The lair hummed with the familiar beeps and clicks of an old arcade game, casting flashes of light across the dimly lit room. Michelangelo sat hunched over the machine, his fingers flying over the buttons, eyes locked onto the screen.

"Oh, yeah! Level 83, dude. I'ma flip it," he crowed, bouncing slightly in his seat.

Leonardo stood beside him, arms crossed, watching the game with a mix of amusement and mild interest. "Eye beam! Use the eye beam!" he instructed.

Mikey's expression morphed from excitement to sheer horror as a monstrous boss appeared onscreen.

"No, no, no, no, no, no!" he yelped. "It's Skullorax!"

Panic took over, his hands mashing the buttons wildly. But within seconds, the screen flashed red—Game Over.

Mikey groaned, slumping forward. "Oh! No!" he whined, dragging out the sound. "I was so close, Leo... so close."

Leo patted his shoulder solemnly. "You did well, my son," he said with mock wisdom. "Now watch a real sensei at work."

Grinning, Leo cracked his neck, nudging Mikey aside as he took control of the game.

"Move, I wanna see," Cat said, squeezing onto the arm of the couch beside Mari, who barely spared her a glance.

"Leo's just gonna die faster than you did," Mari remarked, blowing away some nail dust.

Leo shot her a look. "Not happening."

Before he could even start, a furious voice bellowed through the lair.

"MIKEY!"

Raphael's bedroom door slammed open, and he stormed out with Spike perched angrily on his shoulder. Raph's face was twisted in rage, his grip tightening on a magazine as he stomped toward his youngest brother.

"You got pizza stains all over my collection of Modern Ninja magazines! They're ruined!" he barked.

Mikey barely spared him a glance, lounging back against the arcade machine. "Dude, those things are, like, twenty years old," he said with a shrug. "They're not exactly modern."

Mari snorted. "He's got a point."

Raph's face darkened, veins practically popping out of his neck. "They're vintage! It took me six years to collect 'em! Six years!"

Mikey held up his hands in surrender. "Chillax, bro. I'll clean it for ya."

Without hesitation, he leaned forward and licked the stained pages.

Cat gagged. "Ew, why?!"

Disgusted, Raph set Spike down and swung the magazine at Mikey's head with a satisfying whap!

"Ow!" Mikey yelped, rubbing his head.

"You mess up everything, Mikey," Raph growled.

Cat immediately scowled. "No, he doesn't!" she shot back, crossing her arms. "It was an accident, Raph, geez. It's just a dumb magazine!"

Raph turned on her, eyes blazing. "Dumb?! You wouldn't get it, princess. Some of us actually care about our stuff."

Mari hummed, unimpressed. "Yeah, 'cause it's totally normal to worship a pile of paper like it's a shrine."

Leo sighed, still focused on the arcade screen. "It's just stuff, Raph. Meager possessions. What does it matter?"

Raph's glare snapped to him now. "Oh, yeah? What about your precious comic-book collection, huh?" He gestured wildly. "You always stick up for Mikey! Try seeing my point of view for once!"

"I get it," Leo said, his voice calm. "I just think, like Master Splinter says, 'Material possessions are fleeting.'"

The words barely left his mouth before Raph let out a frustrated yell and shoved the arcade machine. It jostled violently, ruining Leo's game.

Leo's eye twitched.

Mari snorted. "Well, guess that was fleeting."

Cat frowned, still glaring at Raph. "You're just mad because you wanna be."

"All right, enough!" Raph snapped. "I'm tired of you five. You're always messing up, and I always have to pay for it!"

With that, he spun on his heel and stormed off, leaving an awkward silence in his wake.

In his lab, Donatello barely heard the argument over the bubbling of chemicals. His fingers moved with precision, carefully measuring out a pink substance. He scowled, shaking his head as another yell echoed from outside.

"Can it get any louder out there?" he muttered. "I'm never gonna find a retro-mutagen at this rate. Who can concentrate with Raph exploding all the time?"

With a tired sigh, he tilted a vial, letting a single drop of the substance plop into the mixture.

The liquid fizzed.

Then it bubbled.

Donnie's eyes widened.

"Uh-oh."

A high-pitched whistle filled the air—then boom!

A burst of fireworks exploded from the beaker, sending colorful sparks shooting across the lab and out into the lair.

"What's—AH!" Leo barely had time to react before another explosion sent him ducking for cover.

"Hit the deck!" Raph bellowed.

Fireworks bounced wildly across the room, ricocheting off walls and furniture.

Mikey gasped in horror, throwing his arms up. "My pizza!" He barely dodged a stray spark. "Whoa! We're under attack!"

He scrambled for cover as the fireworks continued to burst in all directions.

Mari had been leaning against the couch, half-listening to the chaos, but at the sight of the explosion, she immediately sprang to action.

"Are you kidding me, Donnie?!" she shouted, narrowly avoiding a firework that zipped past her ear. "What part of 'not blowing up the lair' is so hard to understand?"

"I'm trying to make retro-mutagen!" Donnie shot back, frantically swatting at a stray ember that landed on his lab coat. "Science isn't exact—"

Before he could finish, another firework went off, and Mari grabbed him, yanking him down just in time to avoid getting singed.

