Oh, I just wanted to say... I learnt recently that the front of a turtles shell is called a plastron. So... I'll be using that a little more form now on. If anyone has any other things they can think of to help the story, please let me know!

Thanks for reading! :D

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Nothing felt right or real, my world seeming to shatter before my eyes as my poor mother almost collapsed onto me, her breathing now becoming short and shallow. The look on her face...

No...

In seconds my dad was there, pulling her off me and holding her close. I managed to get myself into a sitting position, my legs under me as I looked numbly at the two.

"Jade, Jade! You idiot! Don't do this to me!"

"Mum..."

"Ha! Maybe she'll finally die, the little bitch!" Came the voice of our male captor, but I was barely aware of one of my aunts responding to him as I looked down at her.

Her whole body was shaking, and I saw her manage to reach up only slightly, my dad grabbing her hand in his.

His other hand grabbed one of the purple cloths from his arm, managing to settle her onto his knees, pushing the cloth into her chest as the blood now pooled on the ground under them.

It... no, it couldn't be real.

My mum couldn't be...

"Don't you die on me!" He demanded, but I saw his lip tremble a little as he now looked up at me.

"Miah, I need your help to slow the blood flow, or she might not... we need to do what we can here"

"I... I..." I tried to remember all the medical training I'd had by my dad and Aunt Rtaia, but my mind was coming up blank. I put my hands to my head, fighting to remember something... anything!

No... no, not now! I had to help dad! I had to...

Had to...

"Miah!" Dad snapped desperately, and I looked back up at him, tears now blurring my vision of him.

"Miah, come on, I need you to-"

"We've got this, don't worry" Aunt Kristiana was there, and I felt myself gently pulled back as she took my place in front of my dad, her hands now up "I'll do what I can to slow the blood flow"

The hands that pulled me away now left my shoulders, and I realised it was Aunt Serah, watching as she pulled her jacket off, placing it over the wound.

My mums form was jerking violently...

How... how was she...

I looked around, seeing whatever had tried to attack me, almost not believing what I was seeing.

It looked like a person in metal armor. The helmet was sharp and cruel looking, and I noticed that there were blades coming out of the wrists, just behind the persons actual hands. Looking back at my mum, I realised that one of those blades were now stuck in her...

I can't even explain the fury that coursed through me at that moment, but it was something I'd never felt before... an uncontrollable rage as I spun back to this coward in his thick metal protections.

He had tried to hurt me... and now... now my mum...

"You!" I raged, grabbing my Bo from my back, hearing the others cry out to me but I didn't care. I ran at this... thing... Bo raised high to take a swing, not caring as long as I hurt the person who had possibly just killed-

"Miah!" The innocent voice cried out, but that wasn't what stopped my attack. It was the feeling of being of being punched in the plastron by an invisible force, my breath knocked out of me as I collapsed to my knees, fighting to take in air.

The fight left me as I sucked in air, looking up to see the metal helmet turned to look down at me, his arm raised to attack. In that moment I got some clarity, managing to roll backwards to avoid his attack, seeing it hit the ground right in front of me as I got onto one knee.

"MIAH!"

I heard this person in front of me... what I now realised to be a man... laugh roughly as he looked down at me, managing to get my Bo in a defensive position. I was still slightly out of breath, not sure exactly what had hit me. It felt like one of Aunt Kristiana's attacks... but it couldn't be. She was focusing on...

On...

Before I could turn to look back, the masked menace started to come at me again, and I couldn't-

Metal hitting metal startled me, realising there was a katana and sai now stopping what looked like blades coming down at me.

"You won't lay a hand on her" Uncle Leo growled, seeing the assailant now jump back a little.

"If you even think of it... I'll rip you to shreds!" Uncle Raph now, and I saw them both pull out their weapons, readying themselves for another attack.

Another gruff mask through the helmet "Try it then, turtle"

"Step closer then" Uncle Leo growled.

"That stupid freak girl is the key to everything!" He snapped, his blades now being retracted into the armor as he now stood up, glaring at both my uncles.

"What? Miah?" I heard Eoran ask, but only got a growl in response.

"Key to everything? What do you-" Aunt Rachel stopped as he now stepped forward, and my uncles moved a step back. They would have run me over if it wasn't for someone almost yanking me off the ground. A glance behind me and I realised Uncle Mikey was there, his hands now squeezing my shoulders gently.

