Disclaimer: Last time I checked I still didn't own the TMNT or any other related characters associated with the TMNT.

Author's Notes: In this chapter, some of you may or may not view Don as being out of character. As you read the chapter, you'll see why I say this. I really tried to get into Don's mind and write the way he'd act if he was suddenly thrust into his current situation. So please take notice that I did not write whatever I felt like writing when it came to accurate portrayal of Donatello. I tried really hard to accurately portray Donatello.

Chapter 3

Donatello's point of view

The darkness is everywhere, choking and squeezing the life out of me. And it is cold, so very cold that a few shivers shoot up my spine. Even though my eyes are open, I can't see anything. I can't hear anything either, except for the beatof my racing heart.

Compared to this unnerving and bone chilling-silence, it sounds so loud.

Had I known that my wish would have come true tonight, then I would have never wished for it to happen. I don't know where I am or how badly injured I am. I do know one thing, though. Whatever the Shredder is planning can't be good. That's why I have to get out of here and warn my brothers.

Struggling helplessly against the metal bonds holding me against what felt like a brick wall, I curse. "How in the shell am I going to help the others if I'm stuck here?"

While the bonds are cutting and chaffing into my wrists, I can feel something warm, wet and sticky trickling down my hands, sides, and onto the floor. Even without any light, I have the distinct feeling that it's my blood.

I continue struggling with the restraints, not expecting my question to be answered, until a soft click followed by footsteps interrupts my futile struggle. "You should be worried about helping yourself, Donatello. Because when I'm through with you, you'll wish you were dead."

Light floods through my prison and I stare at the owner of the voice, my blood running cold. Agent Bishop is standing right before me, with a few Foot soldiers standing nonchalantly behind him.

Opening and closing my mouth, I find myself incapable of forming any coherent speech. I can't wrap my mind around what I am seeing.

"Don't look so surprised to see me, Donatello. I told you we'd meet again, didn't I?"

His smug tone is enough to help me find my misplaced vocal chords. My voice comes out hoarse and scratchy sounding, as if I haven't used it in years. "But you and the Shredder are enemies! Why are you two working together? What do I have to do with any of this?"

My heart is rapidly beating as short, quick breaths escape my lips. Two sworn enemies like Bishop and the Foot working together? This is just too much!

My questions go unanswered and his face remains emotionless as he approaches me. He halts just a few feet away from me, and that's when I noticed the sadistic smirk forming on his face.

Taking several deep breaths, I will myself to calm down. There's no use panicking or working myself into a mindless frenzy. If I am going to be of any use to my brothers, then I have to get it together, figure out what the shell is going on, and then hopefully escape.

When I look up at Bishop, however, a frosty dread begins to fill my entire being. He is still smiling in smug satisfaction, but with a cruel and inhumane glint in his eyes. "Yes, the Shredder and I are enemies, but we're both in need of something that you and your brothers have."

Confusion spreads over my features. "And what might that be?" I ask, while trying to maintain a cool demeanor.

"You have his precious Karai."

A fatal understanding quickly dawns on me. "So you figure that by using me, The Shredder will get her back? Nice plan, but that still doesn't explain what you want. And here I thought you were the smartest villain we ever faced."

I mumble the last part under my breath, but apparently he hears me, because he suddenly grabs my face with one hand, making sure to squeeze it in an iron grip.

His fingers tighten as he squeezes my chin. "You forget that I took DNA samples from you, your brothers and Leatherhead. Did you honestly think I was going to give up my quest to create an army of mutants that would obey my every whim and command?"

My eyes widen in horror as he releases my face from his crushing hold.

"You're not serious! If you do that, then there's no telling what will become of New York City… let alone the entire world!"

I am sure that Bishop is enjoying every last minute of this. His tone is still smug and arrogant as he responds, and I don't like it at all. "Oh, but I am serious. I've run into a bit of a problem, however, and that's where you come in. My researchers haven't had much luck unlocking the final secret within your genetic makeup."

I snort defiantly as I answer him, "If you think I'm going to work for you, fat chance. I'd rather die than help you enslave the planet."

He stares at me for a few seconds in quiet amusement, and then chuckles.

"Fight as much as you like, but it's pointless, because you don't have much of a choice. For you see, Donatello, inside of you and your brothers is a potentially harmful virus that I injected each of you with when I held you prisoners not so long ago. If you want your brothers to stay alive, then I suggest you rethink your answer."

Hot, searing anger courses through my veins. How dare he think he can just toy with our lives like this! We aren't animals to be tested upon. We aren't exactly humans either, but the fact still remains that we are living beings. He has no right!

"And what will become of me if I agree to work with you?" I hissed.

His amusement seems to increase tenfold when I ask him about my fate. "Only time will tell. I can see that you need time to reach your final decision, however, so I'll be back first thing in the morning. I expect your answer will be different then."

As he is leaving, he stops and turns around to face me. "You may want to get some rest. After all, you'll be no good to us if you expire from your injuries."

I don't have to look at my wrists or the spots of blood on the floor to know what he is referring to. He leaves me, closing the door to my prison and enshrouding me in darkness once again.

My anger, however, dissipates when the full weight of this situation hits me. My brothers' lives are at stake, no thanks to Bishop and Shredder, and the only way to save them is to betray them. I couldn't betray them by working with our enemies! That would go against everything I stood for and believed in.

But if I didn't, then I would be responsible for the deaths of those who meant the world to me. Sighing in frustration, I realized that I couldn't do much of anything right now, because either way I looked at the situation, I was doomed.

At first the tears are small and slow, but then they gradually quicken, running hot and thick down my cheeks. Tears and blood mingle on the floor as I close my eyes, choking back a sob. For the second time that night, I wish I could just disappear.