A/N: This one was a wild ride to write. And it's a tad shorter than what I usually like to post but it was the best stopping point I could get.


"Here." Leo squatted on the roof and pointed at the remains of Yoshi's holo-projector.

K-three frowned and moved to the street side of the roof to look down. "Maybe they got spotted up here."

Donnie moved to stand beside him. The abandoned building across from them was dark, but any lead was better than nothing. "Let's check it out."

They crossed the street to an adjacent building and then climbed down into the alley that ran alongside the abandon structure. Leo knelt to examine the ground. "There's been a lot of activity here and recently. There are footprints and scuff marks." Shinta knelt beside him, all the while watching and learning.

Donnie knelt a little further up the alley. "They had a truck here too. A good size one by the tire marks."

Kaz had found the side door into the building. "Here's our way in." He tested the handle. It wasn't locked.

Leo frowned, drawing a katana and moving to stand to one side of the door. "Careful." He reminded his nephew.

Kaz made a face, but nodded. He slowly eased the door open and Leo peered inside. The building beyond was dark and silent. Kaz opened the door the rest of the way and stared. "Huh?"

"That's odd." K-three mused as they entered. He'd expected at least a little resistance, even if the Foot had packed up and taken off. How did they pick up and take off so fast?

As the group moved into the building, they listened for signs of life. Finally assured there were none, Leo motioned to the others. "Spread out, check for clues. If the Foot were using this place, they might have left something behind."

The floor was littered with piles of trash. They each pulled a small flashlight from their belts and started sifting through the rubbish. After several minutes, Kaz snorted. "There isn't anything here." Nearby, K-three sighed. He had to agree. This place didn't even look like it had been setup as any kind of operation. There were layers of dust on piles of rotting wood and concrete.

A car passed on the street, it's lights shining through the slats on the windows. Something shiny caught Donnie's eye. He swung his flashlight around to have a better look. High in a corner was a tiny camera. He moved towards it only to stop dead in his tracks. There near the far wall, half hidden beneath a pile of debris, something flashed a red number. The pieces fell into place like the slamming of a coffin lid. "Everyone out! Bomb!"

Everyone moved towards the door as a long beep was heard behind them. The building shook with the first explosion as Leo shoved Shinta out the door. They were followed quickly by Kaz and K-three. A second explosion nearly took Donnie off his feet. He caught himself and barreled out the door behind his son-in-law, just as the roof began its downward crash through the six stories behind them. They blundered into the street, trying to avoid the falling debris.

Tires squealed as a car swerved, it's driver frightened by the exploding building, the five giant turtles in front of him or maybe both. They coughed as they blindly made for the alley across the street. The air was filled with dirt and dust, covering them in a layer of grayish powder.

Shinta choked, brushing furiously at the dust wanting to clog his nostrils. He was vaguely aware of his father's hands on his shoulders until he heard his voice, hoarse and low. "Are you alright, Shinta?"

The young turtle swiped at his eyes, trying to get enough grit out of them that he could open them. "Yes." He managed between coughs.

Leo turned his attention to his other charge. "Kaz? Kaz, you okay?" There was coughing and a sputtering yes from a shape not far away, and Leo sighed in relief.

Nearby, Donnie gripped K-three's arm. "Are you hurt?"

K-three probed his face were something felt wet. He hissed lightly in pain. A cut ran along his cheek. It wasn't deep though. "Just a little cut."

Donnie blinked at him as the air began to clear. The dim yellow street light, cast them in a strange shade of mustard. He could see the wound on his son-in-law's face, red against the gray. He frowned, squeezing the younger turtle's arm. Although K-three was not his biological son, he was his family, his responsibility. He'd come to cherish him as deeply as he did his own daughter in the past decade. He never liked seeing him hurt. Mira would never develop the mirroring capabilities he and Sarah shared, but she would know her mate was injured.

"We'll clean it up when we get to the van." Donnie released him to turn and look at the demolished structure they had been in less than two minutes ago. Leo turned to stare at it as well. The brothers exchanged a look. This had all been a trap. The clues had been too obvious, left intentionally to draw them in.

Somewhere in the distance an ambulance wailed it sirens and dread twisted inside Don as a sudden realization hit him. Sarah was scared - really scared.


Cole watched the video feed on the computer monitor. The moment the turtles had entered the structure it had triggered the device and he had been alerted. He watched them cross the large empty room. He smirked, until one spotted the camera and then the bomb. He could see them retreating, but this camera did not catch whether they made it out or not. He switched to two cameras on the outside that showed the building from two different angles. One only showed the building crumbling and crashing down. In the other, however, he could just see the movement of forms in the lower corner of the frame. He cursed. They'd made it.

