Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Deep down in the city’s sewage drains and tunnels, a large snapper with just as large a temper gritted his teeth. Watching as his younger brother walked away with his hands behind his head, Leonardo had a proud and oblivious smile as he gloated, “But I got it with style!” Leo said, spinning around on his heel to face Raph. Donnie and Mikey stood back slightly, watching Leo slowly pick at Ralph's last nerve. Raph narrowed his eyes as he stepped forward “That's the thing Leo! You didn't get it, now we have a foot clan situation!” he said, his fist tightening in frustration. His voice carried through their lair, Donnie and Mikey were just in front of the main tunnel leading in and out of the lair. Raph stood in the middle almost while Leo left the main lobby, into his bedroom.

Leo shook off his brother's glare as he landed on his bed, pulling out a magazine with small cheesy puns, jokes and awkward ‘knock knock’ jokes. He smiled as he leaned his head back, his eyes scanning the panels with a content smile.

Raph stepped into Leo's little room.The same room that had different kinds of ninja movies on them, comics and magazines littered the floor wherever you stepped. A bright but cozy clow came from string fairy lights hung around his wall. His bed tucked away between two crates on each end. He let out a sigh mixed with a huff, crossing his arms and leaning against a pole, “What will take for you to be serious?” he gruffly asked. Leo stopped himself from rolling his eyes as he jumped up on his feet with a laugh, “and end up with a worry line between my eyes? No thanks, I don't want a raph chasm” he snickered. He knew raph was worried about looking old and frail like their dear old dad.

Ralph's face morphed into something of worry, his fingers coming up to his forehead to massage his brow. On the other hand, Leo took this grand opportunity to come up behind Raph with a smirk. “You know, valley, gorge, crevasse.” he said, sliding behind raph. Leo slid next to him as he leaned his arm against the pole as Raph turned to face him, looking a bit more agitated than before. “The only reason I have a chasm is because I have to worry about you bozos 24/7.” he said with a hardened expression. The snapping turtle’s eyebrows furrowed as he scowled, “Leo, we are a team. You can't just go off by yourself” The older sibling started in on Leo, Leo leaned his head back with a huff “Yeah! Yeah! I know, pops always says there's no ‘I’ in ‘team’..”. Raph stared at him for a second, trying to find something in his brother. Leo looked away with an annoyed expression as Raph let out a breath, he let his hardened expression disappear from his face, taking a few steps forward as he slowly placed his hand on Leo's shoulder who promptly pulled away with a pout. “You just don’t get it Leo, I’m the oldest here. I’m responsible for keeping us safe”. He took a soft ahale, his eyes turning glossy “and making sure we are ready for anything that comes our way and if I don't-” Raphs voice hitched as he squeezed his eyes shut. He had never opened up to his brothers about his worries, it wasn't their cross to bare “Then we all could end up dead-”

The sound of a page flipping surely caught Raph off guard, stopping his rant as he looked at leo. Who had completely turned his attitude, he leaned against a shelf with a comic book open, he looked up with a smirk “i'm sorry I didn't catch that, could you repeat everything from well…everything?” Leos pout had turned into a smirk with a small head tilt. Ralph's eye twitched as he inhaled softly.

Donnie and Mikey peaked over the door of the tunnel, the tunnel door having some glass window at the top. Mikey had to stand on his toe, trying to stretch to see what the two were talking about even if he couldn't hear. Donnie, on the other hand, was tall enough to where he didn't have to to worry about that, when a glow of red came from the windows, Donnie and Mikey backed away quickly, raphs mystic hand smashing the door into bits. Just as Donnie and Mikey were able to step away from the busted down door. The mystic hand retracted as Leo was quick to be back pedaling into the main room. Leo smiled widely as he hopped on one foot to the other. Leo's hands held up in a mock boxing position, “No wonder you always wanna fight? You really need to train!” Leo laughed. Mikey was quick to step in front of Leo as Mikey tried to block off Raph from Leo.

Speaking of the larger turtle, Raph stepped over the remains of the door. His mouth morphs into a snarl. His eyebrows pinched together, his eyes sealing the deal with a glare. Ralph’s red mystic aura appeared around his forearms, “Let him go mikey” he said slowly with a sour tone. Donnie leaped onto Ralph's shell as he tried to stop him, slow him down, but it didn't do much. Leo had been pushing forward, having no problem in fighting his older brother as Raph had no problem in giving Leo a ‘nose job’.

