Mikey held up a cup filled with a thick, red-and-orange swirled mixture, grinning from ear to ear. "Who wants to try my latest creation? We all love pizza. We all love milkshakes. So, I combined them."

Donnie eyed the drink with deep skepticism. "Okay, that could not be less appetizing."

Mikey ignored him, shaking the cup excitedly. "I call it a P-shake."

Cat, ever the optimist (and easily intrigued by anything food-related), peeked over his shoulder. "Ooooh, it's kinda pretty! Like lava!"

Mari, on the other hand, made a face. "It looks like something that came out of you rather than something that should go in you."

Mikey gave her a deadpan look before taking a dramatic sip. Immediately, his expression twisted, and he spit it out in disgust. "Blech!" He smacked his lips, frowning at the cup like it had personally betrayed him. "Where did I go wrong?"

Leo, Raph, Donnie, and Mari all stared as Mikey—undeterred—took another sip anyway.

Cat, already losing interest, poked at the straw. "Mmm... Needs whipped cream."

Leo, desperate for a distraction, grabbed the remote and flicked on the TV.

The familiar voice of Space Heroes' Captain Ryan filled the room. "In all my travels, I've never seen anything as cute as these trumpets. But I'll be darned if they're not the most annoying species in the cosmos."

On-screen, Ryan's crew winced as a group of small, round alien creatures let out an ear-piercing honk.

"Captain," one of the crew members, Crankshaw, pleaded, "we've got to find a humane way to get rid of them!"

Ryan smirked. "If there's one thing I'm known for, it's my humanity. Open the airlock."

With a press of a button, the tiny trumpet aliens were sucked out into the cold vacuum of space. Ryan folded his arms, watching them disappear with a smug grin.

Raph scoffed, shaking his head. "You have to be the only person in the world who likes this show."

Leo didn't even glance away from the screen. "No way. There are millions of Spaceniks out there."

Mari, curled up on the couch with her arms crossed, scoffed. "Right. All two of them."

"Hey!" Leo shot her a glare. "It's got layers."

"Yeah, layers of bad writing," Mari quipped.

Cat, meanwhile, was fully invested. "I dunno, those trumpet things were kinda cute. I mean, until they got sent into the void of space and probably died... so, uh, justice for the trumpet guys?"

Before anyone could respond, the program was interrupted by a breaking news segment. On-screen, an overexcited reporter with a helmet of stiff, styled hair appeared.

"This is Joan Grody, with a sewer shocker," she announced. "City workers attacked by mutants?"

The room immediately went on high alert.

A grainy video played, showing a terrified sewer worker standing in a damp tunnel. His name tag read Garson.

"It was like—part man, part reptile, and all monster!" Garson stammered. "It came out of nowhere and attacked me!"

The others glare at Raph.

Raph raised an eyebrow. "Wasn't me."

Joan continued, her voice taking on an ominous edge. "Take a look at this terrifying footage."

The video clip cut to Garson in the middle of a sewer tunnel, talking casually to the camera. "So, some people think the sewers are dark and scary, but actually, it's a lot of—" His sentence was cut short by a sudden snarl.

A massive, reptilian shape lunged from the shadows, and the camera shook violently as Garson screamed. The image froze on the grainy, blurred figure of what appeared to be a giant alligator.

Cat gasped, clutching onto the nearest person—which unfortunately for her, was Raph.

"Ew, ew, ew, a giant sewer alligator?!" She dramatically pointed at the screen. "I knew they were real!"

Raph immediately shoved her off with a look of disgust. "Get off me."

Joan's voice deepened, almost growling, "Are malicious mutants menacing Manhattan? Find out next on Grody... to the Max!"

The screen faded to black.

The Turtles exchanged uneasy looks.

Donnie frowned. "I've got a bad feeling about this."

Leo turned to the group, serious. "The last thing we want is some mutant causing trouble in the sewers."

"Or some news crew down here looking for him," Raph muttered.

Mari rubbed her temples. "Great. Another mutant problem. Why is it always us?"

Leo ignored her. "We've got to track this guy down and stop him ourselves."

Donnie rewound the footage, narrowing his eyes at the background. "Wait—let's go back a bit. I think I saw a tunnel number." He paused the video and pointed. "There. Tunnel 281."

Leo stood up, already moving. "Let's go."

The sewers were dark and silent except for the distant sound of dripping water as the Turtles navigated the tunnels, weapons at the ready. Their footsteps echoed as they moved cautiously, eyes scanning for any sign of the mysterious creature from the footage.

Then, Leo stopped abruptly. "Whoa, check this out."

The others gathered around him, eyes widening at what lay before them—a massive footprint embedded in the damp floor. The sheer size of it sent a ripple of unease through the group.

"What the heck made these footprints?" Leo muttered.

Mari, standing next to him, crossed her arms. "Oh, great. Something big enough to make those. That's just fantastic."

