Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Her battle nexus wasn't doing too hot. She was losing more money than she had made the year before. It's definitely a depression in her business.

Big Mama wasn't exactly ready to give up her life's work. After all, if she did, debt would drown her.

The splendiferous oozequitoes, or whatever those turtley boos called them, were Draxums. But he sent them out into the world. It was a wonderful business opportunity in Big Mama's eyes. Give the yokai more mutants to watch in the Battle Nexus.

The problem was, however, that Big Mama already tried to get the oozequitoes. That's what the bug zapper was for. Her webs mixed with brilliant technology got her the bugs.

Unfortunately, those pesky turtles foiled her plans. The blue one was rather annoying, foiled everything, and still back her rodeo clowns. The turtles then proceeded to take the bug zapper and release the oozequitoes back to the streets of New York.

You would've thought that they wouldn't want New York to be destroyed, but no, apparently, they want more mutants and freaks walking the streets of Manhattan.

If she had the bug zapper, she would have the ooze filled mosquitoes and would have new toys to play around with in her battle nexus.

It was a genius invention. Not her webs out like bullets, easily made nets and glue to catch the bugs. It was especially manned by the genius himself.

But he was greedy and made the invention for himself, instead of giving it to Big Mama. He even complained about being a rodeo clown.

That's it! The genius. Big Mama needed the genius. He built the bug zapper. He knows how to use it. And besides, if the turtles ever change their minds about the mutant outbreaks, then they'll need her webs.

Oh yes. A deal was to be made. Heck, a contract should be signed!

“Henchman!” Big Mama demanded. The bellhop owl bounded in the room, his silence was respect. “write up a contract!” Big Mama said, playing with her fingers, “Oh and while you're at it, have Gus find the turtles. Specifically the purple one.”

The owl nodded his large head and left Big Mama’s office.

Ahh, the pieces are being formed. The puzzle is being built. And Big Mama will restore power to the Battle Nexus.

← →

Gus was a good hunter, and he had a good nose. Well, he kinda had to be good at sniffing things out. He's a dog, after all.

He saw sents like loilte mists of colors; the turtles were a mix of red, blue, orange, and purple. The purple one was the main priority, Big Mama said the others could be used as insurance, but she didn't really need them, so Gus only wanted to get the purple scent.

It was like a game of fetch. Big Mama throws Gus a bone, and he gets it for her. He liked playing fetch. He also liked tearing apart the toys Big Mama would send him to get.

Gus took in a deep breath, getting in all the busy seats of New York. The smell of sewers and pretzels, rats with rabies, and women wearing too much perfume. The smell of mutagen stinged in Gus’ nostrils, the color purple flashed, and the turtle's scent trail formed in Gus’ vision.

“Got cha, brah.” Gus said, bounding along the turtle's scent trail. Gus couldn't smell the other turtle's scents, which was perfect. They wouldn't even notice he was taken!

Unfortunately, his scent was weak, which means a long walk. That and it was New York city, he had to stick to shadows.

There aren't many shadows.

Gus stuck to low rooftops and dark alleyways that could at least make people think they saw a very hairy old man. That seemed to work a little. One old lady saw Gus and ran away screaming, “Help! giant ugly dog monster!” In an old lady voice. Hopefully, people thought she was just a crazy old coot.

Purple's scent was getting stronger, and luckily for Gus he wasn't exactly in the middle of NYC he was headed towards Brooklyn, where at least people would have the decency to go to bed before 9pm.

Gus’ legs were getting tired. He ran like 6 miles ready, and having to climb all over buildings really took it out of the back park for Gus. He was exhausted. He hoped the turtle wouldn't put up much of a fight. Luckily, Big Mama had given Gus one of the portal chip thingies. So once he got the target, he could just portal out of there. And take a nap.

The turtle's scent was stronger than ever, Gus had arrived at his destination. A basketball court.

He could see the turtle. His tech made him look really purple. He was also on the phone, so Gus couldn't get him now. He had to wait. And watch.

“Yeah Raph I know.” The purple turtle said, pacing back and forth, “But Leo should've washed them earlier. Like I told him to do.”

Gus eased his way closer to the turtle hiding in bushes and making sure no one could hear him breathe.

“Ugh, dumb dumbs.” The turtle said, kicking a pebble with his foot. “At least Mikey brought a pizza.”

Pizza. Gus could really go for a pizza. His mouth started to water. And his stomach growled. Loudly. Purple turned his head and peered at the bushes. Oh no Gus’ cover was blown.

“I'll call you back, Raph.” He said, hanging up the phone. “Who's there?”

“Uh no one, dude.” Gus answered from the bush. Damn cover is officially blown.

“Bushes can't talk.” The turtle replied. He pulled out a long metal stick and flicked a stitch. A literal chainsaw came out from the end of the stick. The saw buzzed louder as Purple eased closer.

“Uhh, yes, we can, brah.” Gus said from the bush, slowly crawling back. “You just never talked to one before.”

Purple flicked his goggles over his eyes. Gus could feel the sting of eyes on him. The turtle could see him.

“Big Mama's dog?” The turtle asked, “what are you doing here?”

No time to explain, Gus had to act now. The large dog yoki leaped towards purple and pinned him to the ground.

Purple frantically pressed buttons on his wrist tech, a darling sound rang.

“Raph! Raph hel-” the turtle's call was cut short. Gus smashed his large paw onto the wrist tech, smashing it to smithereens.

Gus then proceeded to tear off the goggles and threw them behind the bushes. Gus then tore the metal stick from the turtle's hands and snapped it in half. Gus smudged his large body on top of the turtles, Purple screamed in agony and clawed at Gus.

Gus pushed harder on the turtle's plastron. He had to knock him out! Gus quickly pounded his fist at Purple's face. The impact was fast and hard. When Gus lofted his paw, the turtle was put cold, blood seeped from his nose. Gus had done it.

The Yoki pulled out the portal chip he had stashed and flicked it in the air. A portal flickered into view, and Gus heaved Purple over his shoulder and threw him in. But Gus didn't go in yet. He had to clean up his mess.

While the portal still flickered, Gus grabbed the pieces of tech laying on the basketball court. He collected as much as he could and threw them in the garbage. He couldn't find the goggles, though, but it's fine they're behind the bushes somewhere no way someone could find them.

Gus was done with playing fetch for tonight. He walked through the portal and back into Big Mama's office. Purple was already gone, so Gus figured Big Mama had sent him to his prison.

“Who's a good boy?” Big Mama asked from her desk. She wore a large smile and was in her Yoki form.

“I'm a good boy!” Gus replied, “I even cleaned up the mess I made too!”

Big Mama smiled larger, all her eyes squinted on excitement. “Henchman!” The spider lady shouted to the Bellhop at the door, “Would you please get Gus all the slippers in the laundry room? The puppy deserves it.”

“Thank you brah.” Gus said following the Bellhop, he was gonna get heavily rewarded for this. Fetch really pays off.

Chapter Text

Chapter 1

[1 hour before kidnapping……]

“ball day Wednesday baby, all night long!” Mikey shouted from outside Donnie's lab. Donnie himself was just working out an engine problem on the bug zapper. Whatever happened to the engine while fighting Big Mama busted the engine, it was a shock it even still worked.

“Yo dontron!” MIkey said, practically leaping into Donnie's lab and into his personal space.

“Michel.” Donnie said slightly, gritting his teeth in annoyance, “what did I say about the dontron nickname?”

“Not to use it.” Mikey pouted, “But it's B-Ball Wednesday!! And we're in charge of pizza duty!!”