"You're welcome," she muttered.

Meanwhile, Cat had already dove behind the couch, hands over her head as sparks rained down. "Why does everything always explode in here?!" she wailed.

Then, through the chaos, Raph's eyes locked onto something—Spike.

A rogue firework shot straight toward his beloved pet.

Raph's heart stopped.

"Spike!" he screamed, launching himself forward in slow motion.

He barely had time to react. His body moved on instinct, rolling across the floor with Spike cradled in his arms as the last of the fireworks fizzled out. His breath came fast and heavy, his heart pounding as he scrambled upright.

Mari groaned, rubbing her temples. "We're all gonna die in this place."

Cat peeked over the couch hesitantly. "Did... did we survive?"

"Aw, hey there, little guy," Raph exhaled, gently stroking Spike's shell. "You okay? You're all good. Old Raph won't let anything happen to you."

Spike blinked up at him, completely unharmed.

Donnie stepped out of his lab, coughing as he waved away the lingering smoke. "Wow," he muttered, rubbing his eyes. "I did not see that one coming. Everyone okay?"

Raph whipped around, his face darkening with fury. "What are you, crazy?! No, we're not okay!"

Before Donnie could respond, the sound of measured footsteps filled the room.

Splinter appeared at the entrance, his sharp eyes scanning the damage. His gaze landed on the overturned furniture, the scorch marks on the walls, and the general disaster area that was now their living room. He took a slow, deep breath before speaking.

"What happened here?"

Raph didn't hesitate. He pointed directly at Donnie. "I'll tell you what happened, Master Splinter. Donnie almost blew us up—again! And worse, he almost blew up Spike!"

Donnie grimaced, raising his hands. "Raph, dude, I'm really sorry, I—"

"Sorry doesn't cut it this time!" Raph snapped.

Shoving past Donnie roughly, he stomped into his lab.

Leo tensed. "Raph, don't—"

Too late.

Raph emerged a second later, holding a canister of mutagen.

Donnie's face paled. "No, Raph, be reasonable—man, that's my last canister of mutagen!"

Raph ignored him, glaring daggers as he walked away. Splinter's watchful eyes followed him, concern etched into his features.

Mari folded her arms. "Oh yeah. This is gonna end great."

Cat, still half-crouched behind the couch, nudged Mikey. "Is it safe to come out now?"

Mikey sighed, patting her head. "No, little buddy. No, it is not."

Back in his room, Raph set the canister down on his table, his muscles still coiled with frustration. Spike rested beside him, his small eyes watching intently.

"The others are just holding me back," Raph muttered, shaking his head. "We should be out there fighting crime, tracking mutagen. But all they wanna do is play stupid games. You get it, don't you, Spike?"

The little turtle blinked.

Raph exhaled, running a hand over his face. "Sometimes I wish I was on my own, doing things my way. I'm tired of this team."

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Uh, dude? You still mad?" Mikey's voice floated through.

Raph groaned. "What do you want, Mikey?"

"Master Splinter wants us to help clean up."

Raph shot up, scowling. "No way! Not a chance! Donnie can clean up his own explosion."

Mikey shrugged, leaning against the doorframe. "Hey, if you wanna tell Sensei you're not helping out, that's all you, dude."

Raph narrowed his eyes. "Fine. I will."

Pushing Mikey aside, he stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind him. The force of it sent the mutagen canister rolling off the table, cracking open as it hit the ground.

The neon-green ooze leaked out, seeping toward the small desert turtle.

Spike hesitated—then instinctively licked at the glowing substance.

In the living room, Leo, Mari, Cat and Donnie were already cleaning up the mess when Raph stormed toward Splinter.

"This is completely unfair," he complained. "Donnie made this mess! How come I have to help?"

Splinter turned to him, his expression unreadable. "Allow me to make a suggestion, Raphael."

Raph folded his arms. "Suggest what, Sensei? I'm sick of suggestions. What could you possibly—"

Before he could finish, Splinter calmly reached out and pinched a pressure point on Raph's neck.

A sharp jolt of pain shot through him.

"Agh!" Raph yelped, immediately dropping to the floor.

Splinter looked down at him, his voice calm yet firm. "Perhaps you should sit and meditate for a while."

Raph gritted his teeth, struggling to sit up. "Always me, right? I've got the bad attitude, I'm the bad guy—they just don't get it."

He muttered to himself as he made his way back to his room.

But something felt... off.

The moment he stepped inside, he hesitated.

The air was different—heavier.

The light in the room had dimmed, casting eerie shadows against the walls. A strange, low growl filled the space.

Raph stiffened.

Then—a voice.

A deep, unfamiliar voice.

"They never have."

Raph spun around, dropping into a defensive stance. "What?"

His eyes flicked downward—and his stomach dropped.

The mutagen canister lay shattered on the floor, its glowing remnants still oozing across the surface.

Another rumbling sound echoed through the room.

"They never understood you."

Raph's breath caught in his throat.

"Not like me."

