"DONNIE! DONNIE!" Raph raced over the tunnel entrance, looking around frantically, "NO! DONNIE!"

"Raph! Get away from there!" Leo ordered, hands trembling as he pulled out his katana

Raph was about to argue, when he saw the spinning balls heading right for him, prompting him to duck, meaning that they hovered over one of the attacking creatures, making it disappear instantly.

Another set hit Razorfist and the creature he was fighting with.

"RAZORFIST!"

"Leo!" Mikey looked around in fear, "What the hell's going on?!"

Stonebiter was the next to be taken.

"Come on you ugly troll!" Mikey turned his hands into tiger claws, "Show me what you've got!"

The creature reared back and roared, as Mikey shifted into a scared, little kitten. "Okay." He yeeped, "I'm impressed. Now what?"

"Come on." Leo gestured back at the tunnel, "whatever's through here, can't be any worse than out here!"

"I hope those don't become our famous last words!"

They raced into the tunnels, with Leo grabbing the crystal and diving through the gap just as the doors closed. In the distance, there was another doorway, bathed in an orange light.

"Be ready for anything." Leo whispered.

They stepped through the doorway and gasped in shock. In the distance, was a building that looked like ti came right out of a video game.

A horror video game.

"We shouldn't be here." Quarry shook their head, backing away slightly, "This is the Necropolis! City of the dead!"

"You know…" Mikey whispered "… If there's one thing I hate more monster movies, it's a City of the Dead."

Leo had to agree with him, but he had to be strong right now. "We're not leaving." He snapped, "Whatever this thing is, it's made the mistake of taking our baby brother!"

"Leo's right." Raph stared out at the building, "And I'm ready to burn this whole place to the ground to get him back."

As Raph released his anger out on a nearby rock, Leo searched the area, reappearing a few minutes later. "Hey, I think I've found a way over there."

Mikey winced, "Don't you always."

They rounded the corner, only to see a strange blue craft suspended on a wire, with the same markings as the blue walls.

"I would rather fly." Mikey stated bluntly, as Raph nodded in agreement, looking a little uncertain himself.

"Yeah, maybe we should find another way."

"What are you talking about, it's fine?" Leo placed a foot on the ramp, only to jump back when the vehicle shuddered and dropped slightly. "Okay… maybe not so fine." He took a deep breath and tried again, ignoring Raph's protests.

"Leo! Don't!"

"I am definitely flying!" Mikey took a step back, "There is no way I am getting on that thing!"

"It'll hold us!" Leo turned and headed further into the craft, "And it looks like our crystal will power it."

And then they heard the roaring of the other creatures, causing Mikey to scream and shift into an eagle, flying out of reach, as Raph and Quarry rushed inside.

"What are you waiting for? Go, go, go"

The door shut and they were off, only for the creatures to land on top and start stabbing through the ceiling.

And then they were gone, and the wire snapped.

"JUMP!" Mikey yelled from the ground, wincing as he watched his brother leap just in time, to avoid being skewered by a large, pointed rock. They landed safely, only for a nearby column to crumble, toppling over right on top of Quarry, as everyone screamed in disbelief.

"No, no, no!" Leo shook his head in shock, "Please, no!"

Seconds later, once the dust cleared, they heard the hiss of acid burning through the rocks, as Quarry crawled their way to freedom. At the shocked look on their faces, they shrugged, "We are designed to withstand such adversities."

…..…

They continued on their way, blue walls rising high above them on either side of them.

"It's those same symbols again." Leo glanced around, "Just like at our place."

Raph nodded, "Yeah, and by the looks of things, it's been down here for a very long time. Hey Donnie, how long do you- " He cut himself off, wincing at the silence.

"This place is so creepy." Mikey eventually broke the silence, nervously clearing his throat.

It didn't help.

Eventually, Leo stumbled across some strange bikes, turning to the others. "I guess I found some transportation."

Mikey shifted into a cheetah almost immediately, prompting Leo to roll his eyes.

"I'm feeling a distinct lack of trust here."

"Good."

…

They shot through the creepy corridors, taking in the scenery with a small amount of fascination.

"Whoever built this place definitely built our home." Leo confirmed, stating the obvious in Raph's opinion.