Cat shuddered. "Oh no. Oh no, nope, nope, nope—What if it's a sewer dinosaur?"

Raph shot her a flat look. "A sewer what?"

"A sewer dinosaur! You know, like Jurassic Park but worse because it's in the dark and we can't see anything and—"

Mari sighed, rubbing her temple. "Cat, please shut up."

Before anyone could respond, a deep, guttural roar echoed through the tunnels, followed by the sharp pew pew pew of laser fire.

The group immediately sprinted toward the noise and skidded to a stop at the edge of a large tunnel chamber.

Below them, a massive green mutant alligator was locked in battle with a squad of Kraangdroids. The mighty reptile moved like a wrecking ball, snapping its jaws around one Kraang unit and hurling it against the sewer walls. The impact sent sparks flying as the droid shattered to pieces.

The Turtles watched in stunned silence.

"I never thought I'd feel sorry for the Kraang," Donnie muttered.

Cat peeked over Mari's shoulder. "That thing is huge. And angry. And oh my god, if it looks up and sees us, I'm gonna scream."

"You scream at everything," Mari deadpanned.

The alligator mutant let out a thunderous snarl, but before it could strike again, one of the Kraang droids produced an electrified taser rod.

It pressed it against the mutant's body, sending volts of electricity coursing through him. The alligator let out a roar of pain, its body convulsing.

The Kraang droid spoke in its usual robotic monotone. "Tell Kraang in what place can be found the power cell that Kraang wishes to find the place of."

The mutant growled through gritted teeth. "Never!"

The Kraang didn't hesitate. Another shock. More pained roars.

Up on the ledge, Mikey winced, watching the scene unfold. He hated this.

"Come on," Mikey urged, gripping his nunchaku. "We gotta help him."

Raph scoffed. "I think 'gotta' is a strong word."

Leo hesitated. "Mikey, we don't know anything about that guy. He could be way more dangerous than the Kraang."

Mikey shook his head. "That gator dude needs our help. I can't wait around for you cowards."

"Mikey," Donnie sighed, "do you know what you're getting into?"

"Booyakashaaa!" Mikey shouted, ignoring them as he launched himself off the ledge. His Kusari-fundo shot out, wrapping around the arm of a Kraang droid, yanking it back. Before it could react, Mikey flipped over it, bringing his blade down directly into its head. The droid twitched before collapsing.

Mari groaned, already moving. "Oh my god, he's such an idiot."

Raph cracked his knuckles. "Well, I guess that settles it. Let's go whack some piñatas."

With that, the remaining turtles leaped into battle.

Except Cat. "I'll sit this one out."

Mari, already mid-air, shoved her off the ledge.

"AHHHHHH—" SPLAT.

Cat landed with a groan, right next to a Kraang unit that immediately turned its head toward her.

She let out a horrified squeak and flung a tessen at its head without thinking. The metal fan whipped through the air and smacked the Kraang square in the face, making it stumble back.

Cat blinked. "I HIT IT?!"

"Good!" Mari yelled as she drop-kicked another droid. "Now do it again!"

Meanwhile, Leo's katanas sliced through the droids with practiced precision, Donnie used his bo staff to send Kraang units flying, and Raph tore through them with his sai, fighting like he had something to prove.

The alligator mutant was still struggling against the Kraang's hold, but as the battle escalated, the remaining droids attempted to drag him away.

"Oh no, you don't!" Mikey shouted.

He launched himself forward, kicking one of the droids in the head so hard that it tumbled back, releasing its grip. The others quickly followed suit, realizing they were outnumbered.

The Kraang retreated, disappearing into the tunnels.

Donnie exhaled, twirling his bo staff. "So... what do we do now?"

Leo wiped his blade clean and sheathed it. "We get out of here before more Kraangdroids show up."

Mikey knelt beside the unconscious alligator mutant, concern flickering in his blue eyes. The guy was huge—easily bigger than all of them. He looked like he'd been through hell.

"We can't just leave him here," Mikey protested. "What if the Kraang find him again?"

Leo folded his arms. "Well, what do you want to do? Take him back to the lair?" His voice dripped with disbelief.

Mikey looked up at him with pleading eyes. "Uh-huh."

Mari immediately shook her head. "Oh, hell no."

Leo groaned. "Oh, no. Oh, no. Did—did you see what he did to those Kraangdroids? We are not bringing that monster home with us."

Mikey gasped dramatically, gripping the alligator mutant's massive head. "He's not a monster! He's a giant, Kraang-crushing mutant alligator monster." He paused. "I said monster, didn't I?"

The others deadpanned. "Yep," Leo, Donnie, Raph, and Mari said in unison.

Mikey huffed. "Well, you know what I meant."

Raph smirked. "I thought you meant monster."

Mikey groaned and turned back to the unconscious mutant. "Fine! I'll bring him back myself."

