"Needle." I held out my hand. Mikey handed me the needle. "String." Handed the string, I placed it through the needle. "Swab." Mikey dabbed at the sweat on my brow. Getting to work, I focused on the patient below me. Half way through the surgery, Mikey tugged on my sleeve.

"How is he doing?" he sniffled.

"The damage was severe." I sighed. "But don't you worry son, he's a fighter." I patted his shoulder comfortingly. He nodded, pacing behind me. Looking over my shoulder, he watched with baited breath as I added the last stitch.

"And… done." I lifted up his teddy bear.

"Teddy!" he cheered, hugging the bear tightly.

"Surgery complete." I brushed off my nails, "He has made a full recovery."

"Thank you!" he gushed, hugging me. "I was worried teddy would never get better."

We shared a smile, pausing when the Alligator across from us suddenly shifted. Sharing a glance, we grew quiet.

It was 30 minutes after the boys left that the Alligator finally awoke. I admit to being hesitant in approaching it, but I knew I had to do this for Mikey.

"Where am I?" The Alligator mumbled, his voice deep. Squinting around, he slowly sat up. It froze, looking to its wrist. Realizing they were chained to the wall, he began to roar, tugging on them.

"Well, look who is awake." Mikey grinned, quick to grab the pot of soup we had made earlier.

"You!" it growled, reaching for Mikey, who quickly stumbled out of its reach. "Set me free!"
"Yeah, we are definitely going to do that when you threaten us." I placed a hand on Mikey's shoulder, tugging him back a bit more. The alligator paused, surprised by my words.

"Yeah, sorry about the chains." Mikey frowned. "The guys said I have to keep you locked up or you'll attack me." I nodded in agreement.

"Who are you?" the alligator demanded. "What am I doing here?" he looked around.

"I'm Michelangelo. This here is my mom."

"Hello." I waved a bit. Un-amused, the alligator snapped his teeth like a steal trap.

"…My brothers and I saved you from the Kraang…" Mikey paled a bit.

The Alligator's eyes suddenly changed white as he began to thrash wildly in his chain. "KRAANG!"

"Whoa! Whoa!" Mikey yelled, hoping to calm him down. "It is okay, you are safe."

"Perhaps though... we shouldn't mention the Kraang in front of him." I whispered to Mikey, low enough so that our new Alligator friend couldn't here. My youngest nodded.

"Whoa! Whoa! It's okay!' Mikey called to him. "You're safe here." He watched the alligator collapse to the floor, most likely exhausted. "We brought you here so you could get better." He explained, reaching for the spoon in the pot. "And nothing will heal ya faster than my Mother's famous Pizza noodle soup." He paused. "But I am the one who made it. She just let me borrow the recipe." He giggled.

It was a really weird dish Mikey asked me to make every so often. Honestly it wasn't that bad, but not something I would eat all the time. But Mikey loved it. So much he made me teach him how to make it himself.

Glaring at my son, the Alligator sniffed a bit. It's eyes widened as the smell hit his nose. He must not have eaten in a while. Slowly he turned his head towards the spoon Mikey was holding out to him.

Hesitant, slowly lifting his head, he took a sip of the soup. Mikey and me watched holding out breaths.

"This is the best thing, I have ever tasted." He announced.

Shocked, Mikey lifted his head. "Really? Alright! Somebody finally likes my cooking!' Mikey plopped down to feed the alligator.

I chuckled, sitting next to them both.

"So… how are you feeling?" I inquired. "Are you in any pain?"

Surprised that I would be concerned, the alligator seemed… sheepish, suddenly. "…I am fine." He paused to take another sip of Mikey's cooking.

Going through this process for a few minutes, Mikey started to shift back and forth. "So." He held his bear close. "What is your name?"

The alligator looked away. "I do not have one." He admitted.

"You don't have a name?" Mikey gasped. "Dude! Then this is your lucky day!' he leapt to his feet. "I'm a total genius at naming stuff. My Mom can help too." He pulled me to my feet.

Looking curious, the Alligator nodded.

We both began to look over the alligator's body, poking at his tail and head. "Lets see." Mikey inspected his mouth and claws.

"You're head is kind of leathery." Mikey noted, patting it.

"It is." I gawked, feeling it myself.

"How about Head Leather?" Mikey paused. "Heather?"

"That is a girl's name." I chuckled.

