Leo, Don and Usagi arrived at Dak, Usagi's friend's house and told him that they were looking for the technodrome. Dak was also a white mutant rabbit, whose parents had moved to Dimension Z when he was a kid. "I last saw it several hours ago, Dak said. "And I have configured things through the radio frequency, so I can listen to their actual conversations in the technodrome. That way, I can inform friends and the other civilians of any plans the villains are plotting. It helps. Dak pressed a few buttons and Shredder and Krang's faces filled the screen. The turtles listened to the villains' conversation and Leo said, "We have to go to Dimension Z now. Thanks, Dak."
"I will go with you."
"As will I," Usagi said. "And perhaps I can use one of the portals on the technodrome to get home. You will help me, Donatello?"
"I will, but how are we going to get to Dimension Z ? Dak, you said your portal wasn't working, so you couldn't send Usagi home."
"My space ship," Dak replied. "It's just half an hour flight away. Let's go."
The four friends piled into Dak's space ship and headed to Dimension Z. When they arrived, the turtles were blown away at how sparse the planet was. Few trees, no vegetation and no sign of life. "Does anyone live on this planet, Dak?" Leo asked.
"Not many, but it's a very popular holiday destination because of the quietness, especially during the summer months. And parts of Dimension Z are beautiful. People also love to come skiing here. I, myself, come every winter."
"Then why's it quiet now? It's still summer."
"I don't know. This is the most isolated part of Dimension Z, so I'm sure the technodrome isn't far away.
They all trudged on for what seemed like an eternity, until Dak pointed and said, "Over there. There it is, but be careful. I'm sure they're prepared for intruders."
"All right," Leo said, unsheathing his katanas. "I'm ready. Usagi, you and I will take the front. Dak, you go with him and take the back."
"But, Leo," Don said. "I should go with you."
"It's an order," Leo said angrily. "Don't question me. I'm the leader."
"I think we should all go together," Dak said. "Splitting up's dangerous, especially against a force like the Shredder."
"You're probably right," Leo conceded. "Let's go."
The group made their way to the technodrome and found an opening into it, which said, entrance one. "That was too easy," Leo said, as they slipped inside and dropped to the ground.
"I wish you'd stop saying things like that," Don said crossly, as a large group of foot soldiers appeared.
Leo leapt high into the air and brought his katana down on two foot soldiers, causing them to fall apart. Don smashed two away with his bo, causing them to crash into the wall. Usagi and Dak took care of the remaining foot soldiers and they continued their quest.
Meanwhile, back at the lair, April was changing Raphael in Leo's bedroom. The baby was fussing and moving about, making it difficult for her. "I think he misses his daddy," April said. "Don't you, Raphie? You miss Daddy, Leo? He'll be home soon, precious. Don't worry. Casey, I need some help."
"Wha-what? Ape, I don't….I can't do that," Casey protested. "I'm a guy. We don't change diapers. That's…"
"That's what?" April demanded her hands on her hips. "A job only for women? Casey, you misogynistic ass, many men do share the responsibilities when there are babies and change diapers. Why are you so afraid? Do you think it'll challenge your masculinity? Make you less of a man?"
Casey didn't like the dangerous gleam in her eyes. And it was exactly what he'd thought. The woman's job was to care for the house and kids, while a man's was to provide the income, but he couldn't tell his wife that, so instead he looked for another excuse. "Raph was my best friend, Ape. How can I change him? It'll be too weird."
April looked at her husband sympathetically and said, "I understand, Casey, but this is Raph now and there's no cure. You have to understand that. The Raph we know and love is gone. This is a brand new soul to love and right now, he needs his diaper changed. You're his uncle now, Case. Be an uncle and change him. You can do it and it's practice for when we have kids. I'll show you how."
Casey reluctantly changed Raphael with April's help and when the little bundle was in his arms, Casey couldn't help smiling at the infant, who gripped one of his fingers and gurgled. "You're a cutie pie, Raph, aren't you?" Casey said. "I still can't believe he's so small, April."
"I know. It's hard to comprehend that just a few months ago, Raph was a teenager."
Casey sighed sadly and said, "I miss him, April. Talking to him, drinking beer, wrestling, watching the football and hockey together. I miss our guy times together."
April squeezed her husband's shoulder and said, "I know, honey, and it must hurt a lot, but you can teach this baby sports and wrestling, but definitely not drinking until he's old enough. You are his Uncle Casey and he'll also look to you for guidance."
"Hey, Ape?"
"Yes, honey?"
"Gah!" Raphael said. "Bah. Bah."
"What is it?" Casey asked. "What are you trying to say, Raph?"
"I think he was agreeing, Case," April said, and smiled.
"Hey, Ape? Do you think Raph will grow up to be like Raph or will he have a different personality?"
"I don't know. I need to get Raphie's food going. Pass him to me."
"No, I want to hold him. I'll come and help you in the kitchen and then can I feed him?"
April grinned. "Why, Casey, you said earlier…"
"I know what I said, but after holding him, I feel differently. He's so cute and cuddly and chubby. Hah. Raph would kill me for calling him chubby, but he is. I'd like to have a baby of our own, April. I know we'll see tons of Raph and the other kids, but it would be nice to have a baby of our own. And I'm not saying that because I feel pressured. I will help him with him or her. I want to. What do you say?"
"YES!" April said, kissing her husband on the lips. "We'll try for one when we go home. Now let's go make Raphie something to eat."
Back at the technodrome, Leo, Don, Usagi and Dak had fought off more foot soldiers and were now trapped in a room. Its walls were closing in on them, threatening to close them in and squash them. "Think this is the trash compactor," Don said.
"Hey, I resent that," Leo said. "We may be poor, but we aren't trash. Yes, I know Raph said that when he was still a teen when we got trapped in here, but I thought it was funny. Hurry, guys. We need to get out fast."
"I see a door here," Usagi said, pointing at a door. The gang followed him and entered it, just as the walls closed in.
"Whew. That was a lucky escape," Dak said, breathing hard. "I thought I was a goner."
They walked down a passage and were about to round a corner when Leo said, "Stay still. I hear something. And it's coming…"
A few seconds later, something rounded the corner, causing the group to gasp in amazement. "What the hell is that?" Leo asked.
"Looks like a two headed giant lizard," Don said. "En guard!" he added, pointing his bo at the beast.
"I see you've met my pet," Shredder said, stepping out from behind the creature. "Sally, destroy the turtles." The beast growled and advanced on the group, her green eyes blazing.
"Retreat!" Leo yelled, but the beast was faster than he was and soon had him gripped between her teeth. "Help!" Leo shrieked, as Sally swallowed him whole.
Leo slid down Sally's throat, until he landed with a plop in the heart of Sally's belly. It smells far worse than home, Leo thought, wrinkling his snout. He could see the remains of Sally's lunch. It looked like it had once been a cat from all the fur around the small skeleton. Unable to stop his revulsion, Leo threw up and fell to his knees. Guys, please save me, he thought, tears running down his face. I don't want to die. Do something fast and kill Sally or I truly am a goner!
A/N Thanks to everyone for your reviews and feedback. :) Raph did say, "Hey, we may be poor, but we aren't trash," in a 1987 episode when the guys were in the technodrome and got stuck in the trash compactor. Funny how I still remember all he says lol.