Season 4- Episode 4- The Rescue Mission
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Leo, Raph and Mikey always missed Donnie's presence when they were out on patrols. Not only was it hard for them without Donnie's knowledge, but they also missed being with him. Their team felt… incomplete.
The fact that Leo's team's spirit was down ever since Donnie stopped joining them didn't go unnoticed by the blue banded leader. He couldn't blame them, either. His spirits were down as well. However, he still felt bad since there's nothing that he could do about the current situation.
'But now I can!' Leo thought to himself in excitement.
'Bringing Karai to our side not only will make everyone happier, but it will also give our team an advantage against the Shredder! Maybe Donnie could even be confident enough to go back to the surface! Perhaps I can convince Sensei.' Leo tried to stop himself from grinning, as he drove the vehicle, to no success. He finally felt useful, and he was grateful for it. Ever since Donnie disclosed their father's secret to him, he felt… useless. He couldn't do anything about the situation, and he couldn't even help Donnie. His little brother being targeted by their worst enemy is like a living nightmare to Leo. However, perhaps things will get better. Especially after they rescue Karai.
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Donnie felt very… uncomfortable. The silence of the lair was much more eerie, considering what is currently happening.
He kept twitching in his seat, and sighing. He couldn't even focus himself on anything. He just kept waiting… watching out, in case Splinter notices that his brothers are not in the lair.
"Donatello." A presence made itself known in the room.
Speak of the devil.
Donnie flinched as he turned around swiftly, looking at Splinter in surprise.
"Sensei! When did you get here?!" Donnie exclaimed, holding his arms up in surprise.
"I think that you have something to tell me, Donatello." Splinter said sternly, glaring at his son with a challenging scowl. Nothing could go unnoticed by him, after all.
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"Okay. Are you guys ready?" Leo looked at Raph and Mikey, seeing them nod in confirmation as he got his katanas ready.
They were all in the Shell Raiser, near the Foot's HQ, preparing for their mission.
"If anything happens, call Donnie." He added with a frown, thinking back and feeling bad about Donnie's situation.
"Which reminds me," Mikey pouted, "When can D go back to patrol with us again?" He asked as he frowned in sadness, missing his big brother.
Raph looked at Leo in expectation, hoping that he would have an answer by now.
"...Hopefully soon." Leo sighed, hoping that it's true.
"Let's go, team. You remember the plan." Leo declared, as they all ran out of the vehicle.
They arrived on a rooftop near the Foot's HQ as they waited for a clear entrance, not wanting to draw any attention.
"Watch out, guys. They must be ready for us." Leo warned, as Raph and Mikey's expressions hardened in seriousness.
"We sneak in from the roof, and slowly go down the levels. We will look over every floor, together. Do not separate or draw any unwanted attention." Leo instructed, as Raph and Mikey nodded in understanding.
"Let's go."
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"For the last time, Donatello. Where are your brothers?" Splinter asked with a stern frown, making Donnie flinch.
"As I've said, I don't know!" Donnie whined, which made Splinter pry further.
"Really? You Don't know?" He lifted an eyebrow as he asked cynically.
"I don't." Donnie mumbled.
"Donatello. If there's something that you're bad at, it's lying." Splinter sighed as he stared at Donnie patiently.
If Donnie was feeling up to being rude, he would have said 'Well, so are you!' But he would feel bad about saying such a thing about his father's secret, so he held his tongue.
"It's not the usual time for patrol, so that excuse won't work for you. Do you need any help with coming up with another one?" Splinter questioned, making Donnie look away in embarrassment.
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"Do you always drive around like this?!" Karai yelped as Leo turned the car sharply, trying to dodge a hit from Tiger Claw's gun.
"Only on missions, princess." Raph couldn't help but yelp as he tried to hold onto his seat.
"Sorry, Karai!" Leo called from his seat as he tried to stay concentrated on the road, trying to lose the Foot soldiers that followed after them.
"This is kind of fun, bros! We should do it more often!" Mikey smiled in excitement as Raph barked in response: "No! We shouldn't!"
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Splinter's frown hardened as he asked; "They didn't go to get Miwa behind my back. Did they?"
Donnie flinched as he looked away, giving Splinter a clear answer.
"They did?!" Splinter raised his voice in panic, making Donnie flinch again.
"Sensei, they will be fine! They have their phones with them." Donnie reasoned, trying to calm his father down.
"It does not matter! They are still in danger-!" Splinter was about to scold his son, until he heard the turnstiles of the lair spin.
Donnie and Splinter looked in its direction curiously, only to be surprised by the sight in front of them.
Splinter just stared in shock as his three sons returned with…
"Miwa?" He whispered with wide eyes, as he locked eyes with…
"Splin- Father…" Karai whispered with shock and regret.
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And that's it for this episode! Please stay tuned!