Chapter 3: The Deal

Donatello groaned as he slowly awakened, the cement was cold to the touch, causing him to recoil, almost going back into his shell. He determined he must have fallen asleep in the lab again and the pounding on the glass had to be his brothers waking him for training. Wait. There wasn't glass in his lab. Donnie's eyes snapped open to see his reflection in a large glass shield, the pounding came from a large skeletal wolf. Donnie managed to stifle his cry of terror as he backed up, his memory rushing back to him.

"Good morning, freak," Rahzar greeted, smiling sinisterly at him. Donnie remained silent, trying to figure out his situation. "Master Shredder will be down momentarily." The large wolf left him alone with his thoughts and Donnie took the time to take in his surroundings.

He was placed in what reminded him of a zoo exhibit for reptilians. An entire wall was glass, separating him from the outside world. He was sitting on cold cement and there wasn't a thing in the room beside a small tube, almost like something put in for a rodent.

Donnie slowly got to his feet and swayed, catching himself before he could face plant. He shook his head, determining that the drugs in his system weren't entirely gone. Trying again, Donnie stumbled over to the tube and pushed his hand on it, causing a droplet of water to escape. A water bottle, one that a pet would have. Bile rose in his throat at the humiliation.

At that moment, Donnie knew his situation was bad. He had been captured by the Shredder and who knew what would happen to him.

"I see you are awake." Donnie jolted to see Shredder standing at the glass, staring straight at him. "Do you like your new home?"

Donnie scoffed, "It could be better." He jerked his hand towards the water bottle, making sure to keep his glare steady.

"If you do as I say, your accommodations will improve, Donatello," Shredder said.

"What is it you want me to do? If it involves hurting my family, I won't do it."

Shredder extended his claws, scrapping them across the glass. "I hear you are smart. You will cure my daughter."

"What?" Donnie paused listening carefully as he finally heard the hisses and cries of anger coming from the area next to his cell. "You want me to cure Karai?"

"If you don't, your family will suffer. I will find each one and bring them to you. I will then force you to watch each one die before your very eyes."

Donnie looked away. How could he put his family in such danger? He knew the Shredder would be true to his word. He had done it before, nearly killing Leo and taking Master Splinter from them. Yet, if he could cure Karai, he would only doom her to serve the Shredder and Shredder would destroy him. There had to be a loop hole somewhere.

"I'm waiting, Donatello."

Donnie looked up. He was stuck. If he didn't make the cure, his family would die. If he did, he would die. Donnie closed his eyes, sending a prayer to keep his family safe as he made his decision.

"I'll do it."

Leo, Raph, and Mikey trudged through the sewers, no one speaking or even moving fast at all. They couldn't figure out how to tell their master, their father that one of his sons was gone, lost to him by their enemy. None of them were really sure how to handle the situation. They had failed to keep one of their own safe.

"My sons, what has happened?" The three looked up, not even realizing they had arrived at the lair. Master Splinter stood tall, looking over his three sons for injuries when his brow furrowed when he realized there was only three of them. "Where is Donatello?"

Mikey squeaked at the name and started to cry once more, running over to their father for comfort. Master Splinter paused for only a moment before wrapping his arms around his youngest son, trying to give him the comfort he needed.

"Sensei," Leo started, unable to look at their master. "They took him."

Master Splinter's head shot up, finally catching his son's eyes. "Who?"

"The Foot," Raph growled out, his fists shaking as rage consumed him. "And we couldn't do anything!"

"My sons," Master Splinter started, pulling their attention. "I'm sure you all did your best. It is none of your fault that Donatello was taken from us. This is upsetting news but your brother is strong. He will hold out for us while we rescue him. For now, we must calm ourselves. If we lose ourselves to our emotions, Donatello will be lost to us."

"But, Sensei," Raph interrupted. "We need to go get him now! Who knows what Shredder could be doing to him!"

"Raphael," Splinter calmly said, stroking his whimpering child on his chest. "We need to make a plan. Donatello will hold out for us. For now, we need to rest and calm our spirits. Do not fret. Donatello will be back home."

Author's Note: New update! Special thanks to Heather, Snow fun, Andraia452, and Pilyarquitect for the wonderful reviews. Reviews are welcome!