Yes, finally. It took a while, but I finally got over my writer's block tonight. I just hope I'm not disappointing you with this... Anyway, thanks for your patience. Hope you like it.

P.S. Now officially: Happy Newyear, everybody! The best wishes for each and every one of you! ^____^


"Sir, we've captured the intruders. What do you want us to do with them?"

"I think I'll pay them a little visit myself. My… 'visitor' is mentally breaking down. It's almost time to go a little… further. Besides, I want to see these intruders. Look at what they've done to these though guys. It's a disgrace. Clean the place up, I don't want anyone to see this mess."

The guards' captain looked at his boss from the corners of his eyes. He was talking about his own men like they were lifeless attributes lying in the way, and their blood like it was spilt juice. Then again, he didn't expect much different from him. He was torturing a teenage girl whom he had never met before, for crying out loud.

"You said there were only five of them?" asked Alexio, his voice filled with disbelief.

"Yes, sir," confirmed the captain.

"Damn," said Alexio. "They'd be perfect for my team. Maybe I can find a way to persuade them to join us."

They stopped in front of a heavily locked door. Alexio ordered one of the two armored men guarding the door to open it.

"Sir, before you go in there, there is something you must know," said the captain quickly.

"What?" asked Alexio.

"Four of the intruders are… not human, sir," said the captain hesitantly. "They are some kind of monstrosity that look like turtles. They were using weapons from the Far East."

"Monstrosity? Turtles?" repeated Alexio. "Just what the hell do you mean by that?"

The door opened and Alexio couldn't believe what it revealed: four giant turtles, chained to the wall. They were all wearing masks, wristbands, ankle bands, belts with each a different letter on it…

Alexio, secretly impressed, entered the room and studied the Turtles carefully before looking Leonardo in the eyes.

"Can you… talk, my friend?" he asked nonchalantly.

"I talk only when I have something to tell," said Leonardo calmly. "I wish the same from you… 'my friend'."

Alexio's eyebrows rose with amusement. He smiled, gave the captain a look and looked back at Leonardo.

"You seem pretty smart," said Alexio. He looked at the other three Turtles. "Does this also apply for your…" He narrowed his eyes, like he couldn't find the right word. "… brothers?" He looked at the purple-masked Turtle, who looked like he could attack ay minute if it weren't for those chains.

"If looks could kill…" said Alexio softly. He came to stand in front of Donatello. "Do I know you? No, that can't be. I'm sure I would've remembered someone with your… looks."

Donatello glared at him, hatred filling up inside him, fighting to control it.

Alexio turned back to Leonardo.

"Where do you come from, and why did you come here?" asked Alexio.

"I have no intention of telling you our whereabouts," said Leonardo. "Neither do my brothers. That is something you will never find out. We are here to get something back that doesn't belong to you."

"Something?" asked Alexio. "Or… someone?" He wondered if one of the girls that were 'imported' today, was actually familiar with these creatures.

Maybe that Japanese girl, he thought. They were using weapons from the Far East, after all.

"You made a big mistake in kidnapping her," said Donatello. Alexio turned to him. He saw the rage in the turtle's eyes. "Where is she?!"

"Donatello," scolded Leonardo.

"Donatello?" asked Alexio. "Interesting name. And why do you care so much for this girl, Donatello?"

Donatello just glared, focusing on controlling his anger.

"I would like to make a bargain with you," said Alexio. "If you help me carry out an important mission, I'll give you back that girl."

"We'll never work for you," said Raphael.

"That's right," said Michelangelo. "You're loco, dude."

Donatello and Leonardo looked at each other.

"What kind of mission?" asked Leonardo.

"What?! Leonardo…!" said Raphael.

"A… punishment," said Alexio with an evil smirk.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Welcome to the mob, my green friend – Leonardo, was it? Those who mess with the mob, will pay a price. They'll either work off their debt, or else suffer and eventually die."

Leonardo looked at his brothers. Raphael shook his head. "Don't do it," he said soundlessly. Michelangelo didn't say anything, but the look in his eyes said more than enough. Donatello was still doubting.

"That girl you were looking for," started Alexio, "is it that Japanese girl?"

"What?" asked Raphael. "You kidnapped other girls, too?!"

