Warning: More disturbing thoughts and image of cannibalism.

Author's note: I'm very sorry for delay. I'll admit I have a bit writer's block, I was busy with my jobs (gotta fly to the south every week now), and I'm stuck in Transformers: Fall of Cybertron because since we can't have a good movie about Transformers we might as well get the best Transformers game… Anyway, it's the first anniversary of this fan fiction so here I am! Wow I've written for a long time. Even if I can no longer stick to monthly update, I'll finish this fanfiction. I'll try...

For some reason, Youtube suggests 'Starset - Let It Die' for me while I was listening to Linkin Park so I decided to try it. Well, don't listen to it if you're depressed. I think it's current theme song for Leo lol. Poor Leo…

For Last of Us fan, this part will be different from the game because if I follow the story in the game it'd be very creepy… so I change it a bit. Hope you like it.

Some conversations are from the Last of Us script. Nunchucks references are from google search and Nunchaku boards.


A few hours earlier…

Mikey felt like Raph mopped the floor with his face except Raph usually did it metaphorically because cleaning the floor with his face might not be so effective. That, and Leo wouldn't allow it. But they weren't in the lair, and Raph wasn't here. So why he felt rough, cold floor rubbing his cheek?

He also heard a faint thud sound came in a steady rhythm. It didn't sound like machine or Kraang droids, so maybe he was safe. But he needed to see if he was really in the safe place. Mikey wanted to rub his eyes but his hands and legs were locked, he couldn't move. That was the first warning sign. Mikey let out a small groan and shifted his body, but he found he couldn't change his position. Second warning sign. He tried to blink but his eyelids felt like stones. At least he came close to be awake. He could hear a constant rhythm of thud sound clearly now. Maybe he was in the kitchen, in the lair, and someone was cooking. Wait. Someone was cooking?

It can't be the lair, he thought, my home doesn't have this slimy, foul-smelling kitchen.

Slowly, Mikey opened his eyes and regretted the moment the light hit him. He blinked a few times to adjust and found a figure standing behind the cell bars, working with something on the table. Mikey blinked again and his vision became clearer. A human was chopping something off and slid the piece to the bucket below. Another thud sound and the piece of weird meat that looked like pale crab pincers fell off the table. Except it couldn't be a crab. Mikey tilted his head to see the bucket and suddenly he was shocked at what was inside.

A pile of hands, each with five cold fingers, blood frozen or drained out he couldn't tell, cutting off from the lifeless form above.

Mikey gasped and instinctively shifted backward, making a chain that tied his hands and legs on his shell rattled. Then he realized he was lying on his plastron like when Bradford captured him, unable to move. Widened his eyes, he tried to get out of the confinement but far from success. He also felt very, very naked, in turtle term of course. Naked enough in this apocalypse dimension since those hunters who captured him only bothered to remove his cloak, nunchucks, and his borrowed katana like they weren't sure which part was his own body.

This isn't kitchen. This is meat locker!

But why why why why…

This doesn't make any sense! Why the human chopping up a corpse?

The said human turned around when he heard a sound coming from the cell. The familiar, disgusting face that made his stomach churned.

Mikey regretted every moment he trusted this adult before.

The deceptive smile placed on David's face. "You're awake." The man walked to the second table and appeared with a dinner tray. He kneeled to talk to him. At least he had some manners. "How are you feeling?"

Mikey just glared at him.

David chuckled. "Now you turn into animal? Can't talk, huh?"

If Mikey could glare harder, he would. He didn't like his new nickname at all. He and his brothers, family, were far from a wild animal. Donnie tried to explain to him something about sentient being a long time ago but gave up when he was too busy playing old PS2.

The man pushed the tray closer to his face (which was half-planting on the floor thanks to the courtesy of the restraint), encouraging him to eat, but Mikey felt like he was trying to feed the wild beast. Like David wasn't sure how to treat him. Human? Wild thing? Alien? Giant turtle?

People were like this when they saw something they didn't understand.

"Here. You should eat. I know you're hungry - been out for quite some time."

