Displaced

Chapter 3

Mikey bounded into the medical corner of Donnie's lab where Raphael looked bored out of his skull. "Hi Raphael!" Mikey excitedly called.

Raphael tensed as Mikey barreled toward him. Mikey made sure to stop just short with a wide eager grin. Raphael hesitantly replied, "Hi Mikey."

Mikey sat down and dropped what he brought with him onto the lower part of the cot. Raphael barely took up half of it; so the pile of random crafts didn't even hit him. Mikey spun in the chair as he asked, "Soo, Raph said you don't knit."

"I do not." Raphael confirmed.

"So I want to determine what kind of craft you do like!" Mikey started reaching for the pile, "How about, wood carving?"

"No." Raphael offered; even as he reached into the pile.

"Macramé?"

"What?"

"Leather work?"

"A bit."

That pulled Mikey up short. He turned to look at Raphael. Raphael glanced up from the sketchbook he had pulled from the pile, "Someone has to maintain our belts and gear. Do you have any pencils?"

Mikey dove into the pile and found some basic pencils to hand over.

"Thanks." Raphael offered as he took them. Then he bent over the sketchbook and got to work.

Mikey watched for a moment before trying to see what Raphael was trying to draw. Raphael just pulled the sketchbook up close to his chest to thwart Mikey.

"Come on, I brought you the sketchbook." Mikey pouted.

"Mikey!" Donnie's piercing voice cut in, "What have I told you about bothering my patient?"

"Not to. But he looked so bored!"

Donnie quickly took in the scene. Then he sighed, "Mikey, get all this junk out of my lab."

Mikey knew better than to fight Donnie about his lab, so he gathered up the random items into his arms. As Donnie hounded him out of the lab, Mikey noticed Raphael was still holding the sketchbook.

Raph lounged beneath the heat lamp in a tucked away corner of the lair. Master Splinter had always ensured there was a heat lamp in the lair ever since they were little. As they grew, Donnie ensured they had some that were big enough to keep up with their perpetual growth spurts and provide vitamin D in their underground life. Now, it was agreed that everyone got their turn under the lamp each week, otherwise Donnie would get after them about their health. Plus, it was just comfortable.

Raph drowsily opened his eyes when he felt someone watching him. Raphael was standing in front of him with a confused look on his face. Raph grinned at his small duplicate, "Sup Micro."

"Hey Macro. What are you doing?"

"Baskin'. Don't you have heat lamps in you dimension?"

Raphael eyes the jury rigged lighting, "I guess."

That got Raph's attention, "You've never basked under a heat lamp? You sure you're a turtle?"

Raphael frowned a bit as he stepped closer to inspect the light, the tablet in his hands. Raph watched, it was the closest the small turtle had deliberately come to any of them. Raph couldn't hold it against him; his brothers weren't accustomed to having a relatively delicate person in the lair for long periods of time. Didn't stop Mikey from trying. Or Leo for that matter, though the latter was more subtle about it; claiming he was meditating when hovering around their guest.

Raph snorted in amusement at his thoughts. Raphael turned to him with an annoyed expression. Raph just grinned, "Just thinkin'. Here," Raph snapped out his arm and grabbed Raphael around the waist. Then he tossed the smaller turtle onto his own shell, "You should try basking."

Raphael quickly got his grip with an annoyed sound. He didn't hop down though. Raph was unsurprised when Raphael's weight settled in the center of his shell. He folded his arms back under his head and relaxed back into his own basking.

Leo looked at his largest brother in a mix of annoyance and amusement. Raph was supposed to help him with a new two person kata he was working through. Instead he found his brother still under the basking lamp. More surprisingly the smaller Raphael was curled up on top of Raph's shell. Raphael was wearing the knit poncho, which admirably concealed all the bandages around his chest and shell. The one's on his arms and legs were still visible. He was at this moment peacefully asleep.

"See Leo, I can't help you. Don't want to wake Donnie's patient and have him go all Doctor Don on us." Raph smugly offered from where he was sprawled.

