Ch 38. Racing Against Time.

Raph raced down the road weaving in and out of traffic, "Come on, get out of the way you dumb jackasses!" he screamed out of the window as he attempted to get around a particularly slow moving vehicle.

"Raphael!" Splinter called out as he grabbed on to the door handle so as not to slide into Mikey who was in between him and Casey. "Slow down, it will do neither Leonardo nor us any good if we get into an accident along the way."

Raph lifted his foot off the pedal and allowed the vehicle to slow down slightly. "Sorry Sensei," Raph replied as he turned a corner, "I'm just really concerned for Leo,"

"We understand dude," Mikey said as he braced himself using his hands against the two seats in front of him. "We all are."

"This is all my fault," Raph muttered, his voice was low but everyone heard him. "He told me in his nightmares his mother kept telling him someone was coming and that he was in possible danger but I didn't listen to him. I kept telling him he had to just move past everything and it would all be okay." He came to a red light and slammed his hand on the steering wheel. "I should have just listened to him," he almost yelled, "I, out of everyone, should know how difficult it is to get past things," Tears began to fall as he got the car in motion again. "Why didn't I just listen and try to be there for him instead of telling him he needed to get help."

"Raph no one is blaming you." Donnie said with a stern look at him, "But now is not the time to think about what you should have done, now is the time to think about what you're going to do."

Raph nodded, "I already know what I'm going to do Don," He said as he pulled up to the abandoned apartment building, "If Falco does have Leo, I'm going to make him pay."

A hand on his shoulder had him turning to look at Splinter, "If Falco does have Leonardo, and if he is in this building, you will take it slow and give us time to consider everything we may be up against," Splinter now turned to Donnie, "Donatello, is there a way you can see if this building has security cameras?"

Donnie nodded, "It will just take a few minutes…."

"We don't have a few minutes," Raph said urgently.

"Knock it off Raph," Casey told him, "I wanna get in there too but even I know rushing into a building with a mad scientist is not the way to go dude."

"Yeah Raph," Mikey chimed in, "Besides, we don't know who else could be in there."

Raph huffed and crossed his arms as he listened to Donnie tap away on his phone, "this is taking forever," He said after only a few seconds had gone by, "I say we just get to the rooftop and sneak in from above."

"And I would agree with you Raph," Donnie said as he pushed a final button, "but according to the security system I just hacked into, there are cameras on the roof as well as every floor," he pushed a few more buttons, "I can hack into the system and put them on a loop so we can sneak by them, just give me a little more time."

"We may not have more time," Raph said in exasperation, "Look, you do what you can with the indoor cameras but I can take care of the ones on the roof," Raph said. "And according to Rockwell, the apartment they used is on the second floor so…" he climbed out of the car and twirled his sais, "Let's go."

The others followed his lead and stepped out of the car and prepared their weapons, Splinter nodded to Raph, "You, Casey and Michelangelo get to the roof and deal with the cameras," he told them, "After Donatello is done dealing with the security system, we will go in through the front door and we will meet you on the second floor."

"You got it Sensei." Mikey told him as he and Casey hurried to catch up to Raph who was already running up the fire escape.

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Leo stared up in disbelief into the face of his father, a man he had hoped was dead but now, as he had feared because of the nightmares, here he was before him, his hand grabbing onto him by the collar and forcing him into a chair. As he looked over his father's features, he noticed the scars that once littered his face had almost faded away. As Saki's grip tightened, Leo also realized he seemed bigger and felt stronger, "How are you still alive?" Leo demanded. "You were being burned alive; you should be covered in burn marks and on your death bed!"

"Is that anyway to talk to your father?" Saki asked as he leered down at him.

"You're no father!" Leo screamed as he shot his foot out and slammed it into Saki's knee.

Saki let out a yell and fell to his knees while releasing his grip on Leo. Leo watched as he angrily stood up and looked down at him with a hateful glare. "I survived, which is something you will not do." He turned to Falco, "Is everything ready?"

"If Chapman has the equipment set up," Falco responded, "Then we'll be able to start right away,"

"What are you going to do?" Leo demanded as Tiger Claw and Saki grabbed him by his arms and forced him into the bedroom Saki had walked out of.

"We are going to drain that serum out of you." Saki replied coldly as they forced Leo into the room.

Leo struggled desperately to get out of their grip but it was a futile effort. They forced him onto a bed and held him down as Falco untied his hands then quickly retied his hands and feet to the side of the bed keeping him as immobile as possible. "You are not going to get away with this!" Leo shouted as he thrashed about trying to keep the ropes from being tied. "My friends are going to figure this out and they'll stop you."

