Cassie groaned, blinked, opened her eyes and looked around the room.

"Where the heck am I?" Cassie said in alarm. "The last thing I remember is being attacked by those thugs, trying to get help and then my world went black."

She glanced down, saw her green hands and screamed, waking Splinter and startling Donnie and Mikey, who rushed into the lab.

Mikey and Donnie's jaws dropped in astonishment when they saw her transformation. She was now a very alluring female mutant Turtle and hope blossomed in their hearts that one of them could have a shot at love with her.

"There is no reason to be afraid, child," Splinter said gently. "You're safe with us."

Covering her face with her hands, Cassie sobbed uncontrollably, her shoulders shaking at the thought she was now a mutant Turtle and there was probably no cure.

How am I going to survive looking this way, Cassie thought in despair?

"Hey. You're going to be okay," Mikey said and smiled. "No one's going to harm you."
"What have you done to me?" Cassie demanded.

"Saved your life," Donnie replied. "We had to give you an emergency blood transfusion. It's worked and you should make a full recovery, but we didn't bank on it transforming you into one of us. I know it must be a huge shock. I'm sorry, but there was nothing else we could have done. Let me introduce myself. I'm Don. That's my brother, Mikey. We used his blood and that's my dad, Splinter. We're the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and you're in our lair."

Cassie blinked and thought, these must be the notorious Turtles Saki spoke about, but they don't look evil, like he claimed, however I know appearances can be deceiving. Look at what happened with Saki. I have to keep my wits about me and not blindly trust.

"And my child?" Cassie asked. "Did he make it?"
"There's no easy way to say it. I'm sorry. He didn't," Mikey said sadly. "No parent should ever have to lose a child."

Cassie's eyes welled with tears and she clutched a hand to her heart, as she said despondently. "I was so looking forward to being a mommy and now that'll never happen. I even had his name picked out. I was going to call him Luke after my dad, but now I'll never get that chance. Who would want me now and what am I going to do? I can't live a normal life anymore and I have nowhere to go. It's not fair. Just when I thought I was finally going to have a real chance at creating a life for myself. I know others have it rough too, but I really believed things would be different for me now."

"You can stay with us," Splinter said, his heart going out to the young woman. "Life here will be different than what you've known and you will have to stick to the shadows, but you're safe and no one will harm you. We will be your new family and you'll only ever know love and happiness."
"Really? Are you serious?"

"Absolutely," Mikey said. "It'll be so awesome and I know Leo and Raph would agree too. You'll be the sister we never had, but always wanted, but we'd like to know more about you when you're ready."

I sure as heck am not going to talk about Saki, Cassie thought. If they know I had been with him I wouldn't be trusted. I would be cast out and I have nowhere to go. I'll say nothing and give limited information.

"My name is Cassie Jones," Cassie began. "I was born in Brooklyn, orphaned from a young age and sent to my maternal grandparents, who were alcoholics. I was emotionally and physically abused. I became emancipated in my mid-teens and waitressed to make ends meet. Later doing the same thing to pay bills and college fees. My love life hasn't been a dream either. I always seem to find jerks. I thought I'd found the one with the last guy, but he turned out to be a psychopath. That was my lowest point. For the longest time I thought it was my fault and that I could save him, but he never changed and grew progressively worse, controlling my every movement and isolating me from my friends, making me solely reliant on him. I had no self-esteem whatsoever and was too petrified to leave, because Mark always told me he'd kill me if I did, but when I became pregnant I thought about my son and that he didn't deserve a life like that. I plucked up the courage and left. Mark didn't know that I was pregnant. I don't regret leaving him, only that I didn't leave sooner. I'm twenty-five, a trained ninja and especially skilled at with the tonfa and sai. I love cooking, watching movies and music. I'm an introvert, but I did have a few close friends. I guess I'll never see them again."
"You poor child," Splinter said and clucked his tongue sympathetically. "I'm so sorry you went through that, but I assure you that you're safe now. The lair will also be your home and we will do all we can to help you recover from your traumatic past."