"So I see." Leo offered with his own amused snort.

It used to be that the brothers would all bask together in a pile. When they became teenagers that just sort of naturally went away. Leo kinda missed it at times. However, Raph wasn't going anywhere, since he didn't want to wake Raphael. So, Leo set down his katanas and sat down near his brother.

"What are you doing?" Raph asked

"Joining you. Can't practice a dual kata by myself can I?" Leo explained, as he leaned against Raph's side, tilting his face toward the light.

He could feel Raph grumble through his shell, yet they both knew he wouldn't do anything. Leo closed his eyes with an easy grin as he relaxed into the lamp's warmth.

Donnie carefully unwound the bandages spanning across Raphael's back. The small turtle stayed still, but his tension was clear. So Donnie found himself describing what was going on and what he wanted to check. Raphael hadn't told him to shut-up yet, and Donnie wasn't sure if that should be taken as a good thing or not.

Over the couple of days that Raphael had been awake he had been quiet and reserved. He was still sleeping quite a bit as well, thought that was partially due to the medicine Donnie still had him on. Raphael was finally free of the IVs, and they had moved him up to the guest room.

It was more his behavior that had them all worried at this point. They had all heard him wake up from nightmares; only to wander about the lair for a bit before trying to go back to sleep. None of them had gotten him to tell them what happened, nor would he talk much about his home dimension. And he wouldn't go anywhere without the tablet showing the feed of the roof. Donnie let his rambling continue as he mused on what happened yesterday. Casey had come over with a book and a notebook and ended up talking with Splinter for three hours. The brothers had tried to eavesdrop, but Splinter made it clear they would do no such thing. So they had tried to entice Raphael to a movie marathon instead, and ended up quietly watching movies.

The only one who seemed to be making headway with Raphael was Raph. He had started regularly basking, just since it seemed to draw the smaller one over as well. Much to the frustration of Leo and Mikey. Though Donnie noticed Raphael was still working on the sketchbook the orange themed turtle had given him.

"And there we go!" Donnie exclaimed cheerfully as he finished removing the last bandage from Raphael's back.

Raphael helped set the long roll of bandages next to where he had set his poncho. It hadn't taken too much effort to get him to wear clothes, and they had figured out some pants that fit him. He had taken a shine to the poncho and would wear it constantly, and Donnie knew Raph was planning to make a second one for him. Raphael carefully asked, "How bad is it?"

"Well, the scale of bad starts with death, so it's pretty good!" Donnie offered cheerfully.

"Not what I meant Donnie." Raphael turned his head to try and see for himself.

"Alright; you probably aren't going to be a beauty contestant anytime soon. But don't sell survival short Raphael."

Raphael sighed. He glanced over at the tablet, "Just tell me what I'm in for."

"Oh, sure!" Donnie was glad to focus on something he could fix, "The infection is completely cleared up and the stitches look ready to come out; and the skin on your back is actually toughening up nicely. I double it will ever be as durable as the skin on your limbs, however it's a real good sign for your recovery."

"And my shell?" Raphael asked quietly.

Donnie looked at the long tears in Raphael's shell. It created jagged and sharp shards of shell before entire pieces of shell were torn off. They all have their theories, however Raphael hasn't confirmed any of them. Donnie reached forward carefully, trailing his finger along one of the jagged edges, "Can you feel this?"

Raphael winced and Donnie quickly retracted his hand, muttering, "Sorry."

"No…no. You're just trying to help. I…" Raphael looked over at the tablet and the two sai next to it. Then he dropped his face into his hands, "It's not you."

"It's not you either," Donnie offered. Then he decided to take a chance, "Raph told me it stung like crazy when Shredder cracked his shell. But the psychological effect woke him up with nightmares for a good while after."

"Nice try, Raph's shell isn't cracked." Raphael immediately returned.

"It was for a while." Raph's familiar rumble cut in.

Donnie looked over with a grin, "How are the test shells coming along?"

