I DO NOT own Ninja Turtles

The city looked even more depressing than I remembered. There were thousands of grey buildings, each one nearly identical to the previous one, most of them being several hundred storeys high, all jostling for space on Long Island and a large extent of the mainland to the north. And there was the stink and noise of traffic everywhere, and the constantly blaring horns of hundreds of impatient drivers.

After the freedom of the countryside, coming back to New York was like voluntarily boxing ourselves into cages. Everything was close together, and stank. My senses must have been dulled in freedom, but here they were attacked by thousands of different scents as people eat while walking on the pavement.

I sat in the back of the four-wheel drive truck, known as the Battle Shell. It was equipped with computers and observation gear, as well as an impressive arsenal of defensive and offensive capabilities. There was more than enough room for all of us, and Casey brought along his trailer.

We chose to enter the city when it was dark and the volume of traffic far less than during the day, to avoid detection more than anything. We were headed for an isolated warehouse that housed a secret lift that went directly down into the underground lair of our new friends.

With the Battle Shell parked in the warehouse, we boarded the lift that was filled with curious glowing crystals the likes of which I had never heard of. It moved smoothly down to the sewer system. It felt strange to be back underground after escaping from such an environment all those weeks ago, but this time I knew we were with friends rather than trapped by a scientist against our will.

The lair was a circular room, with a raised platform around the outside wall, and a lower arena filled with fighting and training equipment. There was a wall of screens in one area, several couches and chairs around them. Above us ran another series of rooms.

"Welcome home," Leonardo said to Tzu and me. I flapped my wings and rose to the height of the rafters; tucking my wings in close to my sides, I bore down at the centre of the room in a nose dive. With only a few metres left, I twisted in midair so my feet would have touched the ground first if I hadn't beaten my wings again, rising to the air again in a quick recovery position.

Already Tzu was testing his manoeuvres in the enclosed space, back-flipping and twisting in the air in rather lethal combinations. Once we were content with the room we had in this room, we returned to earth, where our friends watched us in amusement.

"I take it that you like this place?" Mickey asked.

"It's brilliant," Tzu said before I could, and I nodded my agreement.

"We're glad about that," Donatello said. "Because it's your home as well as ours now, for as long as you need or want. If you decide to stay here and not look for your parents, you're welcome to stay. If you do decide to go back to your families, we'll always be your friends, and you will be free to visit if you're in the area."

"We can't think of any way to repay your kindness," Tzu said. "Casey stepped in to save us; you offer us friendship and a place to live without fear of discovery."

"You don't need to pay us back," Raphael said. "What are friends for except watching one another's backs?"

Over the past few weeks, Tzu and I had learnt what friendship meant in the world of the ninjas. We were part of that world now, and right now we needed all the friends we could get to take down the Shredder and truly be free to live our own lives.

Together Tzu and I were almost indestructible in spirit or health; with the added might of the turtles behind us, we truly were unstoppable.

The Shredder was getting more and more irritable by the day. Now Adkins had vanished, and seemed to have changed sides. There was only one punishment for such a crime, but that could not be afflicted on a missing man.

Now he had his Foot Soldiers, the cloaked Tech Ninjas and the most skilful Foot Elite Soldiers who served as his personal guard scouring every spot they had previously overturned again, and the Purple Dragons were also scouring the streets. Still there was no sign of the elusive twosome, or their creator. But they were somewhere in the city, and he would find them in the end, even if he had to disturb the peace. If they were allied to his enemies, he would punish them. No, he would harm and punish the girl. It was the boy he really wanted. If they were truly as loyal to one another as Adkins had once claimed, he was sure that the boy would rather do his bidding than see his weakling fellow creation harmed.

Tzu had slipped up to the surface at first light for a run before the streets got busy for the second time in two days. Since he had been back, he had hit the streets to familiarise himself with the city and all its alleys. Takara knew that he always did so, and that he would be back soon after the sun rose and the traffic increased.

As he swung himself onto a fire escape that led from the windows of the higher flats in a building to the roof, he savoured the fresh air. He began to run, leaping the gaps between the buildings, using the roofs as a private running track.

