Author's Note: Hey there we are so sorry for the long wait for this chapter. Real life stuff got in the way, and caused a delay. But also we wanted to get this part right, as it's focal to the story. Anyway, major props to Glazier Blue as she took charge of this chapter, as I couldn't have done this without her. So here it is, enjoy.

Chapter 15: A Father' Wrath

Mikey POV

Everything suddenly seemed to be going in slow motion, as Mikey looked up from his broken brother, Donatello, on the floor. Only to see his two older brothers fall back, colliding with one another before hitting the ground. Then as though in a nightmare, the monster from under his bed was coming towards them, eyes blazing, and claws rising ready to strike! Mikey felt all the color drain from his face as the flashback on his imprisonment returned.

The Rat King was coming for them, and his two brothers wouldn't make it in time.

Donnie couldn't pull himself together enough to move and Mikey wasn't strong enough to get him to safety... but he couldn't run away and leave him here either. They were both trapped, and by the murderous look in the RK eyes as he approached them, the fate that was awaiting both of them would be grim. As he got closer, it became obvious his first target was Donnie. Even now, he wouldn't let him go! And the only thing that now stood between them, was him! One arm and the other frozen to the spot in absolute terror. He knew he was no match for the Rat King... And he knew the Rat King knew that too.

All this had raced through the youngest turtle's mind in a matter of seconds. They were both trapped. That was clear. His first instinct was to cry out to his brothers for help, hoping by some miracle they would be able to save them in time. The second was to try shield Donnie as best he could from the strike he knew was coming, knowing it wouldn't be enough to save either of them. He was going to kill Donnie... He was going to kill him after all the horror he had already put him through. He was going to kill Donnie in the most intimate way possible he knew Donnie feared. Had they not shown up just now, he would have died alone, believing that they didn't care. He, the Rat King had dived deeper into Donnie's mind than he ever had with him, and now he was coming to do it again! The anger Mikey was feeling at this realization seemed to be overriding any fear he had for this monster. His knuckles squeezed so tight with rage; he was shaking with hate! A feeling Mikey wasn't used to but was becoming alarmingly familiar with as he looked over the glazed but haunted look in Donnie's eyes. No! He was NOT taking his brother away from him, not again!

Donnie POV

Donnie, still too disorientated to what was going on around him, looked up at the last second to see the Rat King appear from nowhere. His eyes widen in horror as he saw the abnormally large claw coming down towards him, and the realization hit him first.

He was dead!

He waited for that final strike to end it all, expecting nothing but pain… But the strike never came. He hadn't even realized he had closed his eyes in a ditch attempt to protect himself. But as the seconds passed with no blow, he gasped, shocked he was actually still alive. But that wasn't as shocking as when he opened his eyes again, only to see the deadly hand mere inches from his face, frozen in mid-air, blocked by only his little brother's green wrist, which had been grabbed by the Rat King's hand.

Now it was as though the two above him had forgotten he was even there as their eyes were locked on only each other. The Rat King looking somewhat surprised at the smaller mutant's defiance, but his jaw was set. Locked shut in determination as he was still trying to force his claw down and finish the job he had started.

He saw Mikey's face too, looking just as determined, but there was something else present in his expression Donnie had never seen before. The youngest turtle's one good arm was physically shaking as he prevented RK from attacking him... but there was no fear there. It was danger!

None of the fun-loving Mikey was there right now. Donnie looked on in awe and even a little fear from his little brother's expression… because it matched that of the Rat Kings. A look that would kill!

This was evident as Mikey somehow had the strength to stand up and step over Donnie, pushing the Rat King back a bit. Placing himself in between them, while still holding RK back. Blood had even started to drip from Mikey's hand as the claws cut into his skin, but he still wouldn't budge. How he was doing this, did Mikey even know? Aside from been terrified, it made Donnie's heart swell with pride. But why could he still not move?! Why could he not get up and help his brother? His body felt like it was swimming through black tar, struggling to reach a surface that was just above him!? It enveloped him completely, rendering him helpless and unmoving. Why was there still not enough air in here? Why was the room spinning? What had the Rat King done to him? It wasn't just about almost been choked to death... Donnie really was completely drained! Now the adrenaline rush was over, Donnie could feel the shadows gathering at the edges of his brain, trying to pull him under... Why was it getting darker again? What was happening to him?