Raph lifted them up in his hands as Casey trailed in after him shouting, "Dude, I didn't know you cracked your shell!"

Raph tapped Casey with his elbow, sending the human stumbling. Then Raph answered as he set a few test composites on the table nearby, "Shredder had captured my brothers, I tangled one-on-one with him while April freed them. Not a fun time."

"Tell me about it." Raphael agreed as he shuddered.

Donnie filed that away as further evidence Shredder did this. Raph continued, "Donnie taped me up and over a couple of month my shell regenerated. It's why my pattern is a little misaligned."

Casey leaned back to look at Raph's shell, "Huh, I never noticed that. Cool."

"It was nerve wracking when it happened." Donnie playfully swatted at Raph with his staff, "Never make me listen to your shell snap again."

"Not something I plan to repeat. Hey Micro," Raph called out, "Come take a look at these."

"Show him as I take out the stitches." Donnie ordered as he reached for the scissors.

Raph and Casey just rolled the whole table over. Casey positioned himself excitedly on the other side of the table, "So, the regular epoxy didn't provide the flexibility you need. Your shell is much more flexible than these guys."

"April drummed up a news story excuse to get access to a few materials labs. She said she found a good possibility for the sealant and adhesive." Raph offered.

"The good news is we figured out a good carbon fiber mix. Sample one, you can see the epoxy caused the sample to snap. However sample two and three proved much more flexible. They even survived Mikey playing around with them." Casey set them down and looked Raphael in the eye, "You'll probably never have the same levels of flexibility back, but it will get you back into the fight. If April is able to find a high flexibility and durability adhesive, we'll be able to restore your shell."

"What if we don't replace the shell?" Raphael asked.

Donnie was quick to jump in, "We have to replace your missing shell. Else the structural integrity of what remains of your shell is at risk."

"Okay, we'll see what April comes up with." Raphael conceded.

Donnie snipped the last stitch out, "Let me wrap the edges of your shell. Then you'll be good to go. Just please take it easy. Your muscles will need time to get back up to what they were."

Raphael sat still and let Donnie work. Raph and Casey drifted off to work on some other little projects around the lair. Donnie couldn't help but notice Raph's gaze drifting back to the tablet. They were all wondering the same thing; where were Raphael's brothers?

Raphael sat quietly as he watched the titanic turtles sparing. The tablet sat beside him, but for once, his attention wasn't completely focused on it. Their form was atrocious. They were noisy with every strike. They seemed intent in capitalizing on only one strength each; speed, dexterity, accuracy, and brute force relatively. And they had the annoying attitude of students who knew just enough to be dangerous to themselves and other, but acted like they were genuine masters.

The problem was their sheer size and durability got them through where their skill fell short. Raphael felt a frown form on his face. It genuinely hurt to see such potential poorly executed. His gaze slid to this dimension's Splinter. The rat wasn't Hamato Yoshi. Raphael had to retreat for a whole day to process that bomb shell. He wasn't even sure how to being to explain that dimensional disconnect. After all, for all Raphael knew, his Father being Hamato Yoshi is more abnormal across the dimensions.

He hadn't really talked much about his own dimension, despite the clear curiosity from his hosts. It just hurt too much to talk about what should be while looking at a world so similar but so different. What he wouldn't give to share a cup of tea with his Father. Or spar with Leo, or have a water balloon fight with Mikey, or even help Donnie with finding the parts he needs for whatever project he's working on.

Seeing a complete set, and being the odd man out, just hurt.

Raph had finished a match against Mikey, and had just managed a win when he was able to turn it into a grappling contest. After giving a courteous bow to Mikey and then Splinter, he came to sit beside Raphael. He thirstily drank water as Leo and Donnie walked to the center of the space.

"Why don't you ever spin your sai?" Raphael asked.

Raph whipped his mouth on the back of his hand before asking, "What do you mean?"

"When you shift between grips." Raphael pulled he own sai forward. He did a quick twirl, demonstrating the quickest means to switch between grips.