"Oh then um… oh! I know! Leather Head! Even better!" he cheered. "Leather Head!"

I titled my head, thinking the name over. "Leather Head." I smiled. "I like it. What about you?" I inquired.

"Leather Head it is." The alligator smiled. "Thank you."

"No problem." We grinned.

"Oh, so I've been wanting to ask you, why did you go all crazy eyes on my brother Donny?" Mikey inquired, plopping back down into a sitting position. This is the question I've been wanting to ask all day. And have been holding myself back in just straight out forcing this guy to tell me.

Leather Head look torn. "Your brother?" he asked softly.

"Yeah. Instead of shaking his hand, you shook his face." Mikey mimicked the motion. "And most of his body."

Leather Head look away, almost as if… he was scared. He suddenly couldn't look us in the eyes. "There are times when I lose control." Leather head admitted softly. "When I awaken, I am horrified by what I have done. A monster like me, deserves to be chained."

I frowned at Leather Head's words. Oh… Oh Leather Head. Guilt began to creep up my throat as I stared at him. He seemed so… frightened. The inner turmoil shifting behind his eyes was heart breaking.

"Or maybe you just think you're a monster because everyone treats you that way?" Mikey said, an odd tone of understanding etched in his voice. I reached forward and took his hand. He held it tightly, his gaze focused on the fellow mutant in front of him.

Lifting his head, Leather's head eyes softened. "You are wise beyond your years." He nodded. The two shared a look. A look of understanding to each other's pain.

"Yeah, I get that a lot." Mikey nodded, a grin breaking across the serious expression he held.

I chuckled at my son. Looking up, I smiled at Leather Head. "Well Leather Head… if it means anything, at all, I don't think you are a monster."

"You don't?" the alligator's eyes widened.
"No." I smiled brightly. "And I apologize for chaining you up. It wasn't right." I bowed my head.

"…Then I too apologize. For attacking your family, and you… twice." He said, shyly.

"Twice?" Mikey blinked. "Oh yeah." He gasped.

"Oh that is right. I saw you in the sewers." I blinked, recalling the time.

"Yes. I am deeply sorry for attacking you with no true reason."

"It is okay." I assured. "I mean, you didn't hurt me or anything."

Leatherhead nodded, "I am relieved to hear that."

After a short pause, I got to my feet. Mikey followed, having the same thought I did.

Slowly moving towards Leather Head, we grinned when he titled his head at us. He was puzzled at our sudden approach and raised his eye brow at us. "Y-Yes?" he inquired.

"Give us your hands." I announced. Slowly holding out his hands, we began to remove the chains.

"What are you doing?" he gaped

"Well, you seem pretty nice and un-monster like to me Leather Head. So what is the point of keeping you in chains?"
"Yeah! We're bros now!" Mikey agreed.

"Are…" he stepped back a bit. "Are you certain?"

"Yes." We answered, pulling off the last chain from his wrist. Rubbing at them, he shifted his gaze nervously.

"Is there anything you need?" I inquired.

Leather Head thought about it, slowly looking down to the empty pot in his hand. "If… it wouldn't be too much trouble. I would really enjoy some more of this delicious soup."

Mikey and me laughed. "Of course." I took the pot. "here, come with us, we'll even show you hwo to make it." We motioned for him to follow. Slowly rising to his feet, Leather Head shyly followed after us.

You know, now that he knew we weren't enemies and was calmed down, he was actually really cute.

"Okay, so you wanna start by filling the pot halfway with water." I explained, turning on the sink. Mikey scrambled to grab the other ingredients.

"Then you wanna get the noodles and pizza sauce! Oh! You can add pizza toppings too if you want!" he held up a few different topping for Leather Head to see. "I really like pepperonis." He gushed, handing one to him. Leather Head munched on it curiously, his eyes beaming at the taste.

"These are good." He said softly.

"Right? Man, we have so much in common." His eyes were sparkling with joy. Smiling at them over my shoulder, happy that Mikey seemed to have made a friend. The two began to talk wildly behind me, discussing topics from Pizza toppings to TV shows. Leather Head didn't really watch TV much, but he does recall watching a few old black and white cartoons about Mickey Mouse. Mikey was overjoy to hear this, being a very large fan of Mickey Mouse himself. Explain to Leather Head that Mickey was like him, being a talking and normal walking animal that did a large assortment of things.