"MIKEY we're coming!" Donnie blinked a few times, forcing himself to stay awake and enjoy the relief of hearing Leo and Raph from across the room. The two would be here to help - Oh No! That relief was short lived. What sounded like millions of tiny feet echoed, followed by high pitched squeaks and hissing. The room suddenly filling up with an ocean of rats! Cutting off both the eldest brothers from their path. Mikey teeth gritted as wrist trembled violently. More blooded ooze from the wound. There's no way he couldn't hold the Rat King back forever... and as the shadow started to gather, Donnie knew he was currently about as helpful as a chocolate fire guard.

Rat King POV

Rat King had to admit, Orange's sudden bravery had come as a surprise. He had thought he had taken all that out of him upon their first encounter. Turns out the little rebel had a bit more life left to take. He focused on the mutant's eyes, nothing but rage inhabited them. Good. He could feed off that until he wore himself out. In the meantime, Orange's anger was more like a quick energy bar he could mentally feast on, then he could finish him off. That was ok. However, Orange had come between him and his original target! That was NOT ok! The Rat King had been enjoying Purple's essence too much to stop. When he said Purple was different, he never expected it to be like this. His essence was so innocent, so pure… It invigorated his entire being as it flowed through him, as he basked within his incredible presence. A few more seconds of feasting upon his soul, his energy and vitality and he would have been free from his own inner demons for a year! Now he had to start all over again.

Even with Orange holding him back, RK had managed to catch a glance of Purple, laying helpless just a short distance away. The look of him brought a smirk to RK face, there was no way Purple was going anywhere. He had taken enough of his vitality to keep him at arm's reach for a while. But he had to worry about the other two. They were coming... Not that he didn't enjoy there dancing, but time was of the essence here... and something was still feeling a bit off in his head... No matter. His pets were here. He smirked darkly as Red and Blue were cut off from rejoining the party, and Orange seem to want all the fun for himself. He hadn't seen this side of Orange before from their first encounter. Though he was sure it was nothing he couldn't handle, RK found he was eager to see just how much fun he could have? And who knows, Orange's vitality could prove just as good as Purple's.

"You... will... not… touch... him again!" Orange spat in a voice that didn't belong to him, It even made RK recoil a little. At that he ceased trying to bring down his fist upon the mutant, instead yanking back, freeing him from his grasp before bringing his other arm around, aiming for his face. But his fist only hit air as orange dodged the blow so fast, he hadn't even blinked.

Orange was fast! Ok he didn't see that coming.

Yet what he did see was Orange lifting his left foot swinging it forward towards his mid-section. RK jumped back away from the turtle, putting a bit of distance between them. The next thing he noticed was that Orange reached down into his belt and pulled out a single nunchuck, twirling it in his hand before charging forward. Being prepared once more he moved his body to the side to avoid a downward strike, but then leaned back to avoid a follow up horizontal swing. Rearing his hand back RK then brought his razor-sharp claws forward to strike, only to be blocked as Mikey swung his weapon at the incoming blow, deflecting it.

The youngest of the clan kept up his offense, mentally cursing at the fact that none of his strikes were connecting. Oh, how he hated being handicapped. One armed fighting was definitely NOT his thing! Even a pang of fear swelled up within him, but he tried not to show it, not to this guy. He's going to defend his brother even if it took his last breath!

Lifting his right leg up Mikey tried to do a straight kick, only to hit air as the Rat King jumped back more, narrowly avoiding it. He scowls at every miss strike…that and the fact that his opponent is taking up the offense. He watched as RK charged forward at a rapid pace, barely giving the teen a chance to move backwards to avoid a downward slash, followed by another. Mikey then crouched down to avoid a forward strike. Reacting quickly Mikey planted his good hand down on the ground before bringing his foot up and striking the mummy reject in the belly. A painful grunt came out of the Rat King as he stumbled back, growling at being hit.

RK frowned in confusion and a bit of annoyance upon seeing the turtle rise back up, looking still plenty energized and ready to keep going. Shouldn't Orange be drained by now? Running away, scared of him? No! No more playing. This ended now!

Hands clenching into tightly round fists RK then charged the young turtle, watching as he brought up his nunchuck in an attempted strike. Only this time the Rat King stepped to the side to avoid a downward hit, taking the chance he brought his hands up before bringing it down, hitting the sea green wrist.

