A Turtle on the Outside, a Wolf on the Inside

by Sairey13

Before Yoshi got the turtles from the Pet Store, Leo was found playing with the manager's dog, who was told to be a wolf-hybrid. Right before Yoshi took the turtles away, Leo ate some of the canine's fur and when he got mutated, the mutagen somehow enhanced the inside of his body to match a wolf's behavior and abilities. NO T-CEST, LEORAI or APRITELLO!

10. Declaration of War

April Twenty-Six, 2012...
It's been three days since my first battle with the Foot Clan had passed, without my brothers to assist me. The cuts I received completely healed up yesterday, though the injuries I sustained didn't bother me than learning my family telling a certain event to never speak of, again... I can't believe they decided to tell April, behind my back, of my near death experience five years ago. I figured she'd be wondering of my meaning to what I said to Raphael, but that doesn't give them the rights to go back on a sworn oath to never bring it up. I may have returned to the Lair when Splinter told of my miraculous recovery, but I knew they spoke of my encounter with White Death and how I nearly died protecting Raphael.

It's obvious that they trust her to know some dark secrets we have from the past, but that event is mine to decide if she can hear of it or not... Well, at least it kept them from leaving the Lair and disobeying my order to stay out of the battle to save Murakami-san.

...Murakami-san... Blind Elder, as my instincts have dubbed him. He not only kept our existence a secret and doesn't care if we were humans or mutated-animals… He also figured out of me being part-wolf and is even keeping my own secret from even April and my brothers. I didn't tell them the whole story of being with Murakami-san, including of the part where he called me Wolf-san before I left the shop. Seems even while blind, he can also sense another person's aura and their personality, and had told me how my loyalty of a wolf may someday backfire if I keep distancing myself from those who cares about me… I know he's trying to help, but he doesn't understand why I can't get too close to them, let alone reveal the secret on how I'm no longer their full-blooded brother and mixed with wolf-DNA from the mutagen fifteen years ago.

I'm honestly surprised that they never thought the mutagen could be the results of my difference, after learning a bit more about the Kraang and that they were the ones who created the mutagen.

I mean, yeah, my teeth are more fangs than theirs. But then, Master Splinter's own teeth have been enhanced and combined with rats strong teeth, and my brothers' teeth are also stronger than humans and have a few teeth that could pass for fangs to avoid suspicious. I can also see very well in the dark than they could and swim faster, but again, because of our turtle-DNA, they can still see in the dark and, surprisingly, the mutagen enhanced Sensei's vision instead of giving him the downfalls of being a humanoid-rat.

This whole entire time, I've been living a lie by pretending to being like them… The reasons I keep my distance, it's not just to get too close when they'll turn their backs on me: It's my way of being who I am. And yet, no matter how many times I put space upon me and the others or even want time to myself, they always intervene and drag me to do what they want to do. I may have high tolerance level to endure their choice of activities but since traveling up to the surface, it's literally taking everything I had to not snap or run off to somewhere else that'll make me feel calm and/or at peace.

And speaking of running off… I can tell my brothers and Sensei were surprised that I actually came home, after rescuing Murakami-san and taking on the Foot on my own. Did they actually think I would try to leave them after going into a battle, on my own, and taking down two of Shredder's right-hand men, by myself, when we struggle to do so as a team? Whatever they're thinking, perhaps this will be more than enough to get them to start trying to trust me to be on my own and to not have to shadow me, twenty-four/seven.

Although, I'll probably be a bit more occupied at the moment, on the count of having to be on 'bird raising' for a good while to our temporary house-guest: Karasu. That little bird I saved from six Kraang, I was able to locate her parents and, surprisingly, found out that her father's a raven and her mother's a crow. Meaning, Karasu is a raven/crow hybrid, which the name is very fitting for it means both 'Raven' and 'Crow' in Japanese. Unfortunately, Kraang handled them none too gently when they fought them to protect their barely hatched youngling and injured them to die a slow, painful death, before I stepped in and killed them. Before they died, they asked me, basically begged me, to raise her and help her grow up to become a strong flyer to avoid the Kraang.

She knows I'm not her father, but right when death embraced them, her mother and father told her to listen to her 'big brother'. And since then, she has called me "Big Brother". In some terms, Ravens and Wolves are known to help each other for survival by locating prey and even share similar lifestyles that makes them a great team. So, in this case, Karasu is now practically my sister.

My brothers, however, views her as a 'pet', even when Splinter gave me permission to raise Karasu until she can fly to take care of herself. Mikey wanted to name her but, because I'm going to be responsible for her, it was only fair that I be the one to give her a name. Donnie tried to identify her origin to find out how old she is and what kind of bird she is, but decided to wait until her feathers grow in and molts some to analyze them with his machine. Raph was very much okay with me caring for Karasu, and has even suggest to introduce her to Spike when she starts getting bigger.

April, meanwhile, kept gushing over Karasu and has asked multiple times to try and feed her worms, which Don allowed me to get from the pool in his lab. I allowed her, of course, but stayed to make sure Karasu doesn't choke on her meals or gets scared when left alone with anybody but me and Master Splinter... It's kinda weird, interacting with April. I honestly thought she wouldn't want to be around me, after my outburst with her about the incident with the Purple Dragon, and the Foot kidnapping Murakami-san. Instead, she acts like it never happened and continues to make an attempt to bond with me. Hell, the next day after rescuing Murakami-san, she personally asked me to help with her training to become a Kunoichi. Apparently, Donnie offered to train with her on the same day Sensei decided to train her to become one, using his annoying graph chart on how to win her over, and it turns out she declined his offer… Now I know why that chart isn't in the lab anymore and was burnt outside of the Lair, let alone how distraught he was when she left the Lair.

I didn't really want to, but my Conscience talked me into improving her skills and prepare her to better protect herself when up on the Surface World... I accepted, but only to help her with the Katas that proves to be difficult for her to master and when we're alone. The lessons will have to be short as well, since I need to focus on raising Karasu.

Don will surely be heartbroken, may interrupt our lessons and try to offer assistance in them, even get angry at me for helping the girl he has a crush on and it's not him spending time with her. Well, he and the others went behind my back to go after the Purple Dragon and then broke a promise to never bring up the past that nearly cost me my life, so perhaps he'll know how I felt when he chose to make decision that would hurt them and me... I'm not certain how long it'll be before I can trust them, once again, to listen when they have to on missions, but until then, they'll have to prove their devotion to the team Master Splinter entrusted me to lead.

...And it needs to be soon, because something's going to happen... Lately, my dreams have been haunting me of a being, enhanced in metals and spike-like blades, standing over the fallen form of humans… Many baring the mark of the Hamato Clan, while some even carry the Foot Clan marking and the rest a bunch of random people who most likely didn't have any involvement with this person of metal and blades… No doubt, it was Shredder.

"Anata no tame ni shi ga kuru (Death will come for you)," he swore to me. My nose picked up the scent of blood… And death. His armor's covered in blood, pouring off his suit like a river flowing off a mountain. His face, covered by a Kuro Kabuto, glared down hatred towards me, but also satisfaction to the discomfort he sees flashed in my eyes from staring at the blood covering his body.

I can feel the chill of death creeping behind my shell, traveling down my spine and clenching into my heart. I know that I'm afraid, but I'll use that fear to go against the Shredder, even if it costs me my own life to protect my teammates, my pack.

---

*Peep, peep!* *Peep!* "Big Brother! Hungry, Big Brother!"

Leo finished writing his journal and, tucking it underneath his pillow, turned his attention on Karasu, whose nest sat on top of the small-dresser next to his bed. He smiled down at the little Raven/Crow hybrid, gently nuzzling the few days old baby-bird with his own beak, before going to his dresser across from his bed, where a small-bowl of algeas and worms sat on top of the wooden furniture.

His stomach feels revolted on having to put the worms back into his mouth, even when he isn't the one going to be eating them, but pushed the thought behind and focused on chewing the worms into mush until it's smooth enough for the bird to swallow. When he stood over her head, Karasu was more than ready to receive her meal when she can smell food was coming.

"Food! Food! Food!"

He lowered his beak to hers and, only opening his month just enough for her own mouth to get in, Karasu buried her beak in the small-gap of his mouth and devoured as much of the mushed up worms she can eat. Leo estimated, because of her small-size, he has to chew up two worms per each feeding every two to three hours, until her appetite improves and shows signs of growing. If she shows improvement before a week has passed, he'll add in another worm and in the second week, will get her to eat the worms without having to chew them for her.

In minutes, the worms in his mouth are gone and Karasu's completely full.

"Me full! Thank you, Big Brother! Thank you!" She chirped with gratitude, nuzzling her beak against Leo's, before settling down into the feathers surrounding the inside of her nest and instantly went to sleep.

Yep, this job is going to be hard: With training, leading the team above the surface world, caring for his Clan and now the lack of proper meals and sleep to take care of Karasu, it definitely would drain anybody to collapsing. However, Leo swore to her parents that he'll raise her into a great bird. Besides, he enjoys her company and loves her with all his heart as any older-brother would with their siblings and/or any other family member.

Before he thought about doing another sketch, a thick, purple-smoke clouded his room... Standing in the middle, is his baby-brother.

"Hey, Leo, you're not gonna believe what Donnie just made!" The volume of his voice startled Karasu from her sleep and, in fear an intruder has come for her like the Kraang did, let out distress cry.

"Big Brother! Big Brother! Threat! Help!"

In response, Leo glared at his brother. A low rumble left his chest and, right when Mikey realized his mistake, the blue-masked turtle sprang on his brother. His door opened wide when they both tumbled out from the room, with Leo on top of Mikey, who shielded the bowl of eggs from slipping out from his grasp. Despite being lighter, the oldest-brother kept the youngest turtle from escaping his grasp and being pinned down.

