A/N: Sorry for the delay, but school comes first and for the same reason, don't be surprised if I don't update for s couple of weeks, finals are coming up, but after that I'll have all the time in the world to write.

P.S. This goes for my other story as well, (which I haven't updated in forever, AAAGH!) but that one is next on my list.

Enjoy!

IIIIIIIIII

Chapter 8

They reached the door that led to Leonardo's hell, but before Karai opened it, she paused. With her hand poised on the handle, she half turned, speaking over her shoulder to him,

"I have a surprise for you today." Her devilish smirk told Leo that this was it. This was the day she was going to end it, to kill him.

In all honesty he didn't know if he felt relieved or scared. No more pain, no more suffering, it sounded so…nice. But it also meant death. He didn't want to die, he wasn't ready.

When the door opened and he got a good look inside, his breath hitched and fear came over him. For there, standing by the table in the middle of the room was none other than Bishop, the same man who has been trying to get his hands on him and his brothers for years. He has always wanted to know what makes them tick, what makes them who they are, and to do that he needs a specimen to dissect. Leo gulped. He finally has his specimen and the sickly grin on his face shows it.

The two Ninja dragged Leo to the metal table and strapped him in. A strap at the shoulders, one mid-abdomen, and another mid-thigh held him down. More at the ankle and wrist level with individual straps to restrain his feet and hands, made sure that he wouldn't be able to move, not that he had the strength to escape even if he wanted to, and he did want to, now more than ever.

Leo looked to Karai, who was standing next to Bishop, "What is this? I thought you wanted to finish me off yourself."

"I still hold that privilege, but why should I deny someone the opportunity to satisfy their scientific curiosity?" She replied haughtily.

"What's in it for you?" Leo asked. He knew Karai wouldn't team up with Bishop if she didn't get something in return.

"Besides having the pleasure of watching him dissect you while you are still alive to feel the pain?" A smile as grim as Bishop's was crossed her face. Leo had a sick feeling as to where this conversation was headed.

"I have the satisfaction that you and your wretched family will not get in my way ever again." She turned and left the room before Leo had a chance to respond.

"We meet again" Bishops words brought Leo's attention back to the tall man in the black suit and tie. Leo glared at him.

"Now before we get started with the dissection, we have some … business to settle."

"What business?" Leo asked, although he already had a pretty good idea on what Bishop wanted..

"The location of your brothers and that rat who raised you."

Leo started to chuckle, "Do you really believe that I would ever tell you where they are?"

"Not voluntarily, but this makes it much more fun." Bishop answered.

"Why do you want them? You already have me." Leo asked.

"There is simply too much I wish to…investigate. One specimen is simply not enough."

Leo didn't respond. He only turned his head so he was no longer looking at Bishop. He was planning something, but what ever it was Leo wouldn't make it easy for him. He couldn't give in to this maniac, who thinks himself a hero by ridding the planet of alien threats. Threats he actually creates himself!

And so the morning was spent using various techniques often employed by the military to get the reptile to talk. Bishop presumed it would be easy to get the location of the others considering that the creature was already very weak. He was wrong. He was usually never wrong. He hated being wrong. He would get this…freak to talk. After all, he was only an animal and couldn't possibly hold up against the devices of a superior being such as him. The technique Bishop was currently trying was the electromagnetic shock method.

Leo couldn't help but scream out as Bishop used the shock stick yet again. He could smell his own burnt flesh and feel the blisters that were forming. Bishop knew where to go to get the most pain, the soles of the feet, between his toes, the space on his side between his plastron and shell, and the neck, but he didn't stop there. Leo's whole body was now covered in burns and blisters. After every shock Bishop would ask where his family was hiding. Leo would say nothing, keeping his mouth shut.

Then, all of a sudden it all stopped it stopped. Leo thought that Bishop had left and opened his eyes only to see Bishop standing over him. He did not look pleased.

Bishop was furious, though he didn't show how upset he really was. He stared at the turtle, watching it breathe. The breaths came shallow and ragged. He would have to hurry if he wanted the creature to be alive for the dissection, it didn't have much more time.

"I commend you, turtle. Not many could have resisted, as you have in your condition. Hmm, perhaps it's another result of your mutation? I'll have to look into that." He commented as he jotted something down on a note pad he pulled out of an inside pocket.

"Maybe I will use the orange one to determine that. Michelangelo is his mane, correct?" He added as he replaced the notepad, hoping to get a rise out of the turtle.

At the mention of his brothers name Leo strained against the straps, hands squeezing into fists. A growl escaped his throat. "You won't touch him"

"Temper, temper. I'll have to see if I can't fix that. Raphael has a temper too if I recall. I'll use him to see if that kind of response can be avoided." He said as he once again pulled out the notepad and scribbled more notes.

"What are you planning?" Leo asked. He had the feeling that Bishop was once again up to something and that something would probably end up threatening the entire planet.