"Ugh!" Mikey grunted as his grip immediately loosened, causing his weapon to fall and clatter to the ground. Before he even knew it, he watched as the weapon was kicked away a few yards. Reaching quickly, he then reached for his last Nunchuck, pulling it out, only to be met with the Rat King striking the same hand. Mikey cried out once more as his hand is flung to the side, the weapon again went flying as his grip was loosened once more. Now panic started to fill the youngest turtle as he was disarmed fully, his heart racing as all he could do is look forward.

Only for the Rat King to disappear behind his shell. A bone chilling gasp left his mouth upon feeling those bony hands reach up, to wrap around his neck. And before he knew it, he was flipped over the shoulder, his plastron hitting the stone floor hard, as a silent cry of pain came when all the wind was knocked out of him. His full body weight hitting his slung arm.

Smirking with glee, RK then kicked Orange until he turned and was lying on his shell. Moving quickly, he straddled the turtle's plastron before reaching down and gripping Mikey's arm, twisting it painfully and finally getting a grip on him before pinning him firmly to his chest, crushing him. Mikey then tried to thrash about, attempting to get any kind of leverage possible, but could hardly move from his current position. RK just looked on and gave a small laugh, oh how he loved the feeling of the little mutant struggling in his grasp. It was over. He relished in the fact that he had won again. That he would always win! As for his prize, there was only one course of action for this little mutant. RK smiled, baring his teeth, staring at Orange's neck eagerly, making his intentions obvious. Now this was more like it! He watched the color drain from Oranges face as he looked up in terror. Especially as RK's free hand shot down, gripping the turtle's head and pushing it to the side, giving him a clear shot at his neck. Mikey could only realize what was going to happen as a violent tremble broke out. RK's smile only got wider as he could feel the panic in the little mutant's soul just as he brought his jaw down ready to clamp onto his throat - when suddenly a grey blur got in between them.

"AHHHHH!" RK cried out as a nasty burning sensation shot across his face making him release his prey in favor of protecting his eyes from been scratched out. Looking up in surprise upon seeing it was one of his rat's attacking him.

One of his pets had turned on him? Wait, what? And it didn't appear to be the only one. Hissing as his rat bit into his bandaged face, clawing at his eyes, RK quickly grabbed the rodent before tossing him across the room…only for another to appear, then another. Several were now attacking him, giving Orange an opportunity to make his way back to Purple, able to collect his nunchucks in the process. But not before seeing his look of shock and surprise.

It was then RK realized that many of his rats were attacking each other, protecting Red and Blue from the ones he controlled...

Leo and Raph had been struggling against the onslaught of Rats that had blocked their path between them and their brothers. Both of them nearly crying out in panic only to see Mikey fighting back. Large brown rats dropped on top of them, the two older brothers pulling them off and grunting as they were bit all over. Still, they managed to keep standing as and fight off the rats…that is until an army of small gray, and bluish rats flooded the area, jumping on their larger counterparts. Squeaks and high-pitched cries of pain began to fill the area as the smaller rats started sinking their teeth into the bigger ones.

And just like that the two older brothers were left alone as they watched the small battle happen before them, not sure what was going on but winced upon seeing blood being shedded by the rats. RK could only watch in horror at the scene unfolding before him.

How was this possible? They were his rats! How had they betrayed him? RK thought as he continued fighting them off. Yet in the process, he did notice the rodents that had turned against him no longer had glowing eyes... Wait! He couldn't feel them anymore. No! What was going on?

Without even pausing the fight, the Rat King closed his eyes for a split second before opening them again to his spirit world of webs. His mind linked to every one of his captive rats hung above him as normal, only... they weren't all there! Some were missing... This was his mind... His world. He knew every detail of it. So, he knew right away that something was wrong, and right away he knew what it was.

"Splinter!"

As though just saying his name had been the signal, his red light from the web faded around him into almost nothing. Then everything became colder as the darkness set in...The same darkness he had spent so long running from, snuffing out all the lights he had spent years building around himself... RK gasped, his personal space suddenly feeling bare and unprotected.

He looked up to see a figure in the distance. He was obscured by the web, but he could still make out his outline. Splinter still had the threads running through him, only now they no longer restrained him. In fact, he held a large cluster of the threads in his hands like a rope, and his claws were picking them apart one thread at a time. As he did so, another thread of light went out!