"No matter, they will lead me to the rest of their nest so they will all be exterminated at once." He lifted the radio and spoke into it. "Follow them. Do not engage. Report once they reach their destination."

He sneered as he stood from the console and crossed the warehouse to the short staircase that led to the basement. He opened the metal door to stare coldly at his captive. The turtle was a consolation prize. His father was the one he'd wanted, but he was likely dead. So this one would suffer in his place.

Yoshi stared back at him. His face was stoic but his eyes blazed with hatred. Cole continued to sneer. I will break your spirit. He moved forward into the room and hit a button on the wall that turned on a projector mounted higher up. "I bring news about your family."

Yoshi flinched, then growled. "Stay away from them."

"Oh, but you'll want to hear this." Cole reached into his pocket and pulled out a remote. The back wall of the cell sprang to life with the video from inside the abandoned building.

Yoshi couldn't help but watch as Leonardo followed shortly by Kaz entered a room. Yoshi thought the room looked a bit familiar, but wasn't certain because of the camera angle. Then Donatello and K-three appeared. When Shinta appeared, it made his heart skip a beat. What the hell was he doing with them? Why had Leo allowed him come along?

Cole moved a little closer to the bars, drawing Yoshi's attention back to him. "They were so concerned for your safety, they had to come back looking for you." Cole's eyes flicked to Shinta and Yoshi snarled. "Such a pity. That one was so young."

Yoshi felt his insides turn cold. "Was?"

Cole nodded at the video that was still playing and Yoshi couldn't help but turn his attention back to it. On the screen his uncle suddenly shouted something and they all began to run, just as the room they were in began collapsing around them. Cole pressed a button and the scene changed to the outside angle. Yoshi gasped as the building imploded on itself, crashing down in a giant storm of dust and debris. "No." He shook his head, struggling against the chains. "No! No!"

Cole strolled to the bars, his face a mask of false sympathy. "Yes, I'm afraid so. They're all dead. Not a one made it out."

"No!" Yoshi roared, coming off the floor, the chains digging into his wrists and neck. A ring of red appeared around each cuff, dripping onto the floor. It went completely unnoticed by the raging turtle. "You're a monster!"

Cole put a hand over his heart in mock distress. "I'm hurt. I thought you'd be pleased."

The metal chain gave a groan as the turtle strained against it. "Pleased! You really are insane!"

"Their deaths were quick. It was a better fate than the one I had planned for them." He smirked then. "What I still have planned for the rest. All that is left are your females and one lone injured turtle." His eyes darted to the empty cell to Yoshi's left. "You won't be lonely for long. Your uncle will join you here and then you will witness the true depth of my hatred as I slay each of your whores before your very eyes."

Yoshi could have sworn his heart stopped beating as his mouth hung open. He clamped it shut and scowled. "You'll never find them."

Cole shook his head. "How pathetic." His blue eyes bore into the turtle. "I already have."

Yoshi just stared as Cole left the room, leaving the horrible scene repeating in a loop on the back wall. He yanked hard on the chains, feeling them bite into his flesh. He needed to get free! He had to warn them! Had to save them! He fought and fought, roaring in pain and anguish. Beneath him the place where the chains were connected to the floor, gave just a little but not nearly enough.

After what felt like hours, Yoshi collapsed to the floor. The tears came unbidden, undesired. It was his fault – all of it. His father, his uncles, his cousins and now…. His mother's face sprang before his clenched eyes. Her bright green eyes holding love and forgiveness, the apple scent of her short blonde hair. He could feel her hands on his cheeks, soft yet firm. He remembered the warmth of her body as she'd cradled him as small child. She was in danger and he was locked in here, unable to protect her. Unable to protect any of them.

His heart filled with guilt. If they lived, could they ever forgive him for this? He'd exposed them to danger and gotten most of them killed. All because he'd been lonely, jealous, and selfish. He deserved whatever this monster did to him. He deserved it a hundred times over. "I'm sorry." He whispered into the puddle of tears and blood. "I'm sorry."

As pathetic as it sounded, all he wanted at that moment was his mother.


Sarah checked Raph's vitals again. They were strong. He was doing really well after the blood transfusion. She leaned down and pressed a hand to his cheek. He let out a sharp breath and his grip tightened on the hand Cat was still holding. Sarah smiled, taking the reaction as a good sign. He was still mostly unconscious but he was becoming more aware.

