"So you have returned," Shredder spoke up as Rahzar walked into his Throne Room and knelt down in front of the flight of stairs that lead to where the Shredder was standing. "You better have good news for me, Bradford."

"I have, Master," Rahzar responded, bowing his head respectfully. "I apprehended the turtle that you wished for. He's currently in one of the cells close to Stockman's lab at this moment in time."

"Is he?" Shredder mused, sitting on his throne and pushing one of the buttons on the chair which activated a holographic screen revealing a mutant fly buzzing around a large labratory. "You've done well, Bradford."

"T-Thank you, Master Shredder."

"You may return to your own room for the time being until I next need you," the Shredder ordered, causing the mutant to bow once more before retreating out of the room. He pushed another button which filled Stockman's entire work area with the sound of his Master.

"Stockman," the Shredder's voice was cold and slow, causing the mutant to jump slightly and turn around in a small panic.

"Yes, Master?" came the worried response.

"Collect the turtle from his cell and see to his injuries," Shredder continued, his tone stern.

"But sir!" Stockman piped up, his wings twitching nervously. "Why would you want me to-"

"Now, Stockman."

Stockman let out a strangled-sounding yelp and quickly gave the orders to two human foot soldiers who quickly sprinted out of the room. Stockman began to clear one of his work counters just as the soldiers returned, carrying an unconscious Donatello. "Be careful," he hissed at the robots as they lifted Donnie on to the counter, bowing before exiting the laboratory.

"So much for the smart one," Stockman chuckled staring down at the injured turtle before unwrapping the stained bandages. The mutant fly mentally cringed at the slash-like marks across Donnie's plastron before rubbing anti-sceptic fluid into the wounds. He then re-dressed Donnie's plastron and quickly flew over to the piles of spread sheets that littered the floor.


"Master Shredder gave me until tomorrow morning to finish these experiments...I don't have time to write numerous reports on my findings..."

"I could have helped you, ya know," came a quiet voice from the background as Stockman fussed and fretted over a collection of files.

"S-Shut up!" Stockman whimpered pathetically, pointing one of his claws at an older Donatello who had multiple cuts and wounds over his body and was chained by his wrists and neck against the wall. "You don't know anything! I have enough time to-"

"You don't have enough time," Donatello cut in, narrowing his eyes. "Baxter, I can help you."

"Maybe so but you'd want something in return, yes?" Stockman watched as the purple-clad turtle shifted slightly. "I KNEW it!"

"It's only a little thing that I ask for, I won't ask you to let me go; that'd get us both killed," Donatello sighed sadly before shaking his head. "No, I'd like to send a recorded message to my family."

"A recorded message..." Stockman repeated slowly. "Why?"

"So I can say my farewells to them," the turtle in purple stated with no trace of nervousness or fear. He watched as the fly hovered anxiously and raised his eyes up at him. "What's that look about?"

"Why do you welcome your fate so easily?" Stockman asked in a small voice, causing the turtle to chuckle lightly to himself.

"At least it's my future and not any of my family locked away here," Donatello replied with a weak grin. "If that means I'm going to die soon, then I can do nothing about it," he looked straight into Stockman's eyes. "That's why I want to send them a message, to let them know that everything will be okay."


The mutant fly stared at the old pieces of text on the project that Shredder had given him years ago. He flipped through the booklet at all the digits and writing, stroking the later pages gently before setting it down and checking on Donatello, who continued to sleep on the work counter.

"You're not him," Stockman hissed at the young turtle, who moaned softly as Stockman tightened the bandages. Stockman leaned forward and looked directly at Donnie's face, "You can't be."


A/N: This chapter is quite short...apologies :'3 Next update shall be tomorrow evening ^^ It's nearly 8pm where I live, so it's earlier than my usual update time (which is 10pm) :)