“Yeah I know.” Donnie said, standing up and brushing the grit off his plastron. “Let's go grab our jerseys from the arcade.”

Donnie led Mikey out of the lab, and they started to cross the large balcony that wrapped around the skateboard area. The arcade was on the other side of the balcony from the lab.

“Donnie?” Mikey asked, keeping up pace to be on the right of his brother, “what were you doing in there?”

“Just fixing the engine on the bug zapper.” Donnie said, fixing his pace to be ahead of Mikey, “after that, I'll make my own nets to catch the oozequitoes.” The oozequitoes were the main priority right now, other than the occasional break to chill, and to fight other Mutants and the flame heads. The oozequitoes were mutating a lot of New Yorkers, that's something that really needed to be fixed.

“We could also try to get some of Big Mama's webs, too.” Mikey suggested after they passed the MedBay

“Yeah, but I would prefer not to go back to Big Mama's hotel.” Donnie said with a disgusted shudder, “I'm still picking her web goo from my battle shell.”

Obviously, getting actual webs instead of making them all by himself would be easier, plus with enough ninja training, they could infiltrate Big Mama's hotel. However, it was just too risky. Big Mama has access to portals, and she has a ton of guards. Statistically, it is a one in five hundred chance of success.

“Okay you're the brains.” Mikey said, “Let me know if I can help, though! I'd love to learn how to make machines, build stuff from trash, and make jet packs, and oo we're here!” Mikey said, almost tripping at the entrance of the arcade, Donnie rolled his eyes at his brother and smiled. He had to admit Mikey was a loveable mess.

The two youngest turtles went to the closet where the jerseys were and opened the cupboard. But the jerseys weren't hanging up. Donnie looked down to find a pile of a lot of dirty laundry, the jerseys being tangled on the top. They had red pizza sauce and sweat stains all over them from last week's basketball Wednesday, and a disgusting aroma wavered through Donnies nostrils.

“Eww.” Mikey said, “wasn't Leo supposed to wash these?”

Donnie clenched his fists. He had told Leo countless times to wash the jerseys. It was his chore that week. How could he forget? Basketball Wednesday was his favorite.

“Leo!” Donnie shouted, stomping out of the arcade. “Leo! Get over here, now!” Donnie was pissed, histash face was practically red, and the steam was spewing out of the skin flaps covering the ear holes.

Leo walked out of the kitchen with his phone in his hand, not even bothering to look at his angered brother.

“What is it, Donnie? I'm ordering the pizza right now.” The blue turtle said typing on his phone.

“You didn't wash the jerseys!!” Donnie shouted, “I asked you several times to wash them, and you didn't!”

“Oh no,” Leo sarcastically said, “I didn't think we needed a whole new outfit to play basketball.” A smirk formed on Leo's face.

“Really? You're commenting on an outfit change, Mr. Flamboyant?” Donnie snapped, “Isn't this what you do regardless of basketball on Wednesday?”

“I forgot to wash them, big whoop.” Leo said, putting his phone away.

“That's why I reminded you, daily!” Donnie said, getting on Leo's level. He landed on the floor with a thud. “And you still didn't wash them!”

“Sorry, I've been doing things.” Leo said, “Like ordering pizza for tonight.”

“Oh and what about every other day I've asked you?” Donnie pointed out.

“Thursday; April invited us to a movie night, Friday; was that hippo, Saturday; We met up with Big Mama, Sunday; is Splinters laundry day, Monday; we were chasing oozequitoes all night, and Tuesday; I forgot.” Leo said, counting everything on his fingers and waving them in Donnie's face.

“You could've had the laundry going while we were out!” Donnie said, slapping Leo's hand down.

“Well maybe I didn't want you nagging me!” Leo said, pushing Donnie a step back.

“Why cause it pains you so much to just help out?”

“No it doesn't!” Leo said, pushing Donnie again, “Stop telling me what to do!”

Leo shoved Donnie to the ground, Donnie gabed onto Leo's plastron and pulled him down with him. The twins rolled on the floor, shouting curse words at each other. Mikey quickly jumped down to at least pry his brothers apart, but Leo shoved him away.

“Raph!” Mikey shouted, turning his head towards the living room, “Leo and Donnie are at it!!”

“Guys!” Raph yelled, running into the stake boards area, “Leo get offa Donnie.”

Leo stood up and shot Donnie a nasty glare, Donnie shot him one back.

“What is going on?” Raph asked, putting his large hands on his hips and looking over all his brothers.

“Donnie started it!” Leo shouted, shoving Donnie back and stepping forward.

“I did not!” Donnie shouted back, pulling Leo back.

“Alright stop. Mikey, what happened?” Raph looked at the youngest turtle.

“Well Leo didn't wash the jerseys, and Donnie got pretty mad, and they started fighting.” Mikey said, looking directly at Raph. Leo and Donnie glared behind them at Mikey.

“Okay. Leo, why didn't you wash the jerseys?” Raph asked calmly.

“Like I told Donnie, we've been too busy this week.” Leo answered, glancing at his twin.

“Oh and what about yesterday? Lazy dumb dumb!?” Donnie snapped.

“Donnie enough!” Raph said, almost spitting on the softshell. Donnie folded his arms and stepped back.

“Okay we don't really need the jerseys for tonight anyway. Mikey, why don't you and Donnie go grab the pizza? Leo and I will finish up chores here and get the laundry done.” Raph suggested while still shooting looks of disappointment at the twins.

“If It's okay with you three, I'll just meet you at the basketball court.” Donnie said, stepping toward the entrance, “I need a breather anyway.”

“That's fine by me, Donnie.” Mikey said, following him to the nearest exit.

“Okay, but Leo should go with Mikey.” Raph said, “It's really crowded at Tony's tonight.”

“Fine.” Leo said, getting his ōdachi, “Mikey we can teleport there.”

“Okay sweet!” Mikey said, beaming. It's like he forgot about what happened.

“Donnie, I could portal you to the court.” Leo offered, Donnie shook his head.

“Nah I'm good.” The purple turtle said, “I need to make a stop at April's anyway.”

The three turtles left the lair, leaving Raph by himself. The largest turtle let out a sigh of relief and headed back to the living room to finish cleaning.

“What was all the commotion about?” Splinter asked, facing away from the screen.

“Nothin’ pops.” Raph said, plumping one of the bean bags, “just a slight change of plans for tonight.”

Splinter looked back at the screen and grunted with a little laughter. His favorite commercial was on.

“I'm done cleaning in here, I'm gonna quickly start a load of laundry and head out, okay?” Raph said, walking slowly to the exit of the living room.

“That is fine, my son.” Splinter said, not looking back from the screen, “Be home by 1 and check in every 30 minutes.” Those were the usual rules Splinter set for Basketball Wednesdays.

“Sweet, thanks, Pops!” Raph said, leaving the room.

← →

[forty minutes before kidnapping…..]

Once they made it to Tony's pizza, Leo and Mikey hid on the roof. Making sure no one could see them.

“Alright, where is the disguise?” Mikey asked, looking around the top of the pizza place.

Leo whistled, looking down at the streets. “Man, this place is busy tonight!” The Red eared slider said, “Might take a minute for those pizzas to be ready.”

“Great!” Mikey said, “Now get up, you're standing on my costume.”

Whenever the turtles got pizza from a non mutant restaurant they always had to wear a disguise, Leo tried to use his portals once, but the end result was 4 weeks on the news and an FBI investigation. Raph was pretty pussed about it, and Donnie had to recode the whole TV system so Splinter wouldn't find out.

