A/N Wow time sure does fly by. I've been so busy I almost forgot to update this. And I did forget to thank everyone personally. So a huge thank you to my reviewers and readers. Here's ch 16 for ya and the usual disclaimer applies. Enjoy.

Ch 16 Trouble

"Leo he didn't mean that," Karai said gently, putting her hand on Leo's shoulder.

"Yeah he's just upset right now," Mikey put in, trying his best to sound encouraging.

"No he's right," Leo said blinking back the tears. "Donnie is gone because of me. And its my job to get him back."

"We're with ya Leo," Raph said, his green eyes filled with determination.

"No," Leo said firmly. "You and Mikey need to stay here. You're hurt and going out and fighting is only going to make things worse." Raph opened his mouth to protest but Karai interrupted him.

"Leo's right," the teen ninja said. "You two need to stay here. Me and Leo have got this."

"No," Leo said again. "Karai you should stay here too. Mikey and Raph need looking after."

"But Leo you're going to need help," Karai protested.

"I need to do this on my own," Leo declared. Karai opened her mouth to protest but Leo held up his hand, silencing her. "I need to prove myself to Sensei again. If I rescue Donnie on my own then maybe..."

"Then maybe what you'll get yourself killed?" Slash interrupted, roughly. Leo shot the snapping turtle a look but Slash paid him no attention as he continued, "Look Leonardo it ain't that I don't think ya can do it. I know ya could. But Donatello ain't in his right mind. He's liable to hurt ya. Or worse."

"I can handle it Slash," Leo insisted.

"Leo he built rockets and tried to blow us up for cryin' out loud!" Casey shouted. "If you go there alone he'll kill ya."

"Donnie won't kill me," Leo declared.

"The normal Donnie wouldn't," April pointed out. "But this Donnie would. He's completely under the Shredder's control Leo."

"Yeah and Splinter wouldn't want ya to go and get yourself killed," Mondo chimed in. Leo opened his mouth to speak but Dr. Rockwell interrupted him.

"Perhaps it would be best to wait to see if I can some how find a solution to Donatello's mind control," the monkey said.

"How?" Raph asked. "You don't even know what's causin' it."

"I managed to get this during the battle," Dr. Rockwell informed the group, holding up a small vial with blood in it. "Thanks to Leatherhead." Dr. Rockwell smiled at the alligator when he said this part.

"I've already been doing tests on the blood," Leatherhead informed everyone. "Nothing so far."

"Yes but we've only just begun the tests," Dr. Rockwell said. "But please Leonardo do us all a favor and don't act just yet."

Leo looked at his friend then he looked at the rest of the group, who were all giving him pleading looks. The oldest turtle let out a sigh, knowing he was beat. "Fine," he said after a minute. "I won't act just yet."

"Give us your word Leo," Raph said. Leo gave his slightly younger brother a look. "I'm serious Leo," Raph said. "Give us your word you won't do nothin' on your own. We all know you won't break your word."

"You have my word," Leo said, his blue eyes locked onto Raph's green one. "I won't act until Dr. Rockwell and Leatherhead have a solution."

"Well I'm glad that's settled," Mikey said with a smile and a yawn. "I don't know about you dudes but I'm like seriously wiped out. I could use some zzs."

"I think sleep would be the best thing for everyone," Dr. Rockwell said.

"April you and Casey stayin'?" Raph asked looking at the two teens.

"Sure,"Casey began. But he was interrupted by April.

"Casey its a school day," the red head reminded her friend. "If we leave now we'll just make it in time."

"Red there's no way I'm gonna be able to focus," Casey said with a yawn.