A massive figure moved in the darkness, stepping into the dim light.

A hulking form—taller, broader, stronger than anything Raph had ever seen.

A giant turtle with jagged spikes along his shell and plastron, his body lined with thick, muscular limbs.

The figure straightened, looming over him.

Raph's world tilted.

He barely managed to whisper the word.

"Spike?"

Meanwhile, in the living room, Donnie sat slumped against the couch, staring at his hands.

"I feel terrible," he admitted, his voice low. "It's my fault Raph's mad."

Mari scoffed from where she sat cross-legged on the floor, flipping a shuriken between her fingers. "Raph is always mad."

Leo sighed, rubbing his temple. "It's not just you, Donnie." He hesitated. "Well, it's... partly you. Raph just has to work on his insanely bad temper."

"Maybe we should work on getting him some anger management classes," Mari muttered.

Mikey tapped his chin. "Maybe he should switch to decaffeinated pizza?"

"Or just stop being an emotional train wreck," Mari added.

Cat, who had been upside-down on the couch, her legs dangling over the back, frowned. "But Raph is kind of right, isn't he?" she asked. "I mean, we do mess up a lot."

Mari snorted. "Okay, but you also say 'sorry' when you bump into furniture. Raph's temper could level a city block."

Before anyone could respond, a sharp beep cut through the room.

Donnie perked up, glancing at his belt. His eyes widened as he yanked out his mutagen tracker. "Whoa. The mutagen tracker just picked up a new canister. It's close."

Leo immediately straightened. "Then let's gear up. I'll grab Raph."

Mikey cringed. "Better you than me."

Mari stretched her arms over her head. "Yeah, have fun with that. We'll be here, waiting to see if you make it back alive."

Cat let out an exaggerated gasp. "Ooooh, should we place bets?"

"Not the time," Leo muttered, already heading for Raph's room.

"Smart money's on Raph punching him," Mari called after him.

Mikey grinned. "I mean, obviously."

Raph stood in his room, staring in disbelief at the massive figure before him. His heart pounded in his chest, his mind struggling to process what he was seeing.

Spike—his pet, his best friend—had mutated.

A hulking, powerful turtle stood in the dim light, his body lined with thick muscles, his shell jagged with dangerous-looking spikes. His voice was deeper, more refined, more... intelligent.

"I can't believe this is happening," Raph murmured, shaking his head in awe. "I mean, this is amazing."

Then a realization hit him like a punch to the gut. His brothers.

"Wait... what am I gonna tell the others?" he asked, suddenly unsure.

Spike—no, not Spike anymore—stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Raph's shoulder. His grip was solid, reassuring.

"Tell 'em you got a new partner," he said smoothly, his voice holding a dangerous kind of confidence. "One who knows the true meaning of being a warrior."

Raph hesitated. "A new partner?"

His old pet nodded. "You and me, no joking around, no goofing off like your brothers. We'll be the ultimate ninja team."

Raph's uncertainty wavered. It sounded... good.

Really good.

"Well, that would be awesome," he admitted, intrigued by the idea.

Slash's grip tightened just slightly. "We'll crush our opponents. We'll fight evil together. Nonstop."

Raph grinned, his excitement growing. "That's what I'm talking about. You totally get it. You always did."

Before they could continue, a knock sounded at the door.

"Hey, Raph." Leo's voice was impatient, all business. "Got a mutagen mission. Need you on deck."

Raph's eyes darted toward Slash. He hesitated before responding. "Uh, man..." He turned back to his old friend. "All right, quiet. Just sit tight."

Cracking the door open just enough to face Leo, Raph forced a casual expression. "Right, uh, I'll catch up in a minute. Go on without me."

Leo narrowed his eyes. "Fine, 'cause we're not waiting."

The door clicked shut.

Slash exhaled sharply, a sneer forming on his face. "You don't need them, Raphael. We can find that mutagen on our own."

Raph's grin returned, the thrill of independence igniting inside him. "Heck, yeah! But if we're gonna do this, you'll need to gear up. Take your pick."

Slash's sharp eyes scanned the weapons around the room. He reached for a brutal-looking mace, its heavy weight resting perfectly in his grip.

He flexed his fingers, testing it out before strapping on knee pads, fingerless gloves, and a dark, ominous bandana. His transformation was complete.

Raph let out a low whistle. "Wow. You look awesome, Spike."

The mutant turtle turned, his gaze locking onto a metal emblem on Raph's workbench—a logo from an old car.

He picked it up, turning it over in his large fingers before fastening it to his belt.

"Never liked the name Spike," he said coolly. His eyes darkened. "Call me Slash."

Raph nodded, smirking. "Nice."

They made their way to the rooftop, standing side by side—equals now, not owner and pet.

Raph leapt off first, his excitement surging as the city stretched out before them.

From the rooftop, Slash watched him go, a sinister thought forming.

"If Raph's gonna be free..."

His grip tightened around the mace.

"We may need to lose some dead weight."

Raph moved through the city with ease, his heart hammering with adrenaline. This was what it was all about—breaking free, doing things his own way.

He turned to Slash, who kept pace effortlessly beside him.

