Rated T for suggestive talk (mostly Zira's) lol

Chapter 9:

Earth:

"What the hell?" Leo asked in shock as a building in the distance started to collapse and they both stopped in their free-running to watch it which was when he and Mikey were suddenly able to sense their brother again as Raph stopped trying to block them out.

"He didn't." Leo complained as the structure hit the ground and filled half the city with a cloud of dust.

"You gotta hand it to him," Mikey started with a little smile. "He certainly knows how to make a scene." Leo's only response was to sigh in annoyance before leading the way over to the war-zone, wondering if his hotheaded sibling even knew the meaning of the word low-profile.

…

"Raph!" Leo called as they reached the destroyed structure before coughing a little on the dust.

"Over here!" Mikey called and he quickly zeroed in on his brother's location to find him digging through a seemingly random pile of rocks but if Mikey said that was the place then that was the place.

A minute later they had cleared away half of the rubble before coming across their brother's shell and quickly dug him out the rest of the way.

"Raph!" Leo demanded as their brother coughed up a lung for half a minute before looking around at them. "Are you okay?" He asked worriedly. "Say something!"

"Something!" The red-clad turtle finally commented sourly and they both sighed in relief, knowing that even Raph wouldn't have been sarcastic with them if he was seriously hurt.

"What the hell dude?" Mikey complained sternly. "What did Big Ben ever do to you?"

"Who?" Raph asked in confusion and his brother quickly pointing him in the direction of a large round, destroyed something that resembled – nothing he had any interest in at the moment.

"Big Ben!" Mikey repeated. "You know – London's clock tower!"

"Oh!" Raph stated simply as the thing he was looking at suddenly became the clear image of a clock's face. "Oops!"

"Oops?" Leo repeated with a raised eye-ridge. "I know you don't like culture bro but that's taking it a little far don't you think?"

"I had a reason – sort a." Raph quickly countered as he got to his feet again and looked around in a hurry to locate something. "Gators, a whole army a 'em."

"What?" Leo stated quickly removing one of his swords from its sheath to look around for their enemy. However he didn't see any and to be honest they hadn't seen any on the way there either.

"You sure bro?" Mikey asked quietly but found he didn't have a lot of confidence in his ability to back up his doubt, as his finder power hadn't really worked all that well since Donnie disappeared.

"I – I don' know." Raph answered in disbelief reaching up to rub his shoulder absentmindedly, an obvious sign that he was uncomfortable with something which caused his brothers to look back at him questionably.

"You sure you're okay?" Leo asked simply.

"I don' know." He repeated shaking his head like he was trying to rid his brain of cotton balls. "Something's wrong with me." He added in a whisper and his brothers quickly gave each other a look before Mikey moved to place his arm over his shoulders.

"It's okay bro." He said with a genuine smile. "We're all a little stressed, so what do you say we put it behind us and go find Donnie – together!"

Raph found himself smiling as he looked at his baby brother and nodded agreeably however he quickly remembered there was another issue he had to make up for and looked at his other sibling next.

"Leo I –" He started painfully but he was quickly interrupted by a hand on his shoulder.

"It was nothing Raph." Leo told him with a smile. "Besides I'm use to you using me as your personal punching bag, I would have been highly insulted if you had suddenly stopped."

Raph couldn't help but laugh lightly as he said this and was about to tell him he was insane when Leo's T-phone suddenly started ringing and Mikey dove for it before either of them could even so much as twitch.

"Donnie?" He asked the phone without even checking the caller ID, only to deflate as the person on the other end revealed that it wasn't their brother. "Oh, hey Leatherhead." He greeted kindly trying to keep the disappointment from his voice. "Yeah he's here." He added and handed the phone back to Leo while Raph reached out to put a comforting arm around his baby brother's shell.

"Leatherhead?" Leo acknowledged as he turned on the speaker so they could all hear.

"Leonardo." The alligator countered. "Where is Donatello, I can't reach him?"

"He's –" Leo started only to look back at his brothers and changed the subject for all their sakes. "What did you need?"

The older mutant seemed to understand that something was wrong but didn't push it as he went on. "Donatello asked me to keep an eye on the Shredder while you four were gone and inform him if there was any strange movement."

This immediately made all of them nervous but Leo still asked him to go on. "I discovered the tail end of a signal being transmitted to one of Shredder's bases." Leatherhead continued. "I tracked it and found that it originated from London."

"What?" Leo demanded in a panic.

"It can't be a coincidence that these two are communicating and if the Barron's learned about you – " Leatherhead explained seriously before leading off with a worried tone. "You have to find him now Leonardo; before he has a chance to tell Shredder you're alive."

…

(Donnie's POV)

"Thank you." I told the guard respectfully after he had shown me the way to the room I would be staying in and he nodded before walking away. However as I opened the door it was only to find that it was the same room as before.

"What does it take to get away from you?" I asked sourly glaring at Zira as she lounged on my bed and I quietly made my way over to the other one she had vacated.

