I've seen a few versions of Foot Turtle AUs, but I wanted to give it my own unique take.
Shoutout to SunflowerSpectre and Luescris (from AO3) for beta-reading!
And for my Deadweight readers, ch 5 will be updated this week!
Enjoy!


Ch 1: Punishment

Their leader walks into their home, sliding off his helmet with a sigh as he kicks the door shut behind him. His younger brothers casually greet him as he strips himself of his armor and gear, unsurprised when he doesn't immediately reply. He's usually super frustrated after one of his longer shifts, hating every extra second he has to spend with their Master.

Tatsuo tiredly trudges over to the couch and collapses onto the worn cushions, taking a moment to relax before looking up to scan the room, for one of his brothers had failed to greet him. He spies Toshiro fiddling with some new invention at the kitchen table, while Sora continues to hum and dance along to the radio as he cooks their family's dinner.
Of course he's missing...

"That idiot snuck out again, didn't he?" Tatsuo groans, dragging a hand down his face. "Wish the bastard would stop trying to play the hero, he's just gonna get himself killed."

Toshiro sighs and shakes his head at the comment. "You know nothing we say or do will stop him. He's got it into his head that his sole purpose is to save people for some stupid reason. I don't get it anymore than you do."

Sora makes a pained noise and pauses his music, "Isn't he on a mission tonight? Besides, you know he does it because of Dad, right?"

"Yeah, who's been dead for a decade," Tatsuo growls, sitting up to glare at the youngest. "You'd think he'd just up and accept it already! We have nowhere else to go! What's bein' a traitor to the biggest empire in the world going to change?"

Toshiro hums in agreement, "No kidding. I'm getting really tired of patching him up after his punishments. You'd think he'd have some sort of survival instinct after getting beaten to a pulp so many times."

Sora sighs, unsure if he should even try to defend their most rebellious sibling. In complete truth, he really looks up to him, and he's positive that his brothers do, too. If anything, he's pretty sure that they simply hide their fear behind harsh words, since being rejected by their Master is nothing short of death for them all.

He turns off the stove and ladles out a bowl of stew for the three of them, saving the rest as leftovers for the one running late from his mission.
Later than usual.

The freckled teen glances at the stove's clock, fearful that this was the time that his big brother would finally up and abandon them, permanently. He's never tried, not for real, but Sora knows he's wished to leave for a long time.

Back when they were still young, with their father's slaughter still fresh in their minds, he had kept a diary. Sora snuck a peek at it once, for he was a curious child, unaware that one's thoughts were sometimes secret for a reason. He was horrified to read the murderous thoughts hastily scribbled onto page after page, but it was the final page that stuck with him; written in detail how his brother wanted to escape it all, despite the risks.
He never said he wanted to leave without them, no, but the fear bubbles to the surface of Sora's mind every time he takes too long to return home. Thankfully, so far, he always has.

Sora sets the table, his eyes glancing every so often to the front door. They all sit down to eat, not a single word spoken between them as they slurp up chunks of beef and veggies.
This tiny lair they call home is branched off from the main Foot barracks, and closest to their Master's main base– Tatsuo has become the Shredder's right-hand man after all. He has to be close enough to quickly answer the warlord's every beck and call.
Tatsuo isn't proud of the title, but he takes the responsibility anyway; mainly because of the deal Saki had made with him last year.

"Stand by me through this war, and your family will have your freedom."

The bastard had given them all an eventual out, and that was good enough for him to accept the deal. He'd only been fifteen at the time, sure, but he likes to think it'll be worth it in the end.
At least, it would be if one of his brothers could try and keep up the 'good soldier' act.

But just as he finds himself mentally complaining about the self-righteous prick, loud, rapid bangs on their front door make them all jump. They all look at each other with identical faces, coming to the same conclusion at once.
That's not him.

Tatsuo hurries to the door and opens it, finding a panicked Karai on the other side. His blood runs cold in an instant. "Karai? What's–"

"We need to go! Now! He-he did something stupid during his mission and-and– Gods–" Her voice cracks as she buries her face in her hands, fighting back tears. "Father might really kill him this time!"

His brothers rush up behind him, dishes forgotten. None of them have ever seen Karai this hysterical in years, not since Shredder sent her off to train in Japan when they were children, which means bad news. She's scared.
Tatsuo doesn't bother donning his armor, choosing to only grab his weapons– just in case tonight goes to shit. His brothers follow his lead, quickly arming themselves, uncaring of their friend's uneasy glances. They cross the threshold one by one, Sora shutting the door behind them all.