"This is so cool! Just you and me—Raph and Slash, the crime-fighting duo."

Slash nodded, his voice steady. "Yep. We'll right the wrongs of the world... and wipe out whoever stands in our way."

Raph's grin faltered for a fraction of a second. Something in Slash's tone sent a prickle down his spine.

"Hold on," Raph said, glancing at him. "How are we gonna find that mutagen without a tracker?"

Slash smirked, inhaling deeply. "I got a nose for the stuff. I can smell it a mile away." He took another sniff, eyes narrowing. "Come on, follow me."

On another rooftop, the rest of the team had already locked onto a canister.

Donnie studied his tracker. "We've got mutagen close by—just on the other side."

Mikey squinted at the glowing object below. "Ooze jar in full effect."

Leo nodded in approval. "Sweet. Let's grab it and bag it. Looks like we didn't need Raph after all—" His words cut short as he caught movement below. "Hold up. Somebody's coming."

The team peered over the edge.

Down below, a delivery guy skated toward the glowing canister.

"Cool," the guy muttered, bending down to pick it up. "A free energy drink. Still sealed, too."

Raph landed just behind him, stretching his fingers. "All right, I got this, Slash. Wait here."

Swinging down, Raph reached for the canister—only to collide directly with Leo, who had dropped down at the same time.

"Hey!" Raph snapped. "What are you doing? I had him!"

Leo shot him a deadpan look. "You're late, Raph."

Raph's lip curled. "What are you talking about?" His eyes flicked to the canister in Leo's grip, and his temper flared. "You know what? Get out of my way!"

Before things could escalate further, Cat landed beside them, immediately holding up her hands. "Whoa, whoa, guys, let's just—"

Raph rounded on her before she could finish. "Stay out of this, Cat!"

Cat's face fell slightly, but she straightened up, trying again. "Raph, chill. We got the canister, so let's just—"

"I had the canister!" Raph snapped. "Leo just had to come down here and steal my—"

Leo rolled his eyes. "Raph, for the last time, you weren't here."

Raph shoved a finger into his plastron. "Maybe because I wasn't expecting you to jump in my way!"

Up on the rooftop, Donnie stood with his arms crossed, watching the argument unfold with thinly veiled exhaustion.

"Are they gonna argue all night?" Donnie sighed, adjusting his mutagen tracker. "The mutagen's getting away."

Mikey, leaning against the ledge beside him, smirked. "Dude, I can totally see Raph's forehead veins bulging from here."

Mari, perched a few feet away, scoffed. "If they keep this up, it's gonna pop for real." She threw her hands up.

As if on cue, Raph jabbed a finger into Leo's plastron, his voice rising with frustration. Donnie rolled his eyes, turning back to his scanner.

Mari shook her head. "I swear, I am this close to dropping down there and smacking them both."

"Right?" Mikey nodded. "But also, like... kinda entertaining?"

Mari groaned. "You're part of the problem."

Suddenly, something large and fast moved behind them.

Before Donnie could react, a massive hand clamped over his mouth, yanking him backward into the darkness. His eyes widened in horror as he struggled, his muffled cries for help going unheard.

Mikey, oblivious, kept watching Raph. "Check it out. His head's gonna pop."

Down below, Leo finally threw up his hands. "Fine. I'm going after it myself. I don't need your help."

"Wait—" Cat said.

"Fine!" Raph shot back, crossing his arms. "You sure you can handle a pizza delivery boy on your own?"

"He won't be alone," Cat said.

Leo ignored Raph, grabbing Cat's wrist, and storming off

With an irritated grunt, Raph turned back toward the rooftops, his foot knocking over a trash can as he moved. He didn't care. He was done with them.

As he climbed back up, his expression softened slightly. "Slash? Hey, where'd you go, man?"

Silence.

Raph frowned, scanning the shadows. His stomach churned. Something felt off.

Then he saw it.

A purple bandana, dangling from Slash's clenched fist.

Raph's breath hitched. "What happened to you?"

Before Slash could answer, a voice called out from behind him.

"Raph! Donnie's disappeared! He was right behind me when—"

Mikey sprinted onto the rooftop, eyes wide with panic. His words caught in his throat as he finally noticed Slash.

"Holy chalupa."

Mari appeared right behind him, her tessen drawn. "What is—" Her breath hitched as her gaze landed on the hulking, spiked figure before them. Her grip tightened around her weapon. "What the hell is that?"

Slash took a step forward, looming over them.

Mikey took a shaky step back. "Another turtle?! No—wait, mutant turtle?!"

"Wait, wait, no," Raph said quickly, holding out his hands. "It's Spike. I mean, Slash now. He got into the mutagen."

Mari's brows furrowed in confusion, then disbelief. "Your pet?"

Mikey gaped. "Spike did this?!" He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Dude, this is too much to process. I'm gonna—" He gripped his head, his voice rising. "I'm freakin' out!"

Slash ignored them, turning to Raph.

"Raphael, you said it yourself. We don't need these clowns," he said coldly. "We gotta hunt that mutagen down. Now."