He planted his feet, grabbed hold of the massive reptile's arms, and heaved.

Nothing happened.

He gritted his teeth and tried again.

Not even a twitch.

The alligator was way too heavy.

Mikey slowly turned his head toward Donnie. "Uh... Donnie? You don't happen to have a forklift, do you?"

Donnie deadpanned. "Oh, sure, let me just pull one out of my utility belt."

Mikey sighed, flopping against the unconscious mutant. "No? Okay..."

Cat slowly raised her hand. "I... vote we leave him."

Mikey gasped. "You traitor."

Cat pointed at the massive gator. "I—Mikey, look at him! If he wakes up and freaks out, I am getting eaten first. I just know it!"

Mari smirked. "Yeah, probably."

Cat groaned dramatically, throwing her arms in the air. "We are so dead."

Leatherhead lay motionless in the living room, his massive form sprawled across the floor. The only sign he was even alive was the slow, steady rise and fall of his chest.

Raph folded his arms, glaring at the unconscious reptile. "I can't believe we let Mikey talk us into this."

Mari, arms crossed, huffed. "Actually, I can't believe all of you let Mikey talk you into this."

Mikey, sitting cross-legged beside the giant gator, grinned. "Aww, look at him." With a little hum, he plopped a teddy bear next to Leatherhead's arm. "He's so peaceful."

Leo sighed. "That's because he's out cold."

Cat peeked cautiously from behind Leo. "Yeah, and let's keep it that way."

Before anyone could argue, Donnie walked in, carrying a heavy chain slung over his shoulder.

Mikey's face scrunched in horror. "Whoa, what are those for?"

Donnie set the chains down with a loud clank. "We can't keep him here unless he's chained to something really big."

Mikey gasped. "That is so wrong! He's not going to hurt us! We saved him!" He gestured dramatically toward the mutant. "See? He's perfectly calm! I bet the first thing he's gonna do is thank—"

A deafening roar cut Mikey off as Leatherhead's eyes snapped open, completely white.

In an instant, he threw Mikey across the room, sending him crashing into a pile of cushions. Before anyone could react, Leatherhead snatched the teddy bear and shredded it apart in one swipe.

Donnie blinked. "Uh-oh."

Mikey groaned from the floor. "Or... maybe the second thing."

Before anyone could react, Leatherhead lunged and grabbed Donnie's face, lifting him off the ground. With ease, he shook Donnie around like a rag doll.

"MMMPH—WAA-HOO!" Donnie's muffled screams were barely audible against the mutant's crushing grip. "GET HIM OFF ME! GET HIM OFF ME!"

Mikey scrambled up. "I got you, Donnie!"

He grabbed the chain Donnie had brought in and quickly wrapped it around Donnie's waist. Then, with all his strength, he yanked.

"NOT LIKE THAT! NOT LIKE THAT!" Donnie screeched, arms flailing as he was yanked sideways while still in Leatherhead's grip.

Chaos erupted as they both screamed, getting thrown across the room.

Raph didn't wait—he tackled the gator, trying to wrestle him down. But Leatherhead was too strong, barely flinching before hurling Raph backward.

Cat let out a startled squeak and immediately hid behind Mari. "I TOLD YOU THIS WAS A BAD IDEA!"

Mari, who had already drawn her tanto, sighed. "Yeah, yeah, Not helping."

Leo pulled out a high-voltage taser and, in one swift motion, jammed it against Leatherhead's side. The device crackled, electricity surging through the mutant's body.

Leatherhead let out a deep snarl before collapsing, unconscious once more.

The Turtles barely had time to catch their breath before Splinter's presence loomed at the entrance of the room. His sharp eyes scanned the disaster before him.

"What is all this commotion?" he asked calmly.

Cat immediately pointed at Leatherhead. "THAT. THAT RIGHT THERE."

Raph, panting and clearly done with everything, gestured to the massive mutant on the floor. "Sensei, Mikey made us bring a mutant back to the lair, and it attacked us."

Mikey scrambled to his feet. "It needs our help!"

Raph scoffed. "It's a dangerous monster!"

Splinter's gaze softened as he turned to his red-banded son. "Raphael... there is no monster more dangerous than a lack of compassion."

Just as he finished his sentence, Leatherhead let out a deep, guttural growl.

Splinter blinked. "Hmm. My mistake."

Mikey stomped a foot. "We're doing to him what everyone else does to us—judging him by his looks!"

Donnie, still recovering from almost having his skull crushed, whipped his head toward Mikey in outrage. "AND THE FACT THAT HE HAD ME BY THE FACE, MIKEY!"

Mari sighed, rubbing her temples. "Okay, real talk? I don't care what he looks like. He launched Mikey across the room, treated Donnie like a shake weight, and bodyslammed Raph. I feel like our judgment is valid."

Cat raised a hand. "Seconded."