"Perhaps I too am like him?" Leatherhead asked, looking flustered.
"Of course you are!" Mikey patted his head. Leather Head hummed, pleased to hear that.

"Hello?" I perked up at the sound of a voice echoing into the lair. "Hey Ari!" A voice called into the lair. "You home?"

Uh oh, it was Nicole. This is bad.

Leather Head jumped, startled. "It's okay." I said quickly. "That is my friend Nicole." Quickly removing my apron I moved into the living room. "Right here Nicole." I smiled at her. I shuffled over to her. "What are you doing here?"

"I had this new recipe I wanted you to try." She explained. I frowned, glancing over my shoulder at the kitchen.

"Uh,.. now is probably not the best time." I admitted. "You might actually want to leave."

"What? Why?" she asked, puzzled.

"Well-" I shrugged, "We have a guest here right now. You might not like him…" I trailed off. She scoffed, pursing her lips.
"Nonesense." She said, "I like all of your friends Arinna…" she paused. "Unless it is Stockman."

"Why in the world would I bring Baxter here?" I huffed.

"You've always had a soft spot for him, despite my protest to it." She pointed out.

I rolled my eyes, "Unlike you Nicole, he was my friend back in High School. He is just… socially awkward sometimes."

"And a criminal." She nodded. "Breaking and entering. Stealing. Assault -" she paused from listing his different activities on her hand, "Shall I go on?"

"You have a point." I nodded, "But I still can't bring myself to dislike him. But seriously, about my guest, you won't like him."

"Why do you say that?" she folded her arms.

"He's… a leathery character." I explained.

"What is a leathery character? What does that even mean?" she shook her head, confused.

"It doesn't matter what it means, just trust me on this." I insisted, flinching when I suddenly heard Mikey call behind us.

"Nicole, you have to meet my new friend!" Mikey called, tugging on Leather Head's arm to get him to come out of the kitchen. Nicole turned her head.

"Hmm?"

"Wait Nicole-" I panicked, hoping to stop her. Now, anyone would freak out at the sight of a giant alligator walking on two legs. That is a given. The problem though is that Nicole has this… irrational fear of normal alligators ever since she was little.

We had visited the zoo together and well, Nicole had accidentally fallen into the alligator exhibit. I had warned her not to lean too far in, but she wouldn't listen.

And don't worry, we literally got her out 5 minutes later and they didn't even realize she was there, but it was terrifying for her. So much that even seeing a cute stuffed animal of an alligator terrifies her.

On cue, Nicole froze, her face growing deathly pale as Leather Head entered the room.

Oh… too late.

"This is Leather Head." Mikey grinned at her, completely overseeing her pale face and stiff back. "Isn't he cool?"

Leather Head gave her a small, nervous smile, his teeth barely peeking out from under his lips.

"…."

"Nicole?" Mikey asked when she was deathly silent. "Hello?" he wiggled his fingers in front of her face. "You there?"

Opening her mouth, she lifted her finger.

Here we go.

"AHHH!" she shrieked, diving behind the couch. Mikey and Leather Head jumped at the sound, their eyes growing wide. They blinked rapidly as she screamed, "W-W-What is that?!'

"Nicole." I said, hoping I sounded calm. "This is Leather Head. He is our friend."

"Friend?!" she squeaked. "FRIEND?"

"I told you that you wouldn't want to meet him." I sighed.

"Of course I wouldn't!" she wailed.

"What is all the commotion?" Splinter stepped out of the Dojo, his expression dark. Realizing we interrupted his meditation, we smiled nervously. His eyes instantly fell upon Leather Head, than snapped to me for an explanation.

"…He is a good guy." I said simply. "Nicole here is just having some… trouble."
"Trouble?!" she scoffed furiously. "Don't give me that-" she inched around the desk, keeping low to the ground, all the way to Splinter, where she commenced to hid behind him. He raised his eye brow at her.

"She really can't handle Alligators." I sighed.

"Really?' Leather Head looked worried.
"It's not against you in particular leather Head." I assured him quickly. "She just… When she was little she fell into an Alligator pit okay?"

"Don't say that so casually! That was a horrifying moment for me." Nicole yelled from behind Splinter.

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Then just leave Nicole."

"Trust me when I say I would Arinna." She sniffed solemnly. "But…"

"But?" I raised my eye brow.
"…My legs won't move." She whispered, eyes wide like fish.