"I suggest you get use to it 'cause if my father has his way we'll be spending a lot more time together." She answered clearly put off by the whole situation.

"I don't think you give him enough credit." I stated seriously. "He's only trying to do what he thinks is right."

"You know nothing about him." She proclaimed sternly. "He'll find any loophole he can to get what he wants from you."

"So he's just like you then." I asked simply as I sat down again earning a glare for my trouble.

"You're just not going to let that go are you?"

"Don't plan on it." I answered with a smirk.

"Fine you want to know the truth, the real reason I wanted the nano-brain?" She demanded moving to sit up so we could talk face to face.

"I honestly don't think I can handle the truth." I admitted but she went on anyway.

"Because the Barron killed my brother." She stated angrily and I promptly closed my mouth in shock. "But I didn't have the power to take him out the old fashion way so I had to hit him where he lived, take his little toys and mess with his army."

"Your brother?" Was all I could say as I took that in and she turned to look away from me as she went on.

"He died in the attack, I'm sure my father told you about it."

I nodded in confirmation as I realized that this was a topic she really didn't want to talk about and I guess I couldn't blame her so I decided to change it to something that suited my needs.

"That's not the only thing he told me." I added leveling a look at her seriously. "All this time you've been trying to influence my decisions, why?"

"Why do you think?" She grumbled sourly as she looked away again. "It suited my needs and got me what I wanted."

"And what is it that you wanted?" I pushed sternly but she just continued to look at the wall without answering and I sighed as I realized this was getting me nowhere before quietly turning around so I could lie on the bed and get some much needed sleep.

"You remind me of him." She suddenly added and I turned to look at her again. "I don't really remember him much, but he was smart and kind and a little playful." She continued in a whisper and I sat slightly as she curled over her legs a little more.

"Your brother?" I asked kindly and she nodded.

"In our clan females are dominant." She went on simply without looking up. "If a male is born he's most likely taken to an all-male clan that once lived on the other side of the border. My brother was one of them." She admitted solemnly.

"The last time I saw him alive I was very small." She started again simply. "I never got the chance to look for him; the Barron used them all as a shield during his attack."

I winced painfully as she said this and realized just how deep her wounds truly ran. "I'm sorry." I offered gently though it seemed rather hollow in comparison; however her only answer was to turn her back on me as he lay down again.

I waited several minute just in case she still wanted to talk, trying to let her know that she had someone who would listen, but she never turned around again and I didn't push it any farther.

…

I really hadn't noticed how tired I was until I found myself passed out on the first bed I'd seen in days. However even sleeping on a freaking cloud couldn't stop me from jumping straight to my feet when I woke up to find Zira mere inches from my face the next morning.

"What the hell are you doing?" I demanded noticing the sensation of a phantom touch that had just left my cheek.

"I was curious." She proclaimed as if talking of the weather while she folded her legs to regard me with an air of boredom. Clearly she had gathered her strength again, decided that the mushy stuff was over and that it was time to torment me once more.

"About?" I growled sternly.

"What makes you so special that I can't push you?" She asked sourly and I deflated as I realized what she'd just said.

"Wait – you can't?" I asked curiously. "You never said that." I added sourly.

'Yeah; like she's never withheld information before.' A voice inside my head declared sarcastically and I couldn't help but agree with it.

"It would make sense if it was your species." She went on like I hadn't said anything. "I can't push the Triceratons either." She admitted turning to study a wall in thought. "But you're different." She went on absentmindedly.

"If that's the case you didn't have to use the Jedi mind treatment on me you could have just asked." I stated sternly as I jumped off the bed in order to stand on the floor like a normal person, causing her to look at me curiously while I took a calming breath before continuing.

"I was trained by a master healer back home and I also have a rather large collection of information storied up here." I started simply as I reached up to tap the side of my head before going on. "Such a combination of knowledge could save millions but in the wrong hands it could also destroy them." I admitted solemnly. "So my Sensei put up several mental defensives to protect my mind – even from me."

I saw her eyes widen as she took in my words but she didn't say anything. "You're lucky I woke up when I did." I continued sternly. "If you had actually managed to break into my mind – you might not have lived to regret it."

"I'll remember that." She answered after a second of hesitation clearly a little shaken by this information but for the most part didn't show it. "So – you mean to say that even you don't have access to your memories?"

"I can access my memories just fine thank you." I stated moving over to the middle of the room so I could stretch my right shoulder in an attempt to loosen up the ache that had set up camp there. "But only when I need them." I added simply as she continued to watch me curiously before smiling.

"You know I never would have thought that we'd have so much in common." She stated with a little laugh and I raised an eye-ridge for further explanation. "When I was a kid I couldn't always – control my abilities." She admitted solemnly.

"There were a few times that I accidentally made people do things they wouldn't normally do. I didn't realize it was me at the time but other people did and they stayed clear. It can be hard to make friends when they're all afraid of you."