"Whatever. Let's just focus on finding Donnie or we won't be going back to our lair. We can go sight-seeing later."

The group were unaware of the figure watching them from above… at least until Leo spotted movement in the shadows, coming to a stop in the middle of the corridor. "Wait." He frowned up at where he saw someone move, "I think I saw something." He shot off in that direction, as the others raced after him.

"Leo! Wait up!"

They stopped shy of the dark doorway, as all of Mikey's fur stood up on end.

"Ummm, Leo?"

"I'm going in." Raph growled, only to shrink back as a blue light nearly blinded him. "LEO!"

They rushed in, only to see the bike over-turned to one side…. No Leo though.

"LEO! LEO!"

Mikey grabbed his twin's arm, having shifted back, "Calling out like that probably isn't going to help…. He's gone Raphy. Like Donnie."

When they made their way back out, they realised that someone else was missing.

"Quarry?!"

Silence.

Slowly, the pair turned around, to see a pair of yellow eyes peeking out from the shadows, causing them to yell in fear.

"Wait!" Quarry stepped forwards, "It's just me!"

"What are you doing sneaking up on people like that?!" Raph hissed, nerves still shaken from the disappearance of his older brother.

"Hiding! You left me alone."

"Man…" Mikey shook his head, "… Mutate some backbone, would you?"

"There it is!"

"AAAAAAHHHHH!"

In the distance, a figure could be seen, disappearing into the dust and darkness.

"That thing is mine." Raph growled, hopping onto one of the bikes and shooting after the figure…. And then there was another flash of blue light.

"… Raph?" Mikey felt his voice tremble slightly, "Oh, Raphael?"

Silence.

"We'd better go look for him." Mikey glanced behind him again. only to yelp when he realised that Quarry had slunk back into the shadows again, before silently grabbing the creature and pulling them out into the light.

This time, instead of shifting, they shared a bike…. It would be safer that way.

They found Raph's abandoned bike fairly quickly.

"Not good! Raph's gone too!"

"I warned you!" Quarry started to hyperventilate, "I warned you all! Evil dwells in this dead city! We'll never get out ali- AH!"

Mikey slapped the creature across the cheek. "Look, if there's going to be any hysterics around here, I'll be having them!" He then spotted something up above, eyes widening in alarm, "Like right now! Because I see him!"

For a moment, the pair locked eyes, and Mikey felt a surge of anger rise up.

"Come on." He growled, shifting into an eagle, grabbing Quarry by the shoulders and giving chase to the figure, even as Quarry protested, struggling in his grasp.

"No, no! Wait! Wait! I CAN'T!" They slapped at Mikey's talons, still struggling until they were dropped onto a nearby platform. The motion, sudden as it was, sent Mikey careering right into a nearby column, and then to the ground, where he lay for a moment, stunned.

"I… do not recommend that." He whined.

Up above, Quarry screamed in alarm and there was a blue light.

Mikey was left alone.

Staring at a pointed building in the distance, Mikey frowned in recognition… it was the same one from his nightmare.

"Alright, creepy black tower, here I come."

….…

It didn't take him long to reach the building, racing through the corridors.

"Come on. Come on." He muttered, shifting out of the cheetah form and rounding the corner, only to yelp in fear.

The spider creature was right in front of him. However, when it didn't move, Mikey moved a little closer, frowning in confusion. It was almost like it was surrounded in ice. Frozen solid.

Slowly, he headed down the corridor, coming face to face with familiar faces.

"Razorfist? Stonebiter?" He moved further in, "Oh…Quarry!"

He focused on the crystal in the centre of the device, slowly reaching out to grab it.

"No!"

Mikey spun around, to see the figure making his way down a flight of stairs.

"Please don't touch that. I am not finished with them."

Mikey felt the anger start to bubble up again…. there was a reason everyone could tell he and Raph were the twins of the group.

Highly emotional.

"Hell yeah you are!" He yelled, leaping into the air and kicking the figure to the ground, wrenching off his hood to revealing a pale, blading man with snake-like eyes, "Alright baldy, where are my brothers?!"

"Mikey!"

At the familiar, scolding tone, Mikey turned to the left, where all three of his brothers stood, alive, unfrozen and unharmed by the looks of it.