Raph's eyes were completely focus on Raphael's hand as he asked, "Show me that again, slower."

Raphael complied. Raph carefully drew out one of his own sai and clumsily tried to mimic the movement. Raphael kept his spinning slowly as Raph gradually got better at it.

"Woah, cool! Can I try?" Mikey asked from the other side of Raph.

"I don't think it works on nun chucks." Raphael hesitantly offered.

"No kidding. Raph, lend me a sai!" Mikey reached over eagerly.

Unfortunately Raph wasn't so ready to part with his weapon, and a scuffle quickly broke out between the two. Raphael was able to snag the tablet and back away as the titans broke out into another wrestling match. In a heartbeat, the scuffle between brothers rolled into the sparing area and soon involved Leo and Donnie.

Raphael watched with embarrassment. He hadn't meant to cause trouble. A sigh from Splinter was all the warning he got before the old rat struck. His tail moved quickly and the sudden yelps of pain as he separated and toppled his sons showed his key strength. His form was still poor, Raphael couldn't help but notice.

"What are you doing? Do you believe you do not need to focus on training any longer? Or give your brothers due attention?" Splinter demanded harshly.

The four turtles looked at the ground as they stood back up.

Seeing no answer coming forward, Splinter sighed and rubbed at his eyes, "To the Hashi!"

Raphael had no idea what bridges had to do with anything, but the turtles grumblingly started walking somewhere. He quickly fell in with them, it had been his question that caused all the trouble anyway.

Before long they arrived in a larger shaft area of the sewers. Then they all pulled out boards, balls and a tricycle. They carefully balanced on top of the various wobbling things. Splinter walked around and passed them various things; Knitting to Raph, Eggs on chopsticks to Donnie and Leo, some sort of glass statue placed on Mikey's feet where he was doing a hand stand. Raphael set down the tablet and joined the circle, holding out his hand for whatever Splinter wanted him to balance.

"Young Raphael, You do not…" Splinter began.

"You've taken me into your team. Teams share in success, and failure." Raphael quickly cut in. He would rather die than admit he had quoted Leonardo.

Splinter considered him before pointing to a simple seesaw, "Very well. You will balance yourself while holding Raphael's yarn. You will remain balanced until one of you answers my question."

"Uh..he is still recovering…" Donnie cut in.

"I will take this into account." Splinter assured.

Raphael climbed onto the board. Raph passed him the yard and Raphael set his hands to keep the yarn from tangling. It was white, for a second poncho Raph was working on for him. Raphael made eye contact with Raph, wondering if he should explain his role in what happened. Raph subtly shook his head.

So Raphael settled in to keep his balance as Splinter wandered around, occasionally spinning whatever his sons were balancing on. Splinter mercifully didn't spin the board Raphael was on; he was loath to admit simply balancing and holding his arms out was proving struggle enough. It wasn't too long before Mikey was crying that he just wanted to try to spin sai too. When Splinter rounded on Raph, he simply stated, "I thought I'd try a new trick. Didn't mean to cause a scene."

It was enough for Splinter to let them all down. As they left, Splinter called out, "Young Raphael, join me."

Raphael picked up the tablet and followed Splinter into his alcove. Splinter sat down on a pillow and motioned to the seat across from him, "Please sit down."

The pillow across from Splinter was obviously sized for the turtles of this dimension. Raphael carefully set the tablet down and sat down, trying to not feel dwarfed by the seat. Then he asked, "What can I do for you Master Splinter?"

Splinter considered him for a long moment, and Raphael fought the urge to squirm. Finally Splinter smiled a bit, "I was quite impressed with what you said earlier. Though I'll admit I'd expect such a line from Leonardo before you."

"I understand how teams work." Raphael quickly defended himself.

Splinter stroked his thin beard, "I've no doubt about that. For every leader owes a great deal of their success to their second in command."