"What did I just say about entering my room, without permission?!" Leo's yell attracted the other two turtles out from the dojo and, seeing the fear their baby brother is from angering their big brother, Raph and Don pulled the two apart.

"Leo, calm down." Gently ordered, as he helped Mikey back on his feet and made sure none of his smoke bombs were damaged. "I forgot to inform Mikey that I used the eggs to make our own ninjas smoke bombs, that I wasn't able to prevent him from unintentionally setting one off before he learnt what I did."

"Which is still awesome, D."

Being held back by Raph, Leo kept glaring at his two, youngest brothers: Don, for putting one of his invention in the kitchen where any of them would easily have easy access to and could've gotten hurt, and Mikey for trespassing into his bedroom and disturbing Karasu's sleep.

"And the reason you couldn't leave them in your lab, or to at least put them in your own bedroom, before you plan on presenting the smoke bombs to us?" Don sweat drop, letting out a nervous laugh the longer his big brother glares at him.

"Well, uh, the fridge is the only place with the right temperature to help the wax harden at the holes I drilled in and for the powder to thicken when exposed outside of the shell... Also, my fridge in the lab is completely full with my other experiments."

Obviously, Leo didn't approve his excuse for being so careless with his experiments that their youngest brother would have easy access to use them and would very much pin the two turtles to the ground, or even drag them into the dojo and force them into Judo lessons.

Don't be too hard on them; Mikey tends to forget when he gets too excited, and Donnie makes sure to keep dangerous experiments inside his lab. It doesn't look like it's harming them when the smoke releases and can very well help improve your guys' ninja training by disappearing for a tactical retreat.

As always, his Conscience will do whatever it takes to prevent him from punishing his own brothers, even when they deserved some form of punishment that ends up hurting themselves and/or each other… Unfortunately, for him, he has to let them off with a warning.

Forcing his body to relax, Raph took that as a sign to release Leo from his grip. He kept his glare on the two, making sure they know he's being serious and to not take his kindness as a joke.

"Next time, make sure to hide them from Mikey and to separate them from actual items we would use… We'll also go down to the dump to find you a bigger fridge to use in your lab, so we don't have another repeat in the future." Donnie frantically nodded his head, silently thanking God for not having Leo bring down his wrath unto him. "And as for you -Mikey whimpered in fear, trying to completely fade behind Don's shell- Go into my room again and I'll do the same to yours, but will also hide your newest edition of Stainless Steel comic for a week."

The warning threat proved to bring fear to Michelangelo's heart, as panic flashed in his eyes and immediately nodded his head. Seeing his warning has gotten through and that both are going to be sure to not cross him, Leo finally let his exhaustion calm him down to stop glaring and to turn his attention on reassuring Karasu that everything's fine. Just before he could take a step to his bedroom…

"Guys! Guys! You'll never believe what happened to me!" The sound of fear stunned the four turtles when they heard April coming their way, completely terrified and possibly in shock. The three younger brothers went to calm down the sixteen year-old girl, while Leo took his moment to catch his breath and banged his head against the wall.

'…I can't catch a break, can I?'

She-Pup needs Pup comfort, companionship, assistance from whatever even that occurred.

As leader and a friend, whether you accept April into the Clan or not, you must be aware of your teammates own self-being and make sure they're safe from any harm.

*Peep, peep* "Big Brother, where are you? What's going on?" Karasu's fearful voice brought Leo back to reality, reminding him he has two females to comfort instead of one… He has an idea: He went to his bedroom, gently gathered the nest in his arms, and brought Karasu with him to the living room, where his brothers and April sat on the couch as she catches her breath.

"All right, April, calm down. Are you okay?" Don questioned, putting himself in front of her at a reassuring manner… Again, making contact with her and trying to show his caring side to her. Leo pushed the thought behind and took his spot to her left, Karasu being distracted from her own fear to focusing on why the red-hair human is so scared of.

"I am being hunted… By a giant pigeon!"

Nobody said anything for a moment, until…

"Ah, ha-ha-ha-ha!" Raph laughed, pointing a finger at April while clutching his plastron with the other-hand. Everybody glared at the red-masked turtle, even Karasu didn't find it very funny at all and if she wasn't a baby-bird, she'd smack him in the face with her wing and peck him on top of the head until he apologizes. He took notice none of his brothers were laughing, feeling a bit awkward. "I can't be the only one finds that funny."

"It's not funny, Raph." Don argued, getting up to his feet to face his older-brother. "There's a creature out there trying to hurt my April." From the slip of the tongue, he accidentally revealed his feelings for the girl. She gave him a glance, as if saying: 'Your April'?. Don quickly tried to correct himself. "Our April…" Yep, not being convincing to the others. "April."

"This is serious. I'd better get Splinter." Mikey stated, getting out another egg from the bowl in his hand. Even if it was just one, Leo is already annoyed by his brother using up the smoke bombs so carelessly.

"We don't really need-" Leo's sentence was cut off the moment his brother tossed the bomb to the ground, purple-smoke surrounding him, and now in his spot stood Master Splinter.

"Michelangelo said you wanted to see me?"

In minutes, April told the Hamato Clan of her ordeal from the 'giant pigeon', all the while trying to stay calm and gently petting Karasu, which Leo gently placed the nest in her lap and staying beside her as she told them what happened.

"His talons were razor sharp. He would've torn me to pieces, if he hadn't slammed into the glass." It may sound like she's exaggerating, but the fear in her sky-blue eyes said otherwise… Which means, that giant pigeon is most likely a mutant.

"Ha-hah-ha, ah…" Again, Raph found the situation hilarious and couldn't help but laugh, reading a magazine while she told them her story. And again, the others, now including Master Splinter, glared at him. "Really? Just me?"

*Thwak!*

The end of Splinter's cane made contact with the back of his head.

"Raphael!" Raph turned his attention to his father above him, rubbing the back of his head. "Clearly, April is upset."

"Yeah, dude, that's so insensitive." Mikey butted in, but clearly pointing out how disrespectful Raph is being to April's feelings. "Do you need a tissue?" Leo glared at Mikey, knowing he's using another excuse to use another smoke bomb.

"I think I'm okay." She answered, turning back to Karasu and feeling better with the small raven/crow hybrid and Leo beside her.

"I'll get you a tissue." He tossed down an egg and the purple-smoke engulfed him, vanishing from his spot in mere seconds, until the same smoke came to the other side of the girl and Leo, Mikey reappearing once again. "We don't have any tissues. Can I make you some soup?"

This time, Donnie snatched the egg from Mikey's hand.

"Stop it," he firmly, but gently told his brother. With the egg safely in his own grasp, Donnie turned back to April. "Don't worry, April, we won't let anything happen to you."

"Donnie's right." Leo agreed, getting to his feet. His brothers, and even himself, was stunned he just agreed to assure her safety but didn't have time to go back on his word and continued his sentence. "We're gonna set a trap to capture the pigeon, and make sure he doesn't bother you." 'Okay, seriously, what's going on? When did I start actually… Caring for her? Why am I so concern for her?'

It's obvious, Leo: You do care about her. Which means, she's part of your Pack!

Not yet, She-Pup isn't. She-Pup April may earn rights to be part of team, as a trainee Kunoichi, and in terms, under the protection of Pup… However, She-Pup still must earn Pup's trust, before she fully embraced as sister.

"Well, I know what we can use as bait." Leo didn't have to guess what Don has in plan for bait, but unfortunately, it's the only bait that most likely attracts the pigeon's attention.

"Bread crumbs!" Mikey exclaimed, earning a glare from the second youngest-turtle. "Pigeon's eat bread crumbs."

"I meant April."

In seconds, Mikey stood overprotective of the redhead human.

"You're gonna let him eat April?! I thought you liked her!"

"Yeah!" April agreed, though more about questioning of Don using her as bait and not about him liking her. And to have her be left out in a open to draw the pigeon out, didn't sound that great at all.

"Don't sweat it. We got your back." His reassurance didn't sit so well for the girl, and Leo for that matter.

I actually like Mikey's idea with the bread crumbs.

'Yeah, but from how she describes him being big, we're gonna need a whole loaf… Perhaps, after we learn why it's after her and, in order to get him to leave her alone, we can use the loaf as a bargain to keep him off of her.'

Agreed.

He swiftly went for the pantry of their kitchen, grabbing a loaf of sourdough bread Mikey hadn't opened to use yet, shoving it through the gap in his shell, went back to his brothers and April, all already heading for the turnstile before he even gave them the okay to head out.

"Wait!" Splinter's voice called out to them, now holding the nest with Karasu settling to get back to sleep. "We do not yet know what you are facing. Perhaps you should study your enemy before confronting him."

...Father does have a point. Not only that, we don't even know what the mutant-pigeon actually looks like and April's point of view could've been exaggerated, from her scared state.

'That may be true, however...'

"With all due respect, Sensei, it's a pigeon. We'll be able to handle it." All too confidentially, Don stated to their father.

That was what Leo knew was going to happen and he didn't like how overconfident his brothers are at the moment, being so full of themselves and thinking they're unbeatable. They wouldn't be so confident, if they recounted the many times they fought the Kraang, Foot ninjas, the few humans and other mutants they went up against. How in nearly all of them, the odds would be against them and would take a turn for the worse.

Omega-Brothers and Beta-Brother over confident, false to believe task to be simple... Something wrong, awaits for team... Evil comes for Pup...

His dream of the threat is certainly lurking in the back of his mind, meaning the warning is going to come true.

You should've told Father about the dreams, since they first came.