"About time you got here." Leo smirked, "We've been waiting for you."

"… Huh?"

"We got this guy figured out all wrong." Leo explained, as they started to move through the building.

"Yeah!" Donnie eagerly piped up, and honestly, Mikey was so happy to hear that voice again, "He saw how the Foot mutated Quarry and the others, and he just wants to turn them back to normal!"

"As we speak, the power of the cavern's crystal moon is infusing them with regenerative power. Their bodies are being genetically rebuilt inside each chrysalis. Within minutes, the last of them will be restored to their original human form."

"Thanks so much for clearing that up!" Mikey nervously laughed, before leaning down to hiss in Leo's ear, "He's lying!"

"Michelangelo, you are entirely safe, I assure you." The figure stepped closer, clutching at his crystal, "This city was built by an ancient, peace-loving race, of which I am the sole survivor." He gestured over to a large, green crystal that flickered like a TV, "We have lived within the earth for many millennia, spiritually bonded with it. It was a symbiosis that had always sustained us, for we were unable to endure the harshness of the outside world. Then we detected life stirring on the surface. These new life-forms fascinated us, so we began studying them from an outpost… the same outpost that most recently became your home. As the years passed however, it became evident that our own time was drawing to a close. Yes, the earth had cast its vote, and our entire race faced extinction… they're all gone now."

Donnie stepped forwards, frowning in concern, "How long has it been?"

"Long enough to be a very lonely existence." The man turned away, "Which is why I want to turn those people back to normal! Only then can they help me repopulate the city!"

Ah… there was always a catch to these things.

"Well…" Leo nervously began, "… I wouldn't count on that. They all have lives waiting for them on the surface; families, friends- "

"- NO!" The man growled, "They will stay! They must!"

"Look, I'm sure they'll be grateful but- "

"- I refuse to let this city die! There's so much to pass on! They must stay… and so must you!"

The brothers stood there in shock for a few moments, before Donnie carefully leaned up to whisper in Leo's ear. "I think all that time alone down here had driven this guy slightly around the bend. Doesn't he realise that none of us are girls?"

Leo winced, "We appreciate the invitation to live here in this wonderous world of yours, but- "

"- Yes, it is wonderous. A world where even those with the blood of fairies running through them, can wander freely along the streets. No more lurking in the sewers, no more hiding your faces. An entire city where you can finally be yourselves!"

"Ummm, it sounds nice." Donnie had to admit, "But- "

"- Let me put it this way." Raph was clearly fed up of his siblings trying to take the polite approach, "There's no way we're relocating to this creepoid community, understood?! Now drop it!" He grabbed Donnie's hand, "Come on, let's get back before we all lose each other again."

"We need to free Quarry and the others first!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah."

Mikey cheekily waved goodbye to the scowling figure, before following his brothers. However, before they could leave, the door slammed shut.

"Trust me, you do not want to do this." Leo growled.

"No. Heed my offer, for my bond with the earth is strong!" The room started to rumble, a column of rock charging towards them, prompting them to jump out of the way.

Rolling forwards, Donnie pulled his bo staff from the sheath, charging it up before launching it at the man, who blocked it with more rock. The same column then snaked around Donnie, lifting him up into the air, as he yelped in fear.

"Put him down!" Leo tried to come to his brother's aid, only to be tripped and sent flying into the wall, rock pinning him in place.

Rock engulfed Raph's feet and hands so that he couldn't use his powers.

As spears were thrown at Mikey, forcing him to shift into a sparrow to avoid getting hit, he glanced down at his trapped brothers. "Fat load of help you lot are!"

"Get the necklace!" Donnie yelped as the rock squeezed around him, "That's how he's controlling everything!"

"Before or after I get skewered?!"

Leo watched his brother run past, "Preferably before!"

"Funny! Real funny!"

Thinking quickly, he used Raph's back like a pommel horse, kicking one of the spears back, whooping as it knocked the crystal off of the man's neck, meaning that the other spears came to a halt mid-air.

And then he saw the fallen crystal.

Changing into a falcon, Mikey charged at the crystal, only to squawk when his tail feathers were grabbed and yanked out. As he shifted back, their combined momentum sent them crashing through the wall and into the chamber where Quarry and the others were being kept, the crystal skidding across the floor once again.

