This chapter will jump around a bit.

Sorry Don...

I don't own them, and everyday another part of me dies. :(

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Chapter 7: Taking chances

Raph was still screaming his brother's name into the phone when April pulled the cell out of his grip.

"Raph?"

"Raphie?"

He heard their voices, but he couldn't bring himself to answer. He just stood there, his fist still clenched around a phone that wasn't there. His knuckles bleached. Several different emotions flashed through his eyes as he pulled in deep breaths and released them between gritted teeth.

Raphael's screams had brought Splinter out of meditation and he scrambled to the lab as fast as he could.

"What has happened?" Splinter's eyes darted back and forth between the occupants of the room.

Raph didn't know how he made it across the room. But the next thing he knew he was bent over the trash can, heaving up the contents of his stomach. The voices around him were just a dull roar. They were trying to get his attention, but Leonardo's scream replayed in his mind.

"Raphael?" Splinter's voice broke through. "My son?"

Raph rocked back on his knees and drew in a shaky breath.

"S-Sensei..."

"I am here, Raphael. Please tell us what has happened?"

"Who was that?" Mikey was suddenly by his side. "Was it Leo?"

Raph's eyes narrowed. "Starcher," he hissed.

"What? Are you sure?"

"Starcher?" April broke in. "Isn't he dead?"

Mikey shook his head. "No, Raph saw him on the news with Saki."

"What did he say? Does he have Donny too?"

"I-I don't know." Raph rubbed his hand roughly down his face. "I could just hear Leo."

Amber eyes flashed with rage. "Just Leo's scream."

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Don had been over the small room twice. No openings, no weaknesses.

Nothing.

There wasn't even a crack in the wall where the monitor was hidden behind the panel.

He had to get out.

"And then what?" he thought.

He couldn't leave Leonardo and he didn't know where Starcher was keeping him.

Don nervously chewed his lip. Did Starcher tell Leo that Don had pushed the button that made the soldiers attack him? Did Leo think that he was betrayed all over again?

Don shook the thoughts from his head. He knew that if he was going to escape, now was the time. They had left the shackles off of him. He didn't know if it was a mistake, but he may not have this chance again. He remembered that Leo had said they kept him bound at all times...except his one escape attempt.

Don swallowed thickly. If he failed, he didn't know what would happen to him...to Leo. Starcher seemed to be using Leo against him.

He stared at the door to the cell. No windows, no knob, no hinges...just the blasted acess card slot. He knew that was the only way out. Don settled back down in the corner and buried his head in his arms. He would have to make them think that he was too broken to fight, see how many there were, and then make his move.

He heard footsteps and voices outside the door, he took a deep breath and prepared himself.

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April's fingers flew across the keyboard. Leonardo's tracer signal had disappeared from the screen, but she had recorded where it was. Her throat went dry.

"Leo's signal was at Foot headquarters." Her lips turned into a deep frown.

"Donny's signal is at the junkyard," Mikey said. "Do you think that they took Leo and left Don there?"

"Why would they do that?" Casey was still trying to figure out why Starcher was still alive.

"They fought us tonight and then out of the blue, they retreated." Mikey said.

"He is just toying with us," Raph snarled. "It is just a game to 'im."

"What do we do?" Mikey turned to Raph.

"We go to the junkyard first, then to Foot Headquarters."

"That is just what they are expecting," Mikey pointed out.

"Leo's there! Maybe Don too," Raph ground out through clenched teeth. "I'm goin' back an' finish off Starcher myself."

He stormed out of the room.

"Wait, Raph," April called after him. "Let's think this through."

"Miss O'Neil is right." Splinter's voice made Raph stop and turn around. "We must make a plan."

Raph growled low under his breath. He knew that they were right. But that didn't stop the urge to march into Foot Tower and take out as many ninjas as he could. To ram his sai into Starcher's gut.

He heard Leo's scream again...Starcher's mocking voice. He sqeezed his eyes shut and fought the nausea that was creeping up his throat.

"Fine, let's plan." He turned to to his friend. "April?"

