Worlds Below

Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any character used in this story. I own nothing, isn't that sad?

Author's Note: While I will be making references to the new toon, and later using Bishop from the new toon. I have always had the habit of writing the turtles from, almost every aspect there is of them out there. So with that said if you read anything that is not true to the new toon, just remember I am not sticking strictly to that as a media of the turtles. Nor can I or will I pin down what season this is in. Ramica

Chapter One:

Leonardo finished checking the last of their emergency stashes that were placed through the sewers, these fall back spots usually had basic first aid supplies and some had extra weapons. Though the places that held spare weapons were always well concealed and protected by some of Donatello's security systems, the ninja also made sure that the weapons were nothing that was too difficult to replace, so there were bows and arrows, staffs, shuriken, throwing knives and the like, just in case someone managed to find and make off with any weapons.

Due to the many enemies the turtles had and that list seemed to grow with each passing day, Leo mused to himself, it was almost imperative for them to have stores of certain supplies so they could get first aid quickly when necessary, or lay low for a while to insure they weren't being followed. Of course these stashes had to be checked regularly and stocked up again as the need arose, so Leo had gotten into the habit of checking all of these stashes to see what was needed and where about every two months.

The last stash was one of the ones furthest out from their home towards the West side of Manhattan, Leo was fully aware that many street people made their homes in the sewer and he, and his brothers, always avoided them though they were aware that most people would not accept the word of street people. Though, at one time, they had made friends with a few of the homeless that lived near and around the dump, for the most part the ninjas stuck to the shadows refusing to reveal themselves to the down and out.

Leo entered the section of pipe and went over to a small hidden niche in the wall, he scowled sure that someone had been in here. He sighed and gave a rueful shake of his head, it was not the first time, nor would it be the last, that the homeless had helped themselves to something from the hidden stores. Normally the turtles didn't begrudge them that but a few of their stashes had seemed lower then normal for the regular injuries of the clan, and Leo was starting to suspect that someone was taking advantage of these items.

' Tell Don we need surveillance of some kind near all our stashes.' Leo made a mental note to himself, ' We can afford to lose a little now and again but replacing everything that seems to be missing this time is really going cost us. It is just as well we have April and Casey to help us.' Leo appreciated all their friends were willing to do for them, but in some ways he hated having to rely on them, especially as the clan seemed to be doing a lot of that. Also he didn't care to look for handouts or take such offerings, he felt as if it was somehow beneath them, they had managed for years without such charity and now they seemed to be taking it for granted.

Leo noted that many of Don's tools were missing, as well as some first aid supplies,bandages, ointment and medicine had vanished. Leo shook his head as he crossed his arms over his plastron as he considered his options. Slowly he looked around for any sign or clue that might let him know of the perpetrator but he saw nothing. It was time to inform Don of the facts, he had no doubt his brainy brother would be able to come up with something to catch the thief red handed.

Leo turned and headed back towards the lair, and though he was deep in the bowels of the sewer system he still moved as he'd been trained to silently and with extreme caution.

XXX

"You are so dead Mike!"

"In your dreams Raph." Mike retorted as he elbowed his brother while pushing the buttons to hit and block.

"Your nightmare," Raph snorted as, he managed to send Mike's character on the video flying. "HA! Teach you to mess with me."

"Video games is the only way you can defeat me Raph. After all look at the trophy it has my name on it not yours." Mike boasted, " It declares that I, moi, little old me, is the one and only battle nexus champion." Mike tossed his controller onto the battered couch and leapt out of the way as Raph charged into him.

"So help me Mike I'm going get Don to melt down that trophy and then I'm gonna wrap your mouth up in twenty rolls of duct tape just to shut ya up" Raph threatened.

Mike dodged his swing, skipping nimbly to one side, "Remember the last time we danced like this Raph. I do it is when you lost to me" Mike goaded.

Raph managed to grab the orange tails of his brother's bandanna and pulled back hard with a mischievous grin crossing his face, "Now I'm going make ya eat my fist." Raph growled.

"Ow, ow ow. Ouch! Will you cut that out" Mike complained as Raph continued to yank on the bandanna tightening it around his face, Mike reached over his shoulder grabbing Raph's arm he bent and tried to throw Raph, but before he could manage the leverage needed to complete the toss Raph had broken Mike's hold and started to twist his brother's wrist instead.