"Well too bad," April said, grabbing Casey by his arm and dragging him out of the room. "You've already missed a lot of school and you can't miss anymore. Now c'mon lets go We'll grab some energy drinks on the way there. See you guys later." With that the two teens were gone and the rest of the group went to get some much needed sleep. All except for Leo. The blue masked turtle knew it would be almost impossible for him to sleep. So instead he headed for the dojo to let off some steam. But when he started to open the dojo door he noticed Splinter was already in there. Leo peaked in and saw Splinter doing some of the exercises he had taught them to relieve stress. Leo decided not to bother Splinter and so he turned and began to walk away. However when he turned he heard a creaking sound. This instantly alerted Splinter to his presence and he flung open the door.

"Leonardo," Splinter said evenly when he saw his oldest son standing there.

"Sorry Sensei," Leo said, looking down at the ground. "I didn't mean to disturb you. I'll go." With that Leo began to walk away. But his feet were bothering him which caused him to limp slightly.

"Are your feet hurting you Leonardo?" Splinter asked, looking down at Leo's feet, which were swollen.

"Its nothing I don't deserve," Leo said softly. Splinter stared at Leo for a few seconds. Then he spoke.

"Perhaps," the brown coated rat said simply . "But I cannot allow you to walk around in pain. Now I will tend to your feet. Then you will go to bed. Understood?"

"Hei Sensei," Leo said with a small smile. He hoped that things would be ok between him and Splinter given time. He just needed to bring Donnie home to cement that. So without saying another word the father and son headed to Donnie's lab to tend to Leo's swollen feet.

TMNTTMNTTMNT

The next day on the other side of town Shredder was plotting. The armor clad man was using having Donnie on his side to his advantage. He was having Donnie work with Bebop to better enhance Bebop's gear. This was after he had had Donnie work on hacking the systems at TCRI so they could access their records. Shredder was interested in one piece of information in particular. And that was a mutagen that would allow him to become even stronger than he already was without making him something that wasn't human. "Stockman!" Shredder boomed. Moments later Baxter Stockman came running into the room.

"Y-yes Master," Stockman stammered.

"Have you given the turtle another dose of the mind control drug?" Shredder demanded.

"Oh yes Master," Stockman confirmed with a nod. "Slipped it into his food this morning. I'm currently making more as we speak."

"Good," Shredder said. "Bring the turtle to me."

"Yes Master," Stockman said with a bow as he exited the room.

"Master," Tiger Claw said from his place next to Shredder. "Forgive me for asking but why are you searching for more mutagen? You already have five mutants at you disposal."

"The mutagen is not for anyone else," Shredder informed his cohort. "It is for my own use. Steranko and Zeck have proven to be less useful than I had planed. I will use the mutagen on myself. Make myself stronger than ever before."

"But Master how can you be so sure it will work the way you want?" Tiger Claw asked.

"That is where the turtle comes in," Shredder responded. Then as if on cue Stockman came into the room with Donnie right behind him. "Ah perfect timing," Shredder said, motioning Donnie to kneel.

"Master I have good news," Donnie said as he bowed. "I managed to find some mutagen at TCRI that is stronger than any mutagen we've ever seen. With your permission I'd like to steal it for you."

"Yes that is exactly what I called you here for Donatello," Shredder said acting as if he had come up with the idea. "You have my permission to steal the mutagen and bring it back here. But I want you to take Zeck and Steranko with you just in case you run into the turtles."

"Yes Master," Donnie said with a bow. Without another word the purple masked turtle left to fetch Bebop and Rocksteady.

"Stockman I need you to gather the necessary equipment for the task," Shredder ordered. "I want everything ready when they return."

"Yes Master," Stockman said as he bowed and then ran out of the room.

"Master wouldn't it be better if I went with them?" Tiger Claw asked. "Given that Steranko and Zeck tend to act before they think."

"No Tiger Claw that won't be necessary," Shredder said as he turned and walked out of the room. "The turtle is smart enough to do the thinking for all three of them." Then without waiting for a response Shredder left them room leaving Tiger Claw alone with his thoughts.

A/N well there you have it folks ch 16 complete. Hope you all enjoyed and as always review please.