Raphael blinked at that, trying to determine if he was being insulted or complemented. Then his eyes drifted to the tablet. Who would push back on Leonardo's bad ideas now? Donatello could present arguments, but Leo would just run him over in a pinch.

"Though that is not what I wanted to discuss with you today. Instead I have a simple question I'd like to ask you." Splinter waited for Raphael to make eye contact, "Why are you avoiding me?"

Raphael's gaze immediately snapped back to the tablet. Then he sighed, "Have you ever heard the name Hamato Yoshi?"

"I have; he was a scientist at the lab where we were created."

"Master Splinter, my name is Hamato Raphael. I and my brothers are the sons of Hamato Yoshi, now known as Splinter."

Splinter's eyes narrowed, "You were human?"

Raphael shook his head, "No, we were turtles first. But Master Splinter was human. I…" He took a deep breath, "The difference between you and him is the hardest difference to accept between our dimensions."

Splinter considered this in silence. Then he used his tail to bring a notebook closer, "This was lent to me by Officer Jones. He was concerned about the trauma of your circumstances and wanted to offer me some insights into helping you process through what has happened."

Raphael eyed the notebook. He wasn't keen on being considered traumatized.

"I'll admit it didn't occur to me that I would be part of that trauma. Though it makes sense. That is why you have not discussed much about you dimension, isn't it?"

Raphael shifted to glare at the notebook, "I'm just homesick." It sounded better than traumatized.

Splinter stroked his beard and waited.

Raphael found himself filling the silence, "It just…I don't like having to look at the differences between here and home. It's being shove in my face every time I turn around; I don't need more."

Splinter considered this before he nodded, "Understandable. You've shown a distinct practicality in the short time we've known you. I will trust you to come and speak with me should you have need." Then Splinter set down the notebook to the side, "I will also ask Miss April to refrain from pestering you with questions. She is a journalist after all." Then Splinter smiled warmly at him as he spoke a bit louder, "And my son's will mind their own business as well."

Raphael almost jumped as there was a sudden shuffling and grumbled noises as four massive turtles scrambled away from where they had been listening. Raphael had completely failed to check for them. His horror must have shown since Splinter gave him a sympathetic look, "They truly mean no harm."

Raphael sighed, "I know. I…" Raphael didn't even know how to finish his though.

Splinter just pat him on the shoulder, "My Raphael struggles to put words to his thoughts as well. Go let Donnie check on your back."

Raphael stood and picked up the tablet. As he left, Splinter called out one last time, "Oh, and you'll have to teach me the spinning sai trick at some point."

Raphael offered a slight smile as he nodded. Then he turned toward the lair. Time to face the music.

April was very excited to talk to the turtles. Her latest investigation had been a fantastic success. As she walked in to the lair, she was surprised to see all four turtles crowded around Splinter's alcove. Leo motioned for her to be quiet when he noticed her. April smiled, and sat down to wait. Before long the turtles were all scrambling away and franticly posing themselves like they had been there the whole time.

Before long Raphael and Splinter joined them. Raphael took one look at where Mikey was pretending to read a magazine and sighed. April grinned as she noticed the magazine was upside down.

"Welcome back Miss April. Was your investigation productive?" Splinter asked. He had reached out his hand to place it on Raphael's shoulder to prevent him from running away.

April stood up, an excited grin on her face, "Yes! Very! Hi Raphael, I know we haven't formally met yet," She made sure to be making eye contact with the small turtle as she said this, "But I'm very relieved to see you up and about."

Donnie perked up from where he was fiddling with a plate, "Did you manage to get a sample of the dynamic adhesive?"

April pulled the small sample out and passed it over to Donnie as everyone gathered around. Raph grinned down at her, "How was the rest of the interview? Did you get your story?"

April happily launched into an explanation, "It went very well! The lab was actually creating some very interesting materials. They have an entire research center for better materials and synthetics for prosthetics! The segment ended up with a focus on the ways they've advanced medical equipment across the board."

"ooh, when does it air?" Mikey asked.

"Tomorrow during the morning show." April responded.

