Chapter three:

Splinter stands in the middle of the place he has called home for so long.

The others have left already to get to the new safe location.

Splinter knows that any moment now Shredder will no doubt send Leo and Raph. He is well aware that Shredder will want them dead. He does wish he wasn't forced to fight his own sons, though he has no choice since they've been put under some kind of mind control. He hears the front door be busted down. He turns to see Leo and Raph entering looking like how they were described to him.

Raph, who likely busted down the door moves in first, then Leo moves inside before going diagonally to the right.

So Leo's by Raph though both can be seen.

Splinter can see that they have their weapons at the ready clearly having come to kill. His heart twisting at the sight of the two. All the explaining in the world could not have prepared him for this moment. He remains calm on the outside to remain strong for them; despite everything... If they can see him. "My sons. It pains me to see you like this. I do hope that you are not aware of what he is forcing you to do. If you can hear me though know that your brothers will work hard to find a way to save you. Along with the city. So just hang on." He shifts his position getting ready to fight his two sons. Silently praying for this to be all some horrible nightmare.

Raph is the first to charge raising a sai to get ready to strike. He swings to which Splinter is quick to raise his cane blocking it.

Splinter shoves Raph away who does his best to fight against his pushes. He has his cane shoved between the space of the blades of the sai. He ducks in order to dodge a swipe from the other sai.

Raphs always has been the strongest out of his brothers, and Splinter can truly tell how strong he's gotten as he's doing decent at pushing back.

Splinter listens to try to locate Leo while dodging Raphs swipes at him. He can hardly pick up on the sound of Leo moving carefully around. He swears if his hearing wasn't enhanced he wouldn't have noticed. He lets his eyes flicker away to glance at Leo. He sees the other is sneaking to find the perfect place for a sneak attack. He hisses as his left ear is nicked by Raph. He shoves said other away from himself who manages to not fall over. He spins around as Leo charges. He swings his cane at the other knocking Leo's swords to stop an attack. He honestly hates that he has to do this.

Shredder has forced him to fight two of his own sons.

Splinter just needs to stick to the plan. He has no doubt that he will die today. But he's at least glad the others have time to get away. He leaps back as Raph tries to hit him with a sai. He has gotten old but he can still fight. He charges this time knowing he should keep them engaged. He doesn't want one to potentially sneak away to search for the others.

They can find out the others are gone when he's dead.

Splinter does have hope that his sons will snap out of it before they kill him. He worries about if they can see what they're doing, they'll have to live with the guilt and memoirs of killing him. He doesn't want that for his children. He is resigned to dying if Shredders control is too strong. He ducks to avoid a swipe of one of Leos katanas. He swipe his cane around to hit their legs. He knows where to hit to knock them backwards.

The two fall as the movements were too fast for them to dodge.

He isn't Master Splinter for nothing. He may be old but he can still put up one hell of a fight. He goes for Leo first knocking his swords away.

Only for Raph to get up and leap at him to attack. He tries to tackle Splinter who tries to dodge.

However Leo grabs Splinters legs leaving no way for Splinter to jump out of the way.

Raph tackles Splinter to which Leo lets go as their father is knocked down to the ground.

Splinter gasps softly as he hits the ground on his side. He shifts both feet quickly slamming them against Raphs lower torso. He does so as hard as he can.

Raph who was trying to attack didn't seem prepared for the strike. He is pushed back enough for Splinter to get out of the grasp.

Splinter gets to his feet as the other two do as well. He sees Leo grab his swords. He glances for his cane only to realize that it is close to Raphs feet. He is going to have to fight two of his sons, who have weapons, without one of his own.

Leo charges first this time. He swings one katana at Splinter who ducks to avoid it. He quickly swings the other to which Splinter moves back just enough for it to miss.

Splinter then swings a kick in the little time that Leo is adjusting his position. He hits the other in the side causing him to slightly stumble to the side. He gets a look at Raph when he does this and notices him kick the cane away. He knows that they know well that he fights really well with that cane.

They want to limit him so they can take him out. They are able to last longer than him anyways so they'll win eventually. Especially since they clearly will have no moral feelings that hold them back. Not in the state that they're in.

Raph moves to get behind Splinter while Leo remains in the front.

Splinter looks to Leo then slightly glances to Raph as the two finish getting into position. He shifts his stance to a more defensive one ready to take some hits. He doesn't really have options of where to go now.

Leo swings his katanas down as he goes for the attack.