Mikey's expression shifted from panic to urgency. "But what about Donnie?!" he demanded. "We have to find him!"

Raph hesitated, glancing between them. Slash's gaze burned into him, unwavering. But when he turned toward Mikey and Mari, his chest tightened. Mikey was looking at him with that desperate hope, that expectation that Raph would always choose his family. And Mari, despite looking ready to fight, still had that quiet flicker of trust in her eyes.

This was it.

The moment of truth.

Raph exhaled, his choice clear.

"Sorry, Slash," he said, stepping back toward Mikey and Mari. "My siblings come first. Always."

Slash's entire body tensed. His nostrils flared.

"How about I make the choice a little easier for ya?"

Before Raph could react, Slash moved.

In one brutal swing, he struck Mari with his mace.

"MARI!"

The force of the blow sent her crashing into a rooftop vent with a sickening crack.

Mikey's entire world froze. "Mari!" He bolted toward her without thinking, skidding onto his knees beside her. "Mari! Hey—look at me—are you—?"

She gasped sharply, curling in on herself. "Hurts—"

"Oh, you—" Raph's hands balled into fists, his entire body shaking. "Spike, what the hell?!"

Slash only turned his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "I don't want to fight you, Raphael." His voice was eerily calm. "Just go. Leave me to my work."

Raph was practically seething. "Your work?!" His voice cracked as he gestured wildly to Mari, who was still struggling to sit up. "That mutagen warped your brain, Spike! This isn't you!"

Slash's expression hardened. "Told you the name's Slash."

He lifted his mace again, this time stepping toward Mikey.

Raph didn't hesitate.

In one fluid motion, he hurled a smoke bomb at their feet.

By the time the smoke cleared—Raph, Mikey, and Mari were gone.

Cat sprinted alongside Leo, her breath coming in quick, uneven gasps as they leapt across rooftops, chasing the rolling canister of mutagen. She wasn't as fast as him, but she refused to fall behind.

Leo landed first, dropping down onto the pavement below, but Cat wasn't far behind. She hit the ground in an awkward stumble, barely catching herself against a nearby wall.

Leo didn't hesitate, pushing forward as the canister tumbled down the street. It bounced off the hood of a parked car before skidding to a stop in the gutter.

Leo reached for it—

Voices.

His stomach lurched.

Cat barely had time to react before he yanked her backward, pressing them both against the alley wall.

A group of pedestrians exited a nearby store, chatting among themselves.

Cat pressed a hand over her mouth, swallowing down a nervous squeak.

Leo exhaled sharply, peering out cautiously.

The canister rolled again, bumping against a man's foot.

The man stooped down, picking it up and turning it over in his hands.

"Hmm... some kind of antique glow lamp," he muttered, eyes gleaming with interest. "Bet it's worth a few bucks."

Cat sucked in a breath. "Oh, come on," she whispered.

Leo tensed beside her as the man pocketed the mutagen and continued walking.

"If we come back empty-handed, the guys will never let us live it down," Leo muttered. His grip on his katana tightened. "Okay, plan. Need a plan."

Cat hesitated before whispering, "I have an idea."

Leo turned to her warily. "Does it involve screaming?"

Cat frowned. "No?" Then, after a pause, "Well, maybe."

Mikey struggled to keep Mari upright as they stumbled onto the rooftop. She was still dazed, her head lolling slightly to the side, but her grip on Mikey's shoulder was tight.

"There he is! Donnie!" Mikey gasped as he spotted their missing brother slumped against a crumbling rooftop wall.

Mari squinted through the haze in her vision, taking in Donnie's battered state—the missing mask, the deep claw marks across his plastron. Her stomach twisted.

Donnie groaned, barely lifting his head. "What hit me...?" His voice was weak, but the sarcasm still bled through. "It was like Raph... only bigger. Meaner. Angrier." He blinked sluggishly, then managed a smirk. "But not quite as ugly."

Raph winced. "It was Spike," he admitted quietly.

Donnie's eyes widened in horror. "Spike?!" His voice cracked, the realization hitting him hard. He exhaled sharply, slumping back against the wall. "Way to keep that mutagen safe, Raph."

Mari's head still swam from getting slammed into the ground. Mikey felt her wobble and quickly adjusted his grip, wrapping an arm around her waist to keep her steady.

On another rooftop, Raph carefully set Donnie down against a vent.

Donnie winced. "Can't make it. Too weak."

"No turtle left behind," Raph said firmly, kneeling beside him. "That's our rule."

He tore off a strip of cloth from his belt, reaching for Donnie's arm. "I'm gonna tie off your sprained arm. It might hurt, okay?"

Donnie barely had the energy to nod.

Raph pressed his sai into Donnie's mouth. "Bite down on this."

Donnie frowned, taking it reluctantly. "Tastes like leather and sweat," he mumbled through clenched teeth.

Before anyone could react, a deep, guttural laugh echoed through the rooftop.

Mikey stiffened.

Mari—though still unsteady—forced herself to stand straighter.

Raph's breath hitched.

Slash.

"The others hold you back, limit your potential," Slash taunted, stepping out of the shadows. His massive form was even more menacing in the dim city lights. "You don't need them—just like you said."