"Oh my gosh." I slapped my forehead.

"Don't you judge me!" she wailed.

"Would you care for some tea then Nicole, to calm you nerves?" Splinter offered down to her.

"Is it herbal? Or the good stuff?" she questioned.
"I'm afraid it is herbal. Which is just as good as what you claim to be the good stuff." Splinter says.

"Bleh, then no thanks." Nicole turned her nose up to the offer.

"Well, lets all calm down then huh? Nicole, you leave, and the rest of us will go back to cooking." I suggested. "Splinter, could you possibly drag her out of the lair? I'm sure once she gets a good enough distance she'll be able to feel her legs again." I asked. Splinter gave me an odd look at the suggestion.

"Well-"

"That might be the only way to get me out of here…" she muttered, her face pressed against his knees. Splinter didn't know how to react to this and just stood their dumbly.

"Mikey!" Down towards the hall, I could hear the boys yelling. They had returned home!

This actually… might not go so well.

"Dudes!' Mikey ran to the sound of their voices. I was already getting the feeling that this was going to end badly.

"Here Leather Head, let's go meet the rest of my sons. They're a little uh… nervous to meet you though." I said. "Counting on how the last time they saw you… you attack them."

He nodded grimly, "I understand if they are angry or nervous around me." He said, following me down the hall. When we got to the main living room, I could see Mikey grinning at his brothers.

"Hey guys!" He said to them. "Leather head is totally off the chain."

"What?!" they demanded, whipping out their weapons. "You mean you set him free?"
"What? No." Mikey scoffed. "Off the chain means he's cool."

His brothers sighed in relief. "Oh."

"And that's why I set him free." Mikey turned to grin at his new friend. The boys paled. Slowly the turned to face Leather Head who was coming around the corner with me.

Blinking, Leather Head smiled nervously at the boys.

"You… let that maniac lose?" Donny squeaked as Mikey waved to him. "Maybe you forgot he grabbed me, by the face." Donny said sweetly. "So I'll remind you… HE GRABBED ME BY THE FACE MIKEY!" he shook his brother angrily.

The boy's all froze when Splinter entered the room, dragging a seemingly limp Nicole. "I'm dead now." She declared. "He's a face grabbing Alligator."

"Come now my friend, this situation is not as bad as you fear." Splinter offered.

"I bed to differ!" she disagreed. "Donnie-DoomDoom just said it grabbed him by the face! Oh~ Where is Little Star when you need her!?"

It was probably for the best April wasn't here actually.

"Wait… what? What is going on?" Leo asked.

"And why is Master Splinter dragging Nicole around?" Donny questioned.

"I'm paralyzed." Her head bobbled in Splinter's arms. "Throw me into the water and I'll sink like a rock. Just be done with me now! End me suffering~!"

"Stop being a drama queen!" I threw a pillow at her.

"Ow." It hit her head.

"Okay listen she, uh… she has this little… fear, of alligators." I explained slowly. "She's been like this for at least a couple of minutes."

"And I'm not moving from this spot till your friend is gone." She called.

Frowning, Leo pulled Mikey a little closer, "Mikey you shouldn't have let him lose." he scolded. "What if he goes berserk."

"He's not gonna go Berserk." Mikey frowned. "He's totally mellow." He moved to pat Leather Head's face. Leather head only smiled at the contact. "Right Mom?"

Moving around Leather Head I giggled. "Oh he's lovely." I agreed, patting his shoulder. "And he is one mean cook. You have to try the soup he made." I insisted.

Leo looked hesitant. "…Okay." He sighed reluctantly. "So uh.. Leatherhead. About the Kraang-"

I flinched. Whoop. Forget to tell them about the forbidden word.

"KRAANG!" Leather Head dropped the pot and roared up to the ceiling. He slashed at the boys, who quickly stumbled back.

I watched with a sigh.

"A good guy, you said." Splinter said next to me.
"More like Alligator-Zilla." Nicole grumbled.

"Both of you, put your sass back in your pockets." I glared at them

"Dude!' Mikey ran to Leather Head, tackling his face in a quick hug. "Chill! Chill!' he gently patted his snout. Leather Head let out quick heavy breaths, slowly calming down.
"What were you thinking?" Mikey demanded angrily to Leo.

"You said he was mellow." Leo gasped out.