Tatsuo's voice is stern when he speaks, "Take us to him."


He hits the ground again and again, punch after punch, kick after kick, but he doesn't stay down. Sure, it takes longer and longer for him to stand, his bruised body protesting every inch of movement, but giving up is what the Monster wants.
The Monster wants him on his knees, begging for his pain to end, worshiping the ground he walks on, doing whatever it takes to make him grovel, whatever it takes to make him pitiful. Weak.

But he isn't weak. He isn't pitiful.
Nothing can make him beg, and nothing can make him bow– not willingly, at least.

Unlike his brothers, hidden behind the clutter of their storage closet, he watched the fight that took place in their living room. He saw their entire battle, and their father's last moments. He saw how Father fought the Monster until his dying breath, how he refused to give up in his attempt to protect his children and home. His lame knee didn't hold him back, his lack of practice didn't change his formidable skill– he should have won.

But he was outnumbered, and as Shredder's men kept their father down on his knees, the bastard he once called brother struck him down– without hesitation, without words, without remorse– by impaling him through the chest with his claws.

It took everything in him to remain silent as his father's lifeless body hit the floor; the same floor where they'd sit to play board games, do their homework, watch TV, roughhouse, and build pillow forts.
The same floor where Michelangelo would draw countless imaginative stories in his sketchbooks, where Donatello would tinker with whatever sort of electronic he could get his hands on, where Raphael would practice doing flips off the couch whenever their father was at work, and where Leonardo would practice the simple katas their father had taught them all.

It didn't matter that they tried to hide; his men had ransacked the place before setting it ablaze. Saki took the "little kappa" as trophies, keeping them locked away, training them day and night. They trained until their bones had healed a dozen times over, disobedience was met with separation, and they were beaten every time they wept for their stolen home.

The Monster even took away their names.

"Yoshio," His sickening voice echoes throughout the throne room. "Do you understand why you are being punished?"

He doesn't reply, giving the beast in front of him the glare of a thousand suns. He doesn't hide the hatred pouring from his eyes; if anything, he hopes the bastard will finally give up trying to make him obey.
But that'd be too much to hope for, wouldn't it?

Shredder continues on despite his silence, "Your mission was to bring in our newest recruits for the war, yet you let them go."

Yoshio can't contain the growl that escapes his throat, "They were slaves! Children! You're trafficking children and expect me to go along with it?! Like Hell!"

Pain blinds him once again as Shredder punches his mouth, the taste of blood instantly hitting his taste buds. Scattered laughter from Bradford and his ninjas reach his ears, so he fights the pain and dizziness, pulling himself back up. Honestly, the jerk's punches wouldn't hurt as bad if he wasn't using a damn metal glove. Yoshio spits out a mouthful of blood, his tongue unconsciously tracing his teeth and lip, assessing the damage.
No broken teeth, but my mouth feels torn as Hell… Don's gonna have to stitch that up.

"You are nothing but a pain in my side, Yoshio–"

He hisses when he tries to retort at the use of his 'name', every stretch of his mouth feeling like fire. Don't call me that!

"And I want to remind you why you must heed my commands, boy," Shredder leans down close to his face, giving Yoshio a clear view of his fucked up and bloody reflection in that damned helmet . "If you continue to disobey my orders and sabotage my plans, I will not only make an example of you–" His voice drips with venom as he grabs the mutant teenager by the back of the skull in a vice grip, threateningly aiming his extended claws to the boy's neck. "I will gladly do worse to your brothers."

Yoshio fights the sudden panic flooding his veins, going limp in Shredder's hold. No no no no–

He's fine taking the punishments, he's fine bearing the pain for his disobedience, he's fine suffering the consequences for defying his worst enemy– but he is not fine witnessing his brothers pay for his actions.
I went too far this time, he realizes with horror.

His throat runs dry as he makes a final promise to himself and his family, praying to his father's soul to hear his plea for forgiveness; forgiveness for submitting.
"Understood, M-Master Shredder," He wheezes, the pain from his injuries robbing his lungs of air.

Surprise flashes across Saki's scarred face for a split second, but before he can say anything else, the room's doors slam open. His eyes dart up to glare at the newcomers, but widen upon realizing just who had interrupted.

Shit, Yoshio tries to calm his racing heart as his brothers' footfalls come closer. Of course they had to come…

"LEO!"