Raph's grip tightened around his sai. "Why?! Why are you doing this?!" His voice cracked with fury and something deeper—betrayal.

Slash stepped forward, looming over him. "Because you meant it." His voice was eerily calm, yet laced with something dangerous. "You don't belong with them. You belong with me."

"No," Raph growled, shaking his head. "They're my siblings. I never wanted this."

Slash's smile disappeared. "There's no turning back now."

And then—he moved.

Mari barely had time to process it before Slash's massive arm swung toward Mikey.

Her body acted before her mind did.

With all the strength she had left, she shoved Mikey out of the way, just as Slash's attack landed—on her.

"Mari!" Mikey's panicked cry barely reached her ears before she was airborne.

Her back hit the pavement hard, pain shooting through every nerve in her body.

Her head spun.

She could hear voices—Raph yelling, Mikey scrambling toward her—but everything was disjointed, blurry.

"STOP!" Raph's voice cut through the chaos, raw with desperation. "I won't let you hurt them!"

Slash barely even looked at him.

"I'm not here to fight you."

"But I want to fight you," Raph snarled, his grip tightening. His chest heaved with anger, with guilt, with desperation. "You're not Spike. You're some kind of warped monster—a deranged, hideous FREAK."

The words cut deeper than any blade.

Slash froze.

For a split second, something flickered in his expression—pain, anger, something raw and ugly.

Then, with a furious roar, he lunged.

Raph barely had time to react before Slash's massive fist collided with his plastron, sending him flying backward.

His body crashed against a metal vent, denting it inward.

"We could've made a great team, Raphael," Slash growled, advancing. "But you're a fool—just like your siblings."

Mikey stirred, blinking blearily. His eyes landed on Mari, still sprawled out on the ground, and panic surged through him.

"Slash is back," Mikey rasped, forcing himself up. "Raph's in trouble."

Donnie, still weak from the earlier attack, groaned as he sat up. "Raph's fighting him?"

"Not really fighting," Mikey winced, watching as Raph got slammed into the pavement. "More like getting stomped into green goo." He turned back to Mari, urgency in his voice. "Come on, you gotta move."

Mari exhaled shakily, forcing herself to sit up despite the fire spreading through her ribs.

"Yeah," she rasped. "Let's go save his dumb ass."

Leo pressed his back against the alley wall, peering through the window. Inside, the little girl sat at her tea party table, a stuffed bear propped up across from her.

And in her tiny hands—

The canister of mutagen.

Leo's stomach dropped. "No, no, no..."

The girl giggled as she poured the glowing green liquid into a teacup. "Here you go, Ruffles McBearington. One nice cup of green tea."

Her fingers curled around the handle, bringing it to her lips—

A blur of pink shot past Leo.

Before he could react, Cat burst through the window first, tumbling onto the tea party table in a mess of limbs and panic.

"WAIT, DON'T DRINK THAT!" she shrieked.

Leo followed an instant later, his foot slamming into the teacup mid-air. The liquid splattered harmlessly onto the table, the canister rolling across the floor.

The girl gasped, eyes wide.

Cat scrambled upright, brushing crumbs off her knees. "Oh, my gosh, that was so close! You almost drank mutagen! You could've turned into, like, a—" She paused, thinking. "I dunno, a bear-lizard or something!"

Leo shot her a look. "That's what you're leading with?"

The little girl, unfazed by their sudden entrance, smiled brightly. "Would you care for some tea, Mr. And Ms. Turtles?"

Leo blinked. "What?"

"I'll scream if you go, Mr. Turtle," she warned sweetly. "My Daddy's room is right next door."

Cat's face paled. "Oh no. She's one of those kids."

The girl took a deep breath, her chest puffing up.

Leo's eyes widened. "No, no, no, no—"

Raph staggered to his feet, gasping. His entire body ached.

Across from him, Slash loomed like a living nightmare, his jagged spikes catching the dim glow of the city lights.

"I spent years watching you train, learning your moves," Slash rumbled. "I know everything you can do."

Raph wiped the blood from his lip and smirked. "Not everything."

He surged forward, spinning low and kicking Slash straight in the chest. The massive turtle stumbled, shocked by the impact.

"That's new," Raph taunted.

Slash roared, swinging wildly. Raph ducked—sidestepped—countered. He moved faster, sharper. For once, he wasn't just reacting. He was leading.

Then—

A fist like a sledgehammer slammed into his ribs.

The world spun.

Raph crashed onto the next rooftop, coughing as pain flared through his body.

"That all you got?" he rasped, trying to push himself up.

A shadow fell over him.

"No."

Slash pinned him down.

Raph barely had time to inhale before a fist came down like a wrecking ball. His vision blurred with the impact.

He didn't even feel himself hit the ground.

"We're done here," Slash growled, raising his claws for the final strike.

Then—

"NO!"

Mikey, Donnie, and Mari tackled Slash at full force, grabbing onto his arms.

"Get off of him!" Donnie yelled, straining against Slash's brute strength.

