his Masters deadly aura and tightly secured Raphael in the corner. He was now more aware since the beatings and acid stopped. He was bleeding from the two slash marks on his chest. Raph groaned but just stared at the fly mutant, waiting for the pain to dissipate.

It unnerved him how quiet the hothead was. So he twitched again and locked the chains in place. But he just had to ask because he needed to know. "Why did you go through all thisssss?"

"Leo..." Raph whispered and shook again from the burning sensation. "Ta..protect...Leonardo."

Stockman's eyes would have been wide had he not had so many. He would go through all that just for one person? I mean, they were brothers...but he still could not understand. He was selfish, he hated everyone and everyone hated him. Why would he do something for someone else.

But on some level Stockman looked around and got out a salve from his sleeve, rubbing it on Raphael's bloody chest and it helped the pain a little but it was mainly to speed up the healing process. Raph groaned and tried to protest. Raph then realized the pain was going away more and his eyes widened a little. "What are ya doin?"

"Sssshut up." Stockman hissed, nervous that he would get caught helping. He looked back and whispered. "I take any chance to rebel againssst thossse mutantsssss. Don't read into thissss." He handed Raph the salve. "You can give the ressst to your brotherssss but I never gave it to you."

Stockman buzzed off towards the door after knowing Raph couldn't escape and had to sit there. But he felt all warm and weird inside when Raph whispered. "Thanks.." before he closed the door.

Slash crossed over the rooftops in a hurry. He has been everywhere the Kraang and/or Foot are usually spotted. But he has no luck in catching any of the Turtles' scents. Some were vaguely old but he followed them anyways. They always led back to a manhole cover.

Slash growled angrily and gripped his weapon in his hand. He couldn't let Raphael and Leonardo down when they needed him the most. He couldn't. He could tell..something was wrong. If he didn't hurry and find Raphael...

Slash roared which caused a bunch of birds to fly away from the area. He wanted to hit something, anything! Anything would do right now!

"That's him."

Slash roared around but did not see anyone. He looked confused for a minute before looking down. He saw a black haired teenager wrapped up in black with hockey equipment. Beside him was a wary looking teenage girl with orange hair in a ponytail. She tried to look peaceful. "Who are you?!"

"April O'Neil..." The girl said smiling politely. She pointed to the cranky teenage boy who was glaring through the hockey mask. "That's Casey Jones." Slash glared and growled. "W-We'ere friends of the Turtles!"

Slash paused instantly. April saw this and quickly continued. "Master Splinter told us we could help! I have physic powers and I could find a mental connection with the guys!"

Slash jumped down in the alleyway and saw Casey go rigid while putting an arm in front of April. Slash snorted. "Aren't you two a little young to be out this late at night?"

"It's 9 p.m.." Casey rolled his eyes and glared. "We stay up late!"

"Congrats." Slash said with a bored look. Casey steamed but April put a hand on his shoulder and took a step forward. "Your physic right? How do you know you can find them?"

"I have to be close enough. So when we are and if I do get a connection we'll know we're close to them." April said seriously while looking Slash dead in the eyes. He had to give her his props. She was brave.

"Okay."

"Doc says we should check near the water. He said the river would be a good chance." Casey mumbled while crossing his arms.

"Good. Then lets go." Slash growled and surprised both teens. He could not wait up for them so he picked both of them up and they shrieked. He smirked and took off with a fast pace.

"Not so high!"

"Not so fast!"

"Tch. Humans.." Slash rolled his eyes but felt amused. It took him 10 minutes tops before he was near the river. He stopped on one of the rooftops to a warehouse. He set both humans down and gave them a look.

"Now what?"

"We wait to see if she feels anything or you smell anything." Casey grinned and Slash glared at the boy. He was about to retort when eh smelled fresh water, but mingled with turtle scent. This one was a few days old. He blinked with wide eyes.