April nodded. "I'll see what I can do." She turned back to the lab and sat down at the computer. In a matter of seconds she had the Foot Tower's blue prints on the screen. A cold sense of dread washed over her. It wasn't easy to gain access to the security system last time. Now she wasn't sure if she could. Especially without Don.

While she worked on that, Casey, Raph and Mikey were getting ready to leave for the junkyard.

"We will be back as soon as we see if Don is at the junkyard," Raph was already across the room and standing at the door. "Then we will see if we are rescuing two brothers."

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The door slid open with a hiss. Don kept his head down, his body tensed.

One set of footsteps.

Another set followed.

The door slid back, and their shadows fell over him. He counted backward.

Three...

"Starcher wants to see you, freak." One soldier hissed.

Two...

They grabbed him under the arms.

One!

Don jumped up and staggered the soldiers back. His fist connected with the throat of the ninja on his right. The soldier dropped like a sack. He wouldn't have to worry about that one calling for help.

The other already had his communicator out. One swift kick and the black box clattered across the floor. The soldier looked at the communicator and then to Donatello.

Don was on him before he could go for his weapon. A quick punch to the chest and he swept his legs out from under him. The ninja curled up on the floor wheezing. Don kicked the black clad man in the head, knocking him out cold. He reached down and took the soldier's access card and katana. It wasn't a bo, but it would have to do.

Adrenaline was following hot through his veins as he opened the door to his cell and checked the hall.

Empty.

He slid quietly into the hallway, only stopping to shut the door. Starcher was expecting the soldiers to return with him, so it he didn't have long to look for Leonardo before they sent someone to check on what was taking so long. He stopped at a corner and peered around it. There was two soldiers standing in front of one of the cells.

"That has to be where Leo is," he thought as he started down the hall, sticking to the shadows. He would have to take these ninjas out quickly.

He shifted the katana in his hand, took several deep breaths and leaped out of the shadows. The two soldiers didn't know what had hit them. They slumped to the ground with gaping wounds to their throats. It took just a few seconds for them to draw their last breaths.

Don moved them out of the way and used the card to open the door. Relief washed over him when he saw his brother slumped against the wall. He rushed in and knelt beside him.

"Leo?" He lifted his head just a bit.

Leonardo didn't respond.

A burn mark on his shoulder revealed why. Starcher had used a taser on him.

"Hey, Leo." Don patted his cheek. "Wake up, bro. We have to get out of here."

Leo stirred a bit.

"Wake up."

"Don?" Leo still hadn't opened his eyes.

"Yeah, it's me. You need to wake up. I have to get these shackles off of you, we have to get out of here."

Leo cracked his eyes open. Don's face slowly came into focus.

Don's relief was shattered when he saw the look of fear in Leo's eyes. Leo looked at Don and then to the katana in his hand. He tried to scramble away.

"You are not my brother!"

Don pulled his lips into a tight line. Leo thought that he was being tricked again.

"Yes, Leo, it's me. I promise! We don't have much time, we have to go!"

The sound of footsteps pounding down the hall made both turtles look at the door.

"No!" Don gasped.

The door slid open and four foot soldiers filed into the room, weapons drawn. Don raised his sword and took a defense stance in front of Leo.

The soldiers parted and Starcher stalked into the room.

"Very impressive, Donatello. I am surprised you made it this far."

"I'm sick of your games," Don growled. "Now let my brother go!"

Don took a step forward, but Starcher was too quick. Don barely registered the silver gun in his hand and he heard a loud pop. The force knocked him into the wall and he slid to the floor with a groan. He tried to reach up and pull the dart from his shoulder, but his arm would not obey his commands. Whatever was in the dart was taking effect, his muscles felt like lead.

"I'm not a ninja." Starcher held the gun on Don. "This is how I take care of problems."

Leo shifted.

"Don't move," Starcher hissed. "Or I'll put another dart right between his eyes."

The color drained from Leo's face. He realized that was his brother.

"Take Donatello to his cell," Starcher glowered. "Teach him a lesson."

The soldiers grabbed Don and dragged him from the room.

"Don't worry, Leonardo." Starcher smiled and put the gun back in his pocket. "I have big plans for you before I give you to Master Saki.

The overhead lights went out and Starcher walked out of the room. The door slid closed, sending the room into darkness.