"I guess that's a 'no'," said Alexio. "Tell me her name and I'll bring her over for a minute."

Leonardo looked at his brothers again. Donatello nodded.

"Her name is Naomi Peterson," he said.

Alexio's eyes widened for less than a second at hearing the name. You've got to be kidding me, he thought. Leonardo saw it.

"I'll see what I can do for you," said Alexio nonchalantly. "In the meantime, you can think about what you're gonna choose: work for me… or die."

And with that, he left the room and the door was slowly shut.

"Heh, as if," mumbled Raphael.

"Did you guys see that?" asked Leonardo.

"What?"

"The way he reacted on Naomi's name."

"I saw it," said Donatello. "But I don't know if it's a good or a bad sign."

"I don't like it at all," said Michelangelo.

"What do we do now?" asked Raphael.

"I'm still thinking of a plan, Raphael," said Leonardo.

"I'm worried about April," said Michelangelo. "I wonder where she is."

"She'll be alright," said Leonardo. "There's no messing with April."

"That's true," said Michelangelo.

"Don't forget that we dragged her into this," said Donatello. "It's our fault Naomi's been kidnapped, and now April, too…"

"And we'll be the ones to get both of them out of here," said Leonardo. "Calm down, Donatello."

"Yeah, this isn't like you, man," said Michelangelo. "It's mondo freaky."

"I'm sorry, I can't help it," said Donatello. "I can't remember I've ever been this worried or ever feeling this guilty."

"Well, snap outta it," said Raphael.

"Remember your training," said Leonardo. "Splinter taught us to stay calm, no matter how bad things look. All we can do for now is wait and hope both April and Naomi are alright."

******

"You're going to regret this, you hear me?!" April shouted from her cell. "I've been in situations that were way worse than this! And as soon as I'm out of here, I'll personally make sure you'll regret this!"

The two men guarding the cells tried to ignore the shouting and bumping on the door, but April had been going on for half an hour already and she still wasn't tired of it yet.

"Is there no way to shut this woman up?" mumbled one of the guards.

"Just bear with it," said the other. "She's too old to put her with the others."

"I heard that!" yelled April.

"I'm surprised, since you're noisier than an airplane!" said one of the guards.

"Why don't you come over here, so I can wipe that smirk off your faces?!"

"I'm not smirking!"

"I don't care! Bring it on!"

"Damn it, woman! Will you just shut up!"

"Matt, cut it out," said the other guard. "You're wasting your time. I bet we'll be rid of her soon. For good."

******

Alexio opened the door of the torture chamber and watched his prisoner. She was covered with blood. Her eyes seemed filled with mist. She was mumbling inarticulately. She slowly looked up when she saw him enter the room.

"My, my," said her tormentor. "Feeling a little woozy, by any chance?"

Naomi didn't answer. Every breath hurt so badly. She could feel the cut on her chest being ripped more and more open with every deeper breath she took.

Alexio stood right in front of her.

"My… how tragic it must be for you," he said. Naomi looked up into his eyes. "You lost your entire family at the age of eight, and now you're going to lose your… friends?" He lowered more to Naomi's eye level. "Those… monsters, those turtles…" he started. Naomi's eyes widened. "Are they friends of yours?"

They came for me…

Naomi gasped and tried to say something, but a killing pain in her chest withheld her from saying anything. A grin appeared on Alexio's face.

"I'll take that as a 'yes'," said Alexio. "They told me they were looking for you. Just too bad for them that they were way outnumbered…"

"Leave them alone!" screamed Naomi, fighting against the pain talking was bringing her.

"I'm afraid I can't do that," said Alexio. "Such monsters, on the loose in New York. Such monsters don't belong in this world. And you befriended them."

"Let them go!" said Naomi.

"They seem very important to you," said Alexio. "And you seem very important to them. Now let's see if I can destroy that friendship before I kill you."

"No…"

"Yes." He straightened, turned around and walked out the room.

"NO! LEAVE THEM ALONE! COME BACK! COME BAAAACK!!!"

The echoing sound of a shutting door ended Naomi's desperate screams.


... Yes. That's it for this chapter. I'll try and come up with a new one soon. Thanks for reading and reviews are still very much welcome! (^.^)/~