"Yeah," Donnie said. "A ninja, huh? Are you related to a Casey Jones? Do you want something to drink?"
"I went to a dojo down town," Cassie said. "No. I don't know him. Water would be good."
Donnie filled a glass with water, handed it to her and said, "Here you go. Don't drink it too quickly."
"Thank you," Cassie said and gratefully sipped the water. "I really appreciate your kindness, everyone, but if you don't mind I'd like to sleep now."
"After something to eat. Mikey, go and make something for her to eat."

"I'm on it," Mikey said and ran out of the room,, delighted that she would be staying for at least the foreseeable future.

She was a fox as a human, but she is still absolutely breathtaking as a turtle, Mikey thought. But would she be interested in me? I'm only a teenager. Maybe I'm too immature for her and she would prefer someone like Donnie. He's the same age as me, but way smarter and mature.

"When you're up to it, Miss Jones, you can train with my sons," Splinter said. "And patrol the city. My sons are crime fighters and you could be a great asset to the team. Leonardo is the leader and Raphael is his second-in command."
"I would like that and to meet them," Cassie said. "Where are they?"

"We don't know," Donnie said dejectedly. "We think they were kidnapped, but we don't know who by. Our allies don't know either and we're at a loss what to do."

Suddenly raised voices could be heard at the lair's entrance.

"I'll be right back," Donnie said and rushed out of the room.

XXXXX

Donnie saw April, Casey, Mondo and Mona Lisa and what appeared to be another female lizard in the lounge. The stranger sat on a sofa and seemed to be in a catatonic state. Bruises littered her face. Clearly she'd been the victim of abuse and was traumatized.

"What's going on?" Donnie asked.
"We saw her running down the street," Casey explained. "She was mumbling incoherently. We took her to the Mutanimals base, hoping to get sense out of her, but no luck. She slipped into a trance and we brought her here, hoping you can help her, Donnie."
"I'll try," Donnie said and approached the girl. "Hi, I'm Donnie. Can you tell me your name?"

There was silence.

Donnie placed a hand on her arm and said softly, "You're safe here. No one will harm you. I promise. You can talk to me."
"Brown eyes gained focus and looked at him. "Safe?" she asked, her eyes darting around the room, clearly looking for the object of her fear.
"Yes. Safe. No one will harm you. What is your name?"
"Clara," the girl said. "You sure I am?"
"Yes. Clara, do you want to tell me what happened?"
"Experiments," Clara said, her eyes welling with tears. "They murdered my parents, took me and my sister from our home and experimented on us. I was a normal human girl before and looking forward to a bright future after graduating from college. They turned me into this and did all kinds of scientific experiments, claiming they wanted to create a super army of mutants. I saw my sister murdered when she refused to comply to their demands. I escaped the first opportunity I got. My poor sister. She was only fifteen," Clara wailed. "Such a lovely girl. She didn't deserve it."

The others listened quietly, their hearts goings out to Clara and wondering if she had seen Leo and Raphael.

"I'm so sorry," Donnie said and gently squeezed her hand. "But I assure you're safe now. These are my friends, Mona, Casey, April, Mondo and my brother, Mikey. Do you know who did those atrocious things?"
"There was a hideous Komodo Dragon named Tyler. I was forced to mate with him. It was so gross," Clara said and shuddered. "He made my skin crawl. He's the one who kidnapped me and who experimented on me. We were exercized once a day….."
"We?"
"Yeah. There's a huge breeding facility there. It's nuts. Mutants of all shapes and sizes and humans waiting to be experimented on. They live in cages and are treated as pets. Most have had lobotomies and are basically zombies. It's frightening. Tyler was in charge of us, but there was also a mutant snake named Venom, who was higher ranking. He was Tyler's supervisor I think and they didn't like one another. Always arguing. I don't know who the big boss is. "
"Did you see any mutant Turtles?"
"No. That's all I can tell you and I don't know where this place is. I ran as fast as I could and didn't memorize the address."
"It's fine. You've been helpful," Donnie said warmly.
"I have?"
"Yes. Our brothers are missing and your information could lead us to their whereabouts. Guys, I want you to scour the city and see if anyone can tell us more about these mutants and their location. Clara, you can remain here. I'll get you something to eat and drink."
"Thank you," Clara said gratefully.