Mikey slipped the large trench coat on and placed a matching hat on top. Mikey puffed the collar and smoothed out any creases on the coat.

“How do I look?” Mikey said, smirking at Leo.

“Just like Lou Jitsu in ‘Lou jitsu fights the pizza aliens seven’.” Leo said with watery eyes.

“Then it's time.” Mikey said, impersonating a Batman voice.

“Damn straight!” Leo said, “pizzas ready!”

Mikey jumped down into the alleyway while Leo waited on the rooftop. Wind whistled, flapping his bandana in his face as he looked at the people below him.

“I should probably text Donnie.” Leo thought, pulling out his blue phone, “On second thought, he should text me.”

Leo sat in the cold playing games on his phone while listening to the humans below laughing and giggling.

The blue turtle put his phone away and decided to look around at the people. Across the street was a small park. There were still little kids playing together, their mothers laughing on the benches.

A little boy with a purple shirt fell off the swings. He started to wail calling for his elder brother, who immediately came to his rescue. Ironically, the elder brother was wearing a blue hat and also had a red and orange shirt. The elder brother helped the younger one up and brushed him off before a girl with bright pink hair grabbed the purple shifted brother and took him to a sand pit to play with toy robots. The elder brother looked at his younger brother and walked to the bike.

“Now where is he going?” Leo thought following the elder brother with his eyes.

The elder brother got on his bike and started to ride, Leo guessed he was just riding around the park, but he turned left instead of right. Was he just gonna leave his little brother there?

“Leo got the pizza!” Mikey said, climbing on the rooftop, “Hey you okay, bro?”

Leo turned to face Mikey, forgetting the brothers at the playground. “Yeah I'm fine, Mikey.” He said, opening a portal with his ōdachi, “come on, let's go pick up Raph.”

“Help! giant ugly dog monster!!” someone screamed from the alleyway across the street.

“What was that?” Mikey asked, looking at Leo.

“It could just be a large dog.” Leo reassured, “The lady will be fine Mikey, now let's go.” Leo led Mikey through the blue lit portal and closed it behind him with a glamorous swoosh.

“Got the pizza, Raph!” Mikey said, beaming with delight. Raph was just coming out of the laundry room.

“Great I just put the jerseys in the wash.” Raph said, clasping his hands together. “Let's go find the basketball and meet Donnie at the court.”

“Mkay.” Leo said, following Raph to the arcade. Mikey set the pizza down and looked around the stakeboard ramps.

“Did you text Donnie yet?” Raph asked, budging his little brother as they walked up the stairs.

“No. I'm waiting for him to text me.” Leo replied, trying to keep up with Raphs large steps.

“Leo just think for a minute, will ya?” Raph said, sounding a little annoyed, “Donnie doesn't like going first for an apology, you know this. But he also doesn't like not being able to apologize either.”

“Where are you going with this?” Leo asked, giving a look of confusion to his brother.

“Leo you nitwit, he's waiting for you to apologize.” Raph said, rolling his eyes.

“I will, I will.” Leo said, climbing up the last step, “I'll do it when we see him, though, my phones are almost dead.”

The two eldest turtles walked intot eh arcade and looked around for the basketball. The ringing of three arcade games echoes in the silent space.

“Insert coin to play yario kart!”
“Press play to start ledgend of bella!”
“Select your player for tomb painter!”

“Found it!” Raph said, holding up a faded orange basketball.

“Sweet! Now let's go -” Leo stopped the balll immediately deflated a high-pitched sizzling noise came out from it. “Well shoot.” Leo said looking from the ball to Raph.

“Woops.” Raph said, “guess we'll have to go and get a new one.”

“I don't mind going into fallmart to buy a couple new ones!” Mikey said peeping his head through the entrance.

“Okay I'll call Donnie and let him know we're behind schedule.” Raph said pulling his phone out.

← →

[Fifteen minutes before kidnapping…..]

“Yeah thanks Donnie.” April said cleaning up her math homework, “I don't know what I'd do without cha.”

“Yeah, yeah, see ya, ‘ril.” Donnie said opening the window.

“Hold on!” April said grabbing Donnies wrist, “one more thing ‘fore you go.”

Donnie stepped back inside and sat on April's bed, April was digging in the drawers of her vanity. Mayhem decided to curl on Donnies lap, a small purr trickled through the cat like yoki, which gave Donnie a warm fuzzy feeling. He really liked April's company.

“Ah here it is!” April said pulling out a small pink ball, “Meyhem brought this back with him after a little bit of teleporting around. Don't ask me where he went I have no clue, but I thought you might want to take a look.” April placed the pink ball in Donnies hands and slightly rubbed them.

“Okay well I should get going.” Donnie said jumping out the window onto the fire escape, “see ya April.”

“Bye Dontron.” April said with a smirk.

Donnie jumped down the fire escape landing silently near a dumpster. From there Donnie gave up on the whole ‘we're ninjas ninjas are scilent’ and just used the jetpack extension on his battle shell to fly the half mile tot he basketball court. It was a quick ride only took like 5 minutes.

[Eight minutes before kidnapping….]

Donnies phone began to trill, Raph was calling him. Donnie landed on the court and answered the call.

“Yello?” Donnie answered.

“Hey Donnie, it's Raph.”

“I know Raph.” Donnie said, “what's up?”

“Just wanted to let you know we're gonna be a little late. The ball popped.”

“Exasperated sigh.” Donnie pressed his forehead against his palm. “What else can go wrong tonight?”

“Donnie chill, the jerseys are washing right now.”

“Yeah Raph I know.” The purple turtle said, pacing back and forth, “But Leo should've washed them earlier. Like I told him to do.”

“Donnie enough. Leo said he'd apologize once we get here. Okay? His phone is about to die.”

“Ugh, dumb dumbs.” Donnie said, kicking a pebble with his foot. “At least Mikey bought a pizza.”

Donnie paced in front of a bulgy bush, a slow but loud growl vibrated from the bush, Donnie glanced at it and stepped back.

“I'll call you back, Raph.” Donnie hung up and phone and took a sharp breath. “Who's there?”

“Uh no one, dude.” The bush answered.

“Bushes can't talk.” Donnie replied. He pulled out his tech bo, and flicked a stitch. The chainsaw extension flipped out and buzzed loudly

“Uhh, yes, we can, brah.” The bush said again “You just never talked to one before.”

Donnie flicked his goggles over his eyes. He scanned the bush and saw a familiarly large dog yoki hinding there.

“Big Mama's dog?” Donnie asked surprised, “what are you doing here?”

The yoki suddenly leaped out from the bush and pinned Donnie to the ground. Big mama sent him!

Donnie had to get help, he had to call Raph, quickly he typed Raphs contact on his wrist and dialed the number, the ringing toiled, through the yokais heavy warm breaths.

“Raph! Raph hel-” Donnies call was cut short, the Yokai had slammed his paw on Donnies wrist tech, the beautiful technology was smashed into smithereens.

Donnie had to escape, he had to get out. He didn't even know if Raph picked up the phone.

The dog yokai then proceeded to tear off Donnies goggles and threw them behind the bushes. No! His tech was being torn apart! The yokai yanked Donnies tech bo from his hands and snapped it in half.

NO! His tech, his weapon! Donnie had to get out of there, now! He didn't even know if he would survive. Why had he come alone?!

The giant yokai pressed harder on Donnie plastron, he was getting the air pressed out of him. Donnie tried to claw his way out, like how meyhem clawed out of Raphs hold, but the yokai pressed harder.

