Raph was in danger.

Raph was in danger.

Raph was in danger….

For once, Splinter did not nag Donatello to slow down as they rushed down the roads, praying a cop was nowhere to be found.

But the radar did not pick up a signal, although there was an extremely faint buzzing overhead…..accompanied by an odd blinking on the sonar, which was several feet above them.

Mikey just shrugged, uneasily swinging his nimchucks around slightly as Leo described the odd patterns to Don, who had to keep his eyes on the road.

The Leader shook his head as he slowly drew back into his seat.

Probably just a glitch, Donny. I wouldn't worry about it."

Don simply frowned, face looking unconvinced, but he did not pursue the issue. The rat turned to face the youngest turtle again, eyes missing a benign twinkle tonight.

"Michelangelo….please. Run by what happened tonight once again."

As the car-if you can call it that-narrowly missed a mailbox, Mikey bit his lip.

"Uh…..oookay."

* * * * * * * * *

"I got bored, so I decided to go for a run on the rooftops tonight while Raph went on a run with Case. Casey was heading off to his grandma's farmhouse with April-they don't have a phone, so I can't find a way to contact them….and their shellcell isn't pickin' up a signal. Raph said goodbye, I did too-then, they left.

Raph challenged me to a race-him on his wheels, me on my legs on the footops. I uh….kinda agreed. We took off. It was fun…..at first."

Mikey shifted uncomfortably, but Splinter did not drop his gaze.

"And then….." Mikey paused, and bit his lip.

"And then," encouraged Splinter, putting a hand on Mikey's shoulder.

"Well…..the place we were supposed to meet….I….kinda got there first. I couldn't believe it. Well…..ya know me….I'm naturally rather spee-"

Splinter cleared his throat. Mikey flushed.

"Oh! I….um…..sorry. My bad. Anyhoo, I waited, so I could rub it in his face…..

And waited…..

And waited.

But no one came. It was getting kinda cold outside, and I was tired of waiting. If it weren't for the fact that Raph never turns down a challenge, I woulda sworn he was playing a trick on me.

I wondered if Raphie-boy got lost. I doubled back after a few more minutes to look for him. And….." Mikey's voice became considerably tighter.

"And then…..t-the Foot showed up. Only, this time, the stupid Techs had this boss motorcycles…..and……

And….."

Splinter did not need Mikey to continue as he closed his eyes, seeing what Mikey had earlier described to him…..

"Bout Time you got here, Mikey!"

Michelangelo leapt away with a slightly girlish cry as the nearest blue engine rvvvved, and turned to face him….before disappearing altogether.

The turtle jumped, eyes wide.

"AAGGGHHHH! What are these guys-er, Techs, er-?!"

Raph growled as he smashed head on into the bike heading straight for Mikey-with a grunt and cry of pain, the tech banged into the nearest wall, slowly becoming visible to the world again as he fell to the garbage cans below.

CRASH.

Raph revved the engine, and sped over to a blinking Mikey.

"They're either a new edition of spotless steel cleanin' or Foot Techs gone Speed Racer. COME ON!"

And, as Mikey hurriedly climbed on back….

Their forces had surrounded the two, invisible to the human or turtle eye as the two raced forwards-

Raph's eyes narrowing as he hit a ramp, attempting to swerve out of range-

BANG.

As the two fell backwards, the engine still squealing, Mikey's body falling straight into the nearby construction's open manhole…..

Before seeing Raph forced to his knees by the Foot, a rifle at his neck.

Splinter bowed his head.

They would pay for this.

His grip tightened on his staff.

They would definitely, definitely pay for this…..