"We're on it," Mikey said and then voiced a deep fear he had. "Donnie, suppose we find them and they are changed beyond repair. What will we do?"
"I honestly don't know, Mike. We'll have to cross that bridge when it comes."

Mona Lisa had been silent until now. "You really think Leonardo and Raphael are at the breeding facility?" she asked.
"Highly likely," Donnie said.
"And if we don't find them I'll never get the chance to say I'm sorry," Mona said miserably. "The last words Leonardo will have heard from me is heated ones. I'll never get to hold him in my arms again and to tell him I love him."

"W-what?" Casey said in shock, as the others looked at Mona In astonishment. "You and Leo are a couple?"
"We were," Mona said. "Damn. It's a long story. I'll fill you in on the way."

April, Casey, Mona, Mikey and Mondo left, leaving Donnie with Clara.

"Let me make you that tea and something to eat, Clara," Donnie said kindly. "Follow me to the kitchen."
"Thank you so much, Don," Clara said and they went to the kitchen.

XXXXX

Clara was touched by Donnie's generosity and they ate and talked at the kitchen table, soon finding they had much in common to their delight.

Maybe he'll be the one to help me heal, Clara thought. I hope my information finds his brothers before it's too late.

Donnie thought she was sweet and wondered if he had a chance with her.

"Are you sure you don't have any more to tell us, Clara?" Donnie asked.
"Well, I did hear something. It slipped my mind earlier, but Tyler and Venom are on the move."
"Where?"
"Japan. We were all going there tomorrow. I think it's because they have a bigger breeding facikity there. The one I was in was becoming rather cramped."
"That's interesting," Donnie said and thoughtfully stroked his chin. "Hey, you haven't heard of the Shredder, have you?"
"A cheese grater?"
"No. He's a malicious and sadistic villain. This sounds like his work."
"Nope. I only met the lower ranking guys. Never the big boss. He was always busy. I'm really beat. Would you mind if I crashed on the couch?"
"No problem," Donnie said and cleared the dishes.

He stacked them in the sink, got her a blanket and pillow from the linen closet and led her to the lounge.

XXXX

Donnie ensured she was comfortable on the sofa and then went to the infirmary to relay to his dad all that had happened.

XXXX

Leo was in the dungeon and suspended, his wrists chained, Hun leering at him, as he wielded a whip and even as Leo's heart pounded in fear, he met the villain's gaze and looked at him stoically, refusing to let him see his terror.

"I'm going to thrash you and make you scream," Hun said and grinned.
"You won't break me," Leo said. "Nothing will, so do your worst."

Hun accepted the challenge and repeatedly lashed at Leo's body for the next two hours, as he demanded to know the whereabouts of the Mutanimals and the lair. He inflicted numerous cuts everywhere he could, the wounds raw and bleeding, but Leo never bawled or uttered a word, even as his broken body throbbed in agony. He withdrew into his mind and took the beating, which incensed the goon no end. It wasn't fun when his victim wasn't moaning.

Hun decided to step up the ante and placed a shock collar around Leo's neck.

"This will make you weep," Hun said confidently, as he pressed a button on a gadget.

Leo's body jerked, as a jolt of electricity and searing pain coursed through his body, but again he said nothing. All he did was bite his lip. He would never give the creep the satisfaction of seeing him break down.

"Fuck you," Hun snapped, his eyes blazing. "You stubborn beast. Just crack already!"
"Nope," Leo said. "I will never betray my family or friends no matter what you do."
"Maybe your brother would like to join our party, huh? I'll go and get him."
"Leave Raph alone!"
"Tell me what I want to know and I will."

Leo hung his head, debating what to do.