"We're close!" Slash and April cried at the same time. Everyone paused but wasted no more time. Slash grabbed them again and jumped towards the ground. There were no humans in sight. He set the humans down again wile walking towards the scent.

"It fades here." Slash growled angrily. Looking around, there was nothing but dirt and water. There were construction buildings and warehouses. "They must be close."

"Yeah, maybe if we sniff around more." Casey grinned again and Slash quietly hit the human's shoulder. "Ow!"

"Guys..." April was wide eyed and holding her head. Casey and Slash turned to her and watched her mouth drop open and her face twist with pain. "Ah..."

"Red, what is it?" Casey asked worriedly, putting a hand on her back. Slash watched them but smelt a lot of enemies here. More than the three of them could take on.

"R-Raph...I sense him." Slash's eyes widened and Casey gasped. April's eyes watered in pain and sadness. She couldn't believe some of the images she was seeing. Acid being dropped on Raph's plastron, him screaming, squirming. "He's hurt...bad..ugnh.!"

'Raph..! Raphh!...its...me...April!..' April screamed in her head through the connection. She wasn't sure if Raph could hear. His mind couldn't focus on their connection. Plus it was faded from distance. 'Hang on Raph! Just a little longer!'

"Damn..." Slash snapped angrily, trying to calm himself. "There are too many enemies to be trying to get any closer." Casey looked up in wary but anger.

"Do you think you could take us back here?" Slash looked slightly confused. "I mean would you be able to find this place again?"

"Of course!"

"Then let's go back and tell the others. We'll come back." Casey said with unusual seriousness. April was still shaking in pain and was highly upset, but the visions had stopped. Casey supported her and Slash sighed, but he nodded.

Slash looked back. 'Just a little longer guys. We're so close now.'

Leonardo gasped in pain as his shell pulsated a little from the movement he tried to do. He only tried to stand. Leo muttered and forced himself to stand. It's been an hour after Raph's screams stopped. Those were the worst sounds Leo has ever heard.

"It stopped. He's okay." Mikey smiled up at them from his seat against the wall. Then there;s Mikey. Leo looked at him as he gripped the bars to steady himself. Mikey is really starting to worry Leo. He's ignoring everything that's happening to try and stay positive. That's great, but he's not allowing himself to feel anything else. It's almost creepy.

Donnie's too distracted by everything lately that he hasn't noticed the change in Mikey or in himself for that matter. He's never the easily distracted one. Leo sighed and rubbed his eyes. Please be okay Raph, we need you to make things better now.

"Yeah.." Leo trailed off after he realized no one spoke up to answer Mikey. Mikey just nodded again and smiled down at his feet. Leo gripped the bars when another wave of dull pain hit him. He's not allowed to be hurt, not after hearing those screams from Raph. Just what were they doing to him?

Shredder was standing in the doorway behind the door looking in o the three turtles with a mean glare on his face. He did not like that Leonardo was gaining more confidence, or that Donatello seemed to be studying the place like a book, and it was just weird how Michelangelo was cheery.

He turned and looked at Tigerclaw, who nodded solemnly but looked eager. Shredder nodded to his pupil and walked away to the the control room. He pressed a button and spoke into the over-speaker as he watched the screen for all the turtles' reactions.

"Dear Turtles, I am afraid I underestimated you. Almost three days and you have not betrayed your Master. I know realize that you may never..." He growled that part and watched some inward glee enter Raphael and Leonardo's face. He clenched the table. "But that was the biggest mistake of your life." He watched their faces change to slight surprise and anger.

"Not that I don't enjoy your company, but I was hoping you'd wise up and save yourselves a miserable death. That is no longer an option." Shredder smiled when he saw all the turtles unwillingly tense up. "And now Raphael, for your defiance, I hope you enjoy the show."

Raphael looked at the camera in confusion and anger. Fishface came in and brought a projector with him that showed the room his brothers were in. He could see them but they couldn't see him. The other three turtles were confused at what Shredder said about Raph.