"What have you done!?" RK hissed dangerously.

"I am cutting your links." The Rat Master growled in reply. His voice sounded strained, as though this was causing him just as much pain. "I am setting us all free from you."

"But you were supposed to forget who you are by now. No Rat can fight me!"

"I am not just any rat! I am a father first and you have harmed my children!" Splinter snapping four threads in the process.

"No! Stop. You can't! They're mine! They're all mine!" RK screamed desperately. No rat was powerful enough to do this, not even a master mutant rat like Splinter... could he? Even so, this was bad, and he would need to resort to more drastic measures.

"Then I'll kill them all! Your sons will be destroyed! And you cannot stop me!" RK declared. With that the Rat King quickly cut off the connection just as more of his light flickers out. Blinking back to the real world, only to be greeted with Red taking a swing at his face. He blocked it, but at the cost of losing his balance. Red withdrew as one of the large glowing red eyed rats jumped on his shoulder before running down his arm and biting the weapon free from his fingers. Red yelped, quickly trying to throw the rodent off him.

Blue and Red had planted themselves between him and the other two. Still battling the remaining rats attacking them, but to Rat King's horror he could see the numbers were going down as more and more of their eyes stopped glowing, only to turn on their brothers and sisters, protecting the mutants. RK quickly got to his feet... THEY'RE COMING BACK! He could feel his demons, what he feared the most coming like an invisible river flooding the room - No! Ignoring the rats biting him, he charges at Red, and Blue determined to make good on his threat.

Murderous intent spelled on the Rat King's face; the two eldest brothers knew they had to be on their toes. Raph being the first target as he readied himself, only to be caught off guard as his opponent jumped over him, landing behind his shell before kicking the emerald turtle in the back of the knee. Raph Cried out as he was forced down onto one knee. Not able to see RK raise his razor claw up into the air and bringing it down. Only for metal to block its path as the two collided.

"Ugh!" Leo cried out in pain, eyes squeezing shut, as his left hand started to throb. Making him remember the hole in his hand, and how still tender it was. It didn't allow him to properly grip his katana and as a result it fell out of his hand. Unfortunately for him, RK noticed this, and decided to take full advantage of it. In a split second he elbowed Blue in the plastron, causing him to grunt out and stumble back a few feet. Turning back to Red he raised his leg up before kicking it forward, striking him into the back of the shell. Raph cried out as he went face planting down into the floor, stunning him for a moment.

Turning his attention to Blue, RK charged him.

Leo looked up to see RK approaching, now gripping his only reminding sword with both hands before doing a horizontal slash. Only for the strike to miss as RK ducked and the next thing he knew is that his right wrist was seized, immediately feeling as if the tip of knives were digging into his flesh.

"Argh!" Leo's eyes squeezed shut as the grip on his remaining sword loosened, causing it to fall to the ground.

Holding the right limb, RK then quickly moved behind Blue, twisting and wedging the arm behind the shell, freeing up his left hand he then reached up and wrapped his arm around the leaf green neck, securing a hold onto him.

By the time Raph had recovered, holding his Sais ready for another round, his eyes widened in alarm upon finding his brother hostage.

"I'll kill him!" Rat Kings warning brought Red to a crashing halt. RK was holding his arm around Blue's neck, twisting his other wounded arm up his shell. Leo grunted as he tried to break the hold, only to feel pressure on his windpipe, gagging him some. He tried to free his seized arm, but RK proved to have it in a painful grip. He was trapped. His left hand came up to grip at the arm around his neck, only to hiss as the throbbing in his hand to return, practically leaving the limb useless in freeing him.

RK smirked with renewed hope. With Blue in his grasp, Splinter would be at his mercy, much like Red. Red stood in place, an angry scowl on his face as he didn't even attempt to move. The upper hand was his again, now he would end it all.

Suddenly he heard Splinter's voice again, this time in his head, as though he was there in the room with them. But it appeared he was the only one who could hear the rat master as none of the mutants reacted to the new voice. It disorientated him... and his blood ran cold at his words.

"The darkness is coming Rat King! Your demons are coming back for YOU!" Splinter said, though he sounded weaker, he was more dangerous than ever.