Barging into their Master's throne room during Yoshio's scolding probably wasn't the wisest decision Tatsuo had ever made, but with his big brother's life on the line, he'll gladly do it a hundred times over. He can't find himself regretting the decision, especially upon finding Yoshio on his knees in front of Shredder and his blades.

The name leaves his lips before he can think about the consequences, and he only realizes his mistake when their Master spins Yoshio towards them, resting both of his blades against the sides of their beaten brother's neck.

The three of them skid to a stop, Sora letting out a shriek at the sight of the eldest. Tatsuo grimaces at the amount of blood covering his brother's face. Don's gonna have a Helluva time patchin' him up… If we survive this, that is.

"One step closer, and I won't hesitate to slit his throat," Shredder presses his blades deeper into Yoshio's neck, making him instinctively grab the massive man's arms in terror.

Tatsuo immediately gets to his knees and slams his forehead onto the cold floor. "M-Master Shredder, plea -please," He shudders as he hears his brothers fall to their knees behind him, likely bowing just as he is. "Please spare Yoshio! I promise you he'll never wrong you again!"

Saki hums, pleased at the sight of the three terrified creatures, Yoshi's own sons, bowing to him so readily. They'd taken to it faster than Yoshio ever had, for the child continued to remain loyal to their dead father.
Until now, that is, but they don't know that.

"And just how will you prove yourselves to me, Tatsuo? I take loyalty very seriously, young man."

Tatsuo snaps his head up, his eyes wide and desperate; vivid eyes normally hidden behind the mask of a winged beast. "We'll do whatever you wish, please, just don't kill him!"

Saki smiles, his twisted mind finding quite the loophole in the boy's words. Yoshio, too smart for his own good, recognizes it before his brothers do.

"D-don't–" He winces as razor sharp claws burrow deeper into his neck. Blood pours down his shoulders and plastron as he tries to stay conscious.

Shredder leans over, hovering just above Yoshio's head. "Say another word, and I'll do far worse to the family you have left," He whispers darkly. He raises himself up again, ripping his blades out of the turtle's throat.

Yoshio hits the ground in an instant, his body barely having the energy to keep him awake. Tatsuo moves to help him, but halts as Shredder begins to stalk towards them.

"Perhaps today will be the day that you all find out…" His voice booms, loud enough for the entire clan to hear. He turns his head to eye the fallen Hamato, a constant reminder of the traitor he'd killed so long ago; a reminder of the man who killed his beloved and left him forever scarred. "That there are worse fates than death."


Yoshio lies unconscious on a cot, covered in stitches and bandages. Sora and Tatsuo stand a few feet away, helpless as they watch Toshiro weep at their brother's bedside over what he's been ordered to do.
This may be the one command he can't follow.

"I can't, I can't, I can't! I can't do this! Why do I have to do this?!" Toshiro's broken sobs echo throughout the infirmary. "What sort of fucked up idea even is this?!"

"Donnie?"

Sora gasps at the sound of their brother's weak voice, rushing to his side in a heartbeat. "Leo! Heya, big bro, how ya feeling?"

Yoshio opens his eyes and looks over to the youngest, the tiniest quirk of his mouth showing his attempt at a smile. "Hey, Mikey… Feeling like shit, honestly."

"Yeah," Sora replies, uncaring of the tears pouring down his cheeks as he takes Yoshio's hand. "You look like shit." He tries to joke, sniffing harshly.

A shadow falls over the injured teen, and he looks up to see bloodshot green eyes. He tries to smile again, "Hey, Raph."

Tatsuo takes in a shuddering breath, further proof that he'd been crying just as much as the others, despite his enraged expression. "I should slap that fucking smirk off your damn face, Leo."

Yoshio huffs a soft laugh, "You'd hit me while I'm down? That's harsh, man," But his smile drops as his brothers' faces all quickly morph into shame. "Guys? What's up?"

Toshiro's tears return with full force at the question, "I-I can't– I can't go through with Shredder's order, Leo. He–" He inhales loudly, turning away from his brothers. "He wants me to give you a scar as your punishment."

Yoshio narrows his eyes in concern at his words. He looks back at his other two siblings, finding that they, too, are avoiding his eyes. He licks his lips, wincing as his tongue brushes against the stitches. "Wha-what sort of scar?"

"One to match his."

The added voice makes them all look at the room's entrance. Karai stands there in her pajamas, looking vulnerable without her armor as she sheepishly rubs her bare arms.