Mikey huffed. "But he was fighting the Kraang, Master Splinter!" He turned to Splinter, eyes shining with desperation. "It's like you always say: 'The enemy of my enemy is my bro.'"

Splinter blinked. "That is... not exactly what I said."

Mikey waved a hand. "Same thing."

Splinter shook his head before turning back to Leatherhead. "What is this about the Kraang?"

Leo, regaining his composure, stepped forward. "They were trying to force him to tell them where they could find some power cell."

Splinter raised a brow. "And he refused to tell?"

Mikey nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! They were all like, 'Zap, zap, zap,' and he was all like, 'Rawr, never!'" He demonstrated by pretending to get electrocuted, complete with sound effects.

Splinter hummed in thought. His gaze traveled to the deep scars lining Leatherhead's chest. He studied them for a long moment before nodding to himself.

"You made a wise decision, Michelangelo."

The others stared at him in pure bafflement.

"...Huh?" they all said in unison.

Even Splinter looked vaguely surprised at his own words. "Yes. I never thought I would hear myself say that either."

He crouched beside Leatherhead, observing him closely. "His scars run deep, but they protect a genuine heart. When he awakens, Michelangelo, you must find a way to befriend him."

Mikey beamed. "No problemo!"

Splinter stood, addressing the others. "We need to learn what he knows about the Kraang. In the meantime, you five try to find this power cell before the Kraang can."

Donnie folded his arms. "But we're still chaining him up, right?"

Splinter turned back to him, expression serious. "Of course. I am compassionate, not insane."

The tunnels were eerily quiet as Leo, Raph, Donnie, Mari, and Cat searched through the wreckage of the destroyed Kraang droids. The dim sewer lights flickered above them, casting shadows along the damp walls.

Raph squatted down and picked up a dented aluminum can, holding it up as if it were a priceless artifact. "I don't suppose this is a power cell."

Donnie, kneeling beside a pile of twisted metal, let out an exasperated sigh. "Quit goofing around, Raph."

Raph smirked and tossed the can into the water with a loud splash.

Leo ignored them, tapping a finger against his chin as he thought. "Hold on a second... if an alligator wanted to hide something, where would he put it?"

Donnie barely glanced up from his work. "I'm thinking underwater. Alligators love to drag their prey to the bottom of swamp—AGH!"

Before he could finish, Raph casually shoved him forward, sending him tumbling into the murky water.

Leo blinked. "Thanks."

Raph shrugged. "Don't mention it."

Donnie surfaced with a gasp, coughing up sewer water. "HEY! This pool is deeper than it looks... it keeps going!"

Leo nodded. "Well, sounds like we should—AGH!"

Raph shoved him in next.

Leo barely had time to react before he hit the water with a loud splash!

Raph smirked. "Way ahead of you."

Cat gasped dramatically and clutched Mari's arm. "We're throwing people in the water now?! No one is safe!"

Mari snorted. "Relax. If anyone's getting thrown in next, it's you."

Cat yelped and scrambled away. "Over my dead body!"

Mari cracked her knuckles. "That can be arranged."

Cat held up a finger. "You wouldn't dare."

Mari smirked. "Try me."

Raph, overhearing, grinned and made a move toward Cat. "Actually, not a bad idea—"

Cat shrieked and bolted, practically climbing onto Donnie for safety. "DONNIE, SAVE ME!"

Donnie, still dripping wet, deadpanned. "Get. Off. Me."

Leo sighed, rubbing his temples. "Focus, guys. We still need to find the power cell."

Leo, Donnie and Raph emerged from the water, gasping for breath. Their skin glistened with sewer water as they pulled themselves onto the rocky ledge.

Raph shook out his arms, water dripping from his shell. "Sometimes, it's good to be a turtle."

Then—

Something flew past his head.

Raph instinctively ducked. A massive object whizzed past him, crashing into the stone wall behind him with a loud CLANG!

His head popped back up, blinking.

Leo and Donnie, however, weren't as lucky.

A gigantic stop sign swung toward them like a wrecking ball.

Leo and Donnie barely had time to scream before it slammed into them full force, sending them flying backward.

Raph blinked. "And sometimes, it's good to be a short turtle."

Mari, watching from the ledge, smirked. "Good to know your size has some advantages."

Cat's eyes widened.

Donnie groaned, peeling himself off the ground. "THE PLACE IS BOOBY-TRAPPED!"

Leo stumbled to his feet, panic flashing across his face. "RUN!"

The moment the words left his mouth, more traps activated.

Walls shifted. Hidden panels burst open. Spiked wooden beams swung from the ceiling.

The tunnels erupted into pure chaos.

Leo, Raph, Donnie, Mari, and Cat bolted, dodging and weaving as traps triggered all around them.

Cat screamed, flailing her arms. "WHO DOES THIS?! WHY IS THIS A THING?!"

Mari narrowly dodged a spiked beam, gripping her tanto. "I swear, if we survive this, I'm taking up knitting."