At the same time Raph goes for an attack too swiping his sais upwards.

Splinter will have to dodge one and take the hit from the other. He picks taking the hit from Raphs sais since they can't go as deep. He moves away from Leo and clenches his teeth as Raph manages to hit his arms. He can feel the wound bleeding. He turns swinging a punch at Raph who leans back then grabs his arm. He moves his arm in a circular motion to force the other to let go. He then uses his foot to try to kick Raph away from him. He finds Raph just lets him then tries to grab his foot. He manages to move it away in time. He jumps to the side managing to make it just as Leo's katanas swipe where he just was. He is starting to pant slightly though he remains standing strong.

The two turn to face him ready to attack once more.

Splinter looks from one to the other looking into their eyes. He is hoping that there is any potential that he can reach his sons inside. He really doesn't want to be fighting them. "You don't have to do this. My sons. I know you are strong. You can break free." He tries though finds that it doesn't seem to be working. "Just what in the world did Shredder get his hands on that's so strong?"

The two charge at him once more to attack. They split up going at Splinter from either side.

Splinter turns to look to Leo who is thrusting his sword towards him. He ducks then swings his feet to try to knock Raphs feet from under him. He then leaps away from them knowing more space to move is better. He turns to face them with a slight jump slightly skidding on the ground. He has to make sure that the others have enough time to get as far away as possible.

Leo charges towards him raising his katanas ready to attack. He jumps up and Splinter prepares to dodge the attack then get his own hit in. He spots Raph charging from beneath Leo in a double attack with his brother. He leaps back barely missing Leo's attack, then uses his arms to block Raphs attacks getting cuts on his arms. He can hear his blood hit the floor.

Leo had landed behind Raph so Splinter doesn't have a clear line of sight of him.

Raph keeps attacking and Splinter tries to get back as far as he can.

The blood loss is making Splinter get dizzy and he knows he won't last much longer.

Raph charges again and stabs his one sai into Splinters shoulder.

Splinter gasps and feels his legs begin to shake. He sees Leo charging for him and he accepts his death. He should have given them plenty of time to get away. He isn't sure he can fight any longer with these deep wounds.

Leos katana stabs into him and Splinter hunches over.

Weakly Splinter glances up to his sons, who stare at him with those eyes Shredders control gave them. He could almost swear that their gazes seem cold and uncaring. He knows deep down how much the two do care, but also how much Shredder doesn't care. "I knew you had grown strong." He manages to croak to them despite his body not wanting to talk. "I know that this isn't your faults. I am proud of you. Even though Shredder is forcing you to do such horrible things. I will watch over you all in spirit. I promise." His body getting too weak. He falls forward just after the two withdraw their weapons from him. He lays there on the floor. The last thing he sees is the two heading off to search their home for the others. He knows that they won't find them. He can let himself pass on knowing he's played his part. He's leaving it up to those remaining now. And he's actually comfortable with that. His vision goes dark as he lets death take him.

Elsewhere Donnie can't help a glance back wishing that Splinter could be here with them. He turns away to continue moving with the others.

They're almost there so they should be safe once they get there.

Donnie goes to Casey who is helping to carry April by having her on his back. "Do you need to switch?"

"No. I'm okay. Thanks though." Casey assures him with an appreciative smile.

"Guys! I see it!" Mikey lets them know and removes some bushes to show the entryway.

They go through the tunnel. They emerge into a space has a main open area with some areas off to the sides. They are sure that they can make this place work and expand as they go. They just hope that they will find a way to save their brothers from that mind control.

"Well. Lets get set up for now and we'll figure things out once we take a small break." Donnie suggests to which the other two nod in agreement to this. "Casey. I'll set up a makeshift bed that we can put April on for now." He starts to do so on the floor as it's the only spot that they have. He makes sure the blanket is placed as comfortable as he can. He adds the small pillow he had brought. He helps Casey lower April safely onto the makeshift bed.

"Me and Mikey will explore. We'll let you work on her." Casey mentions to which Donnie nods. "Call us if you need anything." He heads to look around with Mikey also starting to look around.

Donnie checks Aprils pulse and he finds it isn't doing that great. He is so limited here. He could have saved her back home... But that place is no longer safe for any of them... He isn't sure if he can even get her to last through the night. He doesn't want to lose April after they had to say goodbye to Splinter. He hopes that by some miracle he'll be able to keep her alive.

They need all the help they can get.