The figure in front of us laughed again, and my uncles steeled themselves, Uncle Mikey now pulling me behind him, his chucks at the ready.

I felt like an idiot... and now... my uncles were the ones who were going to pay for my stupidity...

"Foolish mutants! I defeated you once... and I'll do it again!"

An odd thing happened then. As this person jumped forward, they were enveloped in a blinding blue light, seeming to simply evaporate.

"Ha" I heard Eoran's dad almost yell out "Good timing Rtaia!"

The wind picked up above us, and I looked up to see the modified fighter Eoran's dad built uncloak, looking like it was going to land.

I was barely aware of Uncle Leo moving me aside as the fighter landed near us, hearing shouts from our captors.

"We can't let them-"

"Everyone, on board now!" Eoran's dad yelled, and everyone complied, Uncle Leo now pushing me up the hatch and into the fighter.

"It's not your fault" He said softly, but before I could ask what, he was gone, going to help guide the others inside.

My panic resurfaced as I saw dad bring my mum inside, Kristiana right beside him as they moved to the small room at the back of the fighter.

I moved to try and get around the others as the hatch shut, finding I'd almost run right into Cassie as she threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly.

"Don't ever do that again!" She half sobbed, and I opened my mouth to say something, finding nothing was coming out.

Had I really just-

I yelped as a slap on the shoulder made me look at Jake, a scowl on his face.

"You scared the crap outta us"

"Yeah, unmotivated bursts of anger are usually Jake's thing" Dean was there now, and I was barely aware of the hatch shutting as I half nodded at them, moving towards the room. I felt the fighter start to lift off the ground, everyone shuffling around behind me now.

"Rtaia, we need you in the back. I'll fly this thing" Ithiell's voice now, and I saw her almost dive past me, looking into the room now.

"On it"

A hand was on the top of my shell as I saw my mum shivering almost violently on the bed, my dad half kneeling beside her, tears in his eyes as he tried to keep the pressure on the wound, but by now there was blood everywhere it seemed. Aunt Kristiana was at the end of the bed, still using her powers to try and slow the blood flow.

How was she even still alive?

I saw Rtaia move in, a small box in her hands as she sat next to my mother, pulling what looked like syringes out as well as fresh bandages. I wanted to help, but I new there wasn't enough room in there for two...

For two mutant turtles...

The thought put a pit in my stomach, looking at my poor mother and wondering how long she was going to last. Possibly not long...

Considering how much blood it looked like she'd lost, she wouldn't-

I grabbed onto the door, feeling everything start to sway a little.

"Whoa, take it easy kid" The hand moved, and now I felt an arm around my shoulders, looking blearily up at my Uncle Raph.

His affection was surprising, as he squeezed my shoulders a little, trying to smile at me. Of all people to comfort me...

"She'll be fine" He assured me, although not even he seemed entirely convinced.

Honestly, how she was still alive now was surprising me, although I didn't have much hope. The chest wound... it looked like it would have punctured her lung... which meant the fluid filling that lung would soon-

I suddenly felt sick, cursing my mind now it was clear again, and now it was clear I was able to know what my mother was probably going through as she slowly lost the fight...

"Miah..." My uncles surprisingly soft voice made me look up at him, relieved at the momentary distraction.

His face was gentle as he looked down at me, trying to smile but not quite pulling it off.

"You... your dad, he was... he almost died once. We all thought we lost him, but..."

My jaw dropped a little as tears formed in his eyes, even as he fought to smile again.

"But that stubborn bastard pulled through, just like your mother will. She's one hell of a fighter"

"Oh... well this is different" Came Rtaia's voice, and we both looked at her, taking a moment to see what she was so surprised at.

"Wait... what?" I couldn't believe my eyes. They had cut away my mothers top, and what it revealed wasn't soft white skin. It was...

"Fur?" Even my dad seemed flabbergasted as we stared at the thick course hair that covered my mothers chest, heading towards the hem of her jeans.

How...

"She shifted?" Not even Uncle Raph could believe what he was seeing.

"Well, this changes things slightly" Aunt Kristiana muttered.

