Chapter 4

Y'know what happens when you're a couple thousand miles away from your laptop with half a chapter already written? Late updates. That's what.

I re-wrote the ending for this chapter like seven times before my brain spewed this all over the screen. I'm quite fond of it, if I do say so myself. I really hope you guys are too!

Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed thus far. Thanks for sticking around through long updates and long-ish chapters. There's more to come, even though I want to try and make this story somewhat short.

I think this is my longest chapter yet... Hm.

Without further ado- ONWARD!

Leonardo watched Raph as he slept. After his little tantrum, the hothead had fallen into an uneasy slumber despite their predicament.

Leo, however, did not. He remained awake and alert, tensing at even the slightest sound; he even expected Jezebeth to turn on the speakers again, but she didn't. He was growing restless and anxious, wondering what had become of his youngest brothers, wondering what would become of him and Raph.

Groaning, Leo ran his hand down his face. He was hot, hungry, and tired; tired of not knowing anything, tired of not being able to do anything. He felt useless. Yes, there's the word he was looking for.

He let out a soft grunt as he stood, using the wall as leverage. Earlier, he didn't have the chance to actually examine their cell; considering the fact that he was more focused on trying to reign in his panic and anger. Now seemed to be the perfect time to do so.

Scanning the dull walls, he noted that the only source of light was from that small window he spotted amidst his panic. "Great…" He thought bitterly. "Just another bump in the road to drag ourselves over." With an eye roll, he continued his inspection, but nothing really stood out to him; just grey walls and grey floors. Not even a door.

That perplexed him.

Leo was about to start pressing against the walls, to see if there was a button or any slight disfigurations in the wall, not understanding how the two of them could have ended up in here without a door, when a slight ripple-like portal appearing along the far wall caught the blue-banded turtle's attention, causing him to tilt his head.

Staggering on unsteady legs, Leo moved himself to stand in front of his slumbering brother, wanting to keep whatever that wavelet was, away from Raph. Nothing happened for a few moments, and Leo began to wonder if he was just going crazy.

Then all of a sudden, a loud boom erupted from the structure, startling both of the turtles.

"What the shell was that?!" Raph grumbled as he scrambled to his feet, coming up to stand beside his older brother. Though he was disgruntled that his nap was interrupted, he was more than alert.

The hot head's presence comforted Leo in an odd way, and he was glad that he wasn't alone. "I'm not sure…" He began, "But knowing our luck, it can't be anything good."

Raph snorted, "I dunno, Leo," He grinned as he readied to defend. "Maybe the good ol' Turtle Luck will give us a break for once."

Returning the grin, Leo fell into a similar stance. "I'd like to hope so, Raph." It was then that he realized, smirk falling, that he could only fight with one arm; the other being barbequed, would leave it out of commission and leave him with one working, not barbequed arm. He sighed, gritting his teeth. "This is going to be fun." Sarcasm dripped from each syllable.

"Ah, c'mon Leo, it ain't gonna be that bad." If possible, Raph's smirk grew, but Leo could see the worry hidden in those green depths of his. "Hey, maybe they're coming to take us to see Mike and Don?" He suggested.

"You would like to think so, wouldn't you?"

Banter stalling, the two brothers turned startled gazes to the speaker, but instead were met with quite the surprise.

A man dressed in a lab coat and black gloves stepped from the black abyss, something sticking to him like tar before whipping back. He looked to be in his late-twenties, his dark brown hair slicked back, and his blue eyes were piercing and calculating behind wire rimmed glasses. Stubble dotted his chin, and his mouth was pressed into a thin line as he advanced. The man's pristine black boots squeaked as he walked and his stark-white coat swayed in his motions.

Slowing to a stop a few feet away, he clasped his hands in front of him. He stood utterly still and utterly silent.

Questions began flying through Leo's already muddled-up brain.

"Who is this guy?"

"Is he some sort of scientist?"

"A mad doctor?"

"Someone who wants to cut us open and play peek-a-boo with our insides?"

One after the other, different scenarios were formed before they were replaced with another. And before anymore bizarro settings could be imagined, Leo snapped back to reality when the man cleared his throat.

"Hello, Terrapins." His voice was clipped, clear, and crisp, and it held a tone of authority. Judging by the accent, he wasn't from America; Leo could only guess the man originated from somewhere in Europe. Jezebeth had some strange recruits.

"Now, you may be wondering who I am. Simple. I am known here as Professor Seagrain, but you may call me Ross."