'And have him think my lack of sleep from caring for Karasu, training and worrying from my last encounter with the Foot, could be the cause of my nightmares and unease? Not that simple. Even if he believes me, my brothers won't be that much open minded to take my warning to heart.'

"What you know is dangerous to your enemy. What you think you know, is dangerous to you." Splinter said to Don's response, tapping his cane against the hard-ground. His Reddish-Brown eyes flashed in worry. "I fear you are all becoming overconfident."

Anger coursed in Leo's being.

'"All" of us, being overconfident?' A low rumble nearly escaped his throat, but he has to bite his own tongue to prevent himself from giving his rage away. 'You actually believe we're all being too confident, and are ignoring your teachings and warnings?!'

Don't get fur in knots, Pup. Alpha's tone more towards Kins and She-Pup, but not made eye-contact to Pup. Even if gaze aim towards Pup, Pup heeds Alpha's warning and teachings.

"Pardon me, Sensei, but in the past few months, we've taken down giant spiders, plant creatures, alien robots and an army of ninjas." Don, Mikey and Raph high-three each other, before Raph continued off for Donatello.

"We're not being overconfident, Sensei. We're just that good."

"Yeah, boy!" Mikey agreed, and the three younger-brothers ran to the exit, not bothering to look back or to hear whatever else their father has to say to them, with April catching up from behind. Leo is the only one left in the Lair, gazing back at his face who held that concern look on his face.

"Leonardo-…" Leo knew what his sensei wants him to do.

"I'll bring them all back, alive." He swore, and immediately took off for his brothers and April.

Why did you make it sound like you'll hold that promise, even if it means your death?

'Because even if it comes down to it, I'll do so to ensure their safety and at least get the team back home to Master Splinter… Without hesitation.'

---

In an Alley, to April's Last Location…
"Here I am, walking around in the big city. All alone! Oh, I sure hope no crazy Pigeon-Man sneaks up on me. That would be the last thing I'd want." From his hiding place, within the shadow of the building, Leo covered his mouth to silence his yawn.

'Does she really think she's fooling anybody?' He wondered, not in the least convinced she's trying to act like nothing has happened for the 'Pigeon-Man' to come and get her. 'Even if it's a pigeon, I think even it will be able to know she's trying to bait him to come and grab her.'

Focus, Pup. Could come at any moment. Remain hidden, and silent.

"What are you doing?" Donnie, hiding from behind the garbage dump, popped up.

"You wanted me to be bait. I'm bait."

Leo can sense an argument is coming.

"That's not how bait talks."

"How do you know bait talks?"

"I know bait doesn't talk back."

Yep, Don just overstepped his boundaries.

"Ooooohhhh!" Mikey, from the fire escape, and Raph, hidden underneath the manhole-cover, went at the same time.

"Oh, no, you didn't." The youngest-turtle went, then he and Raph went back to hiding. Leo remained hidden in his spot, but glared at Don.

'That'll surely get her to start liking you more than just a friend, Donatello.'

Donnie gave a nervous chuckle, while April only kept glaring at him at his choice of words on how she should be acting.

"Just act natural," was all he said and instantly went back into hiding. His suggestion didn't really help, since she can't actually act normal when the 'Pigeon-Man' can pop up at any moment and swoop her out to the sky. Leo had an idea.

"April," he whispered out. The sixteen year-old slowly walked to the shadow, guessing where he is and still remains in the open. "Sound bored, a little sarcastic if you want. Just, don't sound cheerful and don't move around much, besides walking casually." She thought about it for a second, then found that much easier to get what he wants her to do than Donnie does.

"Thanks, Leo." She whispered back, then went back to the open and took a deep breath to get herself into character. "Here I am, actin' normal, just totally defenseless against any, I don't know, hideous Pigeon-Guy who might happen upon me."

'That's a lot better,' Leo thought. 'She's forcing herself to relax, which'll make it easier to attract the mutant to try and get her.' As April walked casually down the alleyway, a faint rustling in the wind tickled the turtle's nose with a scent that makes his stomach want to revolt. His eyes flashed over to the building across the street and, as the scent trailed from, he saw the form of a giant pigeon launching itself off the rooftop and swooping down towards April.

Wait! Let Donnie bring him down, first!

"Aaahh!" April screamed, as the bird dropped down, it's talons reaching out for her… Until It got shocked by Don's creation of his own taser that he made from an old egg beater, and dropped heavily to the ground. Immediately, Leo jumped onto the pigeon's back and forced one of it's wings behind it's back, letting out a snarl and baring his fangs to warn the mutant he'll wound him if he tries to do anything to hurt his team.

"Okay, okay, uncle!" The mutated-pigeon cried, slapping his other wing to the ground from the intense pain coursing through his body.

"And you said I wasn't good bait." April said to Don, still glaring at him for talking to her like that.

"Start talking, Pigeon-Man." Raph forced out, placing a foot on the mutant's head in case it tries to peck at his brother.

"I have a name!" The pigeon yelled, earning a tighter grip on the arm by Leo.

"And we don't care what it is." Leo's glare shifted from the mutant underneath him, to Raph and his glared flashed a warning to his brother to ease off.

"It's Pete."

…Eh, not that bad for a name.

Human Name…? Humans name bird?

"Okay, Pete. Why were you trying to hurt April?" Raph snickered a bit, who then earned a smack to his leg from Leo to remove his foot off of Pete's head and a sharper glare saying 'Be serious.'.

"I didn't want to hurt her," Pete answered. "I was just bringing her a message. From her father."

Immediately, Leo ceased his baring and got off before April could tell him to. In full-height, he'd probably be an inch or two shorter than Splinter. His markings of blue-mixed with purple on his neck showed more of him being a pigeon, though surprised to see three-fingered talons underneath his arms and his eyes made the turtle feel a bit uneasy. All in all, despite wearing purple boxers with yellow-polka dots, Pete actually like alright*… For an enlarge mutated-pigeon.

As he got up, Pete made similar cooing sounds a pigeon would normally make… Yep, still basically more of a pigeon, though his scent also told Leo he also carries human-DNA… Also, the scent of the mixture of earth and fire that the Mutagen carries.

"We were both guests of the Kraang," he explained. "They poured some ooze on me and turned me into this!"

"That must've been horrible. Being turned into a pigeon."

"Actually, I started out as a pigeon!" Pete corrected her, not seeming to take her own assumptions as an insult. Though, should've actually thought of the possibility Kraang wasn't just taking humans and/or using them to mutant them.

"Told you the bread crumbs would have worked." Mikey muttered, before being grabbed by Pete's talon-hands the instant he said bread crumbs.

"You've got bread crumbs?!" Yep, he's definitely still a pigeon than a humanoid-pigeon. He wasn't exactly hurting Mikey, but Leo made sure Pete can sense his glare if he hurts his youngest-brother in any way.

"Um, my father?" She reminded the bird, who finally let go of Mikey and handed her a phone she knew belongs to her father. The image shows her father, disturbed and unease, and appears to be trap in a cell the last time the turtles saw him.

"Something terrible is about to happen. And I don't know what, but it's extremely important that you get out of the city as soon as you can. Save yourself…! Remember, I love you."

"I love you, too, Daddy." She said back to the message, hugging the phone as if she's actually embracing her father and not a phone.

His message did seem very troubling for Leo. Of course, something's going to happen but if Kirby was referring that the Kraang are the ones involved, then that'll mean bigger problems than just Shredder and the Foot to deal with.

"Do you have any idea what he's talking about?" He asked Pete, who simply shook his head.

"I'm just the messenger," he answered.

"We have got to get you out of the city." That's something a bit surprising for Leo to hear from Donnie, especially when he's agreeing to April's father about getting her out of New York.

"I'm not going anywhere without my dad." And, of course, her loyalty and love for her father proves too strong to listen to reason and is going to remain in the city.

"But you heard him; something terrible is gonna happen." Donnie gently argued, but his warning won't be enough to change her mind.

"Then we better hurry."

Leo knows she should heed her father's warning, like his brothers should've heeded Splinter's warning, but something told the turtle that Kirby's effort to save his daughter won't be enough to protect her.

'Something bad is going to happen, but does her father actually think getting her out of the city will be enough to save her?'

She knows this is for her own safety. This isn't the time for her to be stubborn! Get her out of here!

'But to where? And even if she listens, whose to say she'll be better off somewhere else…? -a startling thought popped up in his head- Whose to say, if Kraang are only here, in New York City, and not anywhere else on Earth?'

Pup believes enemy will still capture She-Pup April, no matter where she goes?

'If the Foot came here from Japan, making a territory on another continent but still being active in Japan to expand, then it's highly possible that the Kraang have also been expanding, just as humans have done… Especially, since Master Splinter ran into them, fifteen years ago.'

Meaning, she's going to end up in danger, no matter where she goes. And if she leaves the city, without any guide to properly fight or you guys to protect her, she'll be captured for sure.

What shall Pup and Kins do?

Leo knows April won't leave, nor will she head back to her aunt's or even to the Lair and let them handle the situation; she made hard strides to find her father, and she's going to be there when they get her father from Kraang, no matter what.

'Since Pete was with her father…' He faced Pete. "Can you tell us where the Kraang are holding him?"

"I can…" Pete offered, though he sounded like he wants something. "But it's gonna cost you a lot of bread."

Leo smirked, actually impressed.

'Seems the mutagen may have given him some intelligence to think for himself, including holding information in exchange to what's valuable to him.' "We're talking about actual bread, right?"

"Yep. Sourdough!" Earning the correct answer, Leo reached into the back of his shoulder with his right-hand and pulled out the loaf he hid within his shell. His brothers and April were stunned to see what he just did.