Mikey was in too much pain to anything about it this time…. Until he spotted the glowing bolas to his left. As the man grabbed the crystal, Mikey grabbed the bolas and stumbled to his feet. "Time to put you on ice!" He yelled, throwing the bolas at the man, watching as they encircled him, transporting him to one of the platforms, where he was engulfed in ice.

Mikey didn't stay to watch that, already rushing to free his brothers.

"Nice work." Leo allowed himself to be pulled to his feet.

"Yeah… it's not really one for the highlight reel though." Mikey couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt as they headed back into the chamber room, where the man was now frozen solid, "The guy wasn't evil, just… lonely. And who can blame him?"

Raph was less than sympathetic though. "Alright, give me pebbles and I'll crack these babies open in no time."

Donnie held up a hand to stop him, examining the crystal attached to the bottom of the device carefully, "No blunt force needed." He chirped, "I think if I just turn this crystal here…" He trailed off, turning the crystal as black smoke rose up and the ice fell away.

"Quarry?" Leo immediately went to cover Donnie's eyes, "You're a girl?!"

"I'm… back to normal!" Quarry whispered.

"Go and free the others." Leo asked Raph and Mikey, "Donnie, go into the other room and try and find some clothes."

"But- "

"- Now."

…..….

For a moment, it seemed like the once-creatures would be free to go home… until the one who had once been Stonebiter stepped through the final doorway out of the city, his genes mutating once again as he screamed and roared in pain.

"No! This can't be!" Quarry cried out desperately, "What's happening to him?!"

The four brothers pulled him back into the light of the city, as Quarry shook her head in despair.

"He reverted back!" She cried, "Why?"

Donnie thought back to what the man said… about the crystal moon. Silently, he gestured for them all to follow him, until they were standing the ledge overlooking the city. "I think that's the cause." He pointed at the mass of crystals on the roof, "Remember? He said it's providing regenerative energy. Stray too far from it, and it seems like the effects reverse themselves!"

"Then… we can't leave his city?" Quarry sighed, "I-I can't believe this. He got what he wanted after all."

"We'll figure this out." Leo tried to reassure her, "Donnie's a little genius and- "

"- No." Quarry frowned, "We can't let you stay. Who knows how long it'll take."

"But just taking off is not our style!" Mikey piped up.

"Please… you have your own lives to get back to. Believe me, if there's a solution here, we will find it!"

"I'll keep studying the crystals." Donnie promised, "I'll find a way to fix this!"

"And then we'll be back…" Leo started.

"… And that's a promise." Raph finished.

"Thank you."

…..…

The walk back home was silent, none of them quite knowing what to say.

Until they heard a noise up ahead.

Quickly, they dived into a large pipe opening, pressing up against the wall as a hoard of Foot Ninja with torches ran past.

"Foot ninjas?"

"What are they doing down here?"

At that moment, Mikey felt a hand on his shoulder, causing him to squeak in surprise, before a familiar hand covered his mouth.

"Shhhh." Yoshi hissed.

When the hand was removed, Mikey frowned, "What? Like I'm the only screamer? You had to cover just my mouth?"

"Dad, what's going on?" Leo asked in concern.

"I don't know. But I believe the Foot are searching the sewers for us. They're everywhere."

"You've gotta be kidding me." Raph growled.

"We cannot reach the lair undetected… we must find a new place to stay. And fast."

Mikey frowned, thinking about it for a few moments, "Hey!" He snapped his fingers in sudden inspiration, "I think I know just the place."

….…..

"Hey April!" Mikey beamed, "Loving the mud-pack girl!"

April frowned as the brothers slowly made their way into her shop.

"Mind if we bunk upstairs in your apartment for a bit?" Leo asked… whilst making his way inside.

"Hey, what's to eat?" Raph.

"You have digital cable, right?" Donnie.

April winced as something broke, followed by Mikey's exclamation of "Sorry!"

"Miss O'Neil." Yoshi sighed wearily, "I am sorry to intrude like this, but I pray that you will give us shelter in these difficult times."

"O-Of course!" April winced as something else shattered, "Just, try not to break too much?"

"I will do my best."