Tatsuo snarls, "The fuck are you doing here, princess?"

Yoshio raises his free hand and weakly bats at his brother's plastron. "Back off, Raph. Don't blame her for what Shredder does, it's not her fault."

Karai sighs and steps closer to the small family; a family she's grown particularly close to in the last ten years. "Just like it's not your fault for what your father did. None of you deserve this… I'm sorry."

Yoshio closes his eyes, hating how fearful her voice sounded right then. So heartbroken, so guilty. He needs to put on his fearless act, to lessen his family's fears.

"Donnie, come here," He waves his genius brother over and takes his hand, holding it to his chest. "You can do this, and I want you to do this. You're the only one in this entire clan I trust to keep the damage under control, okay?"

"B-but, Leo, I can't even put you un–"

"It's okay. Look at me. It's okay," He repeats, squeezing his brother's shaking hand. "Just get it over with, and patch me up afterwards. I may be out of commission for a bit, but it's better than us getting kicked out, or all of us getting punished, okay? You need to do this, Don. Use that brain of yours; you know this is the only choice we have."

The young doctor closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, unwilling to let go of Yoshio's shockingly steady hand. "This isn't a choice, Leo," He whispers. "It's an order."

"And we follow orders." Yoshio answers softly.

"You don't, you never have!" Tatsuo snaps, slamming his fist right next to Yoshio's head. "That's why we're in this mess!"

Yoshio looks up at Tatsuo's pained expression, fully aware that he must voice his promise to them all, here and now. "I know, and while I don't regret freeing those kids, I never wanted you all to suffer for my actions. That's why…" He turns to rest his forehead against Tatsuo's closed fist, spurring the strongest brother to gently take Yoshio's head into his hands. "I won't put you through this ever again. This will be the last time I disobey, I promise."

Sora whimpers next to him, gripping his hand tightly. "It's gonna hurt like a bitch, dude. You can squeeze my hand as hard as ya want, I'm not leaving."

"Me neither," Tatsuo bites out, trying to put on a brave face. "We're with ya till the end, Fearless."

Toshiro turns, eyeing the outsider watching from nearby. "And what about you?"

Karai flinches, unsure if the boys even want her here while so vulnerable. "I can leave, if you want…"

Sora eyes Yoshio's dazed face, unable to answer her for himself. "Do you want to stay? I think he'd like it if you did." A soft squeeze to his hand tells Sora he said the right thing.

"Yes," She whispers. "What kind of friend would I be if I left him right now?"

The three brothers look at each other and nod. Tatsuo speaks up for them all, motioning the girl over to them, "C'mere and stay by Mi– Sora, 'kay?"

She quickly nods, shuffling her way over to the smallest turtle. She tries to keep her face stony when she sees her best friend's damage up close, hugging herself as Toshiro leaves the group.

He comes back wearing thick gloves, holding a box and a pair of tongs. "The-the only way to give him that large of a burn without damaging it too deep is with dry ice. I'll just have to–"

"Breathe, Donnie," Sora reminds his shaken brother. "You can't be nervous when you do it."

"I know! I know, I know, I know," He sucks in a breath and holds it, forcing his heart to calm. He sighs and does it again, over and over until his hands are steady once again. Steady enough to not accidentally kill his brother. "He's… He's going to scream… His stitches might tear–"

"Donnie," Tatsuo softly reassures him, his expression more gentle than Toshiro's ever seen it. "We'll help. Just do it."

And he does.
And he doesn't stop.
He doesn't stop when Yoshio's screams reach deafening heights.
And he doesn't stop when his brother's blue-grey eyes shut for good as he falls unconscious.

Good, Oh how he hates thinking of such a thing as being good. Now he won't feel the worst of it.


4 years later

"And you shot a bomb right next to me, why?!" Yoshio yanks down his mask, glaring daggers at his fellow vigilante. "I wasn't even distracted! You could've just said 'Leo! Behind you!', and I would've gotten them myself! My ears are still ringing!"

The 21 year-old scoffs, "Because then it wouldn't be as cool. Did you not see how those Kraang exploded? It was awesome!" He crosses his arms, giving his mutant friend a shit-eating grin. "Besides, you're fine! How many times have you thrown your lil' ninja stars way too close to my face? Call us even."

"I didn't see shit because I was dodging rubble! AND I have better aim than you!"

"Hey! I would've been a hockey star with how good my aim is, so suck it."