"Done." He tossed the loaf of bread to Pete, who eagerly grabbed the bag with his taloned-hand and ripped the bag open to devour his meal. Don was the first to come out of his stunned moment, and he didn't look too happy.

"You had a loaf of bread in the inside of your shell, the entire time?!" He yelled, which didn't scare Leo in the least and just shrugged.

"Only place to store it, without any chances on losing or damaging it, before you guys decided to take off to capture Pete. Besides, it was your idea to ignore Mikey's suggestion of using bread crumbs and chose to have April as bait, without having a backup plan in case something goes wrong or doesn't work." Don's brownish-red eyes narrowed, folding his arms over his plastron and trying to ignore the glares the youngest turtle and April are giving him.

"Is there anything else you put inside your shell?" Leo rolled his eyes.

"Well, besides my mini-telescope that's in my shell right now -that earned him a sharper glare from Don, and startling looks from Raph and Mikey- nothing else, really." His younger-brother looked ready to explode, but the blue-masked turtle cut him off. "You can yell at me, when we finish the mission and head back to the Lair. Right now, we have a bargain to finish with Pete."

---

Turns out, Pete has a strong memory of where the Kraang has been hiding, since the outside looks like any other building to avoid suspicious and they wouldn't have been able to find it on their own. Although, Leonardo would've either asked some of the birds where they've seen which building Pete come out from, followed Kraang or track down Pete's scent for the location. Donatello still wants to argue with Leo on how irresponsible he was for placing certain items in the gap of his shell and not think the possibility it could mess with his posture, but has agreed to hold off the conversation until they get home. After Pete told them where to go, Michelangelo once again used a smoke bomb, purposely wasting away what would be of use to them for a getaway after freeing Kirby O'Neil.

As they made it to the roof and Don works on removing the top of a turbine ventilator, Leo could feel a pair of eyes following them… No doubt, the Foot. However, they didn't have time to deal with them; even if they were to split up, not even he and any of his three brother would be able to handle a bunch of Kraang on their own while the other two deals with the Foot ninjas.

"Piece of cake." The purple-masked turtle said to himself.

"Let's do this!" April stated, ready to jump in and get her father, which Leo has to, unfortunately, stop her.

"We need you to wait here, April." She didn't like his orders at all.

"Are you crazy?! My dad's in there!" Her gaze may frighten his brothers, but it didn't even make him cringe at all. And while he knows how much this means to her, his first priority is to ensure the safety of his teammates and since she's still a newbie to becoming a Kunoichi, she'll only in the way or even get recaptured with her father.

"Along with who knows how many Kraang!" He argued back, trying to make her see reason. "This requires stealth, and mobility. Leave it to us."

April scoffed.

"I can't just do nothing!" Leo just about had it; for somebody who's a year older than him, she sure doesn't act for her age and when somebody tries to challenge the blue-mask turtle's patience, they end up regretting it.

'She wants to do something? Fine! I'll give her something to do.' "You won't be doing nothing. -Raph handed him a long, sturdy rope, sensing his older-twin's frustration with April and chose not to give Leo any more of a hard than he already is in- We need you to lower this rope, when we give you the signal. Alright?" A stunned, annoyed look can be seen on her face, but didn't talk back and took the rope to tie it around the ventilator as the four brothers went inside.

Like last time, the inside is just like the last hideout Kraang designed on the inside: Clear-metal walls, crates with strange symbols, purple-markings on the ceiling and walls, and Kraang soldiers patrolling parts of the hallway. The moment one of the Kraang has their back turn to the entrance of the ventilator, Don and Leo were able to land without making a sound and hid themselves behind the crates… Mikey, unfortunately, slipped and landed roughly on his shell, attracting the Kraang's attention and would've been blasted if Raph hadn't dropped down to silence the alien.

Leo lifted his beak in the air, sniffing out for any scent to locate Kirby O'Neil, as he listens and looks throughout his surrounding. So far, he mostly smells multiple scents that he would guess would be like squid, but mixed with copper and some toxic-like poison. A low growl vibrated in his chest, but pushed his predatory response aside to remain silent, as he and his brothers scope the hallway in search for the cell Kirby is being held in.

Kraang, around the corner.

The blue-masked turtle held up a hand behind him, silently telling his brothers to wait. The sounds of footsteps were heading away from the corner he and his brothers hid behind, given him more than enough time to sprint towards the Kraang and brought the Kraangdroid into pieces in one swipe with his swords.

'That's one less Kraang to worry about, but that doesn't help to figure out where April's father is being held and it'll be a while before I can follow his scent.' He sheathed Musashi and Kamiizumi back into their scabbards.

Two Kraang, further down the hall!

Leo and his brothers took the time hiding behind the corners of the cell doors, as they followed two Kraangdroids heading for a room that eventually revealed being some sort of control room. The blue-masked turtle slammed the Kraangdroids' heads together and Raph threw one of his sais at a third Kraang that was already inside of the room. One of the aliens tried to get out from it's robotic body, letting out a shriek that sounded either terrified or angry when it saw Raph and Leo, before Leo silenced it by punching it straight in the face.

Inside the control room, it's shaped as a small cylinder with a dumbbell-shape machinery, most likely a Kraang's version of a super-computer, in the center of the small room. Calm, but shifting blue-lights on the walls irritated Leo's eyes, as the machinery in the middle had thin, white-lights slid down like rain streaks gliding down the window.

Avoid any distractions that'll blind you from your task.

At least his Conscious will always be useful to him, whenever he's on a mission and needs to be reminded of any teachings from Splinter that'll help him complete their objectives.

"Donnie, hack into system and see if you can find out about the Kraang's plot. -Raph and Mikey came to his side, after removing the knockout Kraang inside the room with them to the side- Raph, you're with me. Mikey, you stay with Donnie."

"Why do I always get stuck with Mikey?" Donatello complained, earning a "Hey…" from the orange-masked turtle.

"Because you're the only one who has more patience to watch over Mikey, than Raph and I can." Leo explained, glaring at his second youngest-brother. "And right now, I need Raph to watch my back and to alert me if Kraang are coming, while I try to get the doors to April's father's cell to open. Besides -the blue-masked turtle gave the purple-masked turtle a smirk- you two actually have surprising amount of luck on finding the exact information we're looking for, when you two are paired together."

Donatello had a look of disbelief to that last part.

"That isn't true, and you know it!" He argued back. "If you don't want him with you, why don't you just say it?!"

"Hey…!" Mikey whined again, hurt that Don would dare to accuse their eldest for not wanting the youngest with him when he's making logical sense to why he's pairing the two youngest-turtles together.

"If you don't want him, then make Raph take Mikey."

"Over my dead body," the red-masked turtle immediately responded.

"Hey!" Michelangelo glared at his two older-brothers, hurt and annoyed how they're having a conversation involving him and acting like he isn't in the room with them. "I'm starting to think nobody wants to be with me. -A slight glimmer of guilt flashed in Leo's eyes, which Mikey sent out a gaze of his own saying, 'it's not you, who I'm referring to'- Fine, I'll just go off my own."

Leo knew the very second what he's going to do.

"Mikey, don-" The orange-masked turtle pulled out another smoke bomb, surrounding himself in the purple-smoke and vanished before his big brothers… Until they heard a thumping noise coming from the door to their right, watching the youngest coming through the door, followed by a faint trail of the smoke.

"…That's a closet," he embarrassingly chuckled. Leo gave Don a firm glare, silently telling him 'He stays with you, so watch him'.

"Have fun, you two!" Raph joked, as he and his older-twin exited the control room and once again scouted for Kirby. Leonardo's nose was beginning to get more and more irritated the more Mikey uses the smoke bombs right in his face, messing with his sense of smell at the time but is secretly grateful that it doesn't let him smell more of Kraang's disturbing smell.

Now, how will you be able to find him?

Pup not smell… Hear, feel vibrations.

"Any ideas how to find him, Leo?" Raph questioned, not sure how they'll find Kirby on their own, with or without Don's smarts to guide them.

He didn't answer his brother, but the blue-masked turtle crouched over the floor until both of his hands and feet are fully touching the ground. He then closed his eyes, focusing on any vibration he can feel underneath him, while focusing on certain sounds around them.

"Kraang has lost nearly two kilograms of weight. Kraang never felt so slim in Kraang's life."

"Kraang has been on which is known as 'Internet', and found what is known as 'video' of what the humans refers to as 'La Macarena'… Kraang approves this that is known as, 'music'."

"…Please, be safe, April."

Leo snapped his eyes open.

"This way." He didn't checking to see if his brother will follow him or not, only that he's located one of his pack-mate's family and is a step closer to helping his fellow siste-… Leo nearly yelped in astonishment by that thought and would've stopped in his tracks, if his body doesn't react the same way his mind does and felt no threat coming their way. 'I haven't approved of her being Kin! What's going on?!'

You can figure that out, later. Right now, focus on the mission!

He clenched his teeth-like fangs together, until his nose finally told him Kirby O'Neil is behind Cell #26.

"Mr. O'Neil," he whispered. "Are you in here?"

In a few seconds, Leo got his answer: On the other side of the purple-glass window, stood the same man he saw when he and his brothers first saw the girl, Kirby O'Neil. He looked surprised seeing them, but not in a terrified way one would see when meeting a mutated humanoid-animal.

"You're one of the turtles who rescued my daughter." There's much gratitude and relief in the father's tone for the moment, until his concern took over when looking out as far as he could in the small window. "Is she okay?"

Tell She-Pup's Alpha truth, Pup.

"For the moment, she is. However, she's refusing to listen to reason and is waiting outside, preparing our escape." The human's worry grew more to the turtle's answer.