I'll cause immense betrayal and heartache whatever I do, Leo thought. The Mutanimals will feel betrayed and hate me if I reveal their location and they may be killed. Dad could be killed if he is still alive if I tell Hun the lair's location, but Raph will be harmed if I don't. Fuck. What do I do?

"He'll never talk," Tyler boomed from inside the doorway. "And it doesn't matter anyway. I have a microchip planted in that bitch, who escaped. She'll lead us to the lair. Well, we wait for that to happen, I have some fun planned," Tyler added and gleefully rubbed his hands, his eyes gleaming, sending a chill down Leo's spine. "But not for you. Ever seen One Flew over Cuckoo's nest? No. Well, I won't spoil the surprise. Toodles. Hun, keep going. I know how much you love inflicting pain. Hey, Leonardo, if you survive this just maybe you can go. How's that for an incentive?"
"Leave Raph alone!" Leo yelled, realizing what Tyler was about to do. "Please. I'll do anything you want. Name your price. Just leave Raph alone."
"Well," Tyler said, stepping closer and inspecting Leo. "Your eyes are gorgeous. I want them as a souvenir. Do that and I'll leave Raphael alone. Maybe even free him. Do we have a deal?"

I'll never see Raph again or gaze into his beautiful eyes, Leo thought forlornly. But I'll do it if it spares him. He's all that matters to me.

"Deal," Leo said. "Get it over with."
"You must really love your brother, but would he do the same thing for you?" Tyler asked.
"In a heartbeat. I know my brother. He would do anything for those he loves, including sacrificing his life."
"Aren't you scared?"
"Love knows no fear and knowing my brother will be safe is all I care about. You will honor that, right?"
"Of course," Tyler lied.
"I'll also be your eternal pet and do all you ask. Anything. No matter how sick it is."
"Hun, take him to the infirmary," Tyler ordered.

"Yes, Tyler," Hun said and cut Leo down, the leader falling limply into his arms.

The trio made their way to the infirmary.

I am terrified of being blind, Leo thought, but Raph means more to me than my sight. I can learn to adjust to my blindness and live a relatively normal life. I just hope that jerk honors his promise.

XXXX

Leo was strapped to a stretcher in the infirmary and given anesthetic.

His last thought before he lost consciousness was of he and Raphael kissing and how happy they had been.

"Hand me my surgical blade. I'm going to start the eneuclenation, Hun," Tyler said. "The eye muscle and optic nerve will be detached and this procedure includes the removal of the eyeball, along with all of its internal contents from the orbital socket."
Hun winced at the gruesome details, as he handed Tyler the blade and said, "Sounds grisly. How long is recovery?"
"A few weeks. I might get him prosthetic eyes as a little reward for his bravery and stupidity."
"Huh? You won't free Raphael?"
"Of course not. There is no honor among thieves, Hun. Surely you should have realized that by now. He was an idiot to trust me."
"Indeed," Hun thought, staring at the passed out Turtle and stunned to feel a stab of empathy for him, who'd been cruelly tricked.

Leonardo has sacrificed his sight to save his brother, Hun thought. But he has only made himself more vulnerable and Raphael will still be hurt. I shudder to think what Tyler has planned for him. Leonardo is so courageous. I couldn't be.

"So, what exactly happened in One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, Tyler?" Hun asked, as one of Leo's eyeballs was placed in a metal tray, the sight making bile rise up in his throat and nearly making him retch.
"Oh. Well, a lobotomy. It basically changed the person in short. Do you remember the serial killer, Jeffrey Dahmer?"
"The nutjob, who wanted to turn people into mindless zombies, so they never left him?"
"Yep. Now he never perfected that technique. He drilled holes into their skulls and filled it with battery acid, instantly killing them, but I have a far safer technique. My surgical skills. I've performed this operation on numerous prisoners."
"Um, so you want to turn Raphael into a mindless zombie?"
"Right," Tyler said, as he removed the other eyeball and then placed it into the metal tray.
"Why? He's already on the way to becoming a slave."
Tyler grinned and said, "Because it's fun. They become shadows of themselves and are helpless as newborn babies. I will have a blast."
"He is already," Hun argued. "Look at him. He can't walk, fight or take care of himself. You don't have to do that."
"I know, but I want to. Why are you fighting with me? Do you feel sorry for these meddlesome mutants who have fucked with us for so long and caused us all much grief? Do you know how many men we have lost in battle with those pricks, including your cousin?"
"You have a point," Hun conceded. "But a lobotomy's extreme. Can't you do electric shock therapy?"
"I could, but I want to do a lobotomy and I will," Tyler growled. "I am senior to you and I can do what I want."
"No, you can't!" Hun thundered, clenching his fists, his blood boiling and surprised he was protecting Raphael, who had killed his cousin.