Raph, running ahead, smirked. "Knitting? Yeah, sure. I'd love to see that."

Mari growled. "I'll knit you a coffin, Raph!"

Donnie, dodging debris, groaned. "CAN WE MAYBE FOCUS ON NOT DYING FIRST?!"

Cat shrieked as another wooden beam swung toward her. "OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH—"

Without thinking, she ducked—only for Mari to grab her and yank her aside at the last second.

Cat wheezed. "I saw my life flash before my eyes. It was mostly sparkles."

Leo, out of breath, turned back. "JUST KEEP RUNNING!"

The sound of their screams echoed through the sewers as they ran for their lives.

Leo, Raph, Mari, Cat and Donnie were still running for their lives.

The booby-trapped tunnels had turned into a death trap, filled with swinging blades, spiked walls, and collapsing floors.

As they turned a sharp corner, they were immediately met with a wave of rolling barrels tumbling straight toward them.

"OH, COME ON!" Raph yelled.

"SERIOUSLY?!" Mari shouted at the same time.

"WHY?!" Cat shrieked.

The barrels crashed into them, sending them all slamming through a thin wall. The entire thing crumbled, leaving them groaning in a pile of debris.

Leo was the first to push himself up, coughing. "Well... that was horrible."

Raph shook dust off his shell. "At least we're not dead."

Mari groaned, sprawled face-first on the ground. "That's debatable."

Cat, tangled in the wreckage, raised a shaky hand. "I'm alive. I think."

Donnie, dragging himself upright, took one look at their state and sighed. "Yeah, let's celebrate later."

Then, he glanced up—and froze.

His eyes widened.

There, nestled in a hidden compartment of the wall, was a strange, glowing device.

Donnie quickly reached forward, pressing against the bricks until—CLICK!

A hidden panel slid open, revealing a small, cylindrical object.

It hummed with energy, pulsing faintly with a strange, pinkish glow.

Donnie's breath hitched. "This thing's putting out some serious power."

Carefully, he reached out—only for a sudden jolt of electricity to shoot through his arm.

"AAGH!" Donnie yelped as he was electrocuted on contact, sending him flying backward. He slammed into the wall, groaning.

Leo and Raph winced.

Mari sighed, shaking her head. "Why is it always you that touches the weird Kraang stuff?"

Donnie twitched, steam rising from his head.

Leo frowned as he examined the strange power cell in Donnie's hands. The thing hummed faintly, pulsing with an eerie, pink glow.

"Any idea what the Kraang would even use this for?" Leo asked.

Donnie adjusted his grip, studying the device with narrowed eyes. "With the right components? It could power almost anything. A flashlight, a blaster cannon, a city on the moon—"

Leo shot him a look.

Donnie shrugged. "Hey, I don't know their endgame, man."

Mari, arms crossed, frowned. "If it's important to the Kraang, I feel like we should break it."

Cat perked up. "Oh, I can break it!"

"NO." Donnie and Leo said at the same time.

Cat pouted. "Rude."

Leo sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Okay, but what would Leatherhead want with it?"

"Dunno," Raph said. "How 'bout we bring it back home and ask him?"

Donnie grimaced. "Great. But who's gonna carry it through the water?"

Leo and Raph exchanged a glance.

Then, at the exact same time, they both grinned at Donnie.

Donnie blinked.

"Aw, man." His shoulders slumped.

Leo patted him on the shell. "I'm sure it'll be fine. But you go first, okay?"

Donnie whimpered as he raised one foot over the water—when suddenly, Raph grabbed his waist and shook him violently.

Donnie let out an ungodly shriek. "NOT FUNNY!"

Raph smirked. "Hilarious."

Mari snorted. "Yeah, I gotta admit, that was solid."

Leo chuckled. "Alright, alright, let's just—"

SPLASH!

Without warning, Raph shoved Donnie into the water.

"RAPH, I SWEAR TO—" Bloop!

Donnie sank beneath the surface, flailing.

Raph grinned. "Oops."

Cat gasped dramatically. "MURDER!"

Leo shook his head. "You're the worst."

Mari nudged Raph. "Okay, that was funny, but if Donnie drowns, you're explaining it to Splinter."

A moment later, Donnie's head burst from the water, gasping and coughing.

He held up the power cell, glaring. "YOU ARE ALL TERRIBLE SIBLINGS."

Raph smirked. "But you're still carrying it, right?"

Donnie grumbled something about revenge as he waded through the water.

Mikey beamed proudly as the others returned.

"Hey, guys! Guess what? Leatherhead is totally off the chain!"

Leo, Raph, Donnie, Mari, and Cat all froze in place. Their eyes widened in horror.

Raph's nostrils flared. "You mean you set him free?!"

Mikey's grin dropped. "What? No!" He waved a hand dismissively. "'Off the chain' means he's cool."

A long pause.