Leo's eyes widened and he felt Raph stiffen beside him. "A professor?! This dude can't be any older than twenty-six, and he's working for a demented witch lady, for that matter!"

"And before you ask," Seagrain continued. "Yes, I do in fact work with Mistress Jezebeth, and no, I will not assist you in whatever plan of escape you have forming in those small, reptilian brains of yours."

Seagrain, seemingly done with introductions, resumed in his walk towards the weaponless turtles. Leo, protective instincts flaring, clenched his fists and shifted ever-so-slightly so that he was between the strange man and his brother.

"Aw," Seagrain cooed, drawing out the single syllable. "You assume that you, an injured and unarmed Terrapin, could even stand against me? When I have a whole system of weapons and warriors at my beck and call? Ha!" He laughed a deranged laugh before turning serious again. "It would be quite amusing to see you try, turtle… quite amusing indeed."

Leo flicked his gaze away from the glower burning into him and over to Raph, who stood there growling, his eyes were narrowed dangerously as he glared at the 'Professor'

Though he was confused about many things at the moment, Leo knew what Raph was about to do. He had seen his brother do it multiple times. He can name the signs that usually lead to this. Heavy breathing, straining muscles, clenched and trembling fists, and the flames of rage flickering in the hot head's eyes.

Raph was about ten seconds from attacking the man who had magically appeared inside their box. Another guttural growl made its way up Raph's throat.

Make that three seconds.

Before Leo even had the chance to block Raph off completely from Seagrain, his brother was already advancing at immeasurable speed.

"Raph, Wait-!" His plea fell on deaf ears as Raphael pounced.

Time seemed to slow down as the red-clad turtle attacked, arm pulled back and fist clenched as he prepared to land a killer blow.

The punch never hit its target; Raph's fist struck thin air and the 'Professor' disappeared from sight and materialized directly behind him.

"Tsk, tsk," Seagrain shook his head as he stared down at Raph, who seemed to be frozen in place. "For a ninja, you aren't very agile in your motions. I was expecting more." And with that, he shoved Raph's prone form and allowed his brother to pitch forwards and tumble into the rippling portal.

Leo's eyes widened as he realized what was going on. That mad man was taking his brother away! The eldest acted quickly, throwing caution to the wind.

"What? Hey- wait!" He tried to run towards the man, who was already stepping through after his fallen brother, but he stumbled and fell to his knees; his cerulean eyes were wide with fear and anger as Seagrain laughed in his face, as if this was the most hilarious thing he had ever seen before. "Where are you taking him?!"

"Don't worry, Leonardo, your brother will be well taken care of. In the meantime," He smirked, and continued with a chuckle. "Why don't you enjoy yourself? The quiet can do wonders for the mind!"

Leo growled, but watched the scene carry out before him, his muscles burning in protest as he struggled to make it in time before the portal closed, taking Raph with it.

But alas, he stopped short when the swirling depths that held his brother whistled shut, carrying along the laughter of the man that had taken away his only stability at the moment.

Slowly, he laid his fingers along the grooves of the once-alive wall, trying to will the passageway open again. Sadly, no such thing happened, and Leonardo was left alone in the dark and cold cell.

A laugh echoed through the walls, bringing with it that deranged, and barely audible voice.

"Are you having fun yet?"

Jerking upright, Leo whipped his head around, looking for the source. Nothing. Not even a flicker of movement joined him in his dank cell. He was alone, and he didn't like it. At all. He felt isolated, caged.

Letting out another very Raph-like growl, he threw his hands up in the air. "Great! Just great, so you happen to get thrown into a cell and then you manage to lose your brother; who's getting dragged off God knows where as you speak. Only you, Leonardo, only you." He stopped himself, realizing that he sounded insane. "Ah! And now you're talking to yourself… wonderful. Probably going nuts," A sigh escaped his lips as he ran a hand over his face, contemplating his next move.

"This is quite amusing, I must say." Another voice echoed through the walls. Different, but still held that same authoritative and dark voice.

"Okay," Leo thought. "Either I'm actually going insane in such a short amount of time, or I'm not alone." Picking the latter, he looked up from his hands to come face to face with the pale features of his captor. Ruby reds bore into his very soul, seemingly probing him for the answers of unasked questions. "Yep. Not alone." He blinked wary eyes that refused to break contact with the witch's, and he was beginning to wonder if she had put him in some sort of trance. However, the thought was quickly dismissed when the turtle found that he still had his free will.