"She's still here? In the city?" Leo didn't have time to answer, and turned to what looks to be an area where Kraang would use a key to open and close the cell-doors. "That girl is stubborn."

The leader smirked.

"Must run in the family," he lightly joked with him. With the panel gone, certain wires appears before him.

It all looked similar to Leo when they came to rescue April and Kirby for the first time, while getting Donatello to pay attention to the task at hand and to stop making small talk with the girl. Two wires of the same color seems to need to connect with each other, but other wires were in the way that prevents him from connecting the two together.

'Looks like the Kraang's key must be an extension that force the two to connect, without even making contact.' With his hands, nearly the size of a twenty year-old man, it'll take some time for him to carefully weave the two wires until they have enough space to contact, without tripping any alarm or cause any damage that would alert the Kraang that they're here.

"Since it's taking Leo forever to pick the lock-…" Raph started, until Leo decided to counter his impatient response after waiting nearly fifteen seconds for the doors to open.

"If you think you can do this, without damaging the lock with your Sais, that could very well be upgraded to alert Kraang that somebody is trying to break their prisoner out, then be my guest, Raph." No sound of feet moving told Leo he was going to do so, and continued focusing on getting the two dark-grey wires to connect. 'That's what I thought.'

"…Maybe you can tell us what the heck's the deal with the Kraang."

Kirby was more than happy to answer, though still looks anxious and disturbed of something.

"They're aliens from another dimension. When they came here, they brought the mutagen with them."

Leo nearly pulled too tightly onto the wires from what he heard, but reminded himself to be careful and keep focus on the lock.

"And their reason for turning humans into mutated monsters?" He growled out.

"The Mutagen doesn't work the way they thought it would," Kirby explained. "Apparently, the physical laws of their universe are different from ours."

'And the Kraang's reason for kidnapping Kirby O'Neil…'

"They're grabbing scientists to help them modify the mutagen." Something in the back of his head still puzzles him. 'If they just wanted scientists to improve the mutagen… Why take April, as well?'

Probably to prevent her from getting the police involved? Make a identity sketch of what the abductors look like?

'…No, it's something else, but I don't know what. The only good thing out of all this, is that the mutagen didn't turn us or Master Splinter into whatever the Kraang want it to do to other living creatures.' "Do you know what exactly they want the mutagen to do?"

"I wish I knew." Seems Kraang were careful to not give out much information to Kirby about the mutagen, but at least he knew enough to know that whatever the Kraang plans to do, it isn't going to be good.

"Leo, Raph, they've planted a mutagen bomb downtown." Donatello and Michelangelo regrouped with their oldest brothers. "They're gonna use it to disperse ooze over half the city!" His frantic expression immediately shifted to calm and polite, when he saw Kirby O'Neil. "Oh, hi, Mr. O'Neil. Your daughter's really nice." Leo glanced at Raph, who got the message, and smacked Don on the head for trying to be friendly with April's father when they just learned Kraang is going to mutant over a million of innocent lives.

"Okay, we have to disarm the bomb. -Leo turned back to the lock, almost have the two wires able to make contact- I almost got this door to open, so we're gonna have to-"

"Have you guys tried this?" Mikey's voice cut him off, gaining the turtles and Kirby's attention to him pointing at a button on the wall. Panic ran through Leo's body from the sight of the large-button, as he and the two mid-turtles called out in unison.

"No!" It was too late. Michelangelo has already pushed the button… Making it beep for a few times, before it let out an alarm and the whole room flashed in pinkish-purple colors.

"And that's why no one wants to be with you!" Raph yelled, jabbing a finger onto his youngest-brother's plastron. Leo forced the wires to connect, no longer needing to take his time to finished the last two weaves.

"Got it!" The doors open, and Kirby is finally allowed out of his cell. Five blue-skinned Kraangdroids came charging in, their blasters ready to fire. "Let's move!" He and Donnie each had a hold on both Kirby's side, keeping him in the middle so their shells will act like shields if the Kraang hits him, unintentionally, as Raph and Mikey followed by behind.

When they reached the cargos and saw the entrance of the ventilator, Leo let out a loud, high-whistling sound to signal April of their arrival.

"Dad!" She called out, relieved and worried to see her father after a month and a half of being apart. She quickly threw the rope down, which Kraang immediately locked on and tried to blast it to prevent the turtles and Kirby from escaping. Raph was able to kick a barrel at three of them and even jabbed one who foolishly tried to shoot them at close-range, but the blasters made it impossible for them to try and make a move on them.

More coming!

Leo knew they're being cornered and if one of them ends up shooting the rope, they'll be trapped and the mutagen bomb will mutate over half the city of New York into… Well, whatever they last made contact with.

Retreat! Must escape!

'Kinda hard to do so, when unlimited blasters are threatening to drill holes through your shell and plastron!'

Having a conversation with his Instinct and Conscious, distracted Leo from realizing the last Kraang Raph took care of has dropped its blaster near Kirby's feet. So, when the human pulled away from Don and the blue-masked turtle and grabbed the blaster, he realize the most difficult decision he has to do.

"Go!" Kirby told Leo, as he figured out how to use the blaster and was able to shoot down a few of the Kraang. "Save my daughter. Save the city!"

"Daddy, no!" April cried out, watching her father putting himself in danger and shooting as many of the Kraang that he can to buy the turtles enough time to escape.

"Go, go!" Leo told his brothers, heading for the rope and using his shell as a shield to block any blasters from hitting his brothers.

"We can't leave him here!" Don stated, helping Mikey up the rope as Raph was next to climb.

"We don't have a choice." He forced his brother's hand onto the rope, his Cerulean/Sapphire-eyes telling Don how he, also, despise having to leave April's father behind and when the genius turtle finally climbed up, Leo readied himself to escape. "We'll come back for you," he called out to Kirby. "We will free you, and bring you back to your daughter... I swear on my life."

Kirby didn't say anything, nor bother seeing the turtle make his escape, but Leo can sense his gratitude and trust to keep his daughter safe from the Kraang. The despair and grief could easily be seen on the girl's face, as she and the turtles watch as Kraang pin him from behind and drag him back to his cell.

"April," Don said. "I swear to you, that we'll stop at nothing to getting your father back." All she did was wipe the tears from her Sky-blue eyes, a small-smile of appreciation on her face, before she and the others turned to Leo for what they're going to do now.

"It's clear what we must do now," he said. "April, I know you don't want to be left out any more than you have been, but given the circumstances from what we just learned and should Kraang try to make another attempt on kidnapping you, we need you to head on back to the Lair." Rather than argue at this point, the redhead girl nodded her head. "As for the rest of us... We got a bomb to disarm."

---

At the Wolf Hotel…
Just as the blueprints told Don, the mutagen bomb has been placed behind the sign of the building, making it nearly possible for a normal human to take notice. Even if they had, they would've thought it being some new project the company's trying to perform. None of them would ever take notice of five Kraangdroids, guarding the perimeter while they set the bomb to detonate after a certain amount of time. It almost look like it's in the shape of a spinning top, or how the humans would set the New Years Ball to drop on the countdown.

While they were at the Kraang hideout, Don decided to see what was inside the crates and found what looks to be mini battery packs that help charge the Kraang's blasters, which he thinks can be useful and recreated as mini-bombs for them. Leo, while they head for the Wolf Hotel, took four branches from four separate trees and a some clothes lines that weren't being use to, with Don's help, swiftly made four bows for each of the turtles to use. Raph and Mikey were able to be helpful by finding certain feathers and scraps of metals for arrows, making six arrows for two turtles to have two and the other two to each take one.

For aliens who're from another dimension and prove to be clever enough to modify their Kraangdroids to blend in with the humans, they sure don't appear to be that skilled enough to detect ninjas who easily blends within the shadows and are on the same building with them at this moment.

"Kraang, in how many time units known as minutes will the device containing the mutagen that will be spread over the place known as New York, be detonated?" Above him, Leo gave a firm nod to his brothers to bring down the Kraang and use their arrows to avoid the blasters.

"Five." Raph took out the one who already activated the bombs to start counting down, along with a Kraang that stood behind the Wolf sign. Don took out a Kraang that was guarding on the ground who failed to protect the Kraang that started up the bomb, while Mikey used two arrows for the two Kraang on the upper-part of the bomb. The fifth Kraang, on top of the bomb, laid low and aimed its blaster for Mikey, but didn't react in time when Leo cut it in half and the Kraangdroid fell to the ground.

With all the Kraang incapable to keep fighting and abandoned their bomb, the turtles are allowed easy access to the bomb.

"It's up to you now, Don." Leo told the genius turtle, who happily made his way to the panel… Only to be horrified what was hidden underneath it.

"Uh-oh."

"'Uh-oh'?" Mikey repeated.

"What do you mean uh-oh, Donnie?" Raph butted in, glaring down to see what the problem is. "You said you knew how to do this!"

"I didn't count on a design this complex." Donnie tried to explained, which sounded more like an excuse to Raph that he won't accept.

"Well, what did you expect, Don? They're aliens from another dimension! Were you expecting a big round ball with a lit fuse that said bomb?!"

"No, but this-!"

"And you know what? I sure hope this argument goes on for another four minutes and fifteen seconds!"

"Enough!" Leo yelled, shoving Raphael away from the second youngest-turtle before he could smack the genius turtle upside the head. "Don, I know this isn't going to be easy, but you're gonna have to make due on what you can do to shut the bomb off. All right?" His calm voice did help Donatello to refocus on examining the wires, and the mechanics from the alien technology before him.

It's clear that he has no idea which is what and knowing the timing is slowly ticking by, isn't helping his nerves, but nothing more makes him panic than having his three brothers looking over his shoulders and pressuring him to work faster.