"Not quite" Rtaia muttered, going to fiddle in her little box "She may survive, but she is not 'out of the woods' just yet"

"After all these years... and you're still doing that" I heard Aunt Amanda mutter, before she appeared beside us, looking under our arms and into the room, before moving back a little to look at at me.

"This is good news" She smiled a little, an oddly genuine smile considering my mother was still fighting for her life not even a few feet from us.

"So... what does that mean?" I managed to get out, a small sliver of hope rising. She had shifted, but...

Could she...

"We must get the blade out of her chest... but this may cause her to go into shock"

My heart dropped again. I hated knowing what that meant...

"So what do we do?" Dad's voice shook a little as he looked down at mum.

"I can give her an injection, which will act as a stimulant and wake her, but after that... she must shift back on her own"

"I'll do what I can here, but..." Aunt Kristiana trailed off, frowning and obviously looking at all the blood that had already escaped. I looked at my mum... she was so pale...

"Just kick her ass to get her going" Uncle Raph grunted a little, although not even he seemed sure.

"This will be... tricky... to say the least. It will rely on very... split second... timing... and if she looses too much blood before she returns to herself-"

"Can... I... give her my blood?" I asked, wanting to step forward, but finding comfort in my uncle's embrace. It was rare for him, and I just felt safe right now, being with him. He was giving me just that little bit of strength I needed at the time.

"Perhaps... but we must move one step at a time, and be ready for any kind of outcome" Rtaia looked at me, nodding a little.

"Ithiell, I think you may need to keep this bird steady... either that or hold up for the time being" Aunt Rachel's voice made me jump a little, and I turned my head slightly, realising everyone was now looking and listening...

"Will do" Was his response, although even his voice seemed tense right now.

Everyone was worried. I saw Dean nod a little at me, his eyes steady. I tried to return the nod, now looking back into the room.

It all went quiet behind me as I saw my dad grab the blade, his hands shaking a little as he looked at Rtaia. She had a syringe ready, and I noticed Aunt Kristiana nod a little at the two.

"Do it" Rtaia said, watching as dad yanked the blade from my mothers chest, my breath catching as the blood almost spurted out. In seconds it died down, but now her body was convulsing almost uncontrollably.

At that moment, Rtaia jabbed the needle into her neck, my dad now back at the wound and pressing down, knowing my aunt was trying her best to slow the blood.

There was so much blood...

Before I could react in any way, my mums eyes shot open, crying out in pure agony.

"Jade? Jade! You need to shift back!" Dad yelled at her, watching as she gritted her teeth, seeming to squirm.

I felt sick watching as she coughed, blood dribbling down her chin...

"Jade, you must focus! Quickly!" Rtaia tried now to encourage her.

"Don't you dare die on me!" Dad now seemed angry, trying to do what he could. I saw tears streaking down his face as he gritted his teeth. Seeing them both in so much pain...

"Mum! Please! Don't leave us!" The words spilled from my mouth before I could stop them, surprised when her head jerkily turned to look at me, her eyes almost devoid of any-

Then they closed, and I felt my worst fears were being brought to life.

She... she...

Uncle Raph squeezed me a little tighter, the tension almost unbearable, seeing her body start to relax...

"No..." I covered my face with my hands, unable to keep a sob in.

Before grief entirely overtook me, I saw a shimmer go through her body, surprised when the dark fur started to recede, becoming pink human flesh again.

And... the wound...

I felt myself shaking in what I could only guess was relief as the wound closed up, my mother finally returning to her full human self.

"Jade!" Before she could even take a breath, my dad had grabbed her roughly, pulling her tight against his plastron and holding her as close as he could. Tears streaked down his face as he buried his head into her neck.

"E-easy there my love" She croaked out, her arms weakly grabbing hold of the sides of his shell.

"I thought I lost you..." He sobbed, trying to hold her even closer to him.

"I'm okay... I..." She stopped, now looking at my aunt to Rtaia.

"Thanks guys... I feel... a little dizzy"

"It is to be expected" Rtaia now stood, starting to pack her things up "You have lost a large quantity of blood, even if it was not entirely your own"

"I... I don't even remember shifting"

"You idiot!" My dad now pulled away, shaking her shoulders a little "What were you thinking?!"

She sighed a little "I was thinking of saving our daughter"

"She has a shell! It could have-"

Even with her weak state, she was still able to clamp a hand over my dads mouth, watching as his eyes widened a little.