"By the time they realize anything, you will be dead and we will already be on our way to Japan." Falco told him with an evil laugh.

Leo looked at Saki, "Why are you doing this to me?" he asked fighting the tears that threatened to fall. "You're supposed to be my father and fathers don't do this to their children."

"As I already explained to you once before Leonardo," Saki said as he stepped back, "You were born strictly to be a lab rat," He backed away allowing another person to come forward, "Nothing else."

Leo watched as Saki walked out of the room. He looked over at Tiger Claw who was standing by the doorway watching everything with interest. "My friends will make sure you don't get away with this."

The tiger shrugged. "We are prepared for them cub," he said with a hint of cold-heartlessness in his voice, "If they should get here before we leave."

Leo felt ice cold fear work its way up his spine as he pondered about what Tiger Claw had said. He looked over at the window wondering where Raph and the others could be and if they even realized he was yet missing. As his mind thought about his friends, the other person came into view again. Leo startled as his eyes landed on the face of a young man with light sandy brown hair. "I know you," Leo said as he strained his arms and legs against his bindings. "You're Chaplin from TCRI, you work with Dr. Rockwell."

Chaplin looked down at him and gave him a chilling smile. "Did work with him Leonardo," He told him. "After we're done here, I will be going to Japan with your father and we will begin creating his army of super soldiers."

"Army of super soldiers?" Leo looked over at Tiger Claw. "It'll never work," he told him desperately looking back at Chaplin, "They gave me the serum and all it did was enhance my system for a few days and then slowly it stopped working,"

"But you were only given one shot Leonardo," Chaplin reminded him as he attached a long thin tube to a needle. He grabbed Leo's arm and attempted to insert the needle. "We added to the serum Stockman had from the last time he took blood from you and we've already determined it does work, you father is evidence of that."

Leo continued to strain and struggle against his bindings, but stopped when he heard what Chaplin had told him. "You gave my father the serum?" He looked back to the door where Saki had walked out of as a new thought came to him, "That's why he seems bigger and stronger and….." A new dawning suddenly hit Leo, "Oh no," He looked over at Tiger Claw as the words he had spoken came back to him. "How many of the Foot Clan have you brought over here?" he demanded then winced as the needle was finally inserted into his arm.

The tiger smiled at him, "More than enough to keep intruders from stopping us in our conquest." He walked over to the bed and smiled evilly down at Leo, "But if they can't stop them, then your father will."

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Mikey and Casey ran up the fire escape attempting to keep up with Raph who was very determined to find Leo. As they finally got to the roof, they saw Raph petting a pigeon.

"What's he doing?" Casey asked Mikey.

Mikey let out a small chuckle. "You'll see." He told him impishly.

A few seconds later, dozens of pigeons flew overhead and started landing on the security cameras. Casey watched open mouthed and shocked as the pigeons seem to almost strategically begin to block the view the cameras had of the roof.

"My bro does have a way with the animals," Mikey said proudly as the trio made their way toward a door that led to a stairwell leading to the floors of the building. They stopped on the second floor and peaked out of the doorway. Looking around cautiously and seeing no one, they continued to walk the corridor keeping a watchful eye out Falco or any other person, but so far there was no sign of anyone. As they made their way, low voices could be heard and the Raph cautiously looked around the corner to see two men dressed head to toe in black ninja clothing standing in front of one apartment. The three stepped back and Raph motioned for them to retreat further down the hallway so they could speak without being heard.

"Weird," Mikey whispered, "Those guys are ninjas."

The others nodded, "What's the plan dude?" Casey asked as he tensed his hands around his bat.

"There's only two of them," Raph whispered, "Let's take them down."

"What if there's more of them?" Mikey asked nervously.

"We'll deal with that when we get to it," Raph responded sounding rather irritated. "Let's go."

The three readied their weapons and, with a loud yells, ran toward the two unsuspecting ninjas. Immediately, Raph and Casey engaged the two ninja in battle while Mikey watched their backs and kept look out for any further ninja.

The ninjas were good but they were no match for the other two and the fight did not last too long. Raph slammed the ninja he was fighting against the wall but before he could knock the ninja out, the ninja reached up and quickly pushed down on a fire alarm. Instantly, a blaring alarm sounded throughout the building alerting the others inside the apartment.

"Tiger Claw," Saki walked into the room and nodded toward the outside door, "Get the others and see what's going on out there." The tiger nodded and quickly left the room. Saki looked back into the room and watched Leo still struggling on the bed.