Unexpectedly he ran into something quite solid and recoiled, staring at empty air. He had not run into any walls, but something was here, blocking his path. He flicked out his tongue, tasting the air. Something warm-blooded was here, but hidden from plain view somehow. It had the shape of a man.

All of a sudden he remembered what Raphael had been telling them about the Shredder's army of ninjas; the human Foot Soldiers and the masterful Foot Elite, and the super-strong and fast Foot Techs with their enhanced stealth capabilities.

He had run into at least one Foot Tech, and it would only be a matter of time before the rest arrived. He got to his feet, pulling out his two kusarigama, readying for a fight. Suddenly two armoured men stood in front of him. For a moment they were stationary; the next second they attacked, leaping into the air to give their attacks increased strength. Tzu automatically flipped himself backwards, away from the first attack and into a defensive position ready for the next assault.

He wished he had the others here, or even Takara to fight at his side. But their fires were separate right now, and if he lost this fight, he was a prisoner of the man they had vowed to crush together. That spurred him on against the super-strength of the Foot Tech as they launched themselves against him again having recovered from the first attack almost too soon for him.

But it was two on one, and they were incredibly more skilful than he was. It wasn't long before he sank to his knees, panting, his spirit almost broken, and awaited the finishing blow.

But the Foot Tech retreated and bowed to someone behind Tzu. Turning to look, he saw a tall imposing man dressed in samurai-like armour and helmet. On his right hand was a three-bladed attachment. Although he had never seen him before, Tzu knew that this had to be the Shredder.

The Shredder was surrounded by about thirty others, dressed in simple black tops and trousers with masks over their faces. These had to be the Foot Soldiers, highly trained ninja assassins. Tzu could barely raise himself to the attack, but he had to. Picking up his dropped weapons, he launched himself at the Foot Soldiers.

It was a valiant effort, but it made little different. They piled on top of him and disarmed him with almost absurd ease, holding him down. He had lost the fight, and could sense captivity looming for him.

"I have you at last," the Shredder said, approaching the exhausted snake-boy. "You may have learned to fight like one of my enemies, but you are foolishly weak in comparison to them. And you were foolish to think that you could evade me forever."

"I'll never serve you," Tzu panted. The Shredder crouched in front of him.

"You won't have a choice; once your little friend flies straight into my trap, it'll be a simple choice between serving me willingly and watching her die as you resist."

I was pacing anxiously. I knew Tzu always slipped out to the surface for a morning run, but he was always in time for breakfast. Now midday was coming on, and there was no sign of him.

This wasn't like him, and all my senses were telling me one thing –he had been caught, someway or other, by the Shredder. I was sure of it

Leonardo was standing at the entrance, making sure I wouldn't make a break to go on my own to rescue Tzu. Raphael and Mickey were sparring, and Donatello was working on another mechanic contraption. Master Splinter was not present at the moment.

"We can't rush headlong into a rescue operation when we don't even know where he is," Leonardo was saying. My temper was quickly reaching the limits of its patience. If Leo didn't yield soon, I would be on top of him.

"The Shredder has hunted us for months, Leo," I said, panting with the strain of keeping calm. "If Tzu is in his grasp, he'll be held at the headquarters, the prize of the Shredder. Tzu's all I have, Leo. I'll go alone to get him if I really have to."

"It's still far too dangerous for you to go out alone," Leo said.

"To hell with that!" I snapped. I had little concern for danger now; I felt a herd of angry musk ox wouldn't keep me from Tzu for any longer. Pausing only to snatch up my naginata, I shoved Leo out of my way. I didn't heed their shouts as they vibrated after me as I almost flew down the tunnel leading to the surface.

Tzu was in trouble, I was sure of it. And I would do all in my power to get him out of whatever jam he was in. We were a team, bond to one another with strong bonds of loyalty.

I hovered around the building that housed the Foot Clan's Headquarters. I knew the layout quite well due to the blueprints the four turtles had managed to obtain for constant break-ins. The Shredder's main residence was a temple-like structure high up on the roof, seventy storeys in the air.

Judging by the fact that the Shredder was a megalomaniac as well as having a huge egomania problem, I expected to find Tzu in that structure. I had seen no sign of people in the building, and I had been spying on the building for so long that the sky was now growing dark. Tzu was in there somewhere –I could almost sense him.