"You mentioned other materials?" Donnie asked.

They all turned to where he was analyzing the sample. April asked, "Is that not going to work?"

Donnie's gaze snapped up to look at her, "Oh, no this is perfect! However if we could find some additional materials for the prosthetic shell portion, that might be a better fit than what we've got. Especially if they are materials already proven to bind well to this." Donnie waved the sample.

April glanced over at where Raphael was quietly listening, "I..I don't know how quickly I could get a follow-up interview."

"Don't worry, you've done plenty already." Leo took the sample and considered it, "Guess we're going to visit this lab."

A quiet voice cut in, "When are we going?"

They all turned to where Raphael was standing with his arms crossed.

Leo walked forward slightly, "We'll go tomorrow night. You're still recovering…"

"You're only taking this mission because of me. Let me help." Raphael explained.

April raised an eyebrow. While the smaller turtle wasn't wrong, the deformation of his shell was still clearly visible beneath his poncho. And he just looked tiny compared to the brothers.

Leo, wisely, did not kneel down to be more eye level with Raphael, "We're helping you because we want to; and it's been a minute since we went on a proper mission. Once we've verified your shell prosthetic works, then you'll be out there too."

Raphael was clearly unappeased, but didn't say anything. Leo nodded and turned to Donnie, "Can you pull up the schematic of the building?"

As Leo and Donnie wandered off, April tuned with excitement toward Raphael. She had so many questions. To her surprise Splinter intercepted her and gently pulled her toward the kitchen, "Miss April, let me fix you some tea."

April let herself be pulled along, even as she protested, "I was hoping to ask Raphael some questions. The differences between dimensions alone! I have so many questions."

"Yes, I know." Splinter said, "However I must ask you to refrain from asking them."

As he set about heating water, April leaned on the table, "Why?"

Splinter tuned his head to face her as he reached for some cups, "You've noticed that Raph is easily the most passionate and emotional of my sons?"

"Yes? Aren't we talking about Raphael?"

Splinter nodded, "I suspect Raphael shares that passion, however he has been trained to temper it more than the Raph we know."

April narrowed her eyes, "Where are you going with this?"

"Raphael has been dropped into a world similar yet alien, and he has admirably endured the unease this causes him." Splinter met April's eyes with a silent seriousness, "I do not see need to pour salt on the wound. Do not pester him about his dimension, unless he starts the conversation."

April frowned, but she found herself dropping eye contact with Splinter, "Okay, okay. I never meant any harm."

Splinter's warm paw rested on her shoulder, "I know, and I appreciate your understanding in this matter."

Splinter poured the steeped tea into a couple cups, and the two of them returned to where some of the turtles were sitting.

April sat beside where Raph was knitting. The second poncho was coming along nicely, and April said as much. Raph just smile in response and continued working on it.

Then April looked over where Raphael was sitting. They made eye contact, and April found herself at a loss for words. The only things in her mind were questions. What is the symbol on the shuriken we found? Why are your eyes so green? Were you and your brothers created in a lab too? Are there only four turtles in your dimension? What's your Splinter like? Your Shredder? Your Vern? Do you knit too? Are you okay? What's been the biggest surprise to you in this dimension?

"So...you're a journalist, huh?" Raphael's voice cut in. It was strange to hear; carrying the same tempo and manner as Raph's, but at a much higher tone.

"Yup!" April answered cheerfully, "Going on three years now!"

Raphael nodded hesitantly, "So …why journalism?"

April brightened up. The conversation was a bit wobbly and stilted; but it happened. Raph would occasionally elbow her if he disapproved of a question, and Raphael would sometimes look a bit uncomfortable at an answer she gave. April couldn't for the life of her figure out what was upsetting about those answers, to her they seemed incredibly banal. Best she could figure the answers were a significant departure from the other April, assuming she existed. Eventually they all finished their tea and Raphael helped bring the cups back to the kitchen area. Then he turned to her, "It was nice to meet you, April."