Raphael may have done that, but he doesn't deserve a lobotomy, Hun thought. He's a kid and should be with his family, instead of with crazed loons.

"You have to run everything by the boss first, Tyler," Hun said.
"I already did! He's in favor of it," Tyler said and smirked. " It was his idea. I win. Back off, Hun. I'm warning you."

Defeated, Hun's hands fell to his sides. There was no way he could go against his boss and Tyler knew it too.

"Make yourself useful and take care of Leonardo," Tyler said and picked up the metal tray. "He needs all the care he can get. These will look stunning on my desk in a jar. Toodles. I'll send Raphael your best."

Tyler left the room, whistling and thought, I can't wait to operate on Raphael. It's going to be tremendous fun and so will the results. My own zombie. Man, it feels like Christmas morning.

Left alone with a still passed out Leo, Hun sat down on a chair by the bedside.

I couldn't save Raphael, Hun thought. But I will save Leonardo. I shouldn't want to after all he and his family have done to me and my clan, but Tyler's lack of honor and Leonardo's valor struck a chord with me. I was taught honor. I try to live by it and I can't bear it when others are dishonorable and lie. Leonardo isn't much use blind anyway and he can't do much. It would be best to return him to his family, but how? There are guards everywhere.

Tyler poked his head in an hour later and said with a wide grin, "Raphael's dead. Sadly my operation killed him. Oh well. I have more prisoners. Bye now."

The Komodo Dragon beamed and left the room.

Poor Raphael, Hun thought. How am I going to tell Leonardo and how will I get him out of here?

Hun was still pondering that a couple of hours later, when he heard a familiar voice.

"W-where am I?" Leo asked feebly, as his eyeless sockets stared into nothingness.
"You're in the infirmary, Leonardo," Hun replied. "How are you feeling?"
"Raph. Is he okay? Did they free him? Tell me. Did they?"
"Leonardo, you should make a full recovery and we may get you prosthetic eyes," Hun said, ignoring the question.
But Leo wasn't deterred and said sharply, "My brother. Did that monster free him?"

There was no hope for Raphael in Hun's opinion and he didn't think Leo needed the burden of knowing Raphael was still a prisoner after all he'd endured, so he fibbed.

"Raphael was released two hours ago into April O'Neil and Casey Jones' care," Hun lied.

Leo's relief was immediate, a smile spreading across his lips.

"Then losing my sight was worth it," Leo said. "He's all I care about."
"Even after all the fights and shit he gives you?" Hun asked. "I've heard the way he talks to you in battle. It's disgraceful!"
"Yes. True love knows no anger or hatred. Raph doesn't mean it. It's his way of getting attention and he actually loves me. I know he would have done the same thing for me in a heartbeat. He may be gruff and rough, but he's a softy and sweet underneath. I love him to the moon and back and he loves me too. We're soulmates. When we were thirteen, Raph found a sick puppy and brought him home. Donnie said the puppy was too ill to be saved and he could put it to sleep to spare its suffering, but Raph refused. He was so determined to save that puppy. He stayed up for three days and nights caring for it, but the puppy wouldn't eat and eventually died in Raph's arms. He was heartbroken and barely ate for weeks. You see a beast on the battlefield, but that's not who Raph really is."
"And here I thought he was just a huge soulless and bloodthirsty dick."
"No. I know he murdered your cousin, but he had reason. Your cousin was trying to kill me. Raph doesn't take pleasure in causing guts and core. His pleasure is us, his family and he'd do anything for us. He's a gentle soul, who wants nothing more than to be loved. I'm glad he'll be home….Wait a minute. Casey's alive?" Leo asked, suddenly realizing that was impossible, because Casey had been dead back at the cabin.
"Yeah."
"But I saw his severed head in the cabin. I don't understand. He can't possibly be alive. You're lying to me, aren't you? Raph isn't safe and I….Tell me the fucking truth," Leo roared.
"You got played, Leo," Hun said softy. "There is no honor among thieves. You may have been taught about valor and honesty and your enemies may have been too, but that doesn't mean they honor the code. Tyler doesn't and he's already….Look….."

