Don knocked on Leo's door and said, "Leo? We're heading out. Leo?" Receiving no answer, he went inside the room and was stunned to see it was empty. Where on earth can he be, he thought? Realization suddenly hit him and he thought in abject horror, Leo's gone looking for Raph in this atrocious weather. We have to find him.

Don dialed a number and said, "Leo, where the heck are you? You shouldn't be out….."
"I have a possible lead about Raph. I visited the Mutanimals and they think he's in Bear Mountain Park. Bring the van, Donnie. I'm on Hudson Avenue. I'll wait for you."
"Leo, are you insane? Look at the weather and….."
"Fuck the weather! We owe it to Raph to look for him now. Bring our warm clothing and supplies. I'm waiting," Leo said and disconnected the call.

Don cursed and went to tell April, Casey, Mikey and Splinter.

"Be careful, my sons," Splinter said, placing his paws on Mikey and Don's shoulders. "I do not wish to lose you."

Don nodded and said, "Mikey will drive the van. Casey, you'll come with us. I want you to stay with Sensei, April."
"But…."
"No buts. We'll be in contact if we can. Come on, guys."

Casey, Mikey and Don packed supplies, warm clothing, a machine to stay in contact with April and a map of Bear Mountain Park. Then they piled into the van and headed to Hudson Avenue.

XXXX

They spotted Leo a while later and pulled up next to him. Leo hopped in, grateful to be out of the cold. He shivered, as he donned a thick coat and a custom made pair of boots. April had had them made for the brothers.

"This is your stop, Casey," Don said. "Initially I thought you should come along, but on second thought, you should stay with April. She needs you."
"But, Raph's my friend," Casey protested. "I have to help him. I'd be no use at the lair, Donnie, and would only get underfoot and I'd go insane. I have to be out in the field. Please." He turned to Leo and added, "Come on, Leo. Please. You can't make me go back to the lair and sit twiddling my thumbs."

"I can," Leo said firmly. "Your wedding's coming up, Casey, and I don't want you to miss it, okay? There's a chance you will if you come with us. The Mutanimals talked about avalanches, the iced over lakes, which could crack, the harsh weather could make us freeze to death, we could run out of supplies and….You're staying."
"Screw you, pal," Casey spat. "I'm not. I'll take my chances, Leo. April understands…."
"Will she when you don't return?"

"Guys," Mikey chimed in. "We need to go. Casey, get out of the damn car now."

"The hell I will. I understand the risks, Leo. I'm willing to risk my life. Raph did many times for me and I wouldn't forgive myself if I didn't do something to help him. I owe him that, so cut the BS and drive to Bear Mountain Park!" Casey hissed.
"Stubborn bastard," Leo muttered. "Mikey, floor it."

Mikey gunned the engine.

XXXX

A couple of hours later, they pulled up outside the gates of Bear Mountain Park. Not seeing anyone about, they drove inside quite a distance. Then they parked and the rest of them donned warm clothing and their boots.

Leo jumped out, as the rest joined him. They carried bags containing the supplies. Leo grabbed a stick to use for support and said, "It's stopped snowing, but be careful where you walk, okay? It's slippery in places. Don't wander off either. We need to stick together. Donnie, you brought a machine to stay in contact with April. Is it working?"
"It's battery powered, Leo, and should run for a few hours. I have spares in my duffel bag."
"Use sticks for support and be careful, team."

"We don't actually know where Raph is, Leo, so the trek could be days," Mikey said.
"Yes, but I suspect Slash is on higher ground, where few people go, if he is here. Donnie, do you have a map?"

"Yes. Mikey has it in his bag, Leo," Donnie said.
"Get it out." Mikey did and handed it Leo. "Hmm," Leo said. "There's a cave about four hours from here. We'll stop there, have a bite to eat and continue."