Crack! Donnie's battle shell was being smashed into the ground, he could barely breathe. Where is Raph?

The yokai raised his large fist and stared into Donnies eyes. This was it, Donnie had to get out now! He tried pushing himself out from underneath the dog but before he could even get a grip on the dog's hair, the fist slammed into Donnie's face.

Donnie could hear a pop in his head, he was pretty sure he had a concussion, or broke his nose. He could feel the blood oozing out from his mouth and his snout. He looked around, and hoped it would be for the last time. A purpley portal flickered into view and Donnie closed his eyes.

Chapter Text

Chapter 2

“Raph hurry up!” Leo whispershouted from across the almost empty parking lot, “Mikey already went inside, come hide.”

Raph followed the sound of his immediate younger voice and knelt beside the smaller mutant turtle.

“Just got off the phone with Donnie.” Raph said, “he's reverted to calling us dumb dumbs, which is a good sign.”

“Well that's good.” Leo said, shifting the weight on the balls of his feet.

“Told him you were ready to apologize too.” Raph said lightly, nudging his immediate younger brother with his large elbow.

“You ruined the surprise.” Leo snidely remarked, showing off his signature smirk.

“Why do you guys have to get on each other's throats all the time, huh?” Raph asked, looking right in-between Leo's eyes, “Raphs tired of stopping your arguments. Mikey is, too.”

“It's a twin thing, Raph.” Leo said, brushing off anything else he wanted to say that could potentially turn into a larger argument.

“No Leo, it's not.” Raph said, easing closer to the blue sporting turtle, “what's on your mind?”

“Nothing, I'm full of empty space.” Leo said, looking down at the pavement below him.

“You're not full of empty space.” Raph said, leaning lower to catch Leo's eye, “who told you that?”

“No one. Figured it out myself.” Leo said with a little pride, “Donnie called me a dumb dumb at least seventeen times a day. It's a lame insult, so I made one better to call myself.”

“Why in the world would you ever insult yourself?” Raph demamaded.

“I don't know…..I shouldn't have said anything. I'm fine, Raph.” Leo said, inching away from the snapping turtle.

“Leo no you're not.” Raph soothingly said, placing a large hand on Leo's shell. The turtle in question wobbled under the weight slightly.

“Yeah, Raph, I'm not. Donnie always gets away with being a jerk to everyone because he's special. We know he's special. Why make a bigger deal about it than it already is?! Donnie is especially a huge jerk to me. He bosses me around, calls me dumb at slight screw ups, and freaks out when I don't listen! And whenever he makes gifts, like those mutant silverfish, he always makes mine absolute-” Raphs phone started to trill, it was Donnie. “Are you gonna answer that?” Leo asked, clenching his fists tighter.

“No I won't.” Raph said, not bothering to answer it. The phone trilling cut out just as quickly as it started. “Donnie isn't important right now. You are important to me too, so please, finish what you were saying.”

“Fine.” Leo said, eyeing Raphs phone, hoping Donnie wouldn't call again. “Remember the mutant silverfish? When Donnie made us those gifts, he gave you and Mikey stuff that could protect you. But what did he give me? A collar to control my bad puns.” Leo clenched his fists harder when a notification popped up on Raph’s phone. It was something about Donnie, but Leo didn't get a chance to look at it because the phone turned off.

“This isn't the first time it's happened too…” Leo said, still eyeing the phone. Another notification about Donnie popped up on Raph's phone, “Raph check your phone.”

“Leo no you're not done.” Raph said, rubbing the hand on Leo's shell in a circular motion.

“Raph check your phone now. Donnies' notifications keep popping up.” Leo pointed to Raphs phone just as another notification vibrated the device.

Raph picked up the phone, letting his hand off of Leo's shell. Raph scanned the notifications,

‘Warning wrist tech failure!’
‘Warning goggles not present on person!’
‘Warning Tech bo unresponsive!’

Leo and Raph simultaneously held their breaths. Looking at the notifications, shocked and utterly horrified at what they were reading. Another notification popped up….

‘Warning mild battle shell system failure!’

Leo stared at the phone, hoping it was just Donnies tech malfunctioning, but no notification from S.H.E.L.L.D.O.N gave the blue turtle reassurance.

“We need to go.” Raph said, standing up. His eyes were wide open, and he was paler than a ghost, “Leo portal Mikey here, and then to the basketball court. We need to help Donnie.”

Leo nodded, trying not to panic, making portals was harder when he panicked. He wasn't panicking. He was fine. He was chill, chiller than New York in January. He is calm, calm, calm, calm, calmity, calm, calm!

Okay, Leo wasn't calm. He was freaking out! What if Donnie tried to call for help? What if he knew exactly who was attacking him but they wouldn't find out because Raph didn't answer his phone? What if Donnie was already dead? What if it was too late?

What if it was Meat Sweats? He seemed to love the idea of Donnie on a platter. But what if it wasn't? What if it was Hipno? He might still want revenge from their last encounter….

“No time to panic.” Leo thought to himself, “Donnie needs us.”

Leo whisked for a portal about a foot from the ground. Mikey fell right through it, landing on his behind.

“Hey!” Mikey protested, quickly standing up and brushing off the trench coat, “I was just grabbing the basketball!”

Raph quickly pulled Mikey to his side, pinning him there and not letting him grip free. Mikey quickly took off his human disguise. Leo whisked open another larger blue portal after a few failed attempts and quickly motioned for his brothers to jump through. Raph clutched onto a confused Mikey as the two jumped in. Leo followed quickly behind, taking deep, hesitant breaths as they traveled through the portal.

The scenery went from a dimly lit parking lot to a brightly lit basketball court. The three turtles landed, and Leo closed the portal. The two eldest brothers still had their eyes wider than the Amazon River.

“Donnie?!” Leo desperately called looking around him, “where are you?!”

“Raphs what's going on?” Mikey asked, finally pushing himself free from Raphs grasp.

“We don't know yet, Mikey.” Raph said, looking around the court, “But Donnies in trouble.”

“What kind of trouble?” Mikey asked frozen in place.

“We don't know, but his tech was broken, damaged, or thrown off.” Leo said, looking around bushes and benches.

“Is he okay?!” Mikey asked, his voice quivered.

“We'll find that out once we find him.” Raph said, keeping up the stoic act to add backbone to the situation.

Mikey began to look around, too. He ran through the bushes, looking through every leaf, inspecting every ant, and following anything that shined. Most of the shiny objects were coins and pins. But the small glinter of something metallic gave a little spark of hope to Mikey, even if it was short-lived.

While Mikey was searching through the bushes, another shiny object caught his eye. It was larger this time, so Mikey followed it. He came across a metal headband looking thing. It didn't look like a headband but more like goggles….

“Leo, Raph! I got something over here!!” Mikey called to the eldest brothers. They quickly raced to Mikeys' location and skidded to a stop.

All three turtles looked down at the mangled goggles, the lenses were broken, and the headband piece was bent in the wrong direction. Mikey shakily picked it up. It wobbled in his hands. He fumbled with the goggles, and they fell on the ground again, the blue lense popped out.

“What do you think happened here?” Leo asked, placing a hand on Mikey's shoulder.

“I'm not sure….” Raph said, looking at the goggles, “why don't we try looking for Donnies' other tech?”

The three turtles spanned out, Mikey continued to look through the bushes, Raph looked through the garbage, and Leo pulled his phone out. The blue turtle dialed Splinters number. The phone trilled.