"Look out for the wires!" Raph warned, though his warning only made the purple-mask turtle even more under pressure.

"You guys are not helping!"

"What if we just push this button?" Mikey said, reaching over for a red-button with a finger until the red-mask turtle stopped him from pushing it.

"Don't you think you've pushed enough buttons tonight?"

"Guys, serious, I cannot work with you all pressuring me!" Donnie yelled, never keeping his eyes off the design of the bomb for even a second.

While the argument was going on, Leo's hearing caught the sound of two figures nearby… And his nose told him it's two people he encountered, neither of them friends at all.

"Guys, we got another problem to deal with!" He pulled out Musashi and Kamiizumi, turning to face two of Shredder's right-hand men who also made the first move to dash for them. "Raph, Mikey, with me! Don, stay and disarm the bomb! Keep them away from Donnie!"

Surprisingly, neither pulled out their weapons but that didn't mean they couldn't fight with just their fists. Even Xever, whose slimmer than Donnie, surprised the turtles when he lifted Michelangelo over his head and tossed him aside with such strength the guys had to watch out for.

"We don't have time for this!" Leo yelled, ducking from Xever's kicks and able to block his third kick to shove him off balance.

"Oh, sorry for the inconvenience. When would you prefer to breathe your last breath?" The Brazilian replied in a sarcastic way, as he delivered a powerful kick that Leo blocked with both his arms.

'Donnie better hurry with that bomb,' he thought to himself.

He's probably almost done, give him time.

'Unfortunately, I can't give him any more time than the bomb is counting down.' "You don't understand how in serious danger we're in!" He yelled at Bradford, who finally pulled out his own sword and missed hitting Raphael when the turtle ducked. "If that bomb goes off, it'll wipe us all out!"

"I'd rather perish in honor, than live in shame!" A forced shove made Leo slide backwards, dragging on the wrappings on his feet. He can sense the anger boiling up in Bradford, giving him an idea on how to get to him.

"You mean the shame you're living in right now, by serving under a dishonorable murderer?" When Bradford took his eyes off of Raph for a moment to glare at the blue-masked turtle, the second eldest took the opportunity to launch himself off the chimney of the hotel and head bash in the face. Yep, he was getting angry.

"You disgusting reptile wouldn't even know the meaning of honor, under the guidance of my master's may hated enemy!"

With Bradford still recovering from that painful bash that nearly broke his nose, Raph took the moment to pressure Donatello even more on defusing the bomb while Leo and Mikey tried to overwhelm Xever by attacking him from both sides and at the same time. Leo was lucky to force himself into a backflips when the Brazilian attempted to kick both of them from both side, but Michelangelo wasn't so fortunate to dodge in time. Leo still continued talking to Bradford, who locked weapons with Raph and took the opportunity to grab his belt and toss him to the edge of the rooftop.

"You mean how revenge is the way of the true warrior, and should be above all others? Because that sounds more like a fool who can't accept he's his own worst enemy, who purposely mislead his followers and doesn't admit his own faults that he caused to dishonor himself and the clan of his heritage!"

"Silence!"

With his focus on Leonardo, the human has forgotten of the other turtles until Michelangelo's Kusarigama chain wrapped itself around his left-arm and pulled him back, losing his footing and hitting the ground on his back. With skills, the orange-masked turtle unwrapped his chain from his enemy at afar distant and, when Bradford got to his feet and turned his attention on the youngest-turtle, tried making another strike with the same end that just constricted itself around the human's wrist. The human has proved to being well trained by dodging the Kusarigama and, with brute force, rammed Michelangelo and bashed him against the sign of the hotel.

Leo immediately charged from behind, raising Kamiizumi over his head while Bradford tried striking his baby brother, who blocked the strike of the human's blade. He knew Shredder's right-hand man would sense his approach and block his attack, but that's what he wanted him to do; turn his attack and attention away from Mikey, and turn his back to give his brother an opening to strike.

"Go for the green!" Michelangelo called out to Donnie, who took Leo's offer to attack Bradford from behind and ended up punched when chose for a direct attack instead of long-range.

'Will Don take Mikey's suggestion?'

He has to make a decision right now; we're only seconds away from multiple mutations to take place!

Pup, remain focus on fight!

Leo slammed himself against Bradford, ducking away from the sword that nearly made a cut on the tails of his bandana and leap for the back of the sign. Bradford followed, as he expected him to, and charged the turtle. The turtle blocked with both swords, remaining firm in his spot as his opponent tries to push him back.

'Not going to back down that easily, Lap Dog.' His gaze took notice of a certain mark on his right-hand, appearing to being a bite from a canine from the positioning of the teeth-marks. A startling thought came to his mind. 'If Don doesn't finish diffusing that bomb-…'

"Guys, guys, Mikey was right about something!" That's one problem he didn't have to worry for now, but the fear still lingers.

Focus!

His feet skid back a bit, and soon found himself on his shell when Bradford kicked him in the plastron. The kick definitely knocked the air out from his lungs and wouldn't be able to dodge the next blow, if Donatello hadn't finally join the fight and got Bradford by landing on his face and smacking him against the metal-pole.

"Rafaeru o tasukete (Help Raphael)!" Don immediately followed Leo's orders. He turned to Mikey, who came to his brother's side and helped him to his feet. "Mikey, teamwork." He didn't need to tell him or his brothers what he wants them to do; they already figured out how they can win, without forcing themselves to use any more of their energies than they already used up for tonight to beat the two to the very end.

You able to keep this up? You're running on mere adrenaline, alone, right now.

'I have no choice; I don't know how much longer my brothers can keep this up, so we need to force them to surrender if we have any chance to walk away from this.'

With Michelangelo's never-ending ball of energy to continue landing multiple hits and Leonardo's perfect timing to jump into the fight to overwhelm Bradford on trying to take the both of them at the same time, the human has been forced to back up. He didn't realize Xever is also being overwhelmed by Raphael and Donatello's teamwork and, unknowingly, is being herded where his companion is being forced into. By the time the both of them took notice where they ended up, up on the ledge of the mutagen bomb, it was already too late and are now back-to-back with each other, the turtles are surrounding them.

'Rushing, always the great tool for misdirection.' "You both have been defeated," Leo started. "You have no where to go... Your only option, is to surrender."

Neither looked pleased by the turtle's claim, though they knew he's right... What Leo didn't count on, was his great concern of the two being close to the mutagen bomb warning him of the unthinkable.

"...If I'm going down -Bradford pulled his sword beside him, startling Xever on what he's going to do- I'm taking you turtles with me!" The human jabbed his blade through the glass of the bomb, and when he pulled... The entire mutagen gushed out, pouring onto the humans and swept them off the rooftop.

The turtles, all of which got out of the way seconds after the mutagen was freed, could only watch as the rest went down the storm drain and most likely into the sewers. The younger-brothers are just as stunned as Leo in what just happened, but none of them are thinking on what the blue-masked turtle is thinking right now.

'They're... They're going to mutate...'

"We kicked the butts of the Kraang, and Shredder's henchmen, while diffusing a bomb and saving the city!" Donnie cheered, as he and the others high-three each other.

"Well, who can say?" Raph asked, sounding too overconfident and proud of the victory he believes was there. "We're not being overconfident."

"That's because we're that good, Bro!" Mikey answered, before going over to his big brother to get him involved to their moment of victory. Unfortunately, Leo knew now isn't the time to celebrate: They failed April to getting her father back, caused Xever and Bradford to mutate... And now, sensed a third enemy nearby, coming to reveal themself to the turtles.

A low growl left his throat and pulled his two swords out from their scabbards, startling his brothers.

"Come out of hiding, now!" He snarled out to the open space, his enhanced hearing picking up the sound of quiet footsteps walking on the top of the bomb and eyes locating a figure moving within the shadows of the night. A moment of silence went by, and then...

"Your skills are impressive." A voice, low and deep, spoke out. The three brothers looked to where their big brother is staring at, also bringing out their weapons once again for battle, and watched as a human jumped off the bomb and landed a few feet away from them. "But they will not save you."

When the figure finally revealed himself from the shadows, it was like revisiting a nightmares that finally came to life for the blue-masked turtle. Standing before them, is none other then their father's greatest enemy... Once was his brother, before he killed his wife, Tang Shen, his daughter, Hamato Miwa, and his clan fiftteen years ago: Oroku Saki, also known as, The Shredder.

Just as Leo saw in his dreams, Shredder's appearance verify his identity: Wearing a Kuro Kabuto over his face, no doubt to hide the markings of his past sin he committed, with gauntlets on both his arms and similar designs for his legs and shoulders, and a full-metal chest-plate. The only thing different from his dreams, is that there was no blood, but his nose can still pick up a faint scent of copper.

The Shredder's intimating figure sent shivers down the turtle's shell and knows he's no match to fight the human, but his instinct told him to not back down and protect his brothers. No matter what, he always listens to his instinct, even when it comes to protecting his clan and fellow packmates... At least, until they can finally protect each other and themselves, and no longer require his aid.

"Oh man. Do you guys think that's… The Shredder?" Donnie asked, unable to take his eyes off of him.

"Well, it's definitely a Shredder." Raph answered, his voice, surprisingly, gave away his own fear of the human before them.

"There is undoubtedly a fascinating story in how my old nemesis came to teach Ninjutsu to four mutant turtles. -Shredder's eyes flashed the promising of pain and death to the turtles.- Perhaps I will let one of you live long enough to tell it."

"Sorry, but we're not planning on staying, anytime longer." Donatello said, before turning to the youngest-brother. "Mikey!"