With dusk masking me, with darkness hiding me from normal eyes as was the ninja way, I lifted into the air from a nearby roof. I climbed high into the air, high enough to clear the wall running around the edge of the rooftop garden. I landed behind a pillar, and from there peered around. So far I had obviously not been detected, but the silence was starting to gnaw at my nerves. It was almost too quiet; that sounded like a really bad movie line, even in my own head, but it was what I felt. I was isolated, without the support of my allies, about to attack a known fortress of a hated enemy, and I was doing it on my own. All that prevented me from abandoning my plan was the thought that Tzu might be in real danger. If he was harmed, I would dish out a little pain of my own. I would be an avenging angel.

Drawing my naginata, I headed for the door that led out into the garden. I prayed that it would be unlocked, and found it was. At the door, I hesitated –this seemed a little bit too easy; I hadn't run across a single obstacle yet, and Donatello had told me every floor had been filled with deadly trap after deadly trap. Perhaps I was expected. I could be walking right into a trap. If the Shredder knew about the loyalty between me and Tzu, perhaps he had lured me here to capture me and complete the set of captives he had.

But my loyalty to Tzu was stronger than my reason. I would have walked through fire to be with him if I had to, and I knew he would have done the same for me. Before my common sense could take over, I had thrown the door wide and crossed the threshold.

Across the room from me stood a low platform, with cushions on the floor behind a low wooden table. On it rested a three-clawed object, presumably belonging to the Shredder.

And chained by the hands to a ring set in the floor before the platform, almost motionless, was a figure I knew well.

I tucked my naginata away, and hurried to the side of Tzu, rolling him onto his back. He looked fairly bad, as though he had been in a fight and come out the worst. I saw his kusarigama resting on the table a few metres away. He was in a mess, and I was willing to guess he had had his fighting spirit crushed. I had to get him out of here, and as quickly as possible.

He opened his eyes. When he saw me, he grasped my wrist. I laid a reassuring hand over his clenched fist.

"You shouldn't be here, Takara," he whispered. "Get out, right now."

"I'm not going to leave you, Tzu," I replied, ignoring his order. "We're a team, remember? I'm going to get you out of here."

He shook his head. He was trying to communicate something to me. I knew we were in danger, but I wouldn't just leave him like this. I started to examine the locks to his chains. They looked easy enough to pick, and I reached into the bag I had brought with me for something to pick the lock with.

Tzu grasped my wrist again.

"You have to get out, Takara. It's a trap to get you. Have you forgotten the Shredder's attitude to you?"

"I will get out, Tzu, but you're coming with me," I said, pulling my arm free and turning back to the lock. "Remember what Splinter told us? We're strongest when we're together. We'll take down the Shredder as a team."

Tzu's eyes, which had been focused on my face, snapped to a space behind me. Fear filled his eyes. Whatever had scared my leader would taste my fury. No one who frightened Tzu would survive my attack.

Swinging my naginata, I pivoted, just in time to block the axe of a tall man dressed as a samurai of Japan. He was not the only one –behind him were three others, all equipped with a different weapon. All looked like professional, but so was I. I knocked the legs out from the one who had attacked me from behind, and leapt into the air, opening my wings wide. I had gained an advantage held by no other creature in creation, and I used it to my full power, combining all the passes I had been taught over several months. They might be ninjas, but so was I.

In any fight, numbers may not win a battle, but they did help. I was dealing with four highly skilled ninjas, presumably the Shredder's personal guard, the Foot Elite Soldiers. I had to keep my eyes open for every counter attack.

But the Foot Clan was not exactly known for fighting fair. As I returned to the air from another pass at my enemies, something leapt from the ceiling, catching me by surprise and forcing me to the ground. I lost my weapon as I hit the ground, winded. It spun away across the floor. Immediately the Foot Elite Soldiers leapt on me, like four cats on a bird. The numbers were too great now I was out of my natural environment, and I was soon held fast by all four in a grip I could not hope of escaping, despite my continued struggles. I was a prisoner, just as Tzu was.