Then, Leo, Raph, Donnie, Mari, and Cat all sighed in relief.

Mikey smiled again. "And that's why I set him free."

The entire room went dead silent.

Leo, Raph, Donnie, Mari, and Cat slowly turned around just in time to see Leatherhead standing behind them.

Completely unchained.

Holding a pot of soup.

Looking massive.

And very much NOT restrained.

Cat let out a tiny squeak and scrambled behind Donnie, gripping the back of his shell like a lifeline. "W-why does he look bigger than before?!"

Mari let out a sharp exhale, rubbing her temples. "Of course you set him free, Mikey."

Donnie's entire body went rigid. His eye twitched. "You let that maniac loose?!" he screeched. "Maybe you forgot that he grabbed me by the face—so allow me to remind you. HE. GRABBED. ME. BY. THE. FACE!"

Raph rolled his eyes. "Relax. You've been hurt worse since."

Mari nodded. "Yeah, but usually not by something with a bite force that could probably snap you in half."

Cat gasped dramatically. "What if he eats us? What if he eats ME first because I'm snack-sized?!"

Raph smirked. "You'd definitely be an appetizer."

Cat yelped and hid behind Donnie more aggressively.

Leo crossed his arms. "Mikey, you shouldn't have unchained him. What if he goes berserk?"

Mikey scoffed. "Pshh! He's not gonna go berserk! He's totally mellow. Right, Leatherhead?"

Leo cleared his throat. "Okay, so, Leatherhead... He chuckles nervously, "about the Kraang."

Leatherhead stiffened.

His eyes went pure white.

"KRAAAANG!" he bellowed.

Then, he lunged.

Mikey's own soul left his body. "Dude, chill! CHILL!"

Cat let out an ear-splitting scream and jumped into Mari's arms. Mari stumbled under her weight, glaring. "WHY?!"

"You're stronger than me!" Cat wailed, clinging to her.

Mari threw her off.

Leo ducked as Leatherhead swung wildly. "You said he was mellow!"

"I didn't know you were gonna ask him about the you-know-who!"

Leo dodged another swinging claw. "Okay, what should I do?!"

Mikey frantically patted Leatherhead's shoulders. "I dunno, start with an icebreaker! Like—'how was your day?'"

Mari blinked. "That's literally the worst idea I've ever heard."

Leo sighed. "Fine." He turned back to the rampaging alligator mutant. "...Leatherhead. How was your day?"

Leatherhead froze.

His eyes dimmed back to normal.

Then, with an eerily calm voice, he said, "It started out awful."

Mikey nodded sagely. "Yeah, you were attacked by the Kraang."

Leatherhead's entire body went rigid again.

Then—his eyes flashed white once more.

"KRAAAANG!"

Mikey screamed. "MY BAD!"

He tackled Leatherhead again, clinging for dear life. "Whoa, buddy! Cleansing breaths! Cleansing breaths!"

Leatherhead huffed.

Mikey continued patting his back. "You know you're in a safe place now, right?"

Leatherhead exhaled deeply. "Yes."

Mikey beamed. "Good. Now, my brothers just wanna ask you a few questions. Do you think you can handle that?"

Another long inhale.

"...Yes."

Cat, still curled up on the floor, whispered: "I still don't trust him."

Mikey turned back to his brothers with a self-satisfied smirk. "Okay. What is it that you guys wanted to ask?"

Donnie, still keeping his distance, held up the power cell. "Okay. W-w-we just wanna know what this is."

Leatherhead locked onto the device.

His expression darkened.

Then, without warning, he grabbed Donnie's face.

Donnie screamed.

"OH, COME ON! This is not my day!"

"THIEF!" Leatherhead roared.

And then—all hell broke loose.

Leo and Raph tried to intervene—only to be slammed aside like ragdolls.

Mari barely had time to react before Leatherhead spun violently, his tail slamming into her midsection and sending her flying across the room. She hit the wall hard and groaned. "Ugh—okay. I really hate this guy."

Raph launched himself at Leatherhead, but the gator suddenly spun in a terrifying, crocodile-style death roll, knocking Raph flat on his shell.

Leo and Donnie lunged again, trying to restrain him—but Leatherhead shook them off like flies.

Then—he snapped his massive jaws at Donnie.

"BACK OFF, YOU OVERGROWN PURSE!" Cat shrieked.

Before she could even process what she was doing, she charged forward.

With a battle cry that was more high-pitched than intended, she jumped onto Leatherhead's back, locking her legs around his shoulders.

"GET WRECKED!" she yelled, unfolding her tessen and whacking him across the head—

Only for Leatherhead to barely react.

His massive claw shot up, grabbing her by the arm.

Cat barely had time to squeak in terror before he swung her like a human flail, sending her crashing into Raph.

Both of them hit the floor in a tangled heap.

Raph groaned. "Cat, what the hell—"

"I panicked!" she wailed, scrambling to her feet.