"Oh, I plan on creating an army, using the same mutagen that created you, to protect the planet from alien threat, but I obviously have some refinements to make. I need my soldiers to be strong and obedient. To do that I need to find out how it affected each of you individually. Now tell me where they are!"

"Never" Leo growled out, determination laced his voice.

"Still refusing? Fine, I can go on like this for as long as it takes. Time for something else I think." As soon as he spoke, two Foot Ninja, who never left them room, stepped up to the table. They undid the straps holding him down and pulled him over to where a container full of water was sitting. Leo was forced to his knees as his hands were bound behind his back.

Without hesitating, his head was shoved into the water. He struggled at first out of pure panic, but struggling was useless. Strong arms held him down and in his weakened state he couldn't resist. His lungs burned with the need to take a breath

Just when he thought he was going to drown, he was pulled out. Leo gasped for air, but was immediately pushed back down, causing him to inhale water. He choked and gagged which caused him to ingest even more water.

Once again he was pulled out before he could drown, coughing and gasping for air.

Bishop grabbed his chin forcing him to look into his eyes, "Where are they!?" He demanded. His eyes held a fierce fire that Leo has only seen once before, but in Raphael's eyes when he had lost control and almost bashed Mikey's skull in with a pipe.

Leo spit in Bishops face in reply. He was rewarded with more, longer dunks in the cold water. Each time Bishop pulled him out he asked the same question, and each time Leo refused to answer.

Bishop, realizing he wasn't getting anywhere with this method either, called a halt.

"Get him back on the table. As fun as this has been, it's time to get serious." Leo hissed as the cool water reached his burns, causing them to sting.

As he was being strapped back onto the table, Leo saw Bishop pull an extremely large needle out of his pocket. His eyes widened, he knew what was coming, not to mention that he hated needles.

"You should sing like a canary after I administer this." Bishop said as he plunged the needle into Leo's neck. Leo's eyes squeezed shut at the painful prick of the needle. It probably wouldn't have been that painful if it wasn't for his total exhaustion plus all the torture that he's been through has decreased his pain threshold.

"Don't worry, it will only take a few moments to take affect." He heard Bishop say.

Leo couldn't let this happen. He couldn't give up the location of his family. The only way he could think of preventing a slip was to go into a deep meditation, to escape to the astral plane. There his mind would be separate from his body and Bishop wouldn't be able to get any response out of him, no matter what drugs he used. But he didn't know how long he would be able to remain on the astral plane or if it would be long enough, he only knew he had to try. So he closed his eyes and focused his mind…

IIIIIIIIII

They had all decided to roll out in one hour's time, so everyone left the kitchen table to get themselves ready…

Donatello and April:

Donnie headed into his lab with April in tow. Wordlessly he started to gather some essential items they would need. He grabbed surveillance equipment, his lap-top, tracking devices, extra ninja throwing stars and other such items they will need. He then packed each item carefully into his duffle bag.

April stood in the doorway watching her friend with concern clearly written on her face.

"Donnie?" Her voice was soft, as if unsure if she should say anything at all.

"Don" She said his name again, louder this time, when he didn't respond. He turned around, "What?" He asked.

"Don't you 'what' me Donatello, you know perfectly well 'what'." She crossed her arms across her chest as if saying 'try me'.

At that moment he let all the hurt and worry he's been hiding, show through. "I-I…"

"It'll be okay Donnie" April said trying to offer some comfort to her obviously distraught friend. He, who normally was one to provide reassurance to others, was in desperate need of some himself right now.

The purple banded turtle only nodded in response to his friend's words. He wanted so badly to believe them, but…

April crossed the room and gently turned him so he was facing her. For a moment they just stared into the others' eyes. Her eyes were now brimming with tears. April embraced him and he returned the hug, needing the release. They just stood there, hugging each other, comforting each other, both letting the tears flow unchecked.

Raphael

Raph made his way to the dojo, just out of shear habit. He found himself standing in front of the old beat up punching bag, held together mostly by duct tape. He just stared at it, at the object that has always served as his release for his angry outbursts. Raph realized that he hadn't stepped foot in this room since it happened. Since Leo was taken away from them, from him, right under their noses.

He should have been furious, should have lost his temper. That's the way everyone would expect him to react, but he didn't, and he had no idea why he wasn't, furious that is. But now, now is a different story. Now he could feel the familiar rage boiling inside of him once again, and with a fury he has had yet to show, he attacked the bag.

Punch after punch, kick after kick, Raph only got more ferocious. All the anger he didn't even realize he had buried, came to the surface. He gave the bag one last kick, breaking the chain that it hung from and sending it flying until it hit the opposite wall and fell to the floor with a thump. His chest heaved with the effort to breath and not just from the strenuous workout he just finished. Raph exited the dojo, not quite sure what to do, only that he didn't want to be there anymore. Not without him.