"Oh sorry I forgot to mention a little, very important detail about our new friend.' I said, kneeling down to Leo. "Don't mention the Kraang to him.' I whispered the last part.

"Why didn't you say that sooner?" he demanded.

"I didn't think you would bring it up first thing." I poked his nose, "So don't give me that tone mister."

"Okay." Leo sighed in exasperation. "What should I do?"
"I don't know. Maybe start with an ice breaker like how was your day?" Mikey suggested with narrowed eyes.

Leo blinked a few times. Gritting his teeth he slowly rose to his feet, not looking to pleased with this. "Fine…" he paused. "Um… Leather Head, how was your day?" he asked slowly.

Leather Head slowly lifted his gaze, sniffling, "It started out awful."

"Yeah." Mikey nodded. "You were attacked by the Kraang."

The white filled Leather Head's eyes once again. "Mikey!" I scolded as Leather Head began to thrash and roar again.

"My bad." Mikey grinned nervously before leaping onto Leather Head's back. "Whoa buddy! Cleansing breaths!' as he petted Leather heads back and skull comfortingly. Grabbing his face, I made him look at me. "Breath in the good. Out with the bad. Just let it all out in cleansing breaths." I said soothingly. Mikey leapt onto his back, giving him a little massage.

The boys gawked at us from behind.
"Calm! Calm! Calm!' we chanted together, doing a little mini dance around our new friend. Leather Head watched us, his breathing returning to normal, his eye turning back to green.

"I… I'm sorry." He stammered.

"You know you are in a safe place now, right?" Mikey asked gently.

"Yes." Leather Head nodded.
"My brothers just wanted to ask you a few questions. Do you think you can handle that?" he frowned. Leather Head met his gaze. Sensing that Mikey was being honest, and had no intention of any harm coming to him, Leather head nodded.

"Yes." He breathed out.

"Okay." Mikey smiled. "Now, what was it you guys wanted to ask?"

The boys all turned to Donnie, who flinched. Glaring at his brother's for putting him on the spot, Donnie reached into his bag. "Okay. W-We-" he was stammering as he approached Leather Head. "Just wanted to know, what this is." He held up a strange canister with a glowing pink jewel inside it.

That must have been the Power Cell the Kraang were after.

Looking to the canister, Leather Head's eyes widened. Oop, I don't think it was a good idea to take that without permission!

Leather Head leapt towards Donny, roaring angrily. "Thief!" he grabbed Donatello for the second time that day by the face.

"Oh come on!" Donny screamed, waving his feet wildly in attempt to get free. "This is not my day!"

"And that is my cue to roll away!" Nicole rhymed, rolling around the room and behind the sofa. The boys on the other hands whipped out their weapons.

"Sorry Mikey, but now we do things our way." They charged for him.

"Boys!" I yelled angrily at them, looking to Splinter for back up. He only blinked at me.

"He is dangerous." He pointed out.

"So are you, and the boys and me. Everyone is dangerous!" I yelled in frustration.

Watching, the boys and Leather Head were all running around the room, seemingly fighting over the Crystal that was in the container the boys brought back.
"Leather head relax!" Mikey grabbed the container. "It's okay!"

Suddenly, Leather Head began to attack not just the boys, but Mikey as well. Splinter's brow furrowed at this. A glint of parental protectiveness flashed across his face before he moved forward. "Stop!" he bellowed. "You will not harm my sons."

I felt the same way he did, but I wanted to try and find a different solution to this. Mikey and I could calm Leather Head down, I know, but with everyone screaming and attacking each other, that would never happen.

Suddenly, Splinter lunged at him, smacking his fist into the Alligator's chest, flipping him over with just a flick of his wrist. I wanted to say it was impressive but I couldn't think of that right now.

"Splinter no! Stop!" I screamed towards him. He didn't listen, and continued to attack Leather Head. Fighting each other for what seemed like an eternity, Splinter delt a heavy blow to Leather head's back.

Crumbling, he rolled back, growling.
"Leave this place!" Splinter commanded.

He hesitated, flanking at the crystal. Scooping it up, Leatherhead stormed out of the lair with a roar. Looking to Mikey, he had the same worried look in his eyes.

We both rushed after Leather Head, leaving the boys and Splinter behind before they could even notice we were gone.

They… they didn't understand! Leatherhead was hurt, and the Kraang… they had done such terrible things to him.