Leatherhead roared again, still rampaging.

Mari cursed under her breath, flipping her tanto in her hand. "That's it, screw it—"

She charged next, slicing at Leatherhead's exposed side.

The blade did little damage, but it was enough to make him recoil.

"That's right, big guy! Come at me!" Mari taunted.

Leatherhead turned on her, snarling.

"Wait—NOPE!" Mari bolted the second he lunged, barely rolling out of the way in time.

Leo saw his opening—

He jumped onto Leatherhead's back, trying to get his arms around his neck.

But the gator was too strong, too wild—

"NO!" Mikey yelped. "Put that down! Whoa—!"

Leatherhead flung him aside.

Cat, still shaking but determined, hurled one of her tessen at Leatherhead's snout.

It bounced off.

"Aw, come on!" she whined.

Leatherhead turned toward her next.

Cat gulped. "Okay—uh—bad idea, bad idea—"

She tried to run, but Leatherhead's massive tail swept her legs out from under her.

She yelped, landing flat on her back.

Mari jumped between them instantly, gripping her tanto. "Oh hell no—"

Then—

"STOP."

The room fell silent.

Leatherhead froze.

All of them turned.

Master Splinter stood at the entrance, his gaze sharp and furious.

Leatherhead's tail twitched. His nostrils flared.

Splinter stepped forward, his voice low, deadly.

"Get away from my children."

Leatherhead roared—and charged.

In a flash, Splinter dodged, spun, and countered. He grabbed Leatherhead mid-attack and threw him backward with shocking force.

Leatherhead scrambled upright, snarling.

But Splinter's gaze never wavered.

"Leave this place." His voice was cold, final.

Leatherhead hesitated—then, with a final growl, he turned and stormed out, power cell in hand.

The room fell into tense silence.

Mari, still catching her breath, winced. "Ow."

Cat, still on the floor, dramatically flopped onto her stomach. "I wanna go home."

Splinter turned back to his students. "Are you all right?"

Leo exhaled, rubbing his shoulder. "Yeah. Yeah, we're okay."

Splinter's eyes narrowed. "...Where is Michelangelo?"

Donnie paled. "You... don't think he went after Leatherhead, do you?"

Leo huffed. "No. Only an idiot would—"

He turned—

Mikey was nowhere in sight.

Leo's stomach dropped.

Mari ran a hand down her face. "Oh, for f—"

"Oh my god, he's dead," Cat whispered.

Leo groaned. "Oh, boy."

Mikey sprinted through the dark tunnels, his breathing ragged, feet slapping against the damp concrete. He didn't care about the water splashing beneath him, the eerie echoes of the sewers, or the faint hum of the city above.

He had one goal.

"Leatherhead!" he called. His voice bounced off the walls. "Leatherhead! Come on, man, talk to me!"

No answer.

Mikey pushed forward, following the path of wreckage and claw marks that led him deeper. Then, he rounded a corner and froze.

The abandoned train car sat nestled in a hidden cavern of the underground. Rusted and worn, it looked like it had been there for years—long forgotten.

Inside, Leatherhead sat alone.

The massive gator mutant had his head lowered, eyes closed. In his clawed hands, a small music player crackled softly, playing a tune lost to time. He was breathing slow, calm for the first time in hours.

But that peace shattered the moment Mikey stepped inside.

"Dude!" Mikey marched up, arms flailing. "Leatherhead, what the big idea, man?!"

Leatherhead's eyes snapped open. His muscles tensed as he turned to face him.

"You should not be here," he said, voice low.

Mikey's fists clenched. "I trusted you! I thought we were friends, and then you go all crazy-eyes and attack my entire family!"

Leatherhead exhaled, something deep and sad in his expression. "I warned you," he murmured. "There is... a force inside me. A dangerous force I cannot control."

He turned away. "That is why I must be alone."

Mikey's heart sank.

Before he could respond, heavy footsteps echoed from the tunnels.

His siblings had arrived.

"Mikey!" Mari's voice was sharp as she and the others emerged, weapons drawn.

Leo locked eyes with Leatherhead, tense and ready to fight.

Raph aimed his sai at the alligator."Get away from Mikey. Or we're turnin' you into the world's ugliest suitcase."

Leatherhead raised his hands in surrender. "Please," he said firmly. "I mean no harm."

Mari narrowed her eyes, still on edge, but she stayed silent.

Leo's brow furrowed. "Then explain why you attacked us. Why were the Kraang after you? What do you know?"

Leatherhead sighed, shoulders slumping.

"It was the Kraang that made me this way," he admitted. "I was... raised by a kind human boy." His voice softened as he spoke. "He treated me as a pet, a friend. But when his parents discovered me..." His jaw tensed. "They dumped me in the sewers."

Silence.

Mikey swallowed hard.

Cat shifted uncomfortably. "That's awful..." she murmured.

