After comparing Don's DNA with a normal turtle's and his older DNA, the man concluded that Don's genetic makeup had been permanently altered as a result of mutation from the outbreak. He then looked at earlier versions of DNA that he had acquired from Bishop. He compared the results from before and after the mutation.

Don might have been a good host before the mutation, but not now. One of the brothers was going to have to be the host in his little project. So he went over the DNA that had been collected by Bishop not that long ago.

As smart as Don was, well, he could be valuable in a science lab for being a fellow scientist, but this man wasn't looking for that. Don could also be subject for other tests, but he wasn't interested in anything else. His mind was focused on only one task at this time.

He would let Donatello go on the condition of ransom: switching him with one of his brothers. But he mostly wanted the leader, to see how well he would do, and get fresh DNA from him.

The man sent out a ransom message to the turtles' human friends. He made sure to be clear on his condition and that Don could go back to them only if they were followed.

….

As soon as April had received the ransom note she called her friends. By that time, Don had been missing for four nights.

The Turtles rushed over and when Leo read the note, he was glad to see the message said that his brother was fine. However, the ransom demanded him in exchange for Don to be released unharmed.

Leo was stunned silent. He would do this in a heartbeat for any of his brothers.

"I think I should do it, Leo. Don was my responsibility the night he was taken." Raph insisted.

"No, Raph," Leo replied. There was no way he was going to let another one of his brothers go. "I know you feel that way about it, but we have to do what the message says. I'll turn myself over to him to get Donny out. Don't worry, I'll get out."

"Just be careful, bro." The pain Raph was feeling bled into his words. Just like Leo, Raph couldn't bear the thought of having another brother captured when there was something he felt he could do to stop it.

"I will." Leo assured him.

"When are we meeting them to get Donny back?" Mikey asked.

"Two nights from now at midnight down by the docks." Leo said. "And it said for me to come alone. I can't be seen with you guys in order to get him from their custody or they would hurt him."

"Those dirty scumbags!" Raph snarled.

"You guys can come, but you have to stay out of sight and not get caught." Leo said. "And please Raph, listen to my orders this time."

"I'll do anything to get Donny back." Raph said.

Leo was glad for once that Raph was willing to listen to him. Now they just needed to wait for the two nights. It was going to be a long two days.

….

Donny was usually able to keep track of the time of day in his mind. But, sitting in his cell for so long and with nothing to occupy his thoughts, Don had lost track of what day it was. On what he guessed was his fourth day there, he was finally given a meal with more water. No one had come in to see him as of yet. They just gave him the food and water through the little hole in the wall. He still had no idea why he was there.

On his fifth day there, he wasn't given anything. So what? He was going to be starved for another 3 days? He didn't think he would survive that long.

Don was trying unsuccessfully to sleep when a sudden sound jarred him awake. His door was finally being unlocked! He sat up and was going to try to get up, but stopped when someone finally came into the room with some officers behind him.

"I wouldn't bother getting all the way up, Turtle."

"Who are you and where am I? What do you want with me?" Don demanded.

"Allow me to introduce myself. You may call me Agent Johnson. I have a little project in mind, but when I looked at your DNA results, I was disappointed. So I am in here right now to let you know that it is time for you to go." The scientist explained.

Don gulped. "What about my brother?" He demanded, trying to change the subject.

"What brother? If you mean the red masked one, my men never took him. You were here by yourself."

Don sighed, but still trembled nervously. "What are you going to do with me?"

"Since you are of no further use to me, you are going back to your family. But I require one of your brothers in exchange."

"NO! I won't let you harm my brothers!" Don shouted and got up to charge the man, but was stopped when one of the officers put a tazer to him and it electrified.

Don screamed in pain as it made him go down. He was just shocked and stunned from the blast.

"Good job. Now get him prepared for his trip." Johnson said.

Don had gone down on his side, but then the officers came up to him. He saw them blurrily in his vision as he was trying to breathe.

One officer pulled him over onto his stomach, then began pulling at his arms. They were placed behind his back and placed in cuffs. Don winced at the pull on his arms.

"Now, get up!"

"And don't give us any more trouble or there could be worse consequences before you're even set free." Another one warned.

Don was pulled to his feet and moved out of the room. He was willing to behave to be able to be reunited with his family. But he was worried about whichever brother would trade places with him.

Soon, he was in a car and sitting with Agent Johnson. "Tell me why you took me in the first place." Don wanted to know.

"I thought you could be the perfect candidate for my little project and I know you're the smartest of your clan, but your DNA test results disappointed me. It seems the mutation that happened to you ruined any good chances of the project taking off. So now, I need one of your brothers instead." Johnson explained.

"What are you going to do with them?" Don demanded.

"Like I said, I need them for a little project, but that's for me to know and you to find out later or never." The man said.

Don didn't like this. "You hurt my brothers and I'll come after you."

Don wasn't normally a vengeful turtle, but even he wouldn't let someone hurt his family.

"Do you want to go back to your family incapacitated? I can arrange it. So don't go threatening me, Donatello." Johnson warned.

Don gave him a big glare. He wanted to punch this guy in the face, but he couldn't with his hands tied behind his back. He looked away.

"Good choice."

Don looked back over at him when he heard him. There wasn't anything he could do right now. But he would try to save his brother from taking his place.

Beta read with Applepye.