"So long, suckah!" Michelangelo pulled out an egg and tossed it to the ground… Only for no thick, purple-smoke emerging and shows to being just a normal egg that, somehow, passed to being a smoke-bomb. Leonardo already knew they didn't have any more smoke-bombs; thanks to Michelangelo's carelessness on wasting the smoke-bombs for no reason, they couldn't use anything to cover them while making a retreat for the sewers. "…Oops. -Mikey finally realized how he shouldn't had misused his older-brother's experiment, and unfortunately, that understanding is going to cost him and his brothers very dearly.- All right, that one's on me." At least he knows when he has to take responsibility of his own faults, when it puts them in a terrible spot.

Shredder made the first move to start the fight, drawing out two claw-like blades from his gauntlets as his choice of weapon. Raph was the first to attack him, using his sais to try and lock on to the human's weapon to restrict his enemy from properly moving his weapon to attack and allow himself easier access to attack. Unfortunately, locking on to simply the gauntlets and already sheathing the blades is nearly impossible for the red-mask turtle to do and trying to overpower his opponent made him look more as being the weaker strength in the battle. And to prove it, Saki delivered roundhouse kick and sent Raphael, not only flying to one of the letters of the Wolf sign, but getting electrocuted when his shell made rough impact with the sign.

Raph!

Leo felt disgusted with himself from just standing in the back and watching his own brother getting electrocuted in the process.

Attack! Now!

He didn't hesitated for even a moment when given the command.

"Kono yarō (You bastard)!" He snarled out, purposely drawing Shredder's attention towards him and ignoring his brothers. In response, the human launched himself and punched the ground, missing the blue-masked turtler in inches when he pulled back. 'I can't strike too soon,' he told himself. 'I need to find an opening.' So, he stayed on the defensive side, blocking Shredder's attack and using his agility to keep some distance from the attack. What he didn't count on, when he ducked the second kick and forced himself to twist in the middle of the air, for the human to actually land an exact punch to his plastron. And unlike Bradford's punch earlier, Saki's punch felt nearly three times more effective on not only leaving him gasping for air, but possibly cracked a rib or two through his plastron.

A powerful kick to the chest had him skidding five feet away from the human, struggling to get air back into his lungs and to force back the pain.

"Leo!" He felt a hand resting on his shoulder, knowing it being Donatello from the feeling of the skin on his own.

"Don, stay back." He wheezed out, making his body to get off the ground and only succeeded at getting to a kneeling position. As always, his brothers chose to ignore his warning and went to attack the one who dared to injure his two big brothers. Him panting for breath wasn't a good sign, but when a cough forced itself from his throat, Leo was greatly alarmed to see small drips of blood on the wrappings of his right-hand and the taste of copper in his mouth.

Hurry, get Musashi and Kamiizumi!

His two blades are still where they're last laid, waiting for their owner to retrieve them and to re-enter the battle.

Chance comes soon, Pup. Get ready!

Shredder has finished taking on Donnie and just punched Mikey, after taking hold of his Kusarigama chain that just coiled itself around his left-arm and just blocked two ninja-stars the youngest-turtle tossed before vanishing off the ledge of the roof.

Now!

Leonardo swiftly grabbed for his blades and, with great speed, stunned Shredder when his swords collided with his gauntlet and forced his body to twist. As he got himself to stop, Donatello, who made himself go back into the battle, used his brother's distraction to smack the human in the chest that nearly pushed him over the edge of the building. Since teamwork appears more effective than one-on-one, the two turtles decided to try attack their enemy at once.

Misdirect, Pup. Force Enemy's attention on self, away from Omega-Brother Donatello.

'He'll figure out what I'd be doing… But, I have to ensure he doesn't wound the others as much he does on me.'

…You're doing it, again. You're planning on doing something that can very well get you killed.

'If that's going to come down to it, so be it.'

He did his part on distracting Shredder, using himself as a moving target for him to try and strike, while Donnie took each opportunity to attack from behind or even enough force to overthrow his balance. Whenever he turns his attention on the purple-masked turtle, Leo goes into the offensive and re-catches the human's attention. Eventually, Leo launched himself in the air and brought his swords down, only for Saki to catch him and toss him aside. Leo remained on his feet and went back to the defense to hold off against the claw-like blades that threatens to cut through flesh and shell. Don tried attacking from behind again, but his Bō snapped from the blades on the human's right-shoulder cutting through the wood with ease. Shredder grabbed the purple-masked turtle's head and Leo has already positioned himself to catch his brother, taking the blunt of the impact to cushion his brother's fall.

Leo looked over to the two pieces of the staff that was once a whole.

'He can no longer continue fighting, with his weapon no longer to aid him in battle.' He verified, gently setting Donatello against the wall and standing over him in a protective stance, as Shredder held up his blade-claws.

Right as he was about to make a move, Raphael jumped out from nowhere and slammed the human to the ground, landing powerful punches to Saki's unprotected back in a blinding rage. That victory, sadly, short-lived when the enemy got in a punch and now pinned the red-masked turtle to the ground. To his luck, though, Michelangelo wrapped his Kusarigama chain at the arm ready to strike Raph and pulled him off the second oldest turtle. Like an elevator, Shredder went up while Mikey went down, from his perch on the sign.

The end of his nunchucks that had the sickle on one of it's end, while heading down, quickly hooked that end to the bottom platform of the Wolf Hotel sign. A popping sound could be heard from down below.

"Uaagh!" Shredder ingredient used his free arm to cut himself few, along with cutting the right-bottom of the 'W' sign. The right-bottom piece came off from its spot... Falling towards Michelangelo.

Leonardo didn't hesitate, or even think. His body already went to a full-sprint, running on all-fours, his swords temporarily placed back in their scabbards. In seconds, Leo got both Mikey and himself out of the way, before that piece hit the ground. After a quick check over for any signs of injuries, the leader helped his brother to the other side of the rooftop wall.

A heavy mass from above collided with the metal platform from behind. Musashi and Kamiizumi, once again, are freed from their scabbards, ready to continue locking blades with Shredder. Around him, Leo can see his brothers struggling to get up or remained still where they remain: Michelangelo, with a few scrapes to the shell, plastron, and a few bruises on his arms and legs, slowly scooted his way against the wall towards Donatello. Said genius-turtle, with a major bruise on his head and right-arm and scratches on his shell and plastron as well, looked to where his broken weapon has remained on the ground with great disappointment and regret. Raphael, bruised and scraped in similar areas as his brothers, seems to be having trouble getting himself off the ground and rejoin the fight with his older-twin, no doubt from being electrocuted and having more internal wounds than the younger-brothers from the two powerful kicks he gained.

'Looks like I'm on my own in this.'

But if they can't keep fighting, Shredder will surely try using your brothers against you in a hostage situation!

'Well, I can't just tell them to leave right now, or else Shredder will pick them off before he takes on me…!'

Other ways to signal, contact with Kins, without alerting Enemy, Pup.

He can't use hand signal when he's holding his weapons and he doesn't know if Oroku Saki will be able to understand him in another language, besides Japanese… Until, he got an idea.

'Donnie, you better get this and, this time, follow my order this time… I'll only be able to buy you guys a few minutes, at best, to escape and head for the sewers.'

Through the low growl he emitted out from his voice, he made another sound that would be almost mistaken to a bat's clicking sound.

~Click-click~ click, click, ~click~. ~Click-click-click~, click click, ~click~. ~Click-click-click~, click click ~click~ click. Click click click click, click, click ~click~ click, click.*

He didn't look over to see if his genius brother got the message or not, nor did he bother checking to see if any of them are getting his message or not in morse code: "Get out of here". His eyes remained staring into the blind-eye and cold brownish-black eyes of his opponent, waiting for him to make the next move.

"Rrrrraaaauuuuhhhhh!" Simultaneously, Saki and Leonardo jumped towards each other at the same time, their blades out and ready to do whatever damage they could to their opponent… Sparks fly as their weapons collided with each other, gliding as metal meet metal. Leo has proven to be faster than the others and is an expert at defense… However, Shredder has shown the turtle he's no match for the leader of the Foot Clan and, with great strength, broke the connection of metal between them and struck the teen upon his plastron.

*Crack!*

Leonardo felt, rather than heard, one or even more of his ribs break from the sheer power his plastron couldn't withstand from his enemy. He's just surprised he's able to land on his feet, until his injuries was too much and had to kneel… A very, big mistake to do, especially in battle. Saki grabbed the turtle from the back of his neck, slammed him against the mutagen bomb, pinned him high with his feet off the ground, and jabbed his claw-like blades at the turtle… Who cringed when they came at him, only to find the human purposely missed but now has the fifteen year-old trapped in his grasp.

"Tell me where Splinter is and I promise your demise will be swift." As he demanded the leader to answer him, a hidden blade in his gauntlet slowly slid out towards the turtle and was soon mere centimeters from his throat.

His brothers, who remained where in their spots, could only watch in horror as their big brother is now in the mercy of Oroku Saki and put in a terrible position that would mean his death, whether he told Shredder or not. And they can't do a thing about it, not without getting themselves killed in the process and their injuries impairs from fighting to their fullest potential. Donatello has caught what Leo was trying to tell them from the clicking sound and, almost immediately, he's against that order… Despite him knowing Leo's only doing what's best for the team and is looking out for them. But if he actually believes they were going to make a 'tactical retreat' and leave him behind, then he's so wrong.

Before Donatello or any of the turtles could come up with a plan, something unexpected happened: Leo smiled... Then, started snickering. It soon turned into a chuckle... A dark, low chuckling.

His laughter scared his brothers, greatly. Even Shredder, with most of face covered, even seemed a bit taken back by the turtle's sudden response to laugh.

"What is it that you find so amusing to laugh about, Turtle?" His answer, more chuckling that was starting to get on his nerves. "Why are you laughing, when you are at my mercy and will soon fall to my blade?"