He didn't know why David was kind to him again after he hit him at the back of his head and took him prisoner (it must be the prisoner otherwise it'd be very, very creepy!). Maybe it was an act, to make his guard down and hurt him again. Mikey learned his lesson and wouldn't repeat the same mistake.

"What is it?" Mikey asked, keeping his voice steady.

"It's deer."

"..."

The silence made David laughed as he could guess what was on his mind. "I promise. It's...just the deer meat."

Keep it for yourself. I don't care. "..."

Mikey glanced at the decreased on the table. Must be kept under cold temperature for a long time. Not wanting to focus on the carcass, his gaze was back on David. How desperate of this human to eat their own kind he wouldn't know, but he knew this was wrong, seriously wrong.

"Ah, perhaps turtles eat only vegetables?" David assumed when he didn't reply. He shook his head apologetically. "I'm sorry, Michelangelo. We're short on 'em. It's really hard to find during the winter."

Oh yeah? At least I'm not hungry enough to eat my kind. He was sick of David referring him as a wild stray, monster, so he scowled at him.

"You're animal here, not me."

David kept his smile plastered on his face. "Oh...you're awfully quick to judgment. Considering you and your friend killed how many men?"

Mikey wasn't back down at the accusation. He remembered quite well what the hunters did to innocent 'tourist' family in the city. "You did bad things. And they didn't give us a choice."

"And you think we have a choice? Is that it?" David's voice was calm like he was trying to explain to little kid. Mikey didn't like it at all; it made him feel inferior. "You kill to survive...and so do we. We have to take care of our own. By any means necessary."

"So you're gonna survive another day by chopping me up into tiny pieces?"

This time David didn't respond right away, he seemed to ponder the question, carefully choosing his words. "Some are interested in you. You're, ah, special, as we can see. We all never see a deer that can talk. Some say those spores turned human into a turtle. Freak of nature." Then he turned to Mikey, meeting his eyes. "And some say you're a murderer, just like us. Only you hold the answer."

Donnie said they were the sentient being, and he would stick with that. He gathered his confidence and shot back. "I'm not entirely human but I'm still human. And I'm not your food."

If you eat me, I hope you'll choke on mutagen.

David's laugh echoed through the cold room. "You're scared, Michelangelo?"

Very. "No."

This man terrified him. How could he believe this man was the good guy when he first met? When he watched horror movie he would ask why they did those awful things to others. Raph would ignore him, but Donnie would explain to him that sometimes people didn't know that they were sick in their head.

Those who wore a good-natured mark were always the meanest.

David studied him for a long time. "I see...You're just a kid, after all."

Mikey understood why he hated the word 'kid' because it made him small and helpless. David probably saw him like that. He decided not to talk to this sick man and glared dagger at him. David chuckled as he stood. "First, it's just a revenge. Now? Have no clue. We can't afford a pet, but I'll see if I can convince the others."

Convince? Convince about what?

"Rest, little one. We'll decide what to do with you later."

The tray on the floor was left cold, far from his reach. David thought he would use mouth to eat only just like wild animal so he didn't release him.

Mikey scowled again.


Nunchucks placed neatly in front of him. Mikey kneeled and folded his hands on his lap, trying to sit still as much as possible because he knew this was important for them, ninja newbie as their father would call. Master Splinter was going to have a private lesson to teach them how to wield their own weapon properly. He didn't know if it was merely a coincidence after he accidentally cut his arm with Leo's sword. Did he know that he tried the katana without his permission? Was it some kind of punishment? Splinter was pacing in front of him and obviously catching a glimpse of his discomfort. Deciding not to torture his son further, he finally sat down and broke the silence.

"Perhaps you are interested in katana?"

"Huh?" Mikey unconsciously scratched in the band-aid on his forearm. Realizing he couldn't give a proper answer, apologize was the best option. "Umm… I'm sorry…"

Master Splinter nodded, acknowledging. He spoke again but too unkindly. "I did not ask you to come here to chide you, my son. I understand your curiosity, but Leonardo shouldn't let you try them in the first place."

