"Take those two to their chambers." It was an order, as the three turtles braced themselves in their prison. Several guards assembled together in front of the three prison cages, reaching between the bars to chain the turtles. "The blue one is mine."
Raph growled, feeling his chains being jerked. Two large men shoved him forward as the other two did the same with Donnie. Leo glared menacingly at Hun as he watched his two brothers be taken out from the room.
"What are you doing with them?" the eldest turtle growled, fingers curling around the bars of his cage. His midnight blues were nearly dark as navy.
"Nothing that concerns you," Hun grinned, continuing to twirl his blade. He turned his head, nodding a few of his men. They took the hint, immediately opening the cage and dragging Leonardo out.
The leader grunted, feeling himself being shoved onto his knees. He lifted his gaze up as Hun stood in front of him. It was then, Leo heard a horrid scream. It was none other than Donnie's and he could hear the sound of banging.
"What are you doing with them!?" the leader hissed, jerking his head up as he glared dangerously at Hun. It was then he felt the pain. Hun swung the blade, creating a deep gash across Leo's right shoulder. The blue masked turtle yelped, biting his lip tightly.
"They're getting what they deserve," Hun snarled inches from Leo's face. The leader kept a straight face on, trying not to show the pain. Blood was trickling down his arm, but he dared not to portray any sign of weakness. "Once I'm done with you, I'll move on with them." Hun pulled back, his finger rubbing the blood off the tip of his blade. "Now tell me, where is the orange turtle?"
Leo didn't respond, glaring directly back at Hun. The leader of the Purple Dragons chuckled. "Ah, I see. So this is how it will go?"
"AH!" Leo cried out, feeling the blade impale itself into his thigh. He grunted as it retracted, and repeated itself. Multiple stab wounds littering his thighs. The warehouse echoed with the other two screams that rang through the air.
"A-a-h!" Donnie gasped, his body spasming. He was chained to a chair with a metal device on his head. It shocked his body with electricity several times.
"DONNIE!" he could hear Raph screaming from the other room. The red masked turtle banged his fists against the metal room that he was confined it. His chains were still cuffed to him, digging into his wrists.
Raph gazed up noticed heat vents flaring as the room began to boil at high temperature. He could feel his body sweating, as boiling droplets of water trickled from several sprinklers in the ceiling. Several droplets had hit his skin, causing him to yowl as he stepped back, red burn marks appearing onto his skin. Even the metal of his cuffs were heating up at a dangerous rate, feeling like scalding iron. Raphael could feel himself sagging to the floor, his body slowly feeling weaker by every minute.
MEANWHILE
"Come on dude, you've got to eat." Mikey sighed, staring at the steaming bowl that was set before him. He was finally released from that hospital and taken back to the lair to recover further. Since he would need to gain more physical strength again.
"Mikey?" The orange masked turtle took the bowl, lifting up the spoon as he began to eat. April sighed in relief as did Casey. April could sense that something was bothering Michelangelo, but she didn't want to force anything out of him.
"Once you're done, we can practice in the dojo. Help to gain back that muscle strength," April said, sparing a glance at Casey.
"Sounds good to me, Red," Casey Jones grinned. The two human teenagers had decided to stay at the lair overnight, in order to help Mikey.
Mikey continued to take small sips, before finishing. When the others were done, he allowed April and Casey to gently haul him to the dojo. He couldn't fully walk on his own yet, since his legs still felt wobbly. Though he was slowly recovering, he would still stumble.
The three of them had made it into the dojo as April decided to do a kata. She had been the turtles long enough, including kunoichi training so he understood different fighting styles, and stances.
"Just follow my lead."
Mikey nodded his head, making sure he had solid footing as both Casey and April released him. His legs wobbled at first, before he was finally standing on his own. He faced April, watching the redhead as he began to slowly perform katas. The freckled turtle took one step, wincing in pain. It felt like sharp needles were pricking his nerves. He tried his best to mimic April only to stumble as he nearly face-planted onto the dojo mat.
If it weren't for Casey who managed to grasp him just in the nick of time. Mikey clasped his hands tightly around his friend's arm, using him to pull himself up.
"You all right man?"
"Yeah… yeah… peachy," Mikey nodded his head.
"Try again." This time he felt both Casey and April holding on to him. They tried to urge him forward, to walk and take steps at least with his one good leg. The other was already busted and still needed weeks of healing. Plus Mikey's arms felt sore, they hurt too.
"Extend your arms like this," April demonstrated. Mikey did so, however, pain sprung through his left arm. It was the one that the doctors said that practically was torn off. Yet, they had managed to stitch it back together.
Although for a moment the dojo had faded, and Mikey's ears were buzzing. He was back on that rooftop again, reliving the events of that night. His brothers screaming, blood spurting everything followed by pain. Pain was everywhere, exploding it was all he could feel. "No… no… make it stop!"
"Mikey," he could feel a firm grasp on his shoulders.
"AGH!" Mikey whimpered, tears leaking out from his eyes. "S-stop! It h-hurts!" he rasped. April and Casey stopped, still keeping a hold on the turtle's shoulders. They relented, allowing Mikey to sink to the floor and laying out his right leg that was still in a cast. The turtle began to break down, clenching his fists tightly. "I can't!..."
"Mikey?"
"How can I do anything?" Mikey hiccupped, tears streaming by this point. "I can't do anything! I'm the useless one!"
Casey and April both shared a worried glance, the redhead kneeling down in front of Mikey. "Mikey…"
"I wished Sensei was here…. he'd know what to do… Who knows what is happening with my bros… and yet I can't do anything!" April frowned sadly at that. It wasn't easy having Splinter around anymore. But the turtle still need more time to heal. She opened her mouth to speak, only to be cut off as Mikey continued. "I don't understand… why does it have to be me?"
"What are you talking about dude?" Casey questioned, raising his brows in confusion.
Mikey bit his lip tightly, a hesitant look on his face. He took in a deep breath, tears still pooling down his freckled cheeks. "I feel like a failure, it's all I ever am. I couldn't save my bros… I'm not good at anything! I can't lead and direct like Leo, he's the sensei now. He's always calm and recollected. I ain't as smart as Donnie and no way am I as strong as Raph. I can't focus, I can't do nothing!... I'm worthless…"
April gasped at this, as Casey Jones remained silent clenching his fist. Did Mikey always feel this way? "That's not true, Mikey," April placed a gentle hand onto his right shoulder. "You are no way worthless and your brothers don't think that way of you. Even though they may not seem to show their appreciation. They love you, Mikey. And if you have one thing that they don't, is your raw talent and love for this family. You may realize it, but you're the glue in holding your brothers together."
"R-really?" Mikey sniffled, gazing up to meet April's gaze. The girl nodded as did Casey.
"You're practically the sunshine dude!" Casey said.
"Yeah… I suppose you're right…" Mikey smiled a little, gazing off to the side.
"Your brothers love you, Mikey," April shook him gently to refocus his attention back on her. "There is no doubt about that. They'd do anything for you. Now it's time that you do anything for them. You have to pull through this. You can't give up."
For a moment Mikey stared into April's gaze, before nodding his head. Something ignited in his eyes, a little spark in his baby blue irises. "You're right, April. Thanks," he threw his arms around her, hugging her tightly. April smiled, returning the hug as Casey joined in.
"Dude, if I ever hear you talking trash about yourself and calling yourself worthless, I swear I will bring you pizza every day for the rest of your life."
Mikey chuckled softly at that, his lips curving into a small smile. "I'd like that, dude."