But soon Tigerclaw came in and smirked at them. They paled, remembering that it was time for the nightly beating. Donnie shivered and shifted closer to Mikey. "Do not fear, I am choosing Leonardo."

Leonardo froze where he stood. Shredder laughed to himself as he watched it all. Raphael's eyes grew impossibly wide. He had to watch Leo get beaten? That's worse than hearing it! He chose for Leo but Leo gets beaten anyways?! How cruel!

Raphael clenched his fists, his wounds feeling better but he felt they shouldn't. Not when Leo was about to get hurt. And he had to watch it all. He shook and he felt a stray tear fall from both eyes. He didn't bother wiping them away either.

Tigerclaw grabbed Leo roughly and began to pound his kicks to his stomach, sending him across the floor. Mikey and Donnie yelled at him to stop, pleaded for him to stop or for someone to help. Tigerclaw clawed Leo, who dodged a little so it scratched his collarbone above his plastron. Donnie gulped at the close call to Leo's neck.

Tigerclaw went in for another attack but it was weak when looked on in surprise. The turtle was still standing, still looking a bit confident, a little lost and hurt, but he was convinced about something. Something Tigerclaw recognized. Leonardo would take all of this to protect his brothers. He was okay with it as long as it was him the one getting hurt.

'This what comrades do for each other. Family.' Tigerclaw thought as he walked up to Leonardo with an expressionless face. Leo faced him head on and Tigerclaw had to respect him for it. Tigerclaw pulled back his fist and punched Leo in the face. He saw blood coming out of the turtle's mouth.

"Please! Please stop! He can't take much more!" Donatello pleaded as tears rolled down his cheeks. His voice was raw from the pleading and yelling. He hated it. But anything was better than this.

Tigerclaw looked behind him at the other two. He could not disobey his Master. He quickly turned around and pursed his lips. He grabbed Leo by the arm.

"You are honorable." Tigerclaw whispered lowly. Leo's eyes flashed with surprise for a moment as he forgot his hurt. "You are a good cub. But I am sorry."

Before Leo could question Tigerclaw pulled Leo's shoulder from it's socket with a sickening crack. Donatello and Michelangelo screamed Leo's name in worry. Leo was so shocked and so overwhelmed with pain that he only groaned, yelled occasionally, and whimpered.

Tigerclaw threw Leonardo back in his cell, chained him back up, and relocked the cage. He walked away without so much as glancing at the two youngest streaming curses and screams at him.

Raphael was so glad when it was over. Sweat trickled down his face mixed with tears. He was shaking so bad now, the pain was still there, dulled, but there. It should be worse. He should feel worse. It was his fault. Leo was hurt because of him. At least he was unconscious now.

'Sensei...where are you? Where are you?!' Raphael pleaded as he held his head in both hands. He sobbed a little. 'I can't protect them! I can't! We need you! Why haven't you come?!'

Raph shook even more now and hid his face in his hands as he laid on his shell. He wanted everything to be over.

Shredder looked on in amusement from the control room and smirked. Maybe now Raphael will stop acting so tough. He can't do anything. Shredder watched the mutant go to sleep and then looked at the others. Leonardo was out of it but the two younger turtles were crying.

"Master." Tigerclaw greeted emotionlessly as he entered the room with his newly cleaned hands. Shredder didn't acknowledge him. "It is done."

"Very good Tigerclaw." Shredder spoke up and turned to his second in command. "I dare say you handled Leonardo very well."

"Thank you Master." Tigerclaw knelt and bowed. Shredder stood and looked at the screen again. "Are you still going to break the Turtles?"

"Yes. They are all so simple-minded. Their want to protect each other will kill them." Shredder chuckled wickedly. Tigerclaw glanced up.

"Have you chosen the Turtle for tomorrow?" Tigerclaw questioned curiously. Inwardly he had hoped it was not going to be Leonardo, whom Shredder seemed to hate most. Shredder either didn't hear him or ignored him.