It was then that Jezebeth decided to open her mouth. "Hello again, Leonardo," Her voice was as crisp and smug as ever. "Now, I take it you must be wondering where I have had your brother taken?" She smirked at his tentative nod. "Well, don't you worry one bit. This will only take a few, oh I don't know, hours; give or take."

Leo narrowed his eyes, "Hours? What god-forsaken plan do you have in mind that could last hours?" He shook his head, "Wait, never mind. Whatever is, I don't want any part of it. Just give me my brothers back."

It was Jezebeth's turn to be defiant, "You know I cannot possibly do that until we are all finished up here. The two of us will be holed up in here while you answer a few questions that I have. I suggest you will answer truthfully," She paused with a wicked glint in her eyes. "The consequences will be most dire." The blue sparks that flashed from her fingertips had Leo scrambling backwards until his shell hit the wall. "I take it we won't be having any trouble with you cooperating, hm?" She frowned when the turtle remained silent.

Clearing her throat, the ruler of the Itzcoliuhqui moved to stand in the center of cell, directly in front of the young leader, her features now expressionless. "Your name is Hamato Leonardo and you were once a regular turtle. You were mutated by a substance known as "Mutagen", but more formally called the ooze; your rat father, Splinter, being once a master and a man, took you in and called you his son. Trained you in the art of Ninjutsu and named you leader and heir to the Hamato clan."

As she spoke, Leo grew more and more confused as to what she was trying to accomplish by recalling his origin. Then, before he could question her, she finally seemed satisfied and began the questions.

"Though you argue often enough with your brothers, would you consider yourselves to be a close-knit family?" She asked, her tone clipped.

Stumbling over his words, he did his best to answer without revealing much. "I- uh. Yeah, I guess you could say that we're pretty close, but I don't see how that's relevant."

Jezebeth scoffed, "Dear sweet Leonardo," Her wry smile turned cold. "Everything that occurs here tonight is more than relevant. Whatever I say could determine you and your brothers' fate, so I suggest you answer the questions without any of your own." Crossing her arms over her chest she gave the teenager a cold, hard stare that sent shivers down his spine. He nodded once.

"Would you do anything to protect your family?"

Leo nodded.

"Even if it meant sacrificing your own life?"

He swallowed hard, "Of course, I couldn't live without my brothers."

"And what of your Sensei?"

"The same goes for Splinter."

And on it went; she'd ask a question and he'd answer as truthfully as he could without giving too much away. As time dragged on, the questions began getting more and more personal, causing Leo to squirm uncomfortably beneath her gaze. This, of course, didn't go unnoticed by the demon; she was getting close to whatever she wanted and she knew it too."

To the boy, it felt as though they were playing a one-sided game of Twenty Questions. A game he wasn't fond of even when he played with his brothers.

"Have you always lived in the sewers?" Was the next question.

"Yes, not once did we ever have reason to leave." Was the answer.

Jezebeth seemed to be getting impatient. It was evident in her expression and the way she fidgeted every now and then. She decided it was time to get right to the point.

"Have you ever wondered if everything you've been told and taught, everything you've lived to be a lie? That your quaint little life has been nothing but a side plot in the story of another?" The turtle before her stiffened just a bit, causing her to smirk to stretch.

"What?" Leo tilted his head, trying to ignore the nagging feeling in the back of his brain. "Why would I need to? I mean, why would any of us need to think that? Master Splinter would never tell us something that wasn't true." Though he knew it to be true, he couldn't help but question the times his father had dodged or skirted around certain things his sons had said or done.

"Leonardo," The demon shook her head, chuckling. "As I have said before, during our first encounter, your whole life has been a lie. Let me explain," She held up a single figure to silence the protests on his tongue. "When you were nothing more than a hatchling you and your kin were experiments of an alien race called the Saunters. They resided on a planet across the galaxy; simply called Vertigo. They worked with beings sentient and inanimate; their purpose was to determine whether or not they could create life using the two. They called it Project Rexcon." Jezebeth was watching her prisoner, gauging his reaction,

"However, they were not called the Saunters for no reason. These beings enjoyed exploring the galaxy in search of new things to create and build. It was not until they were nearing a large planet known as Tatura, that things took a turn. Many bad life forms chose to live on that desolate planet, as there were no laws or rules displayed and they could get away with whatever they please. Hamato Yoshi, your master, and his clan resided there. He was good friends with the blacksmith, a man who wielded many weapons, and a man who knew how to fight. Even so, Splinter's father was a master in Ninjutsu, that much is true; he trained his son in much of the same arts. The reason being? So that they could finally vanquish the Hamato clan's long-since hated enemy," By this point, Leonardo's eyes were the size of saucers, his pupil all but pin-pricks lost in pools of ice.