“BOYS!” a gruff voice snapped over the chaos of the teenagers, The four of them froze in place, but their eyes traveled up the stairs to see their dad , Master Splinter , seemed very displeased. Master Splinter walked down the stairs as Ralph's mystic fist disappeared as his stance straightened up more, Leaving Donnie basically dangling. “But dad!-” Raph started with a frown but splinter’s tail was quick to silence him. “Buh-buh-buh-buh, buh.” He started as he turned towards his son’s “no more arguing” he said . Splinter looked up at his two oldest as he pointed a finger into leos chest, “you are a TEAM” he started in as he did the same finger jabbing to ralphs chest, or what he could reach, “you are BROTHERS” he said with a scowl. “And most importantly, you are too loud!” Splinter's stern tone turned into more of a complaining tone. As Splinter stressed about his TV show, he started up the stairs with an almost disappointed shake of his head. “Be the ninja’s I thought you to be! respectful …and QUIET!”. Splinter's small footsteps vanished after a second.

Silence took over the group, Leo and Raph glared at each other but Raphs was far more intense. Raph shook off Donnie with care as he popped his neck quietly, as he turned away. He grabbed his tonfa , Mikey and Donnie stepped back a bit with a relieved expression. But Leo surely wasn't done, he didn't know when to stop poking the bear. Leo crossed his arms with a wide smirk “what's wrong Big Bro? Cant beat me without your weapons-” he started to tease before Raph interrupted him. Raphs bulky figure started to leave through the tunnel that led to the upside, “Im going Patrolling”. Raph hissed so quietly that you couldn't barely hear him, Donnie frowned as he went to grab his staff “Can I come along?-” he asked slowly as he watched Raphs movements carefully. Raph stepped a few inches away from the tunnel entrance as he glanced behind him at the three younger turtles, But his expression said it all. Leave him alone to cool off or else, the look giving Donnie enough of a hint to set his staff down. Raph huffed and stalked forward, receding from view.

Chapter Text

A young boy, no older than 12 maybe, 13, laid on the New York straight floor. People were used to the drunks who laid passed out on the ground. They thought the boy was no different, as they walked around him, all while staring at their devices. The boy blinked away the black spots in his vision, he slowly sat up and looked around ‘wh..where- did it work?” he whispered as he shielded his eyes from the shining lights from the billboards and stores. The young boy got up as his head spun, he lifted his mask up as he looked around.

New York was crowded and dense, loud people and car horns honking while stuck in traffic. The adolescent boy backed up before bumping into someone, he spun around with a quick apology. This cycle of him backing up into someone or bumping into them continued a few times before he noticed an alleyway, he inhaled sharply as he weaved through the crowd. Once he reached the alleyway, he let out a breath. A breath of fresh air to him. He was used to the screams of the innocent, smoke from lasers and the smell of rotting flesh. Now he was faced with something completely different but the same. The screams of angry drivers and pedestrians, The smoke from the warehouses and cars, and the smell of trash and the sewage.

The boy inhaled and exhaled, he pushed his mask back on as he ran through the mazes of alleys. He stopped at a dead end, looking up at the sky before jumping up on the roof. He traveled from roof to roof before he finally sat down, his legs dangling over the edge. The dark haired boy slowly slide off his mask and pulled at a picture his sensei gave him, his eyes were tearing up the longer he stared at the picture with a weak lip quiver he said “I don’t even know where to start, I wish you were here with me…” he whispered before his eyes widen. His dark eyes locked down at a certain dark skinned and dark hair girl, a small smile sparked on his face. “That's because you are!” the boy stood up while pushing his mask down. Folding the picture back up and jumping roof from roof.

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“Stupid, fucking…why doesnt he just listen!?” Raph yelled, his chest rapidly falling as he had been quickly running and jumping from roof to roof, house to house, and balcony from balcony. The snapping turtle pushed back his mask, letting his skin feel the cool air. He might have been cold blooded, but the cool breeze felt good against his layer of sweat he built up. Raph sighed as he slowly sat down on the edge of a metal beam.