"You didn't see what I saw. He aimed for her weak spot... he knew where to hit her"

That thought surprised me... this person I never met... they knew where my weak spot was?

With me and my cousins, our weak spots were the soft skin on our sides, between the shell and plastron.

Then again, my dad and uncles had the same weakness, and it-

"I'm just glad you're both okay" Dad finally said, pulling her close and into a deep kiss.

I'd seen them kiss before... but this...

There was passion there. Fire between them now, something I doubt they let anyone saw between them. At least, until now...

"I'll take that as the que to leave" My aunt said, moving to the door and smiling at me a little as she moved my uncle and I out of the way.

As soon as she did, Uncle Raph let go of my shoulders, nudging me inside the room as soon as Rtaia had left.

"Go on kid" He smiled a little, turning and shutting the door.

I turned back to the two, suddenly feeling awkward about being in a room with my parents, who were still locked in a very passionate embrace.

I went to try and clear my throat, but before I could my dad reached out with one hand, breaking the kiss with mum and yanking me into a half hug.

"I'm so glad you're both okay... I was so worried about you" He planted a kiss on my forehead, before I felt mum wrap her arms around me, pulling me towards her. I gratefully put my head against her shoulder, trying to hold back the tears as I hugged her back.

"I thought you... I thought you..."

"Come on sweetheart, your mum is tougher than she looks, remember that"

"You still might need a blood transfusion to-"

She pulled back, silencing me in that moment, smiling a little. She was still pale.

"I'll be okay. Just need to rest a little. What I'm worried about is you"

I soon found I was between the parents, both of them trying to hold me close.

"I... I'm... we're okay"

"You were an idiot to try and take on the Shredder though" Dad scolded, and I felt myself blush a little.

"I didn't... I was angry... wait, the Shredder?"

"We didn't see his face Donnie... it might have been, well, an imposter"

Dad fell silent, but I knew he was still more than slightly annoyed at me.

I could only guess it would mean some sort of punishment later on, when things had died down.

"That still doesn't explain-"

"I know" Once again my mum silenced my dad, sighing a little "I think... I'm getting a bad feeling about all this"

"Same" Dad agreed, and I looked from one parent to the other. They knew more than they were telling, but I could tell they didn't want me to worry.

Well, I was worried. Nothing was making any kind of sense to me, and it was getting frustrating.

Who were the people that captured us? Why did they think I was so important?

And who was... that name they mentioned? It eluded me suddenly, and I sighed, hating how my mind was working today.

"So what happened out there?" Dad finally asked, a glint in his eyes as he continued "Did my device work?"

I sighed, nodding a little "Yeah, but... weird things happened out there. We need to have a proper talk about it... Dean will be able to explain it better than me"

"All right... well we're heading to the base, so we should be safe for the time being" Dad now looked at mum, before turning back to look at me.

"Did they hurt you in any way?"

I shook my head "No... but..."

I tried to remember the name I'd heard, knowing it had to be relevant.

What was it?

I felt the fighter now start to descend, knowing we were probably on the mountain that held the massive 'base' as dad described.

It was actually where Eoran and the rest of his family lived. Including Rtaia. We used to visit every Christmas when we were younger, but after Grandpa Splinter passed...

Well, I don't think my dad really liked coming back to the base as much these days. I think it reminded him too much of what we'd lost...

"We're landing" Uncle Leo called, before opening the door a little. He moved to poke his head inside, instead quickly averting his eyes to the wall on the other side of us.

"You guys better get out here, and uh... Jade?"

"Oh!" It was then we realised that mum was topless, covering herself a little "Don't worry, I'll just shift until we're inside"

He nodded, still looking away "Don't be long"

"We wont" Dad told him, the three of us getting up. I saw my mum shift into Rtaia's double, all of us now moving into into the main area with the others.

We felt the fighter slowly touch the earth under us, and in that moment it was like a light switched on in my head.

I remembered the name, and for some reason the name brought me a sense of horrible dread.

"Um... hey?" I managed to squeak out, seeing everyone now turn to me. I felt a little overwhelmed, seeing everyone stare, but I knew... it was important I ask.

"Who's Crayak?"

The response I got from all the adults was more than a little terrifying.

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So... what'd you guys think? Intense?

Let me know!

Hope you're all enjoying this... please let me know, ta!