Leo looked over at Saki and, although weak due to the blood draining out him, was able to smile triumphantly at him, "They're here and they'll never let you leave this place alive."

Saki looked down at the turtle and sneered, "You are wrong Leonardo," He told him, "They are the ones who will never leave this place alive." He turned and walked out of the room.

"Damn it!" Raph yelled out as he punched the ninja several times over into unconsciousness. He turned as the door to the apartment opened and he, along with Casey, backed up as several more black clad ninja stepped out of the room followed by a large Bengel tiger.

"Holy chalupa!" Mikey yelled out as he looked upon the large cat. "What the hell is that thing?"

Tiger Claw growled at the young turtle and pulled out his swords. "I am Tiger Claw," he stated as he threateningly made his way toward them, "And I have been looking forward to meeting you cubs," He said with a vicious smile, "Because now I will finally be rid of you."

"What did we do you to?" Mikey asked as he dodge the cat's large paw.

"Not unless we take you down first!" Casey yelled out. He and Raph made a mad dash toward the ninjas and the large cat.

"Where's Donnie and Master Splinter!" Mikey yelled as he ducked the sword of one ninja then turned and kicked another in the stomach.

With a loud yell sounding behind them, Donnie quickly made himself known. "No worries little brother," He told Mikey, "We're right here and we brought company."

The others turned to see Leatherhead and Rockwell running over to them. "I called Professor Honeycutt and he's alerted the police," Rockwell said breathlessly, "Your coach here," He waved at Leatherhead who was barreling into two ninjas, "Insisted he should come with me when he heard what was going on."

"We can always use the help," Mikey told him as he ducked a ninja's sword swinging toward his head.

Raph took on Tiger Claw and attempted to bring the tiger down but he found out quickly he was no match for the large mutant. Tiger Claw quickly disarmed Raph and grabbed onto Raph's collar slamming him up against the wall. "Now you die turtle!" Tiger Claw yelled out as he brought his sword above Raph's head. Raph looked up fear and brought his arms up to block the sword but the hit never came. He watched in surprise as Tiger Claw was suddenly knocked off his feet by Splinter who stood in front of Raph and clenched his fist while looking down at the large tiger.

"Get away from my son!" He yelled as he blocked a kick from Tiger Claw.

"Hamato Yoshi," The large cat sneered as he slowly stepped back, "I have heard many things about you," He swiped his sword in an attempt to slice at the rat's chest but Splinter quickly dodge.

"And yet I have heard nothing of you cat," Splinter spat out as he began to move from side to side while hitting Tiger Claw in various pressure spots.

"Then allow me to introduce myself, I am Tiger Claw," The cat responded as the two ninja masters circled each other preparing to do battle, "And I am your executioner."

Splinter huffed at the large cat, "We shall see about that." Splinter said as the two rushed toward each other and began trading blows.

"Where is Leo!" Raph demanded as he struck out at a ninja with the butt of his sais, "Tell me where he is now!"

Suddenly, all eyes stared in shock as Saki stepped out of the apartment. "Leo's dad!" Mikey yelled in disbelief, "He is alive!"

Saki brought his sword up and sliced through the air toward Raph. "Leonardo is no longer your concern." He said as the turtle quickly dodged and attempted to get around him, but Saki kicked out with his foot and caught Raph in the chest sending him backward. At that moment, Leatherhead came toward Saki and, using his shoulder, smacked into Saki and sent him reeling backward.

"Raphael," Leatherhead yelled as he swiped his large tail at Saki, "check in there, quickly!" he turned back to grab at Saki but was suddenly lifted in the air and thrown across the floor.

Raph gasped in shock at seeing the large alligator go flying, he quickly ducked into the apartment before Saki could stop him. As Saki ran toward the room, Splinter managed to push Tiger Claw away and, with a jump and spin, knock Saki into the wall, "Dr. Rockwell!" Splinter called out as he blocked a blow from Tiger Claw, "Go with Raphael!" he ordered, "Leonardo might need your help."

While Splinter and Leatherhead faced off between Saki and Tiger Claw; Mikey, Donnie and Casey continued to battle the ninjas. Seeing they were currently holding their own, Rockwell quickly followed Raph into the apartment and, after a quick look around, saw the door to the other room being closed by Falco.