Mikey flinched. 'No! Don't blame him. It's my fault!' but his mouth remained shut. Too coward to take the blame, so he kept his gaze on the floor, counting the loose threads of the carpet.

Splinter quirked his brow, his notorious son was being unnaturally quiet. So he asked again, this time he added an offer. "Tell me, Are you still interested in katana? If you are, I can teach you."

Mikey looked at him with surprise and shook his head rapidly. "No! I like my nunchucks… I just… well, umm, as you say, curious."

"If you say so," Master Splinter contemplated for a moment before he took the nunchucks on his lap. Mikey looked at him, wondering what he would do. Splinter smiled as his purpose may be totally different from what Mikey had thought. He really meant it when he told his son that he wasn't in any trouble. in fact, he wanted to teach a new lesson that might be useful in the future, and fulfilled his young, immersed curiosity. "It is also a perfect timing for you to learn what they can do. When you understand them, it will become a deadly weapon as it is no less dangerous than katana."

"Huh? But I thought nunchucks can't cut anything in half." Mikey said. Splinter noticed a small hint of interest in his voice. If his sons knew what their weapon could truly do, perhaps it would take them to focus on their own weapon, as he had hoped.

"It does not, until you switch it into Kusarigama." As he spoke, his hands moved quickly as nunchucks transformed into a sickle with long chains. Mikey gasped excitedly. However, Splinter didn't let him touch it. "It is not the time for you to use it, soon, I presume, but not now." Then he folded it back into nunchucks.

"My weapon can transform!? Oooh this is awesome!"

Splinter chuckled. "Only this nunchucks can. I customized it by myself when I was human."

"Can I try it? Can I try it? Can I try it?"

Splinter glanced at his band-aid on his arm and sighed. Mikey and the sharp object did not bode well. "Not yet."

He then stood up and placed the nunchucks back on the wall and took a training nunchucks from the rack, much to Mikey's disappointment.

Splinter started his lesson smoothly. "You must know that wielding them means you have developed quick hand movements. Since it can be whirled around, having good reflex is necessary. it is not easy to be the master of nunchucks."

"I can do that, sensei!" Mikey accepted the training nunchucks as he said eagerly like he couldn't wait to use the sickle-shaped weapon. the anxiousness from the beginning was long forgotten.

"I have no doubt of your outstanding ability, Michelangelo. I believe it is only a matter of time before you master it."

Master Splinter knew his son's potential and what he could become. He was somehow impressed and at the same time worried that Mikey learned very fast, quickly following the difficult movement as he spinning his nunchucks.

"May I ask why is it your weapon of choice?"

"Because I like it!" Mikey answered without missing a beat.

"Ah, then you must know how to use it properly in case you're practicing it with your brothers. Come here." Splinter gestured him to come close and Mikey obediently followed, standing in fighting stance.

"I'll be careful, sensei. I won't hit them hard, well, if Raph doesn't do it first." Mikey mumbled the last part.

Splinter corrected his pose, nodding. "I know you don't want to injure your brothers, but you need to know that any kind of weapon is unsafe to wield around without learning what it can do."

Then he began at the basic, his index finger pointing at the handle. Mikey tilted his head as he was listening. His son was really like nunchucks because he wouldn't stand still and listen like this if he wasn't into it, so Splinter repaid him with a smile and continued his lesson. "The hardened handles are used for blunt force. as well as wrapping its chain around an attacking weapon to immobilize or disarm an opponent."

"You mean I can take out their weapon with my nunchucks?"

"Yes, my son."

Mikey punched the air excitedly, forgetting his pose. "Woohoo! This is great!"

"To do so, you need the speed and correct posture." Splinter kindly fixed his pose again, then he grabbed Mikey's hand and swung the nunchucks. "Nunchucks can damage limbs, but it is not exactly a fast precision weapon. It takes a short amount of time for recovery after each strike."