Cat stirred on the other side of the cot, where she'd been resting against her spouse's large bicep. She'd only been dozing for about thirty minutes. As she lifted her head, Sarah noted that she was sweating again and looked a bit disoriented. Her small hand gripped Raph's tightly as she tried to focus on the world around her. She had a strong desire to vomit and she started to stand, using the cot for balance.

Sarah frowned at her. "Cat? Are you okay?"

She moved around to the foot of the bed. "Bathroom. I need to…." Her voice faded as she suddenly collapsed to the floor.

"Cat!" Sarah's scream ripped through the lair. She rushed forward and rolled her onto her back. "Cat, can you hear me!" Oh, god, please no! Not again! Sarah's mind was frantic as several pair of feet appeared in her peripheral.

"Cat!" Kala scrambled to her knees beside Sarah and shook their sister-in-law roughly.

Although the action had no effect on Cat, it snapped Sarah back into reality. "Light!" She demanded, throwing a hand in the air. Someone shoved it into her palm and she flicked it on, shining it into one of Cat's eyes. The pupil didn't react. "Damn it!" She grabbed Cat's wrist, feeling desperately for a pulse. There was one but it was faint. The pieces slowly clicked into place. She knew what this was. "Hospital. We have to get her to the hospital!" She looked up and saw Mikey, Jamie and Mira staring at her slack jawed. "Jamie, 911! Now!" Jamie snapped to attention fumbling for her phone. "Mikey, we have to get her upstairs."

He nodded and scooped Cat into his arms. He struggled only slightly with his injured leg. Cat weighed nothing compared to Raph. Sarah hurried after him as he headed for the elevator. She pressed the button to call the car and turned off the alarm, then turned to Mira. Her daughter looked a bit shaken. She grabbed her shoulders. "Mira, stay with Raph. Keep an eye on him. Your father will be back soon. I have to go with Cat."

"I'll come with you." Jamie said, the phone still pressed to her ear.

Sarah nodded, knowing the dispatcher was probably asking a thousand questions. The elevator arrived and Kala clutched Mira's arm, but her eyes were fixed on Sarah. "What's wrong with her? Why the hospital?"

Sarah shook her head. "If it is what I think it is, she'll need an MRI." Her big brown eyes held fear and worry.

"What can we do?" Mira asked softly as the doors began to close.

Her mother met her gaze. "Pray." She half-whispered, half-mouthed.

Mikey stared down at Cat and his heart clenched. If something happened to her, his brother would literally go insane. He looked up at Sarah, pleadingly. "Is she going to…?"

Sarah's eyes flashed. "Don't Mikey, just don't."

He gave a shaky nod and they hurried out into the garage. The ambulance sirens were just outside the door now. He laid Cat near the large door and hurried back out of sight as Jamie hit the button to raise it. The paramedics were already scrambling out of the cab. They hurried over and gathered her onto the stretcher as Sarah started giving them her vitals.

Mikey watched from the shadows of the hall as Sarah and Jamie jumped inside the ambulance. Cold dread pooled in the pit of his stomach. Bile rose in his throat and he fought hard not to lose his lunch. He hated to think what would become of his brother if Cat died before he woke from his own injuries. He will completely lose it! Especially if Yoshi isn't here either. Yoshi! Yes, they had to find Yoshi now more than ever. He might be able to keep Raph under control.

He watched the ambulance pull away and mere moments later he saw the turtle van careen around the corner. He hit the button to close the main door and ran to the back, throwing open the door as the others rushed inside.

Leo looked a bit frightened. "We saw an ambulance leave. What's going on?"

"Is it Uncle Raph?" Kaz asked, fear tinging his voice.

Mikey shook his head, bit his lip and fought the words past the lump in his throat. "No, it's Cat. She passed out. I don't know what happened. Sarah and Jamie went with her."

Donnie frowned. Why would Sarah have taken Cat to the hospital for passing out? He paled as the puzzle finally fit. "Oh, god, no…."


The Foot-bot stood motionless as he sent a live feed of the scene below to his master, his processors relaying his location. He was a machine, cold and callus. He cared nothing for the five turtles that hurried out of the van and into the garage.

As a single dark figure he'd gone unseen by his enemy. His mechanical body easily keeping pace with the vehicle as he'd raced across the rooftops, just out of sight. They were now at his master's mercy. The problem was, he didn't have any.


A/N: So I haven't finished the next chapter yet, but I felt I really needed to get this one out. I've a had series of unfortunate trips to the ER, so it kind of delayed me. I will get it written asap. Review please, let me know what you think, k?