I wasn't quite sure what, but I knew it couldn't be good.

-000-000-

"Boys!' Splinter rushed for his sons. "Are you alright?" he gently lifted Raphael up.

"Yeah." Leo grumbled, hoisting himself up. "Yeah we're okay."

"Where is Michelangelo?" Splinter looked around, worried.

"You don't think he went after Leather Head, do you?" Donnie asked.

"No." Leo scoffed. "No of course not. Only an idiot would-" he froze. "Oh boy." He sighed, looking towards the exit to the lair.

Splinter sighed. "Arinna, go with them to-" looking over his shoulder, he blinked to find that she was not there.

"…Mom went after him too, didn't she?" Raphael looked up at his father.

"She is Arinna, of course she did." Nicole peeked her head out, her expression annoyed.

Splinter bowed his head with a sigh. "Bring them home." He told his sons. They nodded, sprinting out of the lair.

0000-000-000

"Leather head!" Mikey and me called through the abandoned subway tunnels. "Leather head!? Where are you?!" We had followed him through the tunnels all the way to where the sewer tunnels changed to train tunnels.

These seemed to be abandoned at this point, but the large and heavy foot print of Leather Head proved to show we were close. It didn't take us long to find him.

We both paused when we got to the end of the tracks, where a few train cars were stationed. Approaching the car, I could faintly hear the sound of instrumental music. Peeking inside, the light of candles illuminated Leather Head's form. He was hunched forward, breathing heavily, head in his hands.

"Dude. Leather Hand." Mikey flew open the door. "What's the big idea man?" he demanded.

With a slow turn of his head, he sighed at us, "You should not be here." He says.

"I trusted you." Mikey frowned, "Then you freak out and attack my family." Hurt was pooling in his big eyes. "I thought we were friends."

"I warned you that there is a dangerous force inside me that I can not control." Leather Head lowered his gaze. "And that is why I must be alone."

Mikey tilted his head, not able to understand why Leather head would insist on such a horrible thing. "But-"

"Leather head!' Raph's voice suddenly echoed through the tunnel. "Get away from Mikey and our Mom or we'll turn you into the ugliest suit case." My other sons appeared from the tunnels then, weapons out. Leonardo was already running forward, sword ready to cut this creature in half.

"Leonardo, enough!" I screamed, stepping between them. Leo froze, halting his actions. His blade had barely stopped inches from my face.
"Mom!" he squeaked, leaping back. "But he-"

"Is my friend." I narrowed my eyes. "So lower your weapons, and let him talk."

My eldest hesitated, eyes wide and searching. Glancing from me to Leather Head, he slowly stepped back and lowered his arm.

"Please." Leather Head pleaded, "I mean you or your brother any harm. It was the Kraang that made me this way." He paused. "I was raised by a kind human boy, until his parents discovered me and jumped me into the sewers. The Kraang found me and took me to their dimension. They mutated me subjected me to horrible experiments."

"Leather Head." I whispered in shock.

"But those things… those monsters, they could not break my spirit. Six months ago I escaped through the portal that they used to travel to Earth and I stole this." He held up the crystal.

"What do they use it for?" Donatello inquired.

"It powers the portal." He explained. "Without it, no Kraang can enter or leave this dimension. I swore to keep it from them and spare this world from their evil. Even at the cost of my own life."

The boy were quiet, staring at this fellow mutant in slight… amazement. Lowering his head, Leo sighed. "I'm uh… sorry for before." He said. "We didn't know what that was when we took it."

"As am I." Leather Head said.

Smiling at the two, I shrieked when the train car suddenly shifted, as if it were hit by something. "What was that?" I demanded.

"Give the Kraang the power cell that the Kraang have come to demand that you give to Kraang!" someone yelled outside the door.

"It's the Kraang!' Mikey yelled, stating the obvious.

"Guess that answers my question." I frowned, pulling out my bow.

"Quick!" Leo ordered, "Barricade the door." Struggling to close it, letting a few inside, the boy began to fight them. Sticking close to Leather head, who was holding the crystal close to his chest, I fire over the boys head to any remaining Kraang that attempted to enter. At last shutting the door close, we feel quiet.

We were trapped inside this, unsure of which direction the Kraang would attempt to enter the train car next.

Letting out a small breath, Mikey shrieked when a saw of all things shot through the metal near his face. Falling back, we stepped away from the walls as multiple saw began to cut through the metal.