The other door opened and a man I had no problem recognising entered the room. Saki, also and better known as the Shredder, walked to the table and slipped on the three-bladed attachment to a black glove. Then he turned to me.

"I was wondering when you would show up," he said. His voice was smooth and sophisticated. "Your little friend was sure you would not show up, but I guessed correctly that you would try to rescue him. Tell me, what is the point of loyalty if it makes you fly straight into a trap?"

I chose not to answer him, letting hatred shine out of my eyes. Saki must have picked up on my hate, and my underlining fear.

"So, what am I to do?" Shredder asked, almost to himself. "I have the two of you in my grip. And you'll never know freedom again.

"But that's not enough," Saki went on. "I have some punishment to dish out for leading me a merry dance, for making a fool out of me. So much money went into buying and then hunting you when you decided to slip off. You have cost me a fortune. So how are you going to pay me back?"

"We'll never serve you," I spat, still trying to fight off the Foot Elite Soldiers. But they were stronger than I was.

"That's almost exactly the same as what your friend said," Saki said. "And look where that got him: tied up like a chicken waiting to have its' neck wrung." He approached Tzu, who tried to retreat, but his chain wasn't long enough. The Shredder knelt in front of him, placing the blades along his shoulder. I thought I knew what he was going to do: slice into Tzu's delicate scales. It would be torture to him.

"No!" I shouted, struggling harder than ever before. "Leave him alone!"

Saki looked around at me, and I realised he had been looking to get that reaction out of me. I fought with all my might –all I cared about was protecting Tzu. He had already been the subject of abuse.

He nodded discreetly at one of the four holding me, and the next thing I knew was a sharp blow to my lower back. I sank to my knees, trying to suck in air. I felt cold iron being fastened around my wrists, and worse something being slipped over my wings, secured tightly. The Shredder was standing over me.

"You have a lot of spirit in you," he said coldly. "I think you should learn your place, and lose some of your will to fight against mine."

The next thing I knew was awful pain. It felt as though fire was coursing on my body. But I knew what was happening even as I fought the urge to scream, even as I fell to the floor, twitching and flailing in my pain. The contraption around my upper body was rigged to send electricity into my body at the touch of a button. It was a cruel contraption. Not even Adkins had thought to create such a way of punishment. Even the stun guns had not packed such a punch.

I was aware that someone was shouting, screaming at Saki's cruelty. It was Tzu.

"No! Leave her alone!"

The pain stopped, and I lay panting on the floor at Saki's feet. Tzu was on his feet, anger and horror in his face.

"Would you do anything to stop me from hurting her again?" Saki asked Tzu. He hesitated, looking at me. We looked into one another's eyes, and I understood what was going on his mind. I had been there for him so often, and I knew he wanted to return the favour. He wanted me to live, and not to endure anymore pain. He was willing to give up his own remaining resistance to protect me.

He nodded once.

"So do you pledge your loyalty to me?" Saki asked, and was rewarded with another, but smaller nod. Tzu had been so proud, so fiercely independent for so long, but now he was losing it to the tyrant that Saki was. "Then bow before me and call me master," he commanded. Tzu did as he was told without protest.

One of the Foot Elite Soldiers handed Tzu his weapon, and he put it in its holster.

"And now my first command to you," Saki said. "From the way you and your winged friend fight, it is clear that you were taught by my greatest enemies. You know where they lurk. Kill them once and for all, and bring me their weapons as proof of your victory. Fail in this, and your friend will suffer for it."

So that was why we had been caught. I was the worst off, under the threat of death, to force Tzu to do Saki's dirty work and attack even our own friends to protect me from further harm.

"Don't do it, Tzu," I pleaded. "You can't do it."

Another burst of pain shot through me as Saki activated the punishing circuit in the contraption. It was brief, but Saki had silenced my pleas to Tzu.

"I'll do it," Tzu said. I looked at him, unable to belief he had yielded to Saki's dark will. Then again, I had known I might well be captured if I came to Tzu's rescue, but that hadn't stopped me. He was doing what he could to be there for me; but I surely wasn't worth the lives of our friends to him?

Tzu left the place, grim-faced. I decided on one thing there and then: if he did carry out the dark action, I would never again be friendly to him.