“What is Blue?” Splinter asked on the other end of the call, “How is your game going?”

“Dad…” Leo started. He gulped his bottom lip was trembling, “We can't find Donnie.”

“Is he not there with you?” Splinter asked.

“No he, his tech was destroyed, and we can't find him…. Dad I-Im scared.” Leo began to cry. The tears were well formed in his eyes, his blue mask soaked up most of the waterfall spewing out his eyes, but his face was soaked within seconds. “He just disappeared, and his tech is everywhere. We have no way to track him an-”

“Blue. I need you to calm down.” Splinter softly said, “I'll come meet you, call April, she would want to help.”

“Okay dad…” Leo sniffed, “Love you.”

“I love you too blue.” Splinter hung up the phone. Leo stood with his feet planted firmly on the ground. He clutched his phone in one hand and squeezed his other fist. He didn't really do anything but cry.

“Hey, Leo, Mikey!” Raph called from the court, “I found more of his tech!”

The two younger brothers rushed to Raph, who held two pieces of Donnies tech bo and his wrist tech. Both items in question were sparking little bolts of electricity, the screen on the wrist tech was smashed, and it was bent inward. The tech bo was snapped in half with the chainsaw extension still silently revving.

“Oh this is bad…” Mikey said, eyeing the tech with a downcast look, “Do you think he's okay?”

“I don't know Mikey….” Raph said, placing the tech on a nearby bench, “I haven't seen his battle shell yet. Have either of you seen it?”

Mikey and Leo shook their heads. All three of the turtles looked down simultaneously. Raph shook his head in disappointment.

“Okay, no time to dwell.” Raph said, pulling his phone out, “I'm gonna call pops and let him know what's happened. Mikey, you call April.”

“I already called Dad.” Leo said, not looking up from the ground, “He's on his way here.”

“I thought your phone was dead?” Mikey asked.

“It was almost dead. It's at one percent now.” Leo said, fiddling with his gloves.

“Okay, Mikey, call April.” Raph ordered, the largest turtle stepped over the broken tech to reach his immediate younger brother, “and Leo? We need to talk.”

← →

Donnie woke up in an unfamiliar environment. It wasn't a cell. In fact, it was a large bedroom, even larger than Donnie's lab.

Donnie himself was on a large bed, and pillows were stacked up all around him. Right across from the bed was a whole desk setup with tools and gadgets. There was even a mini fridge with a clear door next to it. It was filled with energy drinks. In the corner there was a small bathroom, it only had the necessary stuff. Shower, Toilet, Shink, Jacuzzi.

As Donnie looked around, he was amazed at what he saw. I mean, who could blame him? He had a jacuzzi for himself.

Then it hit him. Donnie was kidnapped. He looked around at his body and saw no restraints, no chains, no nothing. Even when he looked around the room, there were no cameras, or mics, or teddy bears that looked like they could hide an entire artillery inside them. This was the perfect moment to escape.

Donnie slowly got up, careful not to make any noise, just in case there were guards outside. He was still a little dizzy, but that wouldn't stop him. He tiptoed to the window and pulled open the drapes. It was still dark outside, and no one was out yet. Donnie assumed it was around 3 a.m., which would make a good cover for his escape.

Donnie ran his hand down his neck. He was up pretty high. He didn't know if the jetpack extension would work. It was smashed. Donnie rubbed his hand further down. He expected to feel his battle shell, but he couldn't. Donnie reached behind his back and touched the nakedness of his shell. His battle shell was gone.

He swore it was on before he was knocked out, so it could still be near him. Big Mama could've taken it.

Donnie started to inspect himself again. He was covered in bruises and scratches, but nothing was broken or aching. Except his face. Donnie walked into the bathroom and looked in the mirror above the sink. His face was bright purple, his mask was off, and his snout up to his forehead was heavily bruised. There was dried blood all over his face and neck, too. His brain didn't trob, though, which was a good sign. No concussion for him.

“Ahh good you're awake.” A familiar seductive voice said. The door to Donnies large room squeaked open. “My, my, what has Gus done to your poor face?” Big Mama asked, smirking. She was in her human form.

“What do you want?” Donnie asked, glaring at his host.

“Just a simple deal.” Big Mama replied, “you know you're lucky Gus didn't break your nose. Or any part of you. He can be violent with his toys.”

“What deal?” Donnie asked, stepping out of the bathroom.

“Okay we'll cut the tippy talk. Come, sit.” Big Mama said, motioning Donnie to the bed. Donnie followed the disguised spider lady to the bed, where they sat down.

“It's a simple deal, really.” Big Mama started not even to bother looking at the turtle, “You do something for me, and I'll restrain from putting you in my battle nexus.”

“I don't agree on your terms.” Donnie said, letting his arms support his upper body on the bed, “I appreciate your offer of not being sent to the nexus, but I would require more.”

“My you're good.” Big Mama praised, “Alright then, you do the favor for me, and I'll fix your tech. I know a good mechanic.”

“Nah I'm good.” Donnie said, “I can fix my own tech.”

Big Mama glared at the turtle.

“Well, Big Mama. It's been a delight. But truly, I must be getting back to my brothers. Leonardo owes me an apology.” Donnie stood up and walked towards the door.

“How about you do what I say, and I won't hurt your brothers?” Big Mama called to the turtle, “if you refuse, I'll send Gus to find them. The same way he found you turtley-boo.”

Big Mama's words hit Donnie like a bullet. She would hurt his brothers, would she? And would she even keep up her end of the bargain? Donnie shuddered with uncertainty. Head down, not even wanting to look back.

“How about I let you sleep on it, hm?” Big Mama suggested, “You'll need your rest anyway.” Big Mama scooted past the frozen turtle and left the room. The door latched. Donnie was locked inside.

Now he could escape. He could get out through the window and climb down to a nearby rooftop. It'll be risky, but he has to do it.

Donnie walked to the window and opened the latch. The window was heavy, really heavy. Donnie had to heave it open. He placed his shoulder underneath the window to get a better force, pushing it up. The window squeaked loudly as it opened, and Donnie prayed it didn't alert anyone. He shimmered out the window, careful not to harm his soft shell. He crawled out and rested his feet on the fraction of a ledge, his hands gripped tightly on the top of the window.

This was a stupid plan, Donnie knew that much, but he needed to get back home. He can't make a deal with Big Mama. She wasn't trustworthy. But he also couldn't let her get to his brothers. He had to go and warn them.

He inched to the right, little by little. He didn't take too big of a step, scared to fall. His feet would slip at times, and he would have a mini heart attack. The wind whipped his face, hurting the large bruise on his snout. His limbs were shaking violently. He could barely hold onto the window.

He started to sweat. He was panicking. His hands started to get clammy, and his feet started fumbling. He was dangling two hundred fifty feet above the ground. If he fell, he wouldn't make it.

His hands started to slip. Right hand fell, snapping his side. Left hand fell. Donnie was trying to balance on the tiny fraction of a ledge, but it was no use. He was falling two hundred fifty feet to his death.

← →

Leo wasn't always the best at apologizing. He would say sorry, but it wouldn't ever sound like he meant it. Which is why, in Leo's eyes, he thought apologizing to Donnie was useless. It would start another argument, with Donnie storming off again.

Well, Leo lied about wanting to apologize to his twin, but that didn't really matter. Donnie was missing. There was no apology to be heard.

Raph was pretty angry about Leo lying. He had every right to be mad. Leo lied that his phone was dead, so he wouldn't have to apologize. The two eldest brothers had a long talk about lying and about acting sincere.