Splinter let his son feel the momentum of the handle that swung back and forth, knowing Mikey learned better with demonstration than words, then he moved to stand in front of his son. "With multiple opponents, you have to use a lot of mobility to keep on top of any number over two, otherwise it will quickly become a difficult fight."

"So they'll gang up on me again..." Mikey mumbled unhappily which made Splinter chuckled.

"It is for training, Michelangelo. And you know you have no problem to defeat them as you are faster than everyone."

Splinter knew the best way to boost his son's confidence as Mikey's pout turned into a grin. "Yeah! You're right. I'm the best!"

His lesson went on as he showed his son the basic movement, Mikey's body shifted to imitate him quickly. Splinter was impressed. He showed more advanced moves, attacking the invincible enemy as he spoke. "The problem with hitting people to put them down without killing them is the fact that some of them will get back up."

At the corner of his eyes, he saw that Mikey was stiffened at the word 'killing'. Splinter knew his sons, all of them, and he knew Mikey can be the great fighter, but not assassin which was sadly a part of ninja. Perhaps it was the lesson for another day, or never. Mikey would never be ready. He would likely to see killing as a last resort.

Seeing his son staring at him with wide eyes, Splinter continued his explanation with calm voice. "As far as weapons go, nunchucks are really low in the efficiency and effectiveness stakes, they're an ambush weapon, not an assassination weapon. Sometimes you can use them to potentially maim the opponent," or kill, if he really wanted to. But Splinter said no more on this matter as he turned to his son.

"The chains can block the katana, tangled the hands holding it, smashed their wrists with a second one then got out of the area. You must know that it is not a weapon for an extended fight."

Mikey inspected his training nunchucks quietly and touched the metal chains that connected to two handles. Knowing his son was absorbing his words

"Wow..." Mikey finally looked at him in awe. "I gotta hit fast and run fast."

Splinter smiled at his youngest son. "I know you can do it."


It had been a long time that he dreamed about Master Splinter and his first lesson of nunchucks (as much as he missed his father, he didn't like dojo that much…). He didn't know why. Maybe he really missed father, missed everyone, or maybe he just missed his nunchucks. Being unarmed in enemy territory left him vulnerable. His heart ached when he thought of Leo in the basement. Would someone find him? Would he recover? Would he… come? Mikey shook his head, knowing the answer. Leo was badly injured and didn't even gain consciousness. He was on his own, and he had to get back.

But how?

Mikey was still tired from his attempt to get out of the chain. It wrapped his wrists tightly, he pulled until his wrists bled through. He could try to escape when David was back to collect his untouched food tray, but he didn't want to wait that long. This place, this group of hunters, everything was wrong with all of them. His eyes caught the movement from the door as humans stepped into the room.

The man named 'James' (if he remembered correctly) reached his cell first. "Wake-y, wake-y. Come on."

Mikey frowned at the new guy; he didn't want them to see him weak so he spat back. "So what's your decision? Am I your pet now?"

David followed James as he pulled out the key to open the door, His expression grim. "Your friend's gonna miss you."

"Huh?"

David tilted his head. "How did you put it? Hmm? Tiny pieces?"

What?

Mikey's brain froze as he came to understanding of what about to happen. He just refused to believe because he was different, and thought they would spare him. James came into the cell and pulled another key to unlock the chain on him. Mikey was still in shock and just sat there when he was released.

He was too naive.

James strapped his wrists and ankles to the slaughtering table. His shell scratched dried blood beneath. David held the same cleaver that chopped the dead human few hours ago and gave him somewhat sympathetic look, mumbled quietly. "I'll make the most out of you."

That was when he snapped.

"What? No, no, no , no! Let go! You can't! Stop!" He trashed around, managing to free his right arm. He bites David's hand when he draws near. James cursed and punched him in the face, putting his knee on his plastron to keep him down. David frowned at his hand, and suddenly the man slapped him hard, his fake kindness gone.

"I warned you."

"Just how desperate are you!?" Mikey choked. It was difficult to breath when James sitting on him, not to mention that his nose was bleeding.