"They won't break easily. They will die before they betray their Master. But I do need them alive to get him here. Maybe not all of them." Shredder contemplated as he watched the screens in agitation.

"I notice in Leonardo's eyes there is still hope. There is confidence in the three turtles eyes." Tigerclaw observed. Shredder turned to him again. "It is dwindling in Raphael, who wants to protect his fellow cubs."

"Yes, fear and hopelessness is good. But they never seem to have that very long." Shredder growled in impatience and anger. He clenched his fists as he looked at the screen.

And that's when he got another idea. He knew just who to take tomorrow.

The next morning was the worst in the history of their lives. Donatello opened his eyes with a yawn. His cheeks felt wet and blotchy from crying. His throat burned and it was a little sore. Donnie had fallen asleep with his head on top of Michelangelo's shell. Mikey was laying on his plastron with his head in arms. His freckled cheeks stained with tears.

"Mikey.." Donnie whispered as he shook his baby brother. He looked over to Leo while he did this. Leo needed his shoulder poped back into place and only Raphael could do that. If he could. His wrists are still healing. Shredder...how cruel! Plus Leo still has that collar on his neck from his time with Shredder yesterday!

Mikey groaned loudly and rubbed his aching head before he stared off into space. His eyes focused and he saw Donnie looking at him worriedly. "Donnie?"

"You alright?" Donnie asked softly while getting off his brother's shell. Mikey groaned as he sat up and looked directly towards Leo, who hasn't moved since he was thrown to the floor on his plastron and re-chained. Mikey's eyes watered and he forced them back.

"I'm okay." Mikey replied while looking at Donnie. He wanted to laugh. Was HE okay? Look at what's happened to Leo, Raphie and Don. The worst he got was a cut on his arm. He looked down at the poorly bandaged arm and realized his slash was scabbing over.

Donnie looked at Leo again and frowned. He was so worried about Leo and Raph. Soon it would be time for Raph to come back. He could help Leo, right? Hopefully...oh please let Raph be alive. Mikey blinked when he saw the sad hopeless look on his older brother's face.

"Hey D, don't make that face. Leo can handle it." Mikey smiled and patted his big brothers shoulder. "Raphie's also too tough to give up. Don't make them laugh by worrying too much."

Donnie sighed and rubbed his face. "Why do they have to do this to themselves? We could handle it just as much as them...they make me so mad sometimes.."

"I get it bro. I do." Mikey agreed with a bigger smile. "But we'll be okay. Master Splinter is probably close to finding us anyways. April and Casey are probably helping him ya know?"

Donnie looked at him and smiled, rubbing his head affectionately. Mikey smiled even more at this and moved closer to his brother. "Hey Donnie?"

"Yeah?"

"Why haven't they fed us yet?" Mikey questioned and Donnie went rigid. The last time they were given rice was yesterday at lunch and it's the only time they give food but they usually give water.

"You heard Shredder. He doesn't care to keep us alive anymore." Donnie replied tight-lipped. Mikey stared at him and looked down. "But I'll figure out where we are. Maybe if April or Sensei contact us I'll tell them."

"Yeah!" Mikey beamed, suddenly excited. "That's a great idea!" Donnie smiled down at Mikey and then continued studying the wall, crawling away from Mikey. "Hopefully you'll find out."

"I'm sure he will." Mikey and Donnie whirled around when they heard his voice. It was pained but fond. Leo was sitting up against the wall near the bars so he could be as close to them as he could. He was breathing irregularly and holding his hurt shoulder. His mouth had dried blood on it and his chin.

"Leo!"

"Are you guys okay?" Leo asked as he tried to smile through his pain again. Mikey and Donnie nodded with worried sad frowns. "I had a good dream...Sensei got us out.."

"That's good!" Mikey smiled and Donnie looked at Leo closely. "How's your shoulder?"

"Hurts...a lot." Leo allowed himself to frown and worked hard to keep any limbs from moving. Every move sent waves of pain through his body. "I'm thirsty."