The outside of the city had warehouses all around the outskirts, so there were plenty of places to hide. Raph shut his eyes, letting himself ever so slightly relax. The city was truly beautiful late at night. The sky was more a dark purple with it fading into a darker shade of blue. The stars could be seen this far out from the city, the fresh sea air was always able to clear Raph’s head. He loved his brothers but he loved coming here for his own free time.

Raph was just feeling himself calm down, feeling his nerves slowly disappear. He let out a soft grunt when he stood up, cracking his neck to hopefully get rid of any pressure in his neck. The snappers' eyes opened and the moment he did. He could just smell trouble, Ralph's eyes narrowed as they spotted a small island. The small island had a building, most likely a warehouse, that was basically collapsing. A soft purple glow emanating from the collapsing building, Raph looked around and noticed a large boat starting to leave port. The turtle nodded to himself as he carefully jumped down and snuck his way onto the ship.

….the only problem? This was a foot clan ship.

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One second, Leo was eating a slice of pizza in his room with his feet kicked up, and next he was falling out of bed. The sound of April calling out for the turtles as she clearly sounded strained and slightly panicked. Donnie was the first on the scene, Then Leo, and Mikey with Splinter. “April! What's wrong?” Mikey asked before seeing the body she was dragging behind her. The boy looked dirty…all decked out in survival gear with a hockey mask covering his face. But Donnie was focused on something different, this child was wearing HIS tech.

“Guys..’” April started to say before letting out an exhausted breath, she looked at the four of them with knitted brows. “This kid scared me while leaving school, but look what I found on him” April whispered, pulling out a folded picture from her pocket. Donnie pouted, crossing his arms “you mean you found something other than him wearing my tech” he grumbled. Leo looked down at the picture April was holding out. The slider glanced at his brothers before grabbing the photo. Unfolding it and blinking “why does he have a picture of us..?’ he whispered. This wasn't what Leo wasn't expecting. Mikey and Donnie leaned over Leo's shoulder to see the picture.

It was of them…a picture of Leo's family. Now why did this child have this..? Thoughts and scenarios ran through his mind, he was so caught up in his own little world that he didn't notice his brothers and April looking at him. Looking at him for guidance that a leader should give. Donnie and Mikey glanced at each other before Mikey shook Leo’s shoulder “uhm…Leo?” the youngest of them asked. The slider's eyes blinked before looking around, before he paused. Dammit- he was never good at these things reassuring everyone, but he smiled widely. “Well we’ll just have to see what he wants when he wakes up!” Leo said, his hand on his hip with his upfront confidence.

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“Shit…” Raph whispered, surprisingly his large build was able to fit behind the large crates in this cargo ship. Raph’s mouth stiffening at the ends, fixing his bandana around his head. He peeked out from behind the crate to see what was happening, the leader of the foot clan was holding up dark brown and purple cylinder, it almost had a face on it. Like evil was staring deep into you, spouting something about leading the Krang to glory or whatever, but it certainly didn't sound good. Raph squared his shoulders as the ship landed, Raph jumped up as quietly as he could before landing on the edge of the building. Raph crouched down on the platform with a narrowed gaze. The foot clans leader held up the strange object, the rest of the members slowly clapped their hands. “And now! We will release our masters, so they can lead the foot clan to glory!” He yelled. Now, that didn't sound good. Raph especially wasn't gonna let that happen, Raph huffed with a smirk. The foot clans leader turned around to start walking towards this platform that was slightly higher up, on top of that was a metal frame shaped in a diamond almost. Purple lit handles were set up all across the ground, either for the look or because the foot clan smelled like feet.

Something big and strong crashed down right infront of him, leaving a large cloud of smoke. The foot clans leader coughed and fanned away the smoke, he growled and looked around before coming face to face with the larger mutant. Raph smirked, his snaggletooth shining with pride. “I'm afraid I can't let you do that,” Raph said with a laugh. He found it funny how the leader's face formed into surprise, to a deep scowl. The leader stumbled back as he held the key close to his chest , “GET HIM!!” the leader yelled as he backed up.

The foot clan’s goons were as fast as lighting, shooting towards Raph who was just as quick to use his mystic powers. Making his arms big enough, big enough where he was able to fold the clan members like chairs. Multiple tried to jump on his back, trying to put him in a headlock but too bad for them. Raph had three younger brothers AND a spikey shell, so it wasn't hard for him to flip forward and land on his backside.