While the two did that, Mikey called April. Filled her in on everything. She was on her way, and so was Splinter.

Mikey wouldn't admit it, but he was genuinely scared. And he couldn't really show it, Raph would worry, and they would get distracted from the important thing. So he hid, he hid every last thought he could think about how scared and terrified he was, placing it underneath determination and courage.

“Mikey, Raph, Leo!” April called from her bike. She had made it. April was wearing her usual attire, but her hair was down. April was probably just getting ready for bed.

“Hey April,” Raph said, greeting his friend, “Glad you could come.”

April hopped off her bike and ran to hug the turtles. She pulled all three of them together and squeezed as hard as she could.

“I am so sorry.” April said, muffled from planting her face in Raphs plastron, “I'll do the best I can.”

Leo stepped out of the embrace and rubbed the back of his neck. Mikey and Raph soon let go of their human friend after a second.

“Okay let's get started.” Leo said, walking over to the bench with the tech. “Lets think, who do we know would want to attack Donnie?”

April put her chin in her hand, thinking. Mikey fiddled with his hands, and Raph stared at the tech.

“Meat Sweats.” Raph stated, “He took Donnie before. He will do it again.”

“Would or Could, Raph?” Leo sternly asked.

“Lemmie see the tech.” April said, walking over to the miscellaneous tech. “Do the goggles still work?”

“I would hope so.” Mikey said, walking to the yellow sporting girl, “we haven't tried. They're kinda bent the wrong way.”

Mikey picked up the goggles and examined them in his hands. April examined one piece of the tech bo.

“Well if it does work…” April said, placing the tech bo down, “wouldn't the crystal show signs of mystic energy?”

Damn, why hadn't Mikey thought of that? Mikey fingered the button where the crystal was. He pressed the button where the crystal was hidden. Luckily, it was still perfectly intact.

April yanked the goggles out of Mickey's hands and held the goggles over her eyes.

“Why would we search for mystic energy?” Raph asked, looking at April.

“Meat Sweats, shouldn't have mystic energy, he's just a pig.” Leo said, “Unless……”

No, that can't be right. If Big Mama wanted revenge, wouldn't she go after Leo? He stopped her from sending his brothers to the Battle Nexus. Wouldn't she go after him?

“What do you see, ‘pril?” Raph asked, dismissing Leo's comment. Big Mama would just attack them. It's not a part of her character. Was it?

“I'm seeing remnants of a portal,” April said, squinting through the broken goggles, “but it's hard to tell, I can't exactly put these around my face.”

A portal. Big Mama had a portal that led to the Battle Nexus. Another one could have opened up and sucked Donnie inside. But that doesn't explain the broken tech.

“Okay, so pretty much all mystic evidence points to Big Mama.” Leo thought, “But what about logically?”

What would Big Mama want with Donnie? What would she gain from taking him? She did seem really interested in his mechanical skills. But was she intrigued enough to kidnap their brother?

“Raph, we're both thinking the same thing.” Leo said, breaking the small silence, “we both know Big Mama took Donnie.”

“I knew too!” Mikey interjected.

“Right. You, Mikey, and I all know Big Mama took Donnie.” Leo said, stepping toward the snapping turtle.

“Yeah, I know Leo.” Raph said, his forehead creased, “the hard thing is, Raph doesn't know how to get him back.”

“Who's Big Mama?” April asked, lightly tossing the goggles on the bench.

“A giant spider lady.” Leo informed, “Real bitch too.”

“Big Mama?!” A shocked voice said from behind the teenagers. “You know Big Mama?!”

It was Splinter, and he looked a mix of petrified, and pissed. Mikey ran to hug his dad. Splinter was frozen in place, even when the box turtle embraced him.

“H-how do you know Big Mama?” The small rat mutant asked, he pushed Mikey out of the hug.

“Mutant bug extermination….” Leo said guilty.

“Mutant bug extermination?” Spinter asked, “Where did those come from?!”

“Hey how about we just focus on getting Donnie.” April said in her saucy voice.

“Pops, Raph will explain later.” Raph said, agreeing with April.

“Alright, fine.” Splinter reluctantly said, “but I demand the full story from the very beginning when we are done.”

“So we pretty much figured out who took Donnie.” Mikey explained to his father, “April picked up signs of a portal with Donnies goggles, and since the only person we know who has access to portals other than Leo is Big Mama, she's pretty much our only suspect.”

“So we should make a plan to infiltrate Big Mama's Hotel and get our brother back as soon as possible.” Raph said, slamming his fist in his other palm.

“Unless, Big Mama already put him in the battle nexus…..” Mikey huffed.

“Right, that is a possibility.” Leo said.

“From the look of the tech, he could've been badly hurt. If Big Mama's business isn't doing well, she would need him to heal a little.” Raph suggested, “it wouldn't make sense to throw in an injured challenger with a bull.”

“True, true.” Leo said, nodding. He was wrapping his brain over everything they knew about Big Mama, her character, her abilities, her straight-up connections with Draxum of all yokai, and her hotel.

Draxum….. he could have a connection to all of this. He created them after all, he could still need them for some weird experiment.

But then again Draxum and Big Mama did not seem like regular drinking buddies. Clearly they had history. Maybe getting Donnie was part of some weird revenge plan Big Mama had.

That, or Donnie could just be used as a rodeo clown, make-up and all. Leo imagined Donnie wearing clown makeup and attire. Gave the slider a chuckle, something lighthearted in the cold mess they were in.

“You know what I'd kill to see?” Leo said, preparing for a terrible pun, “Donnie as a clown.”

Raph seemed to exhale a little laughter, April, and Mikey did too. Splinter ignored the joke and fingered the wrist tech.

“How about this,” April suggested, “We're all clearly in a little shock. So we rest up for tonight, sleep in tomorrow, and make a plan at the same time tomorrow.”

Mikey hated that plan, what would Donnie think? What if he didn't have 24 hours for his friends, his FAMILY, to make a plan to get him?

But honestly he was in shock, things were really heated earlier. What if he hated them and didn't want to be saved? Of course he would want to be saved! Right?

“Okay, Leo, portal us home. We can make a turtle pile in the living room.” Raph said resting a large hand on Mikey's shoulder, “April thanks for coming by, go get rest, maybe skip school tomorrow, we could use the second biggest brain we got.”

April nodded, “Understood.”

Leo swished open a portal, the turtles quickly said their goodbyes to April before she raced home on her bike. Once the mutant family landed in their abode, they almost immediately crashed on the pillows in the living room.

Splinter headed to his room for the night, he didn't say another word to his sons.

The easiest way to turtle pile in the Hamato household was this; Mikey would sleep in his shell and cuddle under Raphs arm, Raph would lay on his stomach cuddling the rest of his brothers, Leo would usually rotate with sleeping near Raphs knees or leaning against his other arm, Donnie would sleep next to Leo wherever Leo decided to sleep his twin would sleep next to him. But Donnie wasn't there, Leo was sleeping by Mikey tonight, also under Raphs arm.

“I don't like this plan.” Mikey huffed from his shell, “Donnie might not have that much time.”

“We hate it too Mike.” Leo said, patting the box turtle's shell.

“Yes we do, but we are all in shock. We need to rest for now.” Raph said, adjusting his arm around his two younger brothers.

“Yeah I know we're in shock. We lost our brother, that's shocking!” Mikey said through gritted teeth, “we shouldn't just leave him in Big Mama's hands.”

“Mikey we need to rest.” Raph said, trying to calm the orange brother down.

