Chapter 1

"What can I do for you… Basir?" The Asian man asked steepling his fingers in front of his face as if trying to hide an annoyed look crossing his lips.

"I believe it's something I can do for you," Basir spoke with ease. He kept a level gaze on the man in front of him, not to be deterred in the slightest. The only thing separating them was a large and old mahogany desk. He clasped his hands behind him, standing with confidence. He had this in the bag. No one could say no to the logic he had up his sleeve.

The man titled his head and leaned back in his chair. "Really? How so? What could you possibly do for me?"

"I believe you have a problem with a certain shell back."

The man merely raised an eyebrow in silence.

"I want this creature to be used in the fighting ring back in my homeland. His strength is amazing. However, I do not have the resources in this country to catch such a beast on my own."

"Alright. If there was such a creature in this city… Why do you think I would know of such a beast or even be able to catch it?"

"Because Mr. Saki, I have done my homework. An Arabian has his sources and I know much about your dealings."

Saki scoffed. "I'm sure you know nothing."

"I know of the botched operation just two nights ago. Of how this creature who shouldn't even be able to use two swords was able to succeed in a fight with your men in their black pajamas." Basir smirked with anticipation. "Those same men were seen entering this building, one of them reporting to you. You cannot sit there and tell me you know nothing of this."

"Even so. Why would I do this for you?"

"I can pay you, but I highly doubt you need the money. You want this creature out of your sight. What better way than halfway across the world?"

Saki pushed out a breath, eyes hard as they stared up at Basir. "I'm sure we could… arrange something. If he were to come back, I would send my men to find you. I can assure you, it would be very unpleasant."

"I have no doubt about it."

"See that you don't."

"Then we have a deal?" Basir pushed.

"Yes. We do." Saki rose from his seat and came around the large desk. "Come, we have much to discuss if we are to take care of this tonight."

Basir eagerly followed Oroku Saki out of the ornately decorated room and down the hall. He could just taste the success of the night's future events. He even had a little something up his sleeve for the beast as soon as the creature was in his hands. He couldn't be having any trouble after putting it on the ship. Not after all this.

Leo sat on the edge of one of the tallest rooftops in the city. He was all alone again tonight. His brothers were all busy. Not that it was a problem really. They had already been out on their nightly training run for the night. He was just bored. Trying to find something to do with one of his brothers had been a no go. Mikey was playing his video games as usual and he just couldn't tear Mikey away from his winning race. Raph was once again working on his shell cycle with Don's help even. So there really was no reason to tear them away from their bonding time, especially when it wasn't something Raph did that often.

So that left him alone tonight. He could even say it was relaxing. The cars below that drove despite the late hour was just as small background noise. It was truly peaceful for living in the middle of New York City.

The sound of a rock skidding across the rooftop behind him caught his attention quickly. He slightly tilted his head to the side to see who was behind him, not wanting to give away that he had heard. A frown flitted across his face as soon as he saw a few dark clothed men behind them, each one marked with the red mark of the Foot.

He jumped to his feet and spun around, katana in his hands by the time he was fully turned around. There was barely time to raise his right sword to block the incoming shuriken for his head. He lurched forward as soon as they broke out on a run towards him. Both blades clashed with their swords as soon as they met, forcing him back a step. He pushed forward again, swiping his right katana to the side in an attempt to dislodge the ninja's sword. Succeeding, he attempted the same with the one on the left. He swung outward in his attempt and ducked down to avoid a swipe to his head before he could dislodge the second sword.

Spinning to the right, he jumped up for a split kick that knocked a couple into a few more ninja. He grit his teeth, side stepping another ninja as he tried to count the remaining ninja. Twenty-four. It might as well have been more because of the dark, but he wasn't happy about the estimate either.

Leo jumped to the left, leg coming up for a snap kick as he crossed his blades to catch another sword. Narrowing his eyes on the enemy in front of him, he pulled his katana outward, cutting the enemy blade in half and kicking the ninja down. He moved onto the next ninja, trying to keep a steady pace as to not tire himself out. There seemed to be no end to them. He was sure he had taken down over twenty ninja by now, but they just kept coming.

As realization dawned on him that he might not be able to hold up against them alone, he reached for his shell cell only to pull his hand away as if it might bite him. A sword had swung out by his side forcing him to leap to the side, though he could feel pieces of the cell dropping to the ground at his feet.

"Great…" he muttered under his breath. "Just what I needed."

A whistle through the air sailed past his head with inches to spare. Turning, he couldn't dodge the next projectile in time. It hit him in the arm with a sharp prick. Eyes snapping down to look, he could see a clear dart just finishing emptying its contents into his system.

Backing up to gain some space from the ninjas in front of him, he clenched his fingers around the hilts of his katana trying to fight off the effects that was quickly sweeping through his system. He tried to keep his breathing even, his vision clear, and to just stand up straight, but as the ninjas starting coming forward again, he could feel himself sway as the world around him spun.

A sloppy slide step nearly avoided a strike to his arm. Though overcompensating as he had, Leo fell to the ground with a thud, katana clattering against the rooftop. The ninja pounced before he could lift his head to get up again. They held him down roughly, punching him as he tried to throw them off. Blood quickly filling his mouth, he spat the excess into one of the ninja's face.

"Stop. I need the beast unharmed," a voice growled.

Leo slowly rolled his eyes to the right as he felt the punches and kicks stop, his own struggles halting. A tall Middle Eastern man stood above him, looking down at him with that hungry look in his eyes.

The man bent down, whispering in Leo's ear. "You will be well taken care of. Sleep tight beast. It'll be a long journey."

Another prick poked through the skin on his arm as he tried again to get up. His muscles weren't cooperating as he felt himself fully slipping into unconsciousness, no longer able to fight off the darkness.