"I can't really blame them." I concurred simply letting her know that I wasn't being mean just stating a fact "I've had people messing with my mind in the past and – well let's just say it's not something I ever want to repeat."

She laughed lighted at that and nodded in agreement. "Admittedly it's actually kind of – refreshing," She suddenly stated with a smile. "I don't have to hold back or worry that I might accidentally make you jump off something."

I decided to take that little gem of information with a grain of salt and changed the subject.

"So what all is this – mating ritual about?" I asked nervously and she turned to look at me out of the corner of her eye. "I only ask because on my world the word – mating can mean a – few things."

"Aw!" She suddenly cooed turning to look at me completely as she smiled and I found myself immediately annoyed with her again. "You know you're actually kind of cute when you're embarrassed."

"I'm not – that isn't –" I stuttered before looking at the ceiling to take a deep breath and walked away. "Never mind!"

"Relax Sparky." She continued regardless. "We wouldn't be compatible anyway."

"What makes you say that?" I asked on autopilot. "NOT that I'm interested." I added quickly and she smiled again before continuing.

"My species are what you'd call – virgin barers, it's why most of us are female 'cause males are more or less – not needed." She explained simply. "Though there are a few clans that still capture them to breed with." She added absentmindedly and I couldn't help but become a little nervous as horror stories of the Amazons came to mind.

"But don't worry the Algon don't do that." She responded with a smile but I just laughed unbelievingly and walked over to sit protectively in a corner. "Oh come on Sparky, I'm kidding." She announced playfully but I just continued to glare at her.

"Fine – sulk." She commanded waving me away like a bug before we were suddenly interrupted by a cough at the door and turned to find the male guard from before standing there.

"The ceremony is about to begin." He announced and I couldn't help but sigh loudly before getting up to condemn myself.

…

"You know you could at least attempt to act like this isn't the worst day of your life." She commanded as we made our way into the throne room once more.

"You're absolutely right; I struggle to contain my enthusiasm." I admitted sourly causing her to glare at me again. "You know most mutants don't accept human cultures, but I think I'm beginning to understand why they wait to get married."

"Oh, will you relax?" She ordered sternly. "Once it's over my father will give us what we need, we'll get you home and then we'll go our separate ways."

"Yeah, if only my life was that simple." I commented under my breath, realizing that somewhere between last night and this morning we had switched mindsets on the matter.

But I didn't have any more time to consider that as we reached the table that had been set out before the throne where Algernon was waiting for us.

He promptly bowed respectfully and I bowed back while Zira just put her hand on her hip and studied her claws with boredom, causing her father to sigh loudly in response before nodding toward someone on the other end of the room and everyone but us left as the door closed behind them.

"Are you ready?" He asked quietly.

"No not really." I admitted and he smiled kindly before turning to receive his daughter's answer.

"Let's just get it over with." She commanded sourly and he nodded before laying out two sheets of paper before us.

"Write your names." He instructed as he set about preparing a fire in the cauldron set out on the middle of the table and I looked toward Zira for further explanation upon discovering that there was nothing to write with.

But she just casually picked up a long needle lying by her page and pricked her finger to use her own blood and I sighed again before reaching for mine as well and cautiously followed suite.

After we had written our names Algernon carefully reached out to fold each page over as he spoke several words. "A bond of wood," he stated obviously indicating the paper. "And of blood," he added as he folded each page over one more time before handing Zira's to me and mine to her. "To seal a bond of fire." He finished indicating that we should place them in the cauldron and we did so.

A second later the fire erupted into a deep blue color and I just about pulled away before he grabbed my wrist and held us there as the fire continued to flare up around our hands without causing harm.

"By the power of my name," Algernon continued after a minute. "I bind these two." He added as he began to move his hand around ours seemingly pulling the smoke after him to form the shape of an 8, which caused the color of the fire to change from blue to gold.

However apparently this was news to Zira for she quickly interrupted and suddenly started to complain.

"Father!" She said sternly' trying to pull away but he refused to let her go as he continued to repeat his last statement.

"What's wrong?" I asked but she ignored me as she tried to make him stop which was when I noticed that the tattoo on our wrists was changing yet again, this time forming a completely different image as it too transformed in color.

"I bind these two." Algernon continued to repeat and I suddenly realized that he wasn't mating us.

"Father!" Zira screamed just before he opened his eyes again and suddenly forced both of our hands onto the surface of the table where he held us in place as he removed the pedant from his neck again and made to stab it into our wrists.

I winced half expecting the same kind of pain as before but instead the thing just stopped an inch from our skin where it started to glow as well.

"Take them to Earth." He suddenly yelled causing the thing to promptly comply and I was forced to close my eyes as we were teleported one last time to what I hoped would be my final destination.

However I didn't miss the voice of Algernon seemingly speaking from within the stone as it pulled us through space and time.

"Protect her!"

I've posted a few more pictures on my deviantart for anyone that's interested.