"Um, Leo," Casey said, looking at the vast terrain that was blanketed by snow. "You really think we'll find Raph?"
"We have to. Look, there's still time to turn around if you're worried."
"I'm not. I'm just saying we don't even know where to begin, Leo. This is like finding a needle in a haystack and we don't even know Raph's here for sure."
"I do. I have a gut feeling he's here somewhere. My gut's hardly ever wrong. I'm going and I will find him, even if it means losing my life in the process. If any of you are having doubts, you can turn back now. I won't hold it against it you, but I can't and won't give up on finding him. He is here somewhere and he needs us more than he's ever needed us. I have a feeling Slash is mercilessly abusing him and Raph's broken in heart, body and soul. Our tough, courageous brother. You know, if any of you were in that position, Raph would immediately go looking for you. He wouldn't stop to contemplate the risks, the warrior he is and he'd gladly lose his life it meant you were safe."

Mikey nodded and said, as he grabbed a stick, "Count me in. I won't let Raph down."

"Me either," Casey said, picking up a stick. "I trust you, Leo. I was just stating a fact. The Park is huge."

"I'm in too," Don said, grabbing a stick. He heard April on her end of the radio and said, "We're starting now, April. Will be in touch."

Leo led and thought, as they trudged through the icy environment and he avoided slippery patches of ice, please let us find Raph. Please. He looked up at the sky and whispered, "Raph, we're coming. Hold on, little brother. Hold on."

The cold wind stung his and his pals' faces, but they bravely soldiered on, determined to bring Raphael home at any cost.

XXXXX

Four hours later, the gang arrived at the cave and plopped down inside.

"Man, I'm beat," Casey said and panted. "And starved. Where's the grub?"

"Coming up," Mikey said and withdrew energy bars from his bag. He handed them to the others and took one for himself.

"Thanks," Casey said and took a large bite. "But that won't fill us."

"We have to go easy with the supplies," Leo said and took a small bite of his energy bar. We'll have more to eat at our next stop. Ready?"

"Leo," Don said and tucked into his energy bar. "We've been here barely three minutes!"
"I know, but I can't sit around anymore."
"Too bad," Don said, glancing out of the cave. "It's started snowing again. We'll have to crash here until it abates."

"I agree," Mikey said around a mouthful. "Besides, I'm also tired. You could also use a bit of rest, Leo. You look drained."
"I'm fine and I'll be better when we've found Raph. I can't stop thinking about him and what that madman must be doing to him. Bastard. I'm going to kill Slash," Leo vowed, his eyes blazing and clenching his fists.

Casey had been informed about Raphael's condition. He said, "Do you really think Slash will breed with Raph?"

"Yes," Don said. "Rape is a form of control, Case. There's no doubt in my mind that he'll do it and he'll use the kids as a weapon to get Raph to stay with him, because he knows Raph doesn't know the terrain and can't leave with them. All of it will crush Raph."

"But he'll recover with our support," Leo said. "We'll see to it."

"And if there are babies, Leo?" Casey asked.
"We'll take them home if Raph wants them and we'll love them, but he might not, because they'll remind him of his abuse. Get some sleep then. I'll try to as well."

Mikey, Casey and Don sat down, backs against the wall, and soon fell asleep, but Leo was unable to. All he could think about was his precious baby brother and how petrified he must be.

Soon, Raph, Leo thought. Soon. Hold on. We'll find you and we'll kill that bastard. We'll take you home and we'll be a family again. Hold on. Please.

XXXXX

The snow abated a few hours later and they continued their trek.

They hadn't gone far when Leo heard a roaring, crunching sound from behind him.

It can't be, can it, Leo thought?

Leo froze in his tracks. It'd suddenly gone quiet.

Then there was a slight ringing sound, like a clink of a metal pin falling off of a table and falling, slowly spinning as it fell to the ground.

That was what Leo thought it sounded like.

Everything seemed to be in slow motion now.

Leo then heard what sounded like squawking. He looked up and saw a flock of blackbirds, which seemed to be flying away from something. Something had spooked them, but what?

He turned his head to see what could have scared them and saw a solid white mass falling towards him, rolling so quickly, Leo knew he didn't stand a chance.

"Donnie, Mikey! Casey!" Leo screamed, as the mass neared him. "Avalanche!"

This is the moment, I die, Leo thought, as he remained frozen in shock. Raph, I'm so sorry, little brother. I failed you.

A/N Yay a chapter. Thanks all the feedback and support :)

Did the guys make it?