Leo's heart sank and he thought, fuck. What am I going to do now? I failed both Raph and myself. And now I'm blind. I'm not much use to anyone. What am I going to do and it's not like Hun will help us?

"Leonardo, I'm going to get you out of here," Hun said. "You just have to trust me. You'll soon be with your family."
"And Raph? What about him?"
"He died."
"W-what?" Leo spluttered in disbelief. "You're kidding me, right? Raph can't be dead."
"He is. He died on the operating table. I'm sorry, Leonardo. Tyler really played you."
"NO!" Leo screamed hysterically, as tears ran down his cheeks. "Raph. This can't be true. Oh. My angel Raph. NO!"
"I'm sorry, Leonardo," Hun said, as he injected morphine into Leo's arm. "But I have to do this."

Leo soon passed out.

"Poor guy, Hun thought. Losing his sight and all for nothing. And poor Raphael . Just kids. Man, I'm getting soft. Maybe I should leave and get a job as a barman or something. The Bahamas would be a great start.

But Hun knew that although he would help Leonardo (he would blame it on a colleague that he despised and say he helped Leo escape), he would never leave his job. He'd be there until the day he died.

XXXXX

Two hours earlier:

Raphael was in a restless sleep when he heard a familiar voice.

Looking up, he saw Tyler holding a medical bag and he shivered in trepidation, sensing that Tyler was up to something sadistic.

"Hey, my cutie pie," Tyler cooed and planted a kiss on Raphael's cheek. "How's my pet?"
"I ain't yers," Raphael asked, recoiling.
"Yes. You are. You belong to me. Ever seen The One who Flew Over Cuckoo's nest?"
"No."
"What do you know about Jeffrey Dahmer?" Tyler asked, opening his medical bag.
"He was a sadist and weirdo, who wanted mindless zombies. Why?" Raphael asked, trying not to tremble when he saw Tyler holding a syringe.
"That's right, my pet, and exactly what you'll become when I'm done with you," Tyler said and stepped closer.
Dread bubbled in Raphael's belly and his eyes widened in abject fear, as tears streamed down his cheeks. "No! Don't. No!" he shouted in panic. "Please don't. I don't wanna be a zombie. Please. I'll do anythin' ya want."
"Nothing can save you from your destiny, my pet," Tyler said and plunged the syringe into Raphael's arm.

I'm gonna be a zombie completely under that wacko's spell and it's irreversible, Raphael thought wretchedly. I'll never see my Leo again either and if I did I won't know who he is or no one is.

"HELP ME!" Raphael screamed. "PLEASE! ANYONE!"
"No one's coming, pet," Tyler said. "I have full permission to do this, so it's futile calling for anyone."

Raphael's last thought before he lost consciousness was of Leo and himself kissing under the moonlight and how magical it had been.

Tyler smiled when he saw that the drug had taken effect and thought, you'll soon be a zombie, Raphael, and completely mine.

He picked up a pick like instrument and got to work.

A/N I hope you and all your loved ones are okay and will continue to be. I'm back and will update when I can.

Please stay safe and take care.

Will Tyler be stopped before it's too late? How will Leo cope? Will Hun set Leo free?