"LET. HIM. GO!" Mikey gritted his teeth, pulling as hard as he could.

Mari, still sluggish from her earlier injuries, slashed wildly at Slash's arm, trying to force him back. "Back off, you overgrown snapping turtle!"

Slash growled in irritation. With one violent jerk, he flung them off, sending Donnie and Mikey tumbling across the rooftop. Mari landed hard, groaning as she struggled to get back up.

Raph coughed, vision swimming. His siblings—injured, exhausted—had still come back for him.

Slash cracked his knuckles. "You're weak, Raphael," he sneered. "All of you."

Raph forced himself up, body screaming in protest. He looked at his beaten, exhausted siblings—Donnie, nursing his arm; Mikey, groaning from the impact; Mari, still wheezing from Slash's earlier attack.

And yet they were all still here.

"Slash, you see?" he gasped, wiping the blood from his chin. "That's what real friends do. They stand up for each other." He squared his shoulders. "I'd rather be like my siblings than you any day."

Mikey, still sprawled on the ground, blinked blearily. "Was that a compliment?"

Cat sat beside Leo at the tiny plastic table, holding her own toy teacup with both hands. Her eyes darted around nervously, unsure of how she had ended up in this bizarre situation. Across from them, the little girl studied them both with an appraising look, her expression serious.

"No, no, no," she scolded, shaking her head. "You have to hold your pinky out."

Cat immediately adjusted her grip, holding out one of her three fingers dramatically. "Like this?" she asked, grinning.

The girl nodded approvingly before turning to Leo. "And you!"

Leo hesitated, flexing his fingers. "Uh... I don't really have a pinky."

The girl tilted her head in curiosity. "Are there other talking turtles like you guys?"

Leo stiffened. "Nope," he said a little too quickly. "Uh-uh. Just us. Totally normal, not-weird-at-all imaginary turtles."

Cat winced at his delivery but nodded rapidly.

The girl gasped in delight. "Cool!"

Before Leo or Cat could say anything else, an enormous CRASH shook the walls. The entire room trembled as Raph and Slash exploded through the opposite wall, locked in combat. Debris rained down, knocking over the tea set.

Cat shrieked, nearly flipping the table as she scrambled to her feet. "What the shell?!"

Leo and the little girl both froze, eyes wide.

"Raph?!" Leo blurted.

Raph, struggling against Slash's grip, barely managed to cast him a glance. "Leo? Cat?! Tea time?!"

The momentary distraction was enough—Slash slammed Raph through the opposite wall. Cat winced at the impact before snapping out of it.

"Uh—so—bad guy fight, gotta go!" she stammered.

Leo barely had time to react before snatching the canister of mutagen off the table.

"Next time, I'll bring the tea," he called as he and Cat bolted for the exit.

The little girl waved after them, completely unfazed. "Bye, Mr. and Ms. Turtle!"

Raph barely had time to recover before Slash came at him again, knocking him high into the air. His sais flew from his hands, clattering onto the rooftop below. Before he could regain his footing, Slash delivered a brutal sucker punch to his face, sending him sprawling.

A sharp cry sounded as another figure landed on the rooftop—Cat, panting from exertion, her tessen already drawn.

"Raph!" she gasped, barely having time to process the scene before Slash loomed over him, grinning.

"Ha! It's over, Raphael. You've lost."

Raph pushed himself up with a snarl, body aching. "Not... yet," he growled.

"Get away from him!" Cat snapped, launching herself forward. She flicked her tessen open, slashing at Slash's arm in a desperate attempt to draw his focus.

Slash barely flinched. With one massive swipe, he knocked Cat aside like she weighed nothing. She yelped as she tumbled across the rooftop, her weapon flying from her grip.

"Cat!" Raph and Leo shouted in unison.

Leo landed beside them in a blur of blue, swords drawn. His eyes darted toward Cat, who groaned and pushed herself up weakly, shaking off the impact.

"So what's with the new turtle?" Leo asked breathlessly, keeping his stance low as he readied himself for Slash's next move.

Raph groaned, clutching his ribs as he sat up. "Long story." His eyes widened. "Look out!"

Leo turned just in time to see Slash's massive fist coming straight for him.

"Been looking forward to that for a long time," Slash sneered.

Raph staggered to his feet, panting heavily as he stared at Slash—his once-beloved pet turned monstrous foe. His body ached from the beating, but the weight pressing down on his chest was something deeper.

This was his fault.

His anger, his recklessness—it had led to this moment.

Gritting his teeth, he pulled out his knife, gripping it tightly. "That's it. It's over."

Slash smirked, rolling his massive shoulders. "That's right, Raph. We're not like the others. They're weak. But we?" His eyes gleamed with something dark. "We're powerful. Our anger makes us strong."

Something in those words hit Raph differently than before. His grip loosened slightly as he looked at Slash—not with hatred, but with something closer to realization.

He had spent years believing that. That his rage, his fire, made him stronger. That his brothers and his sisters held him back.

And now?

Now he saw where that path led.

Raph inhaled sharply. Then, just as Slash charged at him, he sidestepped the attack with a sudden, calculated movement. He smirked as he raised a single finger.