Raph was sure he could go on as long as he wanted, but it all seemed never ending. He decked a clan member across the room before looking up at the portal. The clan’s leader had planted the portal key into the spot, The portal lighting up before swirling, stillness…Raph stood there. He didn't know what to do, He stood there in shock. A loud boom and bright light shooting up into the sky. An ashy purple color appeared in the gates of the homemade portal.

Raph watched in horror as these brain block things stepped out. Well, only one really. Was that the ‘krang’..? The Krang let out a crazed but cold laugh, “Finally I'm free! The people of this world will pay!” Craig‘s smile stretched, his legs carried his slimy body a bit further out. Something in Raph finally caught up with him, he narrowed his eyes as he swiftly jumped, lifting his body up with some railing “Welcome to Earth! I hope you don't enjoy your stay!” Raph yelled. He pushed his body forward, Craig looking at him as he raised his tentacle arms up to block Ralphs' attack. Craig shoved raph back, taking this chance to forcefully grab him by the neck with one of his tentacles. It tightened around Raphs throat with a strong force.

Craig laughed as Ralph's body seized, his big hands going up to try pulling away but he wasn't able to. His hands were not able to get a grip. Craig smiled, his first kill after a thousand years of nothingness.

A sharp quizzing sound with a blue flash sliced between them, One Odachi half way in the ground. Raph’s eyes widened before he fell to the ground with a THUD- the Craigs tentacle was still wrapped around his neck but it wasn't attached to the brainy alien, The Craig let out an unholy screech, backing it up quickly. The Odachi glowed its signature blue, and with that glow came a large portal. Leo jumped out with Mikey, Donnie, April, Splinter and this kid… or what he would guess is a kid. He had a similar small frame, like Mikey almost.

April held her baseball high before her eyes landed on Raph, “Raph! Are you okay?!” she frowned. Lowering her bat as she crouched down next to the snapper. Raph cleared his throat, rubbing it gently as he nodded “y-yeah..” he whispered. April helped him stand up but she couldn't do much due to how much taller and more dense than she was.

Leo ripped his Odachi from the ground, Twirling it around before pointing it at The Kraang. The vile 22 foot alien had quickly gained his composure, he looked down at his chopped off limb, he looked up at Leo with the only intention of ripping one of his limbs off. The group got into position, The Kraang growled animalistly as two other similar creatures stepped out from the portal. One more small, a different shade of pink. The other one being haft Craigs size, but looking more unhinged. She seemed a little too excited to be in a fight.

The Foot clans army slowly circled around him, Leo looked around before smirking. “I call the foot clan” he yelled as his Odachi made a small circle against the ground. His blue portal coming out from underneath him, Leo falling threw as Raoh yelled “LEO!- Ughhh! Okay! Donnie, Mikey! Can you distract the big one long enough to shut down that portal?” Raph asked. Donnie and Mikey letting out stiff nods, Being quick to jump into action. Raph turned to April and his dad “Can you two take the other's brains faces?” he asked, he thought Leo was the leader now. Not him. April and Splinter however nodded and ran towards the more, crazed one. Raph looked at Casey with his brows drawn together, “Casey jones. I'm from the future” Casey said with his face making his face sound muffled and lamst have a static feel to it. Raph nodded and punched his fist together “Then you get the key!” he ordered. His attention turned to his younger brother.

Now Raph would agree Leo was a good fighter, his portals made him harder to catch but Raph couldn't stand his recklessness, including when it comes to Leo's own life or others. Raph was quick to dive head first into the fight,His arua appearing around his arms. Leo sliced through some Foot members as he glanced behind him “aw! Come on Raph, I can handle this!” Leo protested. Raph stood with his back to Leo as he made sure to knock a handful of Clan members through the crumbling walls “no leo! You can't keep doing this! We need to work as a-” “TEAM! Yes, yes, I get it. But what's the fun in that when you have to share all the glory~” Leo chuckled. He was quick to bend backwards when a clan member went to punch him. Raph reached over and grabbed the Clan Members foot, tossing him up into the sky. Raph growled as he stepped towards leo “this isn't about you leo! This is serious!” the older snapper hissed. Leo rolled his eyes as he portaled onto the raph, his feet landing on his shoulder. Nearly slicing the clan member who was thrown into the air into two pieces.