“And what about Donnie? Does he get to rest in that hellish hotel?!” Mikey started raising his voice from inside his shell. The box turtle popped out of his shell and squeezed out from Raphs arm. “We have no time for rest! For all we know Big Mama would have already sent him to the Battle Nexus! And we're piled on the floor without our brother!” Hot tears streamed down Mikeys face. He was huffing and shaking and, oh goodness, he was having a panic attack.

Leo shot up and grabbed Mikey's shaky hands, Raph immediately followed and tried not to crowd his youngest brother.

“It's okay Mikey, breathe.” Leo said, “like me in and out.” Leo demonstrated a slow calm breathing, Mikey tried to follow but kept taking harsh breaths.

“Okay Leo lemme try.” Raph said lightly, pulling Leo away. Raph scooped Mikey into his arms and sat on the floor. “Let's count to ten okay?”

Mikey nodded.

“Okay Raph will do odds you do evens, okay?” Raph rubbed Mikey's leg, “Okay one.”

“t-two….”

“Three.”

“F-our….”

“Five.” Raph was really calm, he wasn't just calming Mikey down though, he was also calming down himself.

“Six.” Mikey wailed that one, he clutched Raph harder.

“Seven.”

“Eight…..”

“Nine, and.”

“Ten.” Mikey said through sniffles.

“Okay again.” Raph said, continuing to rub Mike's leg, “Leo you're free to join us. One”

“Two…” Mikey and Leo said in unison.

“Three.”

“Four.” Mikey and Leo both sniffed, Mikey slightly yawned.

“Five.”

“Six.” Leo climbed onto Raph as well, Raph adjusted to hold both of his brothers.

“Seven.”

“Eight.” Leo and Mikey yawned together, Mikey rubbed against Raphs plastron.

“Nine.” Raph didn't need his brothers to finish counting, both were softly snoring. Raph squeezed his brothers lightly and drifted off to sleep as well.

Chapter Text

Chapter 3

“Note to self: if I ever want to escape a very tall hotel, bring an extra battle shell.” Donnie scrambled that thought out of his brain while falling. He was falling off the tippy top floor of Big Mama's hotel. Without tech, without family, without warning.

While falling, Donnie felt his belt, hoping he could find something to use to grab on the side of the building. He emptied his pockets, all he found was his phone and the pink ball April gave him.

His phone! He could send a signal to his extra battle shells! it could catch him in time. Donnie fumbled with his phone going as fast as he could. He fumbled too much. His phone fell down faster than him.

Crap he was gonna die. He braced himself to become the first turtleized pancake, squeezed his eyes shut, and hugged his knees closer to him.

“Leo, I'm sorry, man.” Donnie thought, “Sorry you didn't say it sooner, you piece of shit! Sorry, Raph, for going off on my own! Sorry, Mikey for-”

Donnie stopped mid air, he was about four feet from smashing against the ground. Donnie opened his eyes to inspect what caught him. Big Mama was standing at the window Donnie escaped from, holding a long Wed that was attached all over donnies legs and plastron.

He would've thanked her if she didn't kidnap him. Worst. escape. ever. His phone was smashed to smithereens on the street beneath him. He was screwed.

Big Mama released him. By releasing him, she let go of the webs. They were still tightly wrapped around him. Two of her giant bellhops, the owl and lion, hoisted him up and carried him inside. Donnie didn't try to fight it. It was useless if he did.

The bellhops didn't carry Donnie for very long. They dropped him at the foot of the stairs, and Big Mama was already waiting for him, staring down smugly in her human form.

“How did she get down here so fast?” Donnie pondered, “she was on the top floor, and even with the elevator, oh– she had portals.”

Donne was lying on his knees, his arms were still wrapped around them, so he wasn't exactly comfortable. He had to strain his neck just to look at the imposing really short version of Big Mama. His shell was still exposed, and no webs were wrapped around it. He shuddered with uncertainty. He truly was scared.

“Take him to my office.” Big Mama told her Bellhops, “We have a contract to be signed.”

The Bellhops hoisted Donnie on their shoulders and followed Big Mama to the elevator. They were completely emotionless, and if they could talk, Donnie would've guessed they were hollow shells. Their eyes were glossed over and moved perfectly in sync with everyone else in the hotel. It's like they're zombies.

“No.” Big Mama said after she got into the elevator, “you three may take the stairs.” The elevator dinged, and the bellhops, along with Donnie, were left at the doors.

The bellhops turned simultaneously, and Donnie didn't falter on their shoulders at all. They walked over to the stairs and practically jogged up over 15 flights of stairs, Donnie didn't hear one pant of exhaustion. What the heck are these guys?!

Eventually, They made it to Big Mama's office. She was already sitting at her desk, a smug smile stretched across her face.

“Honestly turtle, if you wanted to die, I could have just killed you.” Big Mama said, tapping her finger on her desk.

The bellhops set Donnie down on a chair facing Big Mama. They each grabbed a side of the webs and tore it off. It felt like wax was being ripped off of him. Donnie screamed and instantly realized that Big Mama wanted pain. It would be easier to make a deal that way. Donnie snapped his mouth shut and stared at Big Mama's nose, unfocusing his eyes to make it look like he wasn't listening, which, in fact, of course he was.

“Now then, let's try this again,” Big Mama said, sliding a yellow-warn paper toward the turtle. “Sign the contract, do what I tell you, and your family doesn't get harmed.”

“Scoff no thanks. I was better off turning myself into a pancake.” Donnie said, adding emphasis to myself and pancake.

“Darling you are a spiny softshell.” Big Mama snapped, “you were born a pancake.”

Harsh. Donnie winche silently at Big Mama's comment. She was right. He was a pancake and fully exposed.

“also if you do kill yourself…” Big Mama began getting to and striding along her desk, wrapping her bony fingers down Donnies neck, “I'll still kill your family. You can't back out of our deal.”

“we haven't even made one.” Donnie said, raising his voice a smidge.

“But we will, dear terrapin.” Big Mama said, sliding along the other side of Donnie. She ran her fingers across his neck and tisked. “Because as you have already been told, I will hurt your family if you don't choose the right answer.”

He was trapped in an effortless attempt at a deal. Heck, even Raph. The bone head he was could get Donnie to make a deal but with much more consequences than what Big Mama was throwing. But Big Mama had more harmful consequences, like killing his entire effing family.

“Fine.” Donnie said, caving in, “What do you want me to do?”

“Oh that's a surprise turtley-boo.” Big Mama said, sliding a pen towards the softshell, “I'll tell you once you sign the contract.” Big Mama tapped the paper rhythmically and humed a sing-song tune. She was getting her way.

Donnie gulped. He was shaky. He was literally signing a paper that would decide the fate of his family. If he followed through everything Big Mama said, they would be fine. If he didn't, they would die.

Donnie picked up the yellowed paper and read it. He scanned for any and every loophole he could find.

[When participant/s sign this contract, they are legally required to follow everything and do everything as instructed of them.

There will be no speaking badly about your contractor. There will be no complaints or judgments about living conditions. All participants who sign this contract are under the complete control of their contractor and are obligated to listen to their every word and follow it to the letter.

There will be no speaking with any person/s from outside the hotel or outside your assigned group of co-workers.

To fail to follow these requirements shall face the following consequences;
Being reprimanded by a superior official
The breaking of arms/legs/lower back
Thrown into the battle nexus
Punishment chosen by Big Mama herself

By the end of your contract, if you get to the end without consequences. You will be allowed to leave, you will gain access to free Battle Nexus tickets for a month, and you will be able to enter/exit the Nexus Hotel at any given point in your life.]