"No! No no no... Don't do this." The Rat King for the first time pleaded out loud. The fear in his voice evident. He watched Red cautiously keep his distance, though his anger changed to more curious as to what could have him so irritated? He imagined Blue's face to be the same. Well, he would show them! He then quickly placed both his hands at either side of Blues head ready to twist and snap it right off his body. The leader turtle struggling instantly ceased, as it did Red's. "Give me back my rats, or I'll break his neck Splinter! I swear!" RK yelled to someone only he could see. Again, he saw Red and Blue exchange a look of confusion... Then they just vanished! Pain flooded his head as Splinter appeared before him clearer than ever. He was once again in his spirit world of web, only now it was almost in complete darkness. Looking around frantically, he stopped as the Rat master stood before him as clear as day.

"No. You will never touch me, or any of my sons again!"

This time the Rat King stood his ground. "I'll always be hunting you, Rat." He promised. "Even if you all get away today, none of your son's will be safe from me! I'll feed off all of them, one by one... Starting with Purple."

"Then you give me no choice! You have chosen your path." Splinter said gravely. There was no malice or bitterness in his voice. But the Rat King still stiffened as the next sound he heard was a single loud snap! With it, it felt like his head broke, and loud ringing filled the Rat King's ears. "The darkness is here Rat King... The silence is coming! There is no escape from your demons, or should I say your memories now!" Splinter informed him. "You will feel all that pain you have been hiding from... and all the pain you inflicted on me! All your rats... and my son... And his name is DONATELLO! You will know it all."

The Rat King now felt himself falling into the silence like a black hole. At the bottom, all his vague but terrifying memories of him imprisoned in a lab were waiting for him. Confusing images of blood and screaming and pain attacked him from all sides. They were crushing him... His cries silenced by the masked covered faces above him, pinning him down... Then nothing but silence, opening the door for the madness to come creeping in. "You have condemned yourself to this fate Rat King." He could still hear Splinter in his head somewhere. "I am leaving now, but your "subjects" are free now, and they have some unfinished business with you." Splinter said so darkly that his blood ran cold. "You shouldn't have hurt them." Splinter voice faded as he was still falling, now they were... gone! All gone... He was alone with just these horrific memories to haunt him. He didn't even notice that he was no longer holding onto his captive. He hadn't realized he was on the floor until he felt the cold concrete slam into his back... Now he just wanted to curl up in a ball and hide away from it all.

For the longest time he was completely alone again... and then he wasn't! Hundreds of tiny feet start to claw at him... Daring to peak, he saw the many bloody teeth fill his vision. He heard the hysterical screaming, but he didn't realize that it was coming from him!

Leo and Raph POV

Even while still in the grip of the Rat King, both Leo and Raph could tell that something had changed. It was sudden... But whatever it was, something was very wrong with him. But that only seemed to make him more dangerous.

"I'll kill him!" The brothers heard him yell. But he didn't appear to be talking to Raph. With each passing minute he just seems to become more hysterical. Had they missed something?

"No! No no no... Don't do this." Now he did sound desperate. Leo saw Raph was about to charge when he felt the grip on him adjusted from restrained to death grip!

"Give me back my rats, or I'll break his neck Splinter! I swear!" Leo gasped. Splinter was here? He couldn't see him. Raph eyes widened in horror, once again thinking better to back off. One wrong movement and Leo would be dead, but strangely the Rat King didn't seem to be to fixated on Leo. He seemed more interested on threatening someone who physically wasn't there. They were definitely out of the loop on something here.

The two glanced at each other, reflecting the same thoughts. They knew! Somehow their father was here, helping them. But whatever was happening seemed to be distracting the Rat King. He didn't even seem to notice that thousands of his hungry rats were fleeing instead of defending him. In fact, he seemed to be losing control as he stumbled back towards a ledge, still gripping onto his captive. It was only about 6 feet drop behind them, but Leo could feel him shaking... The Rat King was talking to himself now... Ok that was enough! Time to end this. Leo gave Raph the nod to approach. Sais at the ready, the red clad brother wasn't going to waste this opportunity.

Raph charged forward, not thinking things through and just acting. Bringing his Sais up he then brought the tips down, stabbing the Rat king in the arms. A painful cry burst from the bandaged man, instantly the grip on Leo was compromised, as Raph pulled his weapons free, allowing Leo to duck his head out of the death grip before moving forwards, stumbling towards the ground, but before falling he kicked RK into the stomach, making him stumble back the remaining distance.