Leo jumped down from Raphs shoulders, the backs of their shells pressing against each other. Leo’s eyes scanned around as the never ending foot clan surrounded them, Leonaordos sharp black eyes swung over to a clan member that was rushing over to them. Wordlessly Leo swung his Odachi at the goon, Raph followed his movements as they worked in sync. Leo's agility and Raphs mix of heavy hitting and shielding, they seemed to wipe the crowd out with ease when they were not bickering.

Casey Jones on the other hand, was running up the stairs to the opening portal. Swiftly making precise steps as dark veiny shot out at him. The foot clan leaders had run, long gone as they didn't want to be impaled. Casey slid down on the ground before leaping forward to grab the key, his gloved hands grabbing around the portal key. Casey was able to pull it away but with some force, the portal key connected like a magnet to the base of the key holder. The portal let out a loud screeching sound, the aglee and infection stopped spreading in the cracks and the crumbling building. The shorter Kraang came tumbling out when the goop retrenched and disappeared and the crackling, swirling portal was zipped shut. It was hard to say if the screeching was from the Kraang or from the portal.

Once Casey had grabbed the key and was ready to make a run, he stopped when a 25 foot pink alien looming above him. The Kraang scowled darkly, a look not even the bravest soul should face, but instead a kid soldier was forced to make contact with. Casey swallowed dryly as he pulled the key close to his chest, he stepped back as his eyes never broke contact with The Kraangs glare. “you…little , vermin '' he hissed, threw his razor sharp teeth, his veiny tentacle raised up swiftly. It seemingly hardened when it came without a thought of mercy.

Before the tentacle could peirce into him, a bright blue portal appeared as a red eared slider jumped out. Leo raised his odanchi’s in a defensive position, crossed over each other. The kraang limb slammed into the middle of the crossed odanchis, making a loud metal clang ring across the decaying building. Leo's feet dug into the cement as he winced “casey! G-go! Now!” Leo hissed, his knees starting to buckle underneath him. The Kraang let out an agitated growl, pressing his sharp tentacle down into the matching blades, Leo pushed back roughly like he did with some many other villains.

The kraang slid back with a grunt before leo took his chance, portalling his way quickly over to the Kraang. He needed to get some good hits on this alien, to lower his chances of kicking their asses more than he already has. The Kraang was noticeably having trouble keeping up with Leo, The Kraangs lip curled “THAT'S ENOUGH GAMES!” the alien screeched, standing taller as his gills took open. The sound that came from him felt like a gunshot in the ear lube, high pitch whistling that made your bones ache.

Donnie grabbed Micky when the blast of sound waves hit them, Mikey yelped and grabbed his older brother's arm for support. Raph looked up wide eyed “don! Angeleo!” he yelled, Raph lifting himself up and using his larger arua to shield them. The shrill screeching seemed to stop, but so did their powers. Leo used his odachi for support to stand, Donnie stood up straighter as he tried to use his bo. Mikey swung his nunchucks as they just swung limply. The three of the turtles looked at Raph, expecting an answer from him. Needing an answer from someone, Raph looked forward and swallowed harshly, he didn't know. And that was the scariest part. Casey had been thrown against a nearby wall, the key had fallen out of his hands and rolled against the ground. Kraang's red eyes snapped towards the key, Leo’s eyes followed along. Both of them racing towards it.

Raph starred with a hazy shock, his dark red eyes glancing around. Seeing his father being cradled by April who was down on her own account, donnie who was holding mikey’s shell. Mikey was tucked away, Raph’s eyes snapped at the Kraang’s sister who was helping up her brother. Raph sucked in a breath “Donnie! Get those escape pods ready!” the oldest ordered, his eyes looking at donnie who looked lost. Like he was a kid again, it made raph's head spin. It made it spin faster when donnies gaze hardened with a tight nod “already on it!” he yelled, he swiped his finger across his wrist monitor.

The Kraang’s sister let out a screeching roar, charging at the five of them as the escape pods zoomed out of Donnies battle shell. Donnie was forced to drop mikey once the kraangs sister brought down her sharp appendages, Mikey skidded across the floor which made him pop out, Mikey looked up quickly with wide eyes, watching Donnie barely miss being turned into a turtle chicabob. Mikey unwinding his weapon from his waist, spinning it around and throwing it straight at the alien. Mikey's weapon wrapped around the kraang's sister's tentacle that was heading straight for donnies chest. The alien let out a ugly roar as she turned her attention to Mikey who was struggling just to keep himself grounded.