"Meditate on THIS!"

Before Slash could react, Raph pinched a nerve in his neck, the same way Splinter had done to him countless times. A sharp yelp escaped from Slash as his body convulsed, his limbs jerking.

He staggered backward.

Too far.

Raph's heart dropped as he watched Slash teeter on the edge of the rooftop, his eyes wide as he realized his mistake.

The brief flash of fear in Slash's eyes was enough to send Raph sprinting toward him. "Spike!" he shouted, throwing the masks away and reaching out with everything he had.

For a second—just one second—he thought he had him.

Then Slash slipped.

Raph's fingers barely brushed against him before the massive turtle plunged downward.

"SPIKE! NO!!"

A distant crash. Silence.

The rage, the fight, everything drained from Raph in that moment. His chest heaved as he stared over the edge, his mind refusing to accept what had just happened.

Slash was gone.

Raph's hands clenched into fists at his sides as he shut his eyes. What have I done

A faint sound behind him made him turn.

Mari, Donnie, and Mikey were approaching, battered but standing.

Raph swallowed hard, pushing down the knot in his throat. "You guys all right?" he asked, his voice rough.

Donnie adjusted his injured arm, nodding. "Yeah, thanks to you."

Mikey rubbed his head, looking dazed. "What happened to Spike?"

Leo, still catching up on everything that had happened, frowned. "That was Spike?"

Mikey waved a hand. "Fill you in later, dude."

Mari limped slightly as she approached, her arms crossed tightly over her ribs. "So, where is he?" Her tone was gruff, but there was an edge of something else—concern, maybe.

Raph took a slow breath and turned back toward the rooftop's edge.

But there was no body.

Instead, a deep, jagged mark was left in the cement below, the imprint of Slash's shell standing out in the dim light.

Cat hesitantly stepped forward, peering over the edge before looking back at Raph, her pink mask barely visible in the shadows. "Is he...?"

"He's gone," Raph muttered. His voice was quieter this time, but certain.

Cat bit her lip, shifting uneasily. "But not—" she gestured vaguely at the ground below. "Like, gone gone?"

Raph exhaled. "No. He's still out there somewhere."

No one said anything for a long moment.

Then Mari clicked her tongue, rolling her shoulders as she straightened despite her obvious pain. "Great. So now we've got an oversized, rage-powered snapping turtle lurking in the city. Just what we needed."

Leo shot her a look, but Raph didn't react. His eyes stayed locked on the mark in the cement below, expression unreadable.

Mari sighed, tilting her head slightly. "...sorry, that was insensitive. You okay?"

That, at least, made Raph's jaw tighten. He didn't answer, just gave a small nod.

Cat watched him carefully before stepping closer, offering a small, uncertain nudge to his arm. "Hey... it's ok, Raphie," she said softly, giving him a hug. Raph didn't react, though he felt like crying.

The familiar glow of the arcade machine flickered against the walls as Leo, Mari, Donnie, and Mikey sat in front of it, deeply focused on their game, with Cat next to them.

"Go up. Up! No, no, down, down!" Leo instructed urgently.

"Eye beam! Use the eye beam!" Donnie added, fingers moving rapidly over the buttons.

Mikey groaned as his character took another hit. "Oh, come on!" His head dropped back in dramatic defeat.

Mari shook her head. "Gotta use that eye beam, dude."

On the other side of the lair, Raph sat alone, absently turning a leaf over in his hands—one of Spike's favorites. His fingers ran over the edges absentmindedly as a heavy sigh escaped him.

A quiet presence settled beside him. He didn't have to look up to know who it was.

"Raphael," Splinter's voice was gentle. "Do you know what I do when I miss my loved ones from the past?"

Raph swallowed, shaking his head. "No."

"I focus on the friends I am surrounded by in the present."

Raph finally looked up, his gaze drifting toward his siblings. They were still bickering over the game, completely lost in their usual antics.

Raph's shoulders relaxed as something in his chest unwound, just a little.

With a quiet exhale, he stood up, glancing at Splinter. "Thanks, Master Splinter."

Splinter nodded, watching as Raph made his way toward the others.

Mikey was still grinning at the screen. "Too fast, can't get me!"

Raph smirked. "Hey, what's a guy gotta do to get in on this little competition, huh?"

Cat immediately perked up. "Ooh! Me too! Wait—what are we playing?" She blinked at the screen, then cringed. "Oh. That ugly thing? Never mind."

Mari rolled her eyes. "You're such a coward."

"No, I just have taste."

Leo turned, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Next game is all yours."

Raph slid onto the couch beside them, throwing an arm around Donnie and Leo in an easy, rare moment of affection.

"Sorry about Spike," Leo said, quieter now.

Raph hesitated, then nodded. "It's okay." He gave his siblings a sideways grin. "You guys aren't too bad to hang out with either."

Mari scoffed. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't get all sentimental about it."

Mikey gasped dramatically. "Too late. Raph loves us." He sniffled. "So beautiful."

Cat stifled a laugh as Raph groaned, shoving Mikey's head away.

And just like that, things felt normal again.