The last thing the two brothers saw of the Rat King was him falling back off the ledge. It wasn't a high drop, but it was far enough for him to vanish from their sight…only to hear a loud thump as he reached the bottom.

"Well, I don't mind saying I visually enjoyed that last part." Hand reaching out, Raph pulled his blue clad brother to his feet. "This freak flipped his lid or what?!" He said looking over the side... The Rat King seemed to have curled himself up into a ball, but he was still very much alive.

"Yeah." Leo said looking somewhat spooked, "Looks like father came through." The two exchanged another meaningful look, stunned at what they had just witnessed. "It was him, Raph. Dad's here, somehow Hopefully we are not too late." Then something else caught his eye. "We should really go!"

"Go? We can't go! What's to stop him coming after us?! He has to pay for what he did to Donnie and father! No! We need to finish this now!" Raph demanded.

"I agree. But I think we have to get in line!" Leo pointed at something. As Raph followed his gaze, he froze. In all the commotion, they hadn't noticed all the rats now had surrounded them. But there was something different. They weren't fighting each other anymore. Their eyes no longer glowing red. Some had scattered, making a beeline for the tunnels, but most were approaching where their ex-King had fallen. They didn't seem to be paying any attention to the four mutants. Their beady little eyes were fix on one goal as they started spilling over the ledge and the brothers got the distinct impression they shouldn't get in the way of their new target.

Leo actually looked a little troubled by this. "Oh boy!" His stomach turned as he realized what was happening. "Should we … Can we really let this happen?"

"Well let's take our time and think about that shall we? - YES! Yes, we can!" Raph didn't even pause. Damn Leo and his caring nature. Not this time! "Besides we have more important things to think about." He pointed to the two younger brothers close to the exit. Donnie wasn't moving and was Mikey unnerving still, was beside him, cradling his head. Leo exhaled. Raph was right. They may not have to kill the Rat King, but they didn't have to save him either... Even if it was a horrible way to go, Splinter had somehow provided them their opportunity for escape, and damn! They were going to take it.

Raph took one last look over the river of rats running around his feet and off the ledge like a waterfall. "He's all yours, boys. Enjoy." He said darkly before following his leader, watching him collect his katanas, before meeting up with Mikey who was wearing an expression of utter shock.

"That was amazing Mikey! You did great," Leo felt he had to recognize his youngest brother for facing his worse fear.

"It wasn't fun for me, believe it," Mikey responded softly, not taking his eyes off his brother.

Leo then turned his attention to his second youngest, but Donnie didn't flinch as Leo brushed a hand over his bloody face. There was no reaction, if it wasn't for the rise and fall of his plastron, he could have passed for dead. What the shell had been done to him!? The lack of awareness was alarming.

Without waiting Raph put one arm around Donnie's shell and another under his legs, quickly scooping his brother up off the cold floor. Grunting as he adjusted his hold before running off down the tunnel with him. "Let's get the shell out of this dump!"

"But What about the Rat King?" Mikey looking in the direction Raph had sent him over the short ledge.

"He's got his own problems," Leo all but pushed his little brother ahead of him not wanting him to see the fate he believed Master Splinter had arranged. But he couldn't protect him from the agonizing, gut wrenching screams that echoed down the tunnel after them. "Don't look back!" Leo encouraging his brothers to go faster. Mikey would swear the piercing cries were getting louder. It was sending chills down their shells. They all wanted to cover their ears until it faded, but this sound would stay with them for many more nights, haunting all of their nightmares.

A/N: Hope you like. Intense right? RK nearly had them all right where he wanted but thanks to Splinter, breaking control away from the Rat King it gave his sons a chance to win. He is a very overprotective parent and will do anything to protect his sons. Even allowing all the rats to Consume RK in such a gruesome manner. Splinter wasn't pulling any punches here as he was doing what he can to save his children, even if it meant crossing a line. Now RK is out of the way, with Leo, Raph, and Mikey still alive. Yet worried about Donnie as he's very unresponsive. RK almost drained him of all his energy, killing him fully. Thankfully that didn't happen. Now the aftermath of the fight is next and I know you all don't want to miss that. I hope you all tune in for that. Feedback is welcomed. Till next time.