"That's when the Kraang found me," Leatherhead continued. "They took me to their dimension, mutated me, and subjected me to... horrible experiments." His claws flexed. "But they could not break my spirit."

Mari crossed her arms, still skeptical. "And that makes you different from any other mutant... how?" she muttered under her breath.

He hesitated, then placed a hand over the power cell strapped to his belt.

"Six months ago, I escaped through the portal they use to travel to Earth," Leatherhead said. "And I stole this."

Donnie's eyes widened. "Wait. That thing powers the portal?"

Leatherhead nodded. "Without it, no Kraang can enter or leave this dimension. I swore to keep it from them, to spare this world from their evil. Even at the cost of my own life."

The words lingered.

No one spoke.

Then—

BOOM!

An explosion rocked the cavern. The ground trembled violently, sending dust raining from the ceiling.

Mikey whipped around. "What the—?!"

A metal door burst open, and through the smoke, dozens of Kraang droids swarmed inside.

"Give to Kraang the power cell that Kraang has come to demand that you give to Kraang!" one of the droids commanded.

Mikey gasped. "It's the Kraang!"

Leo's swords were out in an instant. "Quick, barricade the doors!"

The group moved fast. Raph, Mari, and Mikey shoved debris in front of the entrance while Leatherhead charged forward, swinging wildly. He grabbed one droid and flung it against the wall, crushing its robotic frame like tin foil.

But more kept coming.

Kraang limbs crawled along the floor, still moving even when severed. Chainsaw blades whirred to life, cutting through the blockade.

"We're surrounded!" Raph growled, spinning his sais.

Mari clenched her teeth, stepping in front of Cat instinctively. "No kidding!" she hissed.

Mikey gulped. "We'll never hold them off!"

Leo's mind raced. "We gotta get out of here! Donnie, can you get this subway car running?!"

Donnie dashed toward the controls, frantically examining the old wiring. "The track is dead! There's no electricity!"

Leo's eyes flicked to the power cell in Leatherhead's belt. "What about that?! Can you use it?"

Donnie hesitated, then nodded quickly. "I might be able to hook it up to the motor, but I'll need time!"

Leatherhead's gaze hardened.

He reached down and unstrapped the power cell.

Then, slowly, he handed it to Mikey.

Mikey's breath caught.

"My friend," Leatherhead said softly. "You have trusted me. Now, I am trusting you. I will hold off the Kraang."

Mikey hesitated. "But—"

Leatherhead stepped forward. "Go."

Mikey nodded.

Donnie immediately got to work, rewiring the system. Sparks flew as he connected the power cell.

The Kraang broke through.

Raph jumped forward, slicing through one of the droids.

Leo deflected a laser blast, knocking a Kraang alien across the train.

Leatherhead tore through the horde, roaring. He grabbed two droids and smashed them together like cymbals, sending metal flying.

Mari fought like she had something to prove. She ducked under a Kraang's attack, then slashed upwards with her tanto, her movements sharp and precise.

Cat, though clearly terrified, still fought. She swung her tessen with all her might, knocking a Kraang away, but she stumbled back immediately after. "I hate this! I hate this!" she muttered under her breath, smacking another one as it lunged at her.

Mari caught sight of Cat hesitating. "Cat, MOVE!" she snapped.

Cat yelped and barely dodged a Kraang's laser blast.

Mari growled, stepping between Cat and another attacker, slicing it down without hesitation. "If you're gonna fight, FIGHT!"

"I'm TRYING!" Cat shot back, swiping at a Kraang droid but flinching when it sparked.

"Less screaming, more slicing!" Raph barked, kicking a droid aside.

Meanwhile, the Kraang kept coming.

"Donnie, hurry up!" Leo shouted.

"I'm working as fast as I can!" Donnie snapped.

A Kraang grabbed Mikey's leg. He yelped, kicking wildly.

Raph yanked him away. "DONNIE!"

"I GOT IT!"

The power cell surged to life.

The subway car rumbled.

Then, with a deafening blast of energy, it lurched forward.

"AAAAAHHHH!"

The group screamed as they were thrown back.

The Kraang were blasted away, sent flying as the train barreled forward at full speed.

For a few terrifying seconds, they were completely out of control.

Then—screeeeech!

The train shuddered to a stop.

A thick, putrid smell filled the air.

Donnie coughed. "According to my calculations..." He took a deep breath—and immediately gagged. "Oh, gross!"

Leo squinted. "Where the heck are we?"

Donnie pinched his nose. "Sewage plant."

Mikey gasped. Eyes wide, he gazed out at the murky, toxic water. "Wow. It's as beautiful as they say."

Mari groaned, gripping the seat beside her. "I think I lost a piece of my soul."

Cat was still gripping the pole next to her, her entire body shaking. "I wanna go home," she whispered, voice hollow.

Leo groaned. "We're never getting this smell off us."