"I know, bro. I know. Hopefully they'll give us something but after last night's announcement..." Donnie glared at the floor. "Raph must have said or done something that pissed Shredder off."

"Sounds like him.." Leo grinned a little and leaned his head back. They all heard the creak and froze in their movements. Two Foot soldiers came out dragging Raph, but he was unconscious with a huge black bruise on his head. Donnie gawked at it in horror.

They dropped Raph off wordlessly and left. Leo scrambled to Raph's side, whining the whole time because his arm hurt like shell. He knelt next to Raph's body and his eyes watered. Raph's plastron had those slash marks and blisters covering the top half of his plastron. "Oh..Raph, what did they do..?"

Mikey was staring in denial. There was no way that Raph was that hurt. He couldn't be! "R-Raphie, rise and shine!"

Raph stirred slightly and Leo tapped at his cheek, trying to wake him up. They all felt relieved when he groaned, but it sounded so painful. Raph's eyes fluttered open and he was surprised when he saw Leo above him. He was no longer alone. But as soon as he seen Leo he curled up a little and looked so upset.

"Raph?" Leo questioned worriedly, putting a hand on his plastron where there were no burns. Raph cringed at the touch though it was sore and did not hurt. Leo frowned. "They burned you?"

"With acid." Raph added the information. Donnie gasped so loud that they all looked at him. Raph smiled, relived to see his other brothers not harmed. But that smile left when he saw Donnie look more pissed than he's ever been himself, and that's saying something.

"How DARE they use a chemical on one of my brothers!" Donnie yelled standing up so fast and rushing towards the bars. He was staring at the entrance. "HOW DARE THEY DO THAT!"

"Donnie..." Mikey uneasily stood next to Don but was silenced with one look from his older brother. He cowered away from him. Leo and Raph looked on in surprise. Not that Leo wasn't mad, he just didn't have the energy.

"It's okay Donnie, it doesn't hurt anymore." Raph tried to reassure. Donnie looked at him and his eyes twitched with anger. He began muttering angrily and they couldn't exactly hear what he was saying. "Leo...I'm so sorry."

"For what?" Leo looked away from Don and down to their most injured brother. Raph bit his lower lip and felt the same self loathing and loneliness fill him. He was so useless in his attempts to protect Leo. Leo blinked when he saw this reaction and leaned down to put his forehead on Raph;s. "For what bro?"

"F-For lettin ya get hurt...the whole reason I..." Raph couldn't continue as he remembered the burning and slashing. The beatings. His lower lip was bleeding a little. Leo frowned and back up to wipe the blood away.

"No, it's okay. I would take anything as long as it wasn't you guys." Leo nodded to Raph and to Mikey and Donnie, who was focusing his furious gaze on them. They couldn't look at all the anger and hate in Donnie's red brown eyes. It was unnatural. Very unnatural in the eyes of gentle Donnie. He was the most composed...now he finally lost it.

"Raph, Leo needs his shoulder put back in place." Donnie growled. He was just so furious at Shredder right now. He burned his older brother with acid? What kind of sick man does that? He did it to protect Leo but then Leo gets hurt? How..unfreaking believable!

"Okay..." Raph said a bit surprised at first. He sat up and Leo grimaced. After a moment of preparation Raph didn't wait and rammed Leo's shoulder in place but both cred out at the impact. Raph's wrist throbbed so much at the action. Leo cried a bit and held his shoulder but sucked in a breath to hold it back. "I got this..."

All brothers looked at Raph when he pulled out the salve that Stockman gave him. He smiled a little. At least he give this to Leo...maybe throw to to Mikey for his arm. Leo looked down in shock.

"How did you get that?!" Leo demanded in shock. Donnie didn't feel furious anymore, not so much anyways as he was relieved when he saw it.

"I stole it off tha table." Raph lied while reaching out to Leo. Leo blinked but leaned closer so Raph could put salve on his cheek and arm where he had been stabbed yesterday. He put some on the bruises around Leo's plastron.