That bought enough time however, The escape pod pulled donnie backwards as the machine built itself around donnie’s form as it sped off. Mikey was next, the pod pulling him away as the kraang’s sister launched herself at mikey. Casey blinked dizzily, as he pushed himself off against the wall he let out a sharp gasp. “SENSI!” he yelled as he watched Leo slide under Kraang and start darting for the key that was teetering on the edge. Casey went to run, to help, to try and make a difference in this timeline. The episode pods had different ideas, the pod flexing itself around Casey as he tried to fight against it “sensi! Get the key!” he called out before flying off. April was next, she didn't fight. She actually lifted herself up and pushed herself into it, the pod's enclosure snapping together to protect her from the tentacles shooting towards her.

Raph made sure their father was in his pod, making sure he was able to escape. His head snapped towards Leo whose pod was smashed. Crushed by the barreling kraang monster coming towards him. Leo slid down on his knees as he reached for the key, both his hands wrapping around it just to make sure that it wouldn't fall into the ocean's depths.

The Kraang screeched as his tendril passed towards him, roughly wrapped around his ankle and sharply pulling the red eared slider towards him. Leo’s eyes widened as he felt his shell scrape against the concrete, he held the key close to him as he prepared for his plastron to be pierced. The dragging stuttered, leo looked up to see raph chagrin head first- or well, fist first into the kraang. Raph may not have his mystic powers but he still packed a punch.
The kraang stumbled sideways, his limb releasing a little on Leo’s ankle that felt like it had been pulled away from the bones itself. That wasn't the most important thing on his list at the moment, he watched Raph trying to keep the kraang away. Trying to buy Leo time, but Leo didn't know what he was supposed to do with that time. It's not like he had to think longer for that, The Kraang slammed raph into the ground by his neck. Leo stood up and stepped back before squaring his shoulders “hey uglies!” he yelled out catching the attention of the biggest kraang.

He snarled as he started to approach Leo again, slowly this time. Leo stumbled backwards as he glanced behind him, that's when a dusty lightbulb lit up in his head. Leo quickly held the key over the edge leading down to the dark cold waters, “one step closer! And I’ll drop it” he said, trying to keep his calm composure.

Raph was released , letting out a gasp and rolling to his side “leo!-” he coughed out. Leo glanced at him before his attention needed to be snapped back to the kraang. “I would watch what you do with my key, little turtle~” he hissed, Leo’s facade faulted as Kraang didn't stop. His threat isn't working- what could he do?

Leo wasn't paying attention, he didn't see the pink sharp tentacle snapping towards him with a cold laugh followed with it. Until he could see it just about to hit between his eyes- Leo squeezed his eyes shut, curling in on himself slightly.

He didn't feel blood spill from him, but he did feel warm liquid splatter on him-

He didn't have warm blood…

Then why did it feel like there was some on him…

Oh…

Wait…

RAPH…

Leo gasped as he opened his eyes, Raph’s shadow and body covered him. His bigger build acting as a shield- a barrier between him and danger. But instead of raph’s body deflecting, it was pierced. The taste of salty warm blood filled his nose and graced his lips, the smell was no different. Raph was breathing, thankfully, but it wasn't even. It was harsh and fast, like he was trying to hold down his agony for the sake of his younger brother's sanity.

The tentacle had striked right threw Raph, right threw his shoulder. Straight threw his shell and flesh, it barely missed his heart. Raph was pressing his one hand against a nearby standing wall to counter the force the kraang was pushing against him while his free hand gripped the appendage that was in his shoulder.

Leo’s mouth opened as looked up at his older brother's face, Raph’s eyes filled with a glassy and fragil look. Raph inhaled as he let go of the tentacle and grabbed his pod, pressing it to Leo’s chest as the pod constructed around leo. It was made to fit ralphs bigger, heavier build. Leo could barely see through the window, barely able to see raph falling to the ground when the tentacle pushed further and brought him to his knees.

Leo watched, shellshocked as his slimer build was easily knocked around as the pod zoomed off. Leaving the eldest of the turtles behind,