"You too Raphael!"

Then the small turtle retreated from the main area, tablet in hand.

April flopped back into the sofa, "Now I just have more questions!"

"You're starting to sound like Mikey." Raph offered.

"How have you kept him from pestering Raphael with questions? Or Donnie for that matter?"

"Donnie's pretty good at not pushing. For Mikey, Leo and I ran interference at first. One time he asked a question before we could stop him and it looked like Raphael had a full on PTSD flashback. Paled a few shades, shallow breaths, everything. Mikey hasn't really asked any questions since."

"What was the question?" April had to know.

Raph lowered his current knitting project to look over at April, "He asked, 'How did you and your brothers defeat the Shredder?' "

Mikey watched as Raphael was doing some calisthenics in the Dojo. He had been so excited to finally have a little brother of his own, or at least not be the youngest anymore. However, the last couple weeks have proven more stressful than anything, so Mikey hadn't really gotten a chance to be an older brother to Raphael.

Aside from asking a question and possibly triggering a flashback. But we don't need to talk about that. Leo had already talked plenty about that as he chewed Mikey out for it actually.

So Mikey wandered into the dojo as Raphael switched to lunges. Mikey casually joined him, "So, how's the workout going?"

"I'm not where I need to be." Raphael bit out as he continued.

Mikey shrugged as he dropped to do some pushups, "Dude, you were comatose for like, fifteen days. And you only just got your stiches out. Give yourself time."

Raphael scowled as he moved to squats, "I've had time; I've healed, I need to get back into the game."

Mikey let his eyes wander to where Raphael's shell edges were wrapped in bandages. He had taken off the poncho while working out, and it offered a rare look at the damage done to his shell.

Mikey casually followed along with Raphael's workout, grinning widely, "Dude, if you're going to be part of this family…"

"I don't need new brothers." Raphael jumped to his feet, fists ready at his side.

Mikey slowly stood as well, "Uh, you were the one talking about teams and whatnot. Good line by the way."

Raphael's gaze danced over to the ever present tablet. Then his bright eyes snapped back to Mikey, "I'm repaying you for taking me in; however we are not brothers, because my brothers will come for me."

Mikey glanced over to see that Leo had been drawn to the dojo by the noise. Raphael followed his gaze and barked out an annoyed noise. Leo seemed caught off guard, before he set his face and stepped closer, "Raphael…"

"No, nope. You are not doing this." Raphael insisted.

Leo frowned, "You claimed to be part of this team; view it as payment if you must. Being part of this team means listening to your leader."

Leo's gaze caught on the tablet; and he reached down for it, "I'm concerned that…"

"No!" Raphael darted out and snagged the tablet, holding it close.

"Hand me the tablet." Leo asked, his hand extended.

"What do you want it for?" Raphael asked evenly, heat creeping into his voice.

Mikey felt his eyes pingpong between the two as they stared each other down. This…this was not how he thought the conversation would go, "Leo.." he ventured.

"Not now Mikey. Raphael, I'm going to turn off the tablet. I think it will be good for you."

"You are not turning this off." Raphael all but snarled.

Mikey watched as Leo's own fighting spirit rose to answer the challenge. All Mikey could think was how mad Donnie would be and how angsty Leo would be when he accidentally hurts Raphael in the seemingly inevitable fight. To say nothing of Raph.

Sure enough, Leo's hand shot out. However, Raphael surprised both of them. Instead of stepping back, Raphael dropped the tablet safely to the soft dojo mat as he stepped forward. Then he snagged Leo's arm with both hands and abruptly pivoted.

Leo yelped as he found himself unexpectedly tossed onto his shell. Mikey watched as Leo blinked at the ceiling in shock; before both of them turned to look at Raphael. Raphael had dropped to one knee. With his left hand he tensely grasped at his wounded shoulder. With his right he picked up the tablet, then the poncho. Without looking at either of them, he walked out of the Dojo; wearing the exact same expression that Raph wears when he's in serious pain, but refuses to acknowledge it.