Mike screamed as if he was being murdered, just as Leo came in, he glowered at his two brothers. "If you want to wrestle do it in the dojo, not in the living room where you can break furniture."

Raph released Mike and glanced at their battered sofa that sat before the TV "Why Leo most of our stuff we got is on its last legs to begin with, it ain't like its new or anythin' fancy."

"Don won't care to be replacing anything you break." Leo suggested.

Mike shrugged, "You kidding fixing things for us is what gives Donny meaning in life. He'd be lost without us." Mike declared.

Leo shook his head "You got that wrong Mike, I believe it is the other way around." He retorted, "Speaking of Don where is he I need to talk with him?"

Mike looked at Raph, Raph looked at Mike both of them furrowed their brows but it was Raph who replied, "I dunno Leo. Haven't seen him, not even for morning work out." Raph confessed.

Leo knew that Don would on occasion miss practice when working on a project, and for the most part it was permitted as long as Don didn't neglect practice all together, But usually if Don missed out on morning session, he'd put in an appearance to talk with the family, to eat, or perhaps to let them know he was going be occupied. Don also wasn't in the habit of being gone from the lair for extensive periods during the day, yes at night he'd prowl the usual haunts of dumpsters and what have you, or patrol with the rest of them, but during the day he was content to immerse himself in his work, ninja studies or just relaxing with the family.

Leo didn't like this, not one bit, it just felt wrong to him. "Raph checked the garage around the van I'm going check his lab area out and Mike check his room."

It only took a few minutes for the family to realize Don was in none of those places.

"I bet you Karai and the Foot have him Leo." Raph stated as he narrowed his eyes, " I say we pay them a visit. They probably caught him on his trip to the dump yard last night."

"We can't move until nightfall Raph." Leo responded.

"By then the trail could be cold Leo." Raph challenged his brother quickly.

"It is too dangerous for us out during the day, and the Foot will be looking for us, especially if they do have Don." Leo pointed out. He sensed the presence of his mentor enter the room, Leo turned to face his father, the aged brown rat, leaned on his walking stick as he gave a glance at his three sons.

"May I ask what this debate is about my sons?"

"Don is missing. He isn't answering his communicator and Raph" Leo gestured to his red masked brother, "And I were just going over strategy plans."

"They were arguing again," Mike corrected for his father's benefit.

Splinter nodded, "Leonardo I assume wants to move cautiously and Raphael wishes to act impulsively," Splinter remarked as he eased into the rocking chair, it was not a question rather statement for Splinter was well aware of his two sons qualities. In many ways they were very similar to one another, and when they had been children they had been close to one another, but as Leo took on more responsibility Raphael began to shirk it and act up, as if the only way he could gain his father's attention was by acting out or up, in some fashion. The two competed strongly and rarely would give ground to the other, in matters of contention.

"There is more Master" Leo assured the aged ninja, " I was checking our stashes and someone has been pilfering more then normal from our supplies."

Splinter narrowed his eyes, under his bushy brows, " They have never taken more then what they need."

"Yeah to hock for drugs, or maybe they are just using our drugs and what have ya." Raph snorted in contempt, "We could mix up a little somethin' to make the person sick, then maybe they'd leave it alone." Raph suggested.

"Raphael, life is valuable we do not throw it away, even consider doing so, unless no other choice is available." Splinter chastised quickly, "Do not forget that even the slightest mixture we could rig up could have adverse consequences on those who use drugs of any kind."

"Serves 'em right" Raph muttered, "We can't zactly afford to look after them and us too."

Splinter did not reply only raised his eyes to meet Raph's for a moment the rat and turtle locked gazes but then slowly Raph dropped his head and looked away from the sharp penetrating stare of his father's eyes. " If we do not know the needs of those who live in the sewers with us then we can not condemn them for making use of our supplies. It is the risk we must take for having these stashes for our needs. Do not block out compassion and understanding because of losing a few trivial items." Splinter advised, " Yes these things can help you, but they may help another too, and that is also worthwhile."

"Yes Master" Leo replied bowing.

Raph shook his head and whispered out the side of his mouth "Sensei's pet."

"What about Donny Master?" Mike asked aloud, covering Raph's little aside.

"You should go search now and be very careful. Return as quickly as possible" Splinter replied, as if this much was obvious.