Raph eyes went white with rage and he ran over to the door before it could be locked, he slammed his foot against it and forced the door hard knocking Falco back and onto the floor. Raph saw Leo laying on the bed and Chaplin working on a tube now filling up with red liquid. "Get away from him!" Raph screamed. He ran over to Chaplin and pushed him away from Leo. Chaplin looked up in fear as Raph loomed over him with his sais hovering just above his eyes. As Raph growled angrily Chaplin scooted away from him, turned and jumped up running toward the door but was stopped by Rockwell. "Don't go anywhere Dr. Chaplin," He advised as he made him sit in a chair, "The police are already here and I will make sure they deal with you."

Rockwell then ran into the room and saw Falco lying on the floor, "I'll deal with you later," he told his ex-partner. He looked over to see Raph turning toward Leo and was just about to grab the tube that led into Leo's arm. "Raphael Stop!" He yelled and quickly rushed over to them. He began to inspect the machine, "He's lost a lot of blood and we must be careful when dealing with this type of machine," He told Raph as he looked over Leo checking his pulse and heart rate.

"Well do something!" Raph screamed as he watched Leo's blood slowly pour out of him.

Rockwell turned and gave Raph a stern look, "You go over there and let me work," He said pointing toward the door.

Raph begrudgingly moved away, he watched intently as Dr. Rockwell quickly went to work reversing the machine and putting Leo's blood back into him. After a few minutes, Leo blinked his eyes open and smiled weakly up at the monkey. "Thank you," He muttered as the Doctor removed the tube and wrapped a rag around Leo's arm. Raph breathed a heavy sigh of relief and ran over to Leo. He helped Leo sit up and the two wrapped their arms around each other.

"I am so sorry Leo," Raph whispered as the two held each other tightly. Leo nodded and pressed his face into the crook of Raph's neck. "I'm sorry too." He whispered back. They pulled apart and Raph ran a hand over Leo's face, "We have a lot to talk about when we get home."

Leo smiled back at him. "But first let's deal with these bastards." Leo told him with ferocity in his voice.

Rockwell smiled at the two turtles and walked back to Falco who was just starting to stand, "The police are going to want to speak with you Victor," Rockwell said as he grabbed Falco's arm and started leading him toward the outer room.

"The police will not be speaking with anyone!" Saki suddenly lunged into the room and grabbed the two scientists by their throats; he picked them up and threw them across the room knocking them unconscious. Raph assisted Leo in getting off the bed and moving him away as Saki stalked his way over to them. He pulled out his katana as Raph removed his sais and the two rushed toward each other.

Still feeling very weak, Leo watched helplessly as Saki kicked Raph up against the wall then grabbed him by the collar and began to repeatedly pound his fist against Raph's face and stomach, "Stop it Father!" Leo cried as he fought to stay on his feet.

Saki turned to him and scowled angrily, "Watch boy as I slice your boyfriend in two."

The momentary distraction was all Raph needed, he brought his fist up and slammed it into Saki's mouth. Enraged, Saki dropped his katana and slammed Raph up against the wall several more times before bringing him down onto the floor and wrapping his hands around his throat. "I am going to squeeze the life out of you!"

Leo watched as Saki dropped the katana to the floor, using what little strength he had, he made his way over to the sword and picked it up; he took a deep breath and brought the sword up. "NO!" Leo screamed, "Let him go!"

Saki turned in time to see Leo jumping up and bringing the sword down on top of him. Leo staggered back and watched in horror as Saki stood with the sword protruding out of his chest. Saki grabbed the sword and attempted to pull out of him but the sword would not budge, he sneered at Leo and fell to his knees, "And here….cough, cough….I thought….gasp….you were nothing…..cough….like me." Saki fell back onto the floor and slowly his eyes began to close.

"No, it shouldn't be possible," Leo looked at Falco who, along with Rockwell, was now standing up and walking over to Saki. Falco shook his head in disbelief, "The enhancing drug should be working on his system, he should be able to pull the sword out and recover like nothing ever happened to him." Falco stated as he brought a hand over to Saki body. "Why is he not getting up?"

Leo, Raph and Rockwell looked up to see the others walking in, they were beaten, bruised and scratched up but all were alive and walking on their own. "The police have already rounded up the Foot Clan and the big Tiger dude." Casey told Raph.

Raph nodded and walked over to Leo who was looking down at his father's body in shock. "Leo?" Raph began but Leo shook his head at him.

"It's over now Raph," He told him as he began to walk away. "Let's just go home."

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There you go 'Guest' a villain did die. One or possibly two more chapters to go and then we can call this story done, Please r&r and thanks to those that do, peace :)