Leo sat up, still looking quite surprised.

Mikey whispered, "Dude, he literally tossed you! He's like half your size!"

Leo scowled before standing up and rounding on Mikey, "What just happened is to never leave this Dojo. Do you understand?"

Mikey swallowed nervously, "Sure thing Leo. But…"

"But what Mikey?"

"Dude, there's no way he didn't reopen his wounds doing that. We need to get Donnie to look at him."

Leo had the decency to look embarrassed, "I'll take care of it."

Then he left as well. Mikey followed to see him make a beeline right for Donnie.

Mikey sighed. This older brother business was much harder than he expected. At least he'd have a mission tonight to distract him.

Donnie watched as Leo and Mikey landed carefully on the dark lab roof across the way. They immediately started dancing swiftly across the roof, placing small devices on the various cameras. It was a much bigger building than April had described. There was also more security than Donnie expected; prompting him to seek the aid of his brothers. All they needed was to get to a computer room so Donnie could make a copy of the materials research. Then, he could peruse the data at his leisure at home; hopefully finding if the scientist already has complementary materials to go with the hardened plastic for Raphael's prosthetic.

Speaking of Raphael, Donnie's eyes drifted to Leo. Something had happened earlier in the day; prompting Leo to send Donnie to check on their small guest. Donnie did not like what he found when Raphael finally consented to let Donnie check his back. All his work, set back, and for what?

"Looks like they got the cameras looped." Raph offered. He was holding two keycards pilfered from a security guard and janitor.

"Nicely done Raph." Donnie offered.

Sure enough, Leo and Mikey were waving them over. All the devices would cause the cameras to show a loop, enabling the brothers to get in and out unseen. Donnie and Raph quickly made the jump and joined the others.

Donnie quickly pulled up his hologram map, "The server room should be here. Only three levels down."

Leo glanced at it, "Seems straight forward. Alright, as we planned."

Raph used the security keycard on the roof access door, and in short order, they were swiftly making their way through the darkened building. A swipe from the janitor's card got them into the IT Office. And in the back of the IT Office stood rows upon rows of servers.

"Donnie." Leo stated.

"On it." Donnie moved forward quickly, eagerly setting to work.

"Shouldn't we…leave something behind?" Raph unexpectedly asked.

"Like what?" Mikey asked.

"Dunno. Just doesn't feel right taking from people trying to help amputees." Raph defended, crossing his arms.

Donnie looked back as the download continued, "For what it's worth, I'm only copying the files; they'll still have all their data when we leave."

"And, we're trying to help an amputee too!" Mikey chimed in.

Before anyone could respond, Leo hissed, "Quiet."

They all closed their mouths as the soft sounds of someone trying to be stealthy could be heard.

Leo motioned up, and all four turtles strove to hide in the room that suddenly seemed far too minimalistic. They found mediocre hiding spots just as someone swiped into the space. Black clad ninjas slipped into the room. Donnie could feel his eyes widen as he spotted a foot symbol.

Then, the third ninja tensed. They reached out and tugged the other toward the door. Donnie glanced around and saw his hard drive was still attached to the server. Before Donnie could do anything, the ninjas tossed some sort of gas canister into the small space as they closed the door. "Sedatives!" Donnie called out, right before taking a deep breath.

It didn't work. The ninjas tossed a few more in and seemed content to wait them out. Mikey was the first to drop; sprawled out under the table he was under. Donnie glanced over at where Leo had stashed himself; nothing, no command, no nothing. Raph coughed out a command, "Donnie; Helicopter Godzilla!"

Donnie quickly tapped on his computer, activating code Helicopter Godzilla. A simple code that sent out a request for help with a tracking code. As the gas finally took him, Donnie wondered; who exactly did Raph think would come rescue them?

Karai was beginning to be suspicious of her luck. As the last turtle fell she turned to her ninja, "Organize a truck; we're taking them with us."

Thankyou for reading. Critique on my writing is welcome.