"We're surrounded!" Raph growled furiously, slamming his foot into the head of one of the machines.

"We can't hold them off." Donatello agreed.

Leo pulled his blade from one of the Kraang, "There has got to be a way out of here. Donnie, can you get this subway car running?"

"There is no electricity." He shook his head, "The whole thing is dead."

"What about the power cell." Leo motioned to it, "Can you use that?"

"Would it even be safe to use it?" I asked

"I well. Yeah, I think so. I might be able to hook it up to the motor." Donnie glanced away in thought, "But I'll need time."

"I will buy you time." Leather Head rose from his feet. Shocked, we looked up at him with wide eyes. "My friends." Leather Head moved towards Mikey and me, a smile pulling at his lips. "You have trusted me, now I am trusting you." He handed the power cell to Mikey.

Shocked, he blinked rapidly. "L-Leather Head." He stammered.

"I will deal with the Kraang." Leather Head narrowed his eyes.

"…Leather head." I said softly, reaching out for him. Gently placing a hand on his snout, I smiled warmly. "Thank you."

"It will be my honor, my friends." He smiled warmly, placing his hand on my head, patting it gently. I suddenly felt this odd familiarity with it. It was something my brother would always do with me when he was praising or comforting me.

Leather Head pushed past me before I could say another word

Moving to the door, he flung it open, sending a few Kraang flying. Stepping out of the car, he closed the door. Next thing we heard was the sound of his roar and several large crashes.

Mikey handed the crystal to his brother and let him get to work. Opening up a panel, my second youngest began to mess with a few wires inside.
"Donnie." Leo called to him when a few Kraang began to try and pry open the door again. "We're running out of time."

"I'm working as fast as I can!" Donnie yelled angrily.

"Well hurry it up then!" Raph barked.
"I got it!" he snapped back, slamming the power cell into the car. Suddenly, the whole thing seemed to… glow?

Before we could even ask what was happening, the car shot forward at a speed no normal machine could ever normally reach. "AHHHHH!" we screamed in utter terror. I swear I was seeing things from how fast we were moving. Eye balls and weird swirling things. It was messed up.

Inching forward, I noticed Donny reach his hand out, grabbing the breaks and giving them a tug. Honestly, with the speed it had, I thought those breaks would be pointless, but with some time, they eventually stopped us.

Stumbling to the door, Mikey threw it open. We were disoriented and about to throw up, but we managed to get out of the subway car without falling unconscious.

"Where are we?" Raph asked groggily. We had ended up on the surface of all things.

"By my calculations-" Donnie sniffed the air. "Sewage plant?"

"Ew." I plugged my nose.

Mikey however was in awe at the steaming buildings before us, "It is as beautiful as they say…"

"Who has ever said a sewage plant is beautiful?" I questioned. Stretching my arms, I looked back at the subway car. "Well, I think it would be safe to say we should keep this." I patted it
"Agreed." My sons pumped their fists.

"Yeah but… I hope Leather head is okay." I heard Mikey said softly. Reaching out, I patted his shoulder.

"He'll be fine."

"How do you know?" he looked up at me with wide eyes.

I grinned. "He's our friend." I answered simply. "I have faith in him."

When we got home later that day, I was surprised to see Nicole was still there. "Nicole?" I asked. "What are you doing here?"

"I was waiting to see if that thing ate you or not. And since you are here, I'm assuming it did not." She admitted, taking delicate sips of some tea.

"Isn't that Herbal?" I inquired, pointing to it.

"Yeah." She scowled. "Splinter insisted I drink it to calm my nerves down. It is kind of working?" she shrugged.

"We'll I appreciate you sticking around. Sorry about today." I sat next to her. "I can't wait to tell April about this though."

"Little Star would probably be upset she missed it." Nicole says, glancing around nervously, "Where is the creature anyway?" she inquired cautiously.

"I don't know." I admitted. "I'm sure we'll see him again though." I grinned.

She paled, "Great…"

Holy cow I'm back! WHAT IS THIS BLASPHEMY?

But yeah, I finally found the time to update. Thankfully. Sorry for the long wait. I've been so busy with other stories and life I kind of forgot about the other stories I was writing. I didn't mean to, I swear.

Hopefully though, since one of my other fanfics is coming to a close here soon, I'll be able to focus more on this one :D