Mike grinned, he loved going topside during the day, and he rushed to get on his disguise, followed by Raph and then Leo. Splinter remained in his chair listened to the three talking amongst one another and gave a slow shake of his head. He found their banter amusing, but his concern for Donatello was stronger and so he did not allow a smile to cross his lips, his whiskers twitched uneasily. He didn't care to send his sons topside at this time of day, and yet could not avoid it under some circumstances either.

XXX

Father sat back on a chair near his adopted son's bed, Vincent's room was filled with small souvenirs from New York and other places, some had been given to him as gifts from the children who were allowed above to scavenge or bring supplies from helpers, while others had been brought back by Vincent himself. The turtle lay on the bed, bandaged and stitched up. Arthur was going around Vincent's room trilling as it tried to pack off something that had caught the coon's eye. Mouse sat on the ledge above Vincent's room looking down.

"No good, no good. Not good at all" Mouse insisted gesturing, "Mouse knows the green people are no good."

"How can you say that Mouse?" Vincent asked as he turned blue eyes onto his friend.

"They hurt lots, hide things in sewers." Mouse explained.

Father turned suddenly at Mouse's words, "Which you then steal" He accused. Father like all the people who lived in their underground world, dressed in leather, and old rags, that had been stitched and restitched numerous times, father had grizzled grey hair and his features were worn, he pushed his glasses back on his face. "How many times must we tell you Mouse you must not steal things."

Mouse shook his head sending wisps of his short blond hair flapping "Mouse doesn't steal. Mouse takes, Mouse borrows." Then as if to prove why it was okay for him to do so, Mouse gestured to the turtle in the bed, "Mouse gave you stuff to help him yes?"

Vincent could not hide the smile that curled his lips upward " Yes, but if the green ones are hurt lots then they probably need it."

"They use it though Vincent" Mouse protested, "We use on him right?" Mouse argued.

Father shook his head and sighed, "Your logic is irrefutable but you will end up getting us all in trouble one day Mouse." Father stood up wearily, " It is just as well Mouse did have those supplies or we may not have been able to tend to him as well as possible." Father made his way to the ladder leading to the ledge, "Let him rest and hopefully he will wake soon. You know what to do for him Vincent."

"Yes Father" Vincent spoke softly, as he then turned to look at the turtle lying under the patchwork quilt, the being moaned softly and shifted under the bedding. Vincent could only pray the turtle would make it. He didn't doubt his father's care of the strange being, after all there had been a time when his father had gone to medical school, he was a doctor, or had been before he and a few others had made their home under the city. Vincent turned his gaze to the flickering light of the candle and listened to the tapping of those who worked the pipes sending messages from one to another.

Vincent could not get over how much like a turtle and like a human this person was. ' I wonder how he got that way, or if he may know how I got to be like I am.' Vincent had no idea how he came to be the way he was, he had been born this way, and abandoned on the steps of Saint Vincent's hospital. He had been found by one of their people and taken to live down below safe from harm or threats. Father had named him Vincent for the hospital. That was all he knew, oh he had his ideas or theories of how he came to look the way he did, but nothing to verify his suspicions. He was born and he had survived. Clearly this turtle had done the same.

For now he would wait, Father he knew would send tea and soup for their patient. Vincent recalled how the turtle had struggled upon being found, he was a fighter, he would survive. Of that Vincent had no doubts.

XXX.

The three brothers returned home wearied and exhausted, they had spent longer above then perhaps they should have, but it had done them not a bit of good for they had found no sign of Don anywhere. Leo knew it was up to him to tell his father, it was a task he didn't relish doing, for Leo hated to admit that he had failed, even in small ways, and this was major for this was his brother who was missing and could be in danger.

Raph didn't need to be told just shoved Mike towards the dojo "Come on Mike it's work out time."

"No fair I haven't had anything to eat yet. I'm starving and thirsty, and I need a washroom break" Mike complained.

"Ooooh you'll get a break all right. Now move it" Raph ordered as he pushed his brother in the right direction.

Leo turned and headed to his father's room and gently knocked before going in to bow before his father, " Master, we didn't find him. We will search again tonight." Leo stated firmly with a heavy heart and a worried frown.

"Yes, and I will go with you tonight my son" Splinter decided.

Leo almost jerked his head up in shock, but maintained his position it wasn't often their father joined them, and yet Splinter in spite of his age was still a very capable fighter and tracker, perhaps with his help they stood a better chance of finding their missing family member. "If Karai has him Master..." Leo began leaving his words dangling.

"Then we will do what we must to get him back Leonardo" Splinter declared firmly.

TBC