"Now you.." Leo protested as he grabbed Raph's hand to stop it. Raph rolled his eyes but handed Leo the salve. Leo rubbed alot of salve on Raph's burns, watching him wince, and carefully on the worst ones covered with the two slashes from Shredder's gauntlet. When he was done Leo smiled and looked at Mikey. "Need some Mikey?"

"No." Mikey replied instantly. They blinked in surprise. Mikey fingered the bandage on his arm. "I don't need it. Keep it over there."

"You sure?" Raph asked looking confused. Mikey gave them all a warm smile and nodded.

"You need it more than we do." Mikey replied and Donnie nodded in agreement. "Besides bro's, we'll need your strength to get out of here."

"Huh, your right." Leo grinned and Mikey beamed. They saw Raph fidgeting beside Leo and looked at him. Don raised an eyebrow to ask but Raph beat him to it.

"Guys...I made a mind connection with April last night." Raph whispered. All of them blinked with wide eyes. It was a moment of silence before it really registered.

"Really?!" Leo and Donnie demanded in shock and relief.

"She heard me scream..I think...but at least she can guess where we are." Raph smiled a little and winced because of the bruise on his cheek.

"That's great!" Mikey cheered. They looked at him. "Guys I told you we should always have hope! We can accomplish anything if we try!"

"Quit bein sappy." Raph grinned and Leo chuckled. Donnie shook his head with a small excited smile.

"Seriously bros! I've been keeping us going as best as I can!" Mikey fake pouted.

"We appreciate Mikey. What would happen without your constant annoying cheers?" Raph retorted with an eye roll. Mikey rolled his own eyes.

"Really though. You've tried your best to cheer us up haven't you?" Donnie smiled and petted his brothers head. "Thanks."

"I just want you guys to be okay." Mikey nodded with a serious 'lawyer' look. Leo laughed. "I sound like Leo."

"Sure do." Leo said and smirked when Raph put and arm around his shoulder to better lean on him.

"How foolish you all are."

The Turtles tensed but had the drill down pact. Though this time Leo and Raph didn't have the strength to get up and that scared them. They had a terrible feeling...Shredder emerged with the two Foot soldiers and walked in view. Leo scowled and Raph glared.

"Do you really think that hope can save you?" Shredder sneered. Raph was relieved though. Shredder hadn't heard what he said about April. "You are all way to confident for my liking."

"Well sorry." Donnie spoke up. Leo and Raph looked at Donnie surprised but those eyes were back. Those angry hate filled eyes. "As long as we have hope we can survive. We're stronger than we look. We have each other's backs."

"Indeed, Donatello." Shredder walked to his cage with a low voice and hatred filled eyes that rivaled Donnie's. Mikey gulped a little, hoping Shredder didn't take Donnie. Please don't hurt Donnie. "You all need to accept your fate. Your going to die here. You cannot be saved, you will not survive. You're beyond hope."

"Sensei will find us." Mikey glared defiantly. He was NOT going to let Shredder break his brothers' spirits. Shredder looked at him finally and Mikey tried not to shake.

"Do you really believe that?" Shredder asked while running his gauntlet along their cage. Donnie stood close and backed up to Mikey. Both glaring while Leo and Raph struggled to move but it brought nothing but pain.

"Yes."

"Pathetic." Shredder eyed them like bugs and he looked to the Foot. "I don't like that mouth of your Michelangelo. I don't like your odd cheerful behavior either." Mikey blinked through the glare.

"And that's what we're gonna work on today." Shredder smirked wickedly behind the kabuto. Donnie, Leo and Raph's eyes widened dramatically like in a cartoon.

Mikey blinked and then gasped in horror when he realized that he was just chosen for the day.

Phew! This was a long chapter, but I had a lot that needed to be covered! Plus I wanted to give you guys something extra for being a little bit later than I wanted with this.

Enjoy! I want to hear from you guys! :D Enjoy your days and STAY AWESOME!