A snort from Karai interrupts their squabble, "Jones, you have a reinforced ski-mask and homemade armor. Leo only has a piece of fabric and his shell. Spot the difference."

He crosses his arms with a huff, "Not my fault you don't cover up, dude."

Yoshio growls low in his throat. Casey Jones may be his friend, but his friend can be a massive idiot sometimes. "Just– ugh– next time give me a warning? Please? I'd rather not get another one of these," He gripes, pointing harshly at the right side of his face.

That makes Casey let out sheepish chuckle, suddenly realizing why it had bothered him so much. "Right, right, uh, sorry, Leo. I'll warn ya next time, I promise."

Yoshio's shoulders slump forward in relief, thankful that he got the message. "Thanks, Casey."

Karai claps her hands together to get the boys' attention. "Come on, you two. We've got one more hideout to clear down the street. Let's finish this."

The two young men nod to each other with identical smirks, redonning their masks in unison.

Taking out Kraang hideouts had become a favorite past-time for the three of them these last couple of years. Yoshio was normally the one sent out to do the Foot's dirty work, while his brothers' stayed behind for their respective jobs more often nowadays. Karai, when she wasn't busy with her own duties, would join him on his missions; a massive help when the battles got rough.

Then one day, the two of them had come across some guy in a ski-mask hitting hockey pucks and soda cans at Kraang bots, and winning; which was nothing short of amazing to see for some average human. Karai wanted him to join the Foot, but he refused, claiming that the Foot was evil, and the very reason he was in this situation in the first place. Yoshio liked him as soon as he declined Karai's invitation, where he then offered the vigilante his own deal.

Now, here they are, taking out Kraang bots together almost nightly, and in return, they provide him with spare rations that Sora smuggles out of the kitchens. And when Karai isn't available, he still has back-up on his missions.
It's a win-win.

They finish their battle easily, smashing and stabbing as many pink bastards as they can. Yoshio takes down two of them at once, spearing the bots through their stomachs. The brain-like aliens pop out along with his katanas, and he laughs at the strange imagery. He turns to his friends and holds up his katanas, waving around his two kills.
"Hey guys! Look! Kraang-kebabs!"

Karai exaggerates a loud groan as she takes down the last Kraang, while Casey barks a laugh and slaps his knee, "Good one, dude! I almost wish I had swords, too!" He raises his hockey stick up to his face and gives it a quick kiss. "'Cept I'd never trade you for any blade, baby."

"Ugh, " Karai gives him a playful shove as she walks past him. "Stop making out with your stick, Jones! There are better things to kiss than your hunk of wood!"

He snickers, "Like what, your ass?"

A shuriken buries itself into Casey's makeshift weapon, making him drop the stick. He looks past Karai, catching the eye of a smug Yoshio. "Don't test your luck, Casey! I missed on purpose!"

Casey lets out a scared, high-pitched giggle as he picks up his hockey stick again, absentmindedly yanking out the star. "Noted!"

The three of them head to the center of the warehouse, their eyes warily scanning a massive piece of machinery. Yoshio gives it a swift kick. "The Hell do you think this is for?"

"Not sure," Karai replies. "Maybe it controls something bigger? A weapon or something?"

"Who cares?" Casey saunters up to the control panel in front of it, readying his weapon like a bat. "Let's trash this hunk of junk!"

"Casey, wait! " Yoshio warns, but he's too late.

Casey slams his hockey stick into the control panel, causing the machine to go into some sort of overload. "Oh shit," He mutters.

"You idiot! What if it explodes?!" Karai shouts over the deafening whir of the tech.

"Then let's not be here to find out if it does, let's go!" Yoshio starts to move away from the metal stage, but not before a bright pink light shines from behind him. He instinctively turns, eyeing a massive, warped triangle. "What on Earth?"

"Holy shit, that's the biggest portal I've ever seen!" Casey gawks, not even trying to run away from the possible explosion. "But, why's it look so jacked up?"

"Maybe 'cause you messed it up, Jones. Think before you hit Kraang-y stuff!" Karai hisses, continuously backing away from the staticky pink glow. "Now let's get out of here before something bad happens. Come on, Yoshio!"

But the young mutant doesn't move, his eye trained on the pink light.
I feel like something's… Drawing me to it.

He doesn't hesitate to listen to its call as he reaches out to touch the glitching portal.
He doesn't acknowledge the sound of his friends screaming for him to leave it alone.
And he doesn't blink when his world goes white.


Thanks for reading! Tell me what you think!