"I told you, it's really cruel winter for us. We have to scavenge everything we can." David said indifferently as he raised his cleaver. He was going to chop his arm off just like he did with the previous corpse, his right arm that had bandage on.

Wait...

The light bulb in his head suddenly turned on. One thing he was good at was pulling a prank on someone, everyone if he really wanted to. He could do this. Raph fell for his tricks many times. He had practiced this skill for a very long time and he knew he was the best. This was the perfect timing to prove that the prank could save his life.

Just need a small courage and don't let fear cover your chance. You can do it. Turtle style! Mikey thought, taking a second to shout at the man's face.

"Don't! I'm infected!"

It worked, partially. James's hand stopped in mid-air, but David just laughed. "Really? Turtle learns a new trick? I think we have a conclusion that you're just not entirely human."

Mikey gulped, his voice shaking. He just needed to be very convincing to make them believe him, so he tried again, tilting his head to the bandage on his arm. "Right there. Under the bandage. Look at it."

James looked at David nervously. It seemed that this cannibal camp had some rules, one of it was not to eat infecteds as they weren't sure the zombie disease could spread by consuming. David glanced at him briefly before muttered under his breath, quickly tore the bandage. There. They saw it. The old bite scar was healing but they could see the shape of teeth clearly, then they grew quiet.

The bite mark that Mikey hated so much was going to save his life.

For the first time since he was captured, Mikey felt like he had a plan. His voice was low with a hint of smugness.

"What'd you say? Everything happens for a reason, right?"

James looked at him like he grew another head, then he turned to David. "What the hell is that?"

David was frowning. It would take more than a single scar to shake his composure. The man kept calm and simply replied. "He would've turned by now. It can't be real."

"Looks pretty fucking real to me!"

They were arguing. Good. His right arm was free, so Mikey took a split second to sucker-punch James, kick off the strap and roll off the table towards the doorway. They didn't have time to catch him. He was fast, he was free. Hit hard and ran fast like Master Splinter taught him.

Mikey ran through the hallway until he stumbled into the storage room. He spotted his gray cloak, the katana, and his nunchucks on a nearby cabinet. The bow and arrows were gone because unlike the katana and the nunchucks, they probably took them since there was normal weapon they are familiar with. Mikey would be disadvantaged at long-ranged attack, he just hoped Kusarigama was enough. James shouted after him and fired a few rounds but missed. Lucky him. Grabbing his possessions, Mikey was ready to jump out of the window when James shouted again.

"Stop right there!"

He must admit James was fast. The man followed him with his gun aimed at his head, probably not missing again. Mikey started, bursting out before he could stop himself. His voice echoed a tiny hope, begging the adult to leave him alone.

"Just let me go, please."

But James spare no mercy, spitting the blood from his mouth. His eyes held no compassion or kindness for the kid like him. Mikey began to terrify of him, of human. Why couldn't they just let him go? They couldn't eat him anyway, he was infected. Couldn't he just, go? James unlocked the safety and ready to fire at him.

He was going to die.

"Fucker, you're one of those things."

"I'm not!" He clenched the handle of the nunchucks. It was now or never, James was going to fire any second and he had to act fast.

He leaped from the window, spinning his nunchucks and hit James' head in full force, not holding back like he usually did. At the same time, he felt the fire on his left arm. James hit his target right on.

Ignoring his wound, Mikey spun kick James' head and hit him with nunchucks again. He just had to hit until James couldn't get up. Yes, like Master Splinter told him, he had to hit the opponent until they couldn't get back up.

Hit! Just hit him!

"Where're you going, Michelangelo? This is my town!"

Mikey wiped his head at the hallway, leaving James to fall to the ground, unmoving. He left him there and jumped out into the blizzard, his breath fogged in front of him. Once he hit the snow, he grimaced at the cold wind blowing his wound, the red trail formed on his left arm. He staggered through the wind, trying to get out of this place.

He didn't even look back to see whether James was dead or not.

Just like that bastard said, he didn't actually have a choice.