Shredder stole away from the blank room leaving Leonardo in what he had earlier referred to as the turtle's personal hell. Witnessing his own failure. Ultimate failure resulting in the ruined lives of those he loved most. His plans were coming together perfectly. His lips curled into a rare smile below the steely mask.

The halls of this large abode where he quite literally ruled with an iron fist seemed to appropriately reflect his mood. The deep colors were rich topped off with eye catching designs from his home land. Strolling heavily through it reminded him that one day he'd return to Japan as the capital of his world-wide Foot regime. Yes, having properly disposed of his enemies, nothing could stand in his way.

Shredder stopped at the elevator doors. A wicked breeze of pride filled him seeing the glaring Foot symbol branded on the opening. The world would come to fear him down to the very symbol binding the Foot clan.

"Master!"

His reverie was broken by the shrill voice. A soldier sprinted up and bowed low, his lungs pumped noisily trying to catch up.

"Master, the two turtles have escaped!"

The soldier kept low and only dared once to chance a look at Shredder's expression of this news. He was nearly floored seeing gleeful eyes.

"Excellent. Retreat and secure the floor. Keep them here until the heliport garage opens."

"Master?"

"Do it!"

"Right away," the ninja sped off in the direction he had come.

Shredder pressed the elevator button and stoically waited for the doors to slide open. It gave an echoing ding and he stepped in. He pressed the lowest button labeled BASEMENT. The enclosed space gave an odd shutter before dropping. Moments later the boxed dinged and the doors slid open once more. He stepped out with a refreshing blast of cool air rushing through the crevasses of his armor. It was black save for one weak light hanging low. The edge of its beam encompassed a very large stone cube. Shredder stood next to it, grabbing a hold of a large iron lever. He gave it a twist allowing one wall of the cube to collapse against the ground with a deafingly loud crash. Shredder stepped up and looked inside. The turtle was clinging to the opposite wall blinking furiously in the dim light. The weakest link.

"Shredder!" he announced seeing the sinister outline of their life long enemy. "I should have known your rusty ass would be behind this. I can't say much for your hospitality."

There was a strange silence. Finally a hoarse voice filled the box.

"Michaelangelo, I presume. Comedian and nunchaku extraordinaire. Welcome."

Mike was shocked by the Shredder's tone. It was almost...conversational. He chose not to reply to this. He was trying to figure out just what the man was playing at.

"We have much to discuss. Time is of the essence, so I'll begin. Michaelangelo, my soldiers have confirmed to me that your sensei is dead."

"Shut up," Mike whispered darkly, "You're lying."

"Natural causes, I believe."

"Shut up!"

"I assure you, my information is very reliable. Michaelangelo, I've come to offer you a position. You and I are both linked to ancestors of the Foot clan. The feud between myself and the man I once called master Yoshi is no longer applicable as he is dead. The only thing left for you to do now is to rejoin the Foot under my liege. Remember, while you retain our ancient methods of ninjitsu, you are bound to us."

Mike was stunned. What delusion was this freak living in? To think that he'd ever join an enemy he had labored against his entire life?

"Think about it Michaelangelo," the voice continued strangely diplomatic, "All you've ever longed for: companionship, position and prestige....a normal life. This is all before you. Just say yes."

Mike felt a deep stir within. Countless questions he'd asked himself many times before bombarded him all at once. What would his life been like if it was like all the others? To be human? Would he truly be happy? To wander the world's topside in freedom. Safe. Safe to dream.

His feelings then transformed to flaming shame.

"In case you haven't noticed Shredder, there are some things about me that can never change," he said bitterly, "Including this: I'd rather die then join your rotting Foot clan."

Shredder was disappointed, but not discouraged. He'd break this mutant yet. He withdrew something from his cloak. "So be it."

Michaelangelo braced for the blow but none came.

There was a distant crash and rattling of metal.

Opening his eyes, he looked around curiously. Shredder was gone. The only pursuing sound was his heart hammering in his throat. He stepped up to the entrance gazing around cautiously. Gaining courage, he left the shadows of his prison completely and stood under the light. Sweat glistened across his skin.

His attention was immediately on the lit up and destroyed elevator just meters away. Shredder was bent over something, but his eyes were locked on Mike. A sudden flood of nauseousness struck him seeing another pair of bleary eyes.

"Look who dropped in," Shredder held the blade to the being's throat, "Fate has obviously implored you. Accept my offer, Michaelangelo, and your brother lives."

"Mike...don't," Donatello managed drowsily. He looked worse for the wear having plowed down the shaft and through the top of elevator. Luckily, his shell had taken the brunt of the damage, but he still struggled for consciousness.

Michaelangelo stood stock still, his mind feverishly racing.

"My patience is wearing thin."

Donatello made an audible gulp as the blade cinched tighter. A small amount of blood began to trickle around it.

"God, yes, YES! Leave him alone!" Mike sagged, tears over whelming him.

Shredder stood and sheathed the blade, "Get back in the prison."

Mike doubled over and vomited. He was disgusted with himself. Keeping his eyes on the ground, he then disappeared into the concrete abyss as told.

Shedder pulled the lever again and the wall rose back up with mechanical whirring. At the same time, an even larger noise over took the basement and light flooded through a tunnel exit.

Soldiers waiting in the shadows fired up a hidden helicopter up at the signal. The blades rotated slowly at first before blurring into a high pitched whine. Shredder clambered up into the back of the machine.

The basement, in fact, was exceptionally large and roomy as the new light revealed. The machine lifted slightly and lurched forward. Chains latched to its belly jerked the concrete cube with ear-splitting scrape. In no time, it had dragged the attached prison to the large garage opening. It rushed through the tunnel beyond and disappeared.

Donatello's bandana tails flapped wildly in its wake as he stood shakily near the exit. The air finally settled as he stared at the empty space the helicopter once occupied before falling to his knees.

"Mikey!" His agonized scream echoed until lost in silence.