"Oroku Saki. Criminal overlord that had sworn vengeance on your master's clan after they had stolen much of his merchandise. He was not a happy man; Saki's rage grew with every passing year, and only blossomed when Yoshi won the heart of Saki's love." Jezebeth scowled, her lip curling in a snarl. "Saki laid low for several years and Yoshi and his love were soon married with a child. The overlord chose then to strike, murdering Yoshi's wife and daughter, but not before going after his masters. Yoshi was left alone."

Leo did not like where this was going. Nothing good could come from this; he didn't care if his life had been nothing more than an illusion. He wanted her to stop.

"While standing atop a very high building, he spotted the Saunters ship. The ship that was carrying you and your brothers. No one knows how, but somehow, Yoshi managed to sneak onto the ship and disguise himself as one of the crew members. He worked with the scientists experimenting on you and your brothers, Leonardo. Because of what had happened while on Tatura Splinter not only took on a new name, but he had sworn vengeance on Oroku Saki. Deeming the man unworthy of life, he began forming a plan to rid the world of this evil. His plan involved you four."

"Once the experiments were complete, Splinter took you, Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo from your sleeping chambers and he fled. The alarms flared a mantra and flashed a bright red. In his escape, the rat had accidentally dropped the young turtle tot in blue, causing the boy to tumble and fall into one of the ship's Service Boxes; these boxes are filled with dangerous tools and sharp items alike, and unfortunately the toddler wasn't removed in time before something managed to pierce his flesh. The tool went completely through his hand, leaving a gaping and bloodied hole. He was lucky that no tendons or nerves were severed."

Leonardo flicked his gaze down to stare at the nickel-sized scar that adorned his hand. He had no memory of how it came to be there, but at the time his father had told him that he had wandered off into the sewer tunnels and was later found a bruised, bloody, and tearful mess. And he believed every word of it. A lump formed in his throat and his eyes grew wide, having realized that he could hardly remember much of his early life. Feeling constricted, he breathed a single word.

"Stop…"

The witch, having no patience retained, ignored him.

"Splinter managed to gain access to an escape pod, which he was able to get fully operational in a mere five minutes. All while you and you brothers slept soundly in the back of the small ship, unaware that your lives were about to drastically change."

"Stop."

Again, his plea was cast aside.

"The rat took refuge on planet Earth. He was well aware of the fact that he was not like the natives there, and wasted no time in getting underground."

"Stop!"

No response but the horrid reveal that his whole life was just an act.

"From then on, he took you in as his sons and trained you as ninjas. Claiming the training to be for self-defense, not once did he mention his enemy's name. That is, until you finally had your first run-in with Saki, who had followed the last descendant of the Hamato clan, and had taken on the name the Shredder. Nor did he tell you that he did not care for you. That the only reason he treats you as his own is because he plans to get you killed while you do his dirty work-"

Having heard enough, Leo's anger and hurt consuming him. "I said STOP!" The young ninja leapt to his feet and lunged at the woman responsible for this. "I don't want to hear your lies!"

Jezebeth easily dodged the sloppy attack, a smirk returning to her face. "Oh, but everything you have heard tonight has been the truth," Another dodge. "Nothing but the truth," A single strike that sent him skidding. "The only truth." She sent Leo flying to the opposite wall in one fell swoop. "I have no reason to lie to you, Leonardo, and I truly to not wish to hurt you, but you continue to test my hand. I shall see you on the morrow, dear boy." With a swish of her cloak, she turned to leave the poor turtle in a messy heap on the concrete.

"I do hope you come to senses," She said over her shoulder. "Life will be so much easier for the both of us." Without another word, the pale woman disappeared through the portal that had allowed her entrance.

Leonardo, now alone, whimpered pitifully as he curled in on himself. He was tired, he was still hungry, and now he was hurting even more than before. He just wanted to forget everything that had happened in the past two days, he wanted to go home and laze around the pit with his brothers while they watched some cheesy movie Mikey had picked out. He would be safe and warm then, not cold and hurt and alone.

Yes, he would rather be in the sewers living a lie than here, facing the cold hard truth as it was painfully revealed from the dark depths of the past.

TBC.

There you have it folks! Another chapter up a month late, oops. Let's hope I can get the next chapter out sooner rather than later. I probably just jinxed myself.

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