Leonardo's chuckling went back to snickering, though it sounded even more disturbing from how low and dark it held. His Cerulean/Sapphire-eyes didn't hold fear, as Saki expected to see. Instead, all he saw was pure fearlessness, acceptance... And amusement.

"...That's priceless," he finally spoke. "You want me to tell you where my master is and in return, will swiftly end my life and the lives of my team...? -His smile only grew, making his brothers more horrified of the sudden change in their big brother's strange behavior- You actually think, that I would tell you where he is, when you're going kill us in the process, acting as if you're some sort of merciful ruler who came to end our suffering."

Shredder didn't say anything, only tightened his grip on Leo's neck when he started to laugh again... That didn't stop the teen from doing so.

"Is this what you do to your past victims, when you want something from them? Because, something tells me, you ended up losing your patience with them before you try using a different method to getting information, besides saying 'please' and 'thank you'... Tell me , Oroku Saki. Did you promised to end their lives swiftly, when you murdered them? Or better yet... -His eyes flashed deep hatred and despise towards the man holding him, but the disturbing smile remained.- How quickly did you ended her demise, when you used your very own weapon and killed her?"

His eyes widened to his question for a mere second... Then the tip of the hidden blade poked his neck, drawing a thin trail of blood when it prickled his skin.

"How dare you speak of her, pathetic creature?" Saki growled out, hands nearly cutting off Leo's oxygen to slowly start choking him to death. "She was mine, and Hamato Yoshi knew that from the very beginning. He was the one who took Tang Shen away from me!"

Leonardo smirked at that comment.

"Really? Then that means he was the one who shed her blood, to stab her by his own weapon when she got caught in the crossfire to protect her husband. -Saki's anger grew, a snarl escaping through his throat.- Admit it, Oroku Saki." His tone of voice changed into a serious tone, the smile removed from his face and also flashed his own anger towards Shredder. "She loved Hamato Yoshi, and you couldn't accept that. Because of your own obsession to never come to term that she chose to be with the one you once called 'brother' and not you, you ended becoming her killer. And, after all, if you couldn't have her, no one can. Not even Hamato Yoshi, himself. But, on bright side, you finally shown your true colors to the whole Clan, before you slaughtered the-"

The hand to his throat slammed him even harder against the wall, the back of his head bleeding from the combination of his enemy's strength and the harden surface of the bomb.

"Silence your tongue, or I'll part it from you!" Saki roared, barely able to contain his anger any longer the more Leo stalled.

"Your words are empty to me, as are your threats. You say you're going to kill me, show that you're going to torture me and the moment I tell you where my master is, you'll rob me of my life. And yet, all you've done is tighten your hold on my throat. You've tainted your honor for so many years of your past and present sins, that not even your own words will speak of truth and your actions will reveal your lies and treachery."

While he continued speaking, his left-hand slowly dug into his belt, slowly pulling out his only arrow he has yet to use. His brothers took notice of his hand, which he then did slow sign language that all will be able to get what he's telling them to do: Get ready.

"And since I'm not going to tell you where Hamato Yoshi is, you might as well kill me! And since I don't care really much if I live or die, how about I assist you on that promise you made?" He leaned his throat forward, digging the tip nearly a centimeter deeper into his neck and letting more blood glide down the hidden blade. All eyes widened in pure shock.

What are you doing?! You're going to kill yourself!

'Unless he thinks I'm bluffing, I need to keep his attention on me before I make my move, or he'll notice the arrow. Thank god that the mutagen made our skins thick.' He couldn't tell what expression Saki is giving, but he knows that he has his full attention. The blue-masked turtle returned the creepy-smile on his face. "Well? I'm waiting," he continued. "You want me dead so badly, go ahead and do it! I can't stop you and even if I could, I won't stop you! But, before you do away with me, I only have one thing to say to you: -before he said what he wanted, Leo spit at the mask-covering the human's face, blood trailing down the metal-mask.- Kare wa meiyo nashi de ikiru to iu na de shinudeshou (He will die in the name of living without honor)."

Shredder's eyes flared in fury.

"Say goodbye to your brothers, Fool!" He pulled out the claw-like blades from the wall, and just as he was about to impale the blue-masked turtle...

SPLAT!

Something big and wet caught the attention of Shredder, Leo and the other turtles and when they all turned their gazes to see what it was that distracted the human from executing Leonardo… None could believe what they're seeing: Before them, covering in the glow aquamarine-colored liquid of the mutagen, was a large snakehead fish with hands, gasping for breath and reaching out towards Oroku Saki.

"H-Help… M-M-Me…!" The creature gasped, his dark-yellow eyes widen as he struggles for breath… Leonardo knows that voice belongs to Xever Montes… Who has now been mutated into a humanoid-snakehead fish mutant. His appearance truly has stunned them all, especially for the Shredder.

"What is this?!" He asked himself, unknowingly released his hold on the blue-masked turtle as he took notice of a larger-figure beside the snakehead fish mutant, also covered in the mutagen and reaching out for the human… Revealing to being an oversized dog-mutant, an Akita Inu to be precise. "Xever? Bradford?"

Leo immediately made a grab for his swords that were on the ground, set them in their scabbards and finally took the chance he was waiting for.

"Haa!" He brought the arrow up, colliding it with the three claws of Shredder's gauntlet, who realized his mistake and noticed the mini-bomb on the arrow. His blind-eye and brownish-black eye stared into Leo's Cerulean/Sapphire-eyes, who glared back at him with a satisfied smirk on his face. "Sayōnara!"

The bomb went off, releasing a thick smoke the moment it ignited and startled the Shredder from the close explosion near his face. The turtle in blue gazed back to his stunned brothers, his eyes telling them a very clear message: Go! They vanished into the shadows, swiftly and silently scaling down the fire escape ladder of the building and entering a manhole cover to the sewers.

"NOOOOOOO!"

Even down in the sewers, they all heard Oroku Saki's fury that they got away from him. And with them, the information to where Hamato Yoshi is hiding. Coming from the rear, Leonardo constantly kept constant visual over his shell, to ensure they're not being followed as they head for the Lair.

You're never going to pull a stunt like that, again! You hear?!

'Oh, yeah, no problem. I mean, what's the likely percentage that a futuristic enemy will force me to put my own life on the line, in order to protect my team and give them the perfect distraction to save themselves?'

You know I'm not talking about that! I'm referring to your little suicidal stunt! You're not going to pull that shit, ever! Understand?!

'…No promises… And you know that. But now isn't the time to discuss it… Not after what happened, tonight.'

---

They all made it back to the Lair: Injured, beaten and even mortified on what just happened. Splinter and April has aided each of their wounds the moment they entered the Lair, relieved that they stopped the Kraang from releasing the bomb into the city but horrified of their encounter with Splinter's greatest enemy. And even after that, none of the teens seemed to be any better or worse.

"You were all very lucky." Their father complimented, as he returned to the living room after putting away his own medical supplies back into his room.

"Well, I think we define that word differently, Sensei." If rage fueled Raph was something to expect, pouting quiet Raph is another story for his brothers and father.

"Few have ever faced the Shredder and survived." The humanoid-rat may seem calm, but the father is actually freaking out on the inside and very much relieved that all of his children, including April, returned to the Lair and survived today's challenge

"He was just so fast." Sad, down Mikey is a major issue when he isn't goofing off, let alone trying to do something that'll set a fire into his brothers that would make them get over an ordeal.

"It was like he was everywhere at once." Don's brain seemed to still be processing on how could it be physically possible for a human to move that quickly at once, all while taking on four mutated-enhanced humanoid-turtles. "You were right, Sensei. We were being overconfident."

Leo finally came out from his room, having to put Karasu away to let her sleep in a more calming environment and not get in the middle of serious business.

"There are some things we're just not ready for. However, that no longer matters." Everyone stared at the wrapping around his neck, which he found to be very uncomfortable. 'Are they going to keep doing that, every single time I get injured?'

After what your brothers just witnessed, along with your father and April hearing what you just pulled, they have every right to keep a close eye on you. In fact, you better get used to their gaze locking on to you, because you'll probably be getting that for a good while!

"Leonardo is correct." All eyes went to Splinter. His Reddish-brown eyes held a flame, a fire long ago was forged by the pain of loss and the betrayal of the one he once known as 'brother'. "It is clear now that the Shredder is a problem that will not go away."

'As if he thought that method would work, when he moved to New York fifteen years ago.'

Alpha right, correct still, Pup.

"So prepare yourselves, my sons. Because as of this moment…"

'It doesn't matter, anymore. Because right now…'

"We are at war…"

TBC

---

*:…Yeah, I wasn't really into the way Pete was in the show. I mean, seriously?! How can he fly with just a few feathers on his arms, with large human-hands and more of a human-body than an actual Pigeon?! So, because of that, Pete in my story will be from the TMNT IDW Comic. Have no idea why they couldn't just do something similar from his original version from the comic, or to at least give him actual wings that looks plausible for him to be able to fly with their version of Pete?

*: Yes, people, that's morse code. For those who get confused: The commas are to separate the letter, the regular click is for the dot and the clicks with '~' is for the dash.

I actually found that I'm a bit more active on story writing, when I'm on my breaks and lunch at work. I do also write them sometimes on my days off, but I try to get myself to relax from the stress of work.

Also… After two years working as a Courtesy Clerk and, with some of our Checkers leaving and/or quitting, there's a possibility I'll be promoted to becoming a Checker. And since most of the other Checkers don't like doing the closing-shift, it'll be a win-win for everybody, so long I don't screw it up… So, wish me luck, guys! And don't worry, I'll still be doing Fanfiction.

R&R