Casey

Casey left the lair with a mission. It was his job to find a vehicle suitable for the mission. The Battle Shell was too recognizable. He knew it had to be big enough to fit two giant turtles and two humans, plus all the equipment they'd have to bring along and still have room for two more turtles who would be joining them. 'Hopefully' Casey thought. 'No. They WILL make it. Mikey won't fail.'

He was driving around the city, quickly getting frustrated with the lack of options.

"Damn it. A van's too small an' a semi is too freakin' big and obvious too. What am I suppo…." His voice trailed off as he spotted a U-Haul Rental center. A huge smile crossed his face. "Perfect." He pulled into the parking lot. The medium sized truck immediately caught his eye. At 25 feet long and 12 feet high, it would be roomy, yet inconspicuous. It was ideal.

He ran to the office. It was 5:07pm, seven minutes after closing time. He reached the door and tried the handle. It was locked. 'Shit!' He mentally cursed. He could always hot-wire a truck if he had to and damn the consequences. Movement inside caught his attention, "Hey," he yelled as he banged his fist on the glass "I need to rent a truck."

The man walked up to the door, "We're closed, come back tomorrow." He turned away, heading back to his desk.

"Come on man, it's an emergency, please," Casey cried out desperately.

"What kind of emergency?" The man asked.

Casey paused. How much information should he divulge? "A friend a mine's in trouble an' I need that truck. Please, it's a matter of life an' death."

The man looked at the other mans face. He was afraid and worried, that was obvious. He only sighed as he unlocked the door and let the man inside…

Splinter

Even though he did not attend the meeting, he knew the plan. Michelangelo had informed him what he planned to do and how he would do it. Splinter had confidence in his son, but he still wished that he could join him. The fact was that he was still weak from their encounter with the Shredder and he would only be a hindrance. Michelangelo needed to concentrate and he couldn't do that while worrying about him. What ever is meant to be will work itself out, such is fate.

Michelangelo

Mikeys mind was racing by the time he reached his room. His part in the plan would be, by far, the toughest one and the most difficult to perform. He was starting to doubt himself and his ability to pull it off. He shook his head to get rid of that train of thought, 'I can do this. I have to do this. For Leo."

He was never one to meditate outside of training, but he figured it couldn't hurt and it would help pass the time until Casey returned. He sat down on his floor (after he cleared a spot) and assumed the lotus position. He took deep breaths in through his nose and let them out slowly through his mouth.

Once he made it into a deep sate of meditation, he felt a familiar presence on the astral plane. He didn't believe it at first, but the familiarity persisted. He took the extra step and crossed over into the astral plane.

"Leo?" He called out.

"Mikey?" The response was quiet, almost hesitant.

Mikey whirled around to find his eldest brother pushing himself off of the ground. Mikey was at his brothers side in an instant.

"Leo!"

The two brothers embraced each other. Then Mikey pulled away with confusion on his face.

"Master Splinter has been trying to find you ever since you were taken. How come you never came here before now?"

"Because I…I was too weak then and I still am but…" Leo dropped his gaze from his brother.

"But what Leo?" Mikey could sense that something was wrong.

"I have the strength now because…Bishop's here Mikey and he injected me with something to make me tell him where the lair is and this is the only way to be sure I don't let anything slip."

"Bishop? Why's he there?" Mikey asked, surprised at hearing that name.

"Why do you think?" Leo asked in return, speaking a little harsher than he intended. Upon seeing the hurt look on his younger brothers face his features softened, "Sorry Mike, I'm…"

"No worries bro. You just need to hang on a little longer. I've got a plan to…"

"No Mikey," Leo cut him off and falling right into his 'I'm-the-older-brother-and-you-have-to-listen-to-me' role, "you can't, it's too dangerous with Bishop here. You'd be walking right into his hands."

"Sorry Leo, but that's one order that I refuse to follow."

"Fine, but you'd better hurry. Bishop, he…he plans to…to" Leo couldn't bring himself to tell Mikey what Bishop had planned for him.

"Hey it's gonna be okay bro. He won't get the chance." Mikey knew what Leo was trying to say and why he couldn't say it. He was just trying to protect him, just like always.

Leo started to fade. He was loosing the ability to stay in the astral plane.

"Just hold on Leo and stay strong. You'll make it through, we all will, I promise."

"I love you Mikey" Leo managed to say at the last moment before he disappeared completely.

"Love ya too bro." Mikey whispered before he too left the astral plane.

IIIIIIIIII

Leonardo awoke to see an extremely pissed off Bishop standing over him.

"I do not know how you pulled that off. That was the most powerful truth serum we've managed to develop. Obviously your mutation leaves you with more resilience than I thought, but no matter. I'll find the others eventually." His face broke out into a wide smile, one that Leo didn't like the look of one bit.

IIIIIIIIII

A/N: Next chapter the plan will be revileved and the rescue mission is underway, so stay tuned!

Oh, and please review!