Shit there were no loopholes.

← →

Splinter knew very well he failed as a parent. He failed to tell his sons about Big Mama and how much of a tyrant she was. He failed to tell them about how they were created and about their creator and how much of a tyrant he was. But most of all, he failed to teach his sons how to defend themselves.

Purple was gone, disappeared at the hands of Big Mama. He was probably already tortured and thrown into the battle nexus. Or he could be dead, or even worse than that, Big Mama could've struck a deal.

Splinter had made a deal with Big Mama once. But that was when Splinter was in the battle nexus, which was a long time ago. He had made a deal thinking he would get out of the battle nexus. The only thing he needed to do in return was do Big Mama a favor. But she turned the deal in her favor more drastically when Splinter was thrown in the nexus.

But Splinter still owed Big Mama a favor. That was why he kept in the sewers, just in case Big Mama found him. However, he neglected to be an actual parent to his sons. He was terrified of his sons leaving the lair, in case Draxum found them. He never taught them real ninjutsu because he never wanted his sons to get into an actual fight. But where has that gotten him? He's one child less, and three students more.

The rat sulked on his bed and stared at his various Lou Jitsu action figures from his youth. He wasn't the teacher his sons needed anymore. He let himself get fat and lazy due to how petrified he was. He let fiction with special effects teach his sons to fight along with the scene word for word. That wasn't actual fighting that was acting.

He needed to find his old ninjitsu textbooks. He had to step up and be the teacher, his sons needed. His family needed him to be a dad. He needed his sons, too, all of his sons.

Splinter dug around all the dusty comic books and boxes he had in the corner of his room. He threw a lot of old junk he had saved from his youth, across the floor. He didn't look up when his sons knocked on the door. He didn't look up when he heard them fight. He kept his focus on the textbook he needed to find.

After what felt like years of scrambling through mountains of saved junk. He found the textbook. In all its dusty, crusty glory. He blew the access dust off of it and rubbed the cover. It had a gold plating of a man doing a flying front kick. Which was soiled in dirt and other disgusting substances.

Splinter fingered the book, and he very much neglected to study all his life. His name was carved at the bottom. It wasn't Splinter or Lou Jitsus names. It was Hamato Yoshi. The name his late mother had given to him, the name he had since forgotten to call himself. This book was mentioned to teach him. Now, after 46 years, it was his turn to teach with his own book.

← →

“My agenda was not as planned.” Donnie thought, “Or is it still today? Is it technically tomorrow? Wouldn't that make it today?” His mind was racing. He could find any loopholes, and he was panicking. And to calm himself down, he thought it best to think about his agenda he originally had set up. Which was not happening anymore.

Big Mama sat at her desk, leaning forward intently, staring down at the contract with her usual smug smile. She was looking at the words Donnie was reading. It was like she was trying to read along.

“Well….” Big Mama asked, resting her head on her hand, “sign the contract.” She knew there weren't any loopholes they Donnie could use. She knew no matter what he did, she would win. Big Mama trapped Donnie between a rock and another effing rock.

Donnie grabbed the pen with his left hand. He couldn't stop shaking, and he dropped the pen. It rolled under Big Mama's desk, Big Mama herself glared at the softshell.

“Sorry!” Donnie said, getting on his knees, “I got it.” Donnie flattened himself on his splastron and reached under the desk. He immediately saw the pen, but there was something else next to it. The pink ball April had given him. It was glowing. It was glowing dimly, but it was glowing. Donnie grabbed both the pen and the ball. He hid the ball in his left hand and clenched his fist. Hopefully, Big Mama wouldn't notice.

She didn't notice.

Donnie moved the contract closer to him with his left fist,. Hecarefully picked up the pen and scribbled his signature on the dotted line. The deed was done. He gave up free will.

“Splendiferous!” Big Mama cheered, “Now, because you are mine-”

“Yours?!” Donnie interrupted, “I only have to do what you tell me, I didn't sign my life away!”

“Oh but darling, you are mine now.” Big Mama said, she pressed the button on her pendant and transformed into her true self. “You may call me mother. No, you WILL call me mother.”

Donnie stared at her with horrified eyes. She had altered the deal. If she had told him he was hers he would have to obey. He was Big Mama's.

“Yes…” Donnie started staring at the floor, Big Mam perked. “Mother.”

Chapter Text

Chapter 4

“Now child, I won't need anything from you tonight.” Big Mama said. She put the contract safely in a drawer and slammed it closed. “You'll need sleep, though. You've had an eventful night.”

“Yeah sure.” Donnie said, forgetting his first command. “Yes Mama.” Big Mama smiled satisfied and waved her hand at a bellhop by the door.

Mama had Donnie escorted to his room. After, of course, she had her henchmen seal the window shut. Donatello didn't say another word while leaving Mama's office. He had no words to say.

He really didn't have any choice. Any other decision other than signing the contract would put his brothers in the worst possible position. Damn, if only he could just talk to them, maybe the dumb dumbs would have some sort of solution.

He entered his room, the window having a visible seal to it even with the drapes closed in front. The door quickly slammed behind him and locked from the outside.

“Big Mama said I am to stay outside. You have everything you need right in here, so don't bother trying excuses!” A bellhop called from outside the room. The bellhop seemed spaced out, like he was reading. When obviously he wasn't. He didn't even sound tired either, just emotionless way more emotionless than Donnie ever acted.

He ignored the bellhops, and they're rhythmical in sync movements and looked at his body, looking at his life. When did everything decide to fall apart like this? When did his life become a wreck where he had to choose his family over his freedom? Donnie was covered head to toe in bruises. The giant bruise on his face was the most painful. The pain dug through to his head, giving the worst kind of headache. He was dizzy and tired, and hungry. When was the last time he ate? It couldn't have been very long. He fell off the building pretty early in the morning, probably around three. Since then, it's been about twenty minutes. He hasn't been gone that long physically, but mentally, it felt like a whole year.

Donnie didn't feel like sleeping. The bed looked comfy and definitely was drawing him closer to sleepyville, but who could physically sleep when your entire life crashed down on you? Especially without a moment to process every event that has happened in the last ten hours.

First, Donnie was fighting with Leo, who neglected to do his chore even with reminders all week. Which caused Donnie the need to cool off and be on his own at the basketball court. Second, Gus showed up, doing the worst bush impression known to man, and attacked Donnie, destroying his tech and taking him to Big Mama. Third, Big Mama struck a deal that Donnie immediately refused. Fourth, he tried to escape and ended up falling down two hundred fifty feet, only to be caught by Big Mama, ending up with his phone being smashed. Fifth, Big Mama gave a very forceful nudge for Donnie to agree to her deal, resulting in his signing away his freedom in exchange for his family's safety.

That was a lot to process, even for an almost computer functioning brain like Donnies. It was just so overwhelming. The only thing he had was a kids' bouncy ball that glowed in the dark. A literal toy that was as useless as pineapple on pizza. Donnie crumpled to the ground, not caring that his road burns stung as they rubbed against the fuzzy carpet. He hugged his plastron and wrapped his arms around his shell, cradling himself. Tears didn't come naturally to Donatello. In fact, they rarely came at all. But now he cried. He was overwhelmed by the amount of chaos and shit he had to endure today. In ten hours or less, he lost his freedom, his family, and everything that made him Donnie. His purple elbow and knee wrappings were gone, his tech was destroyed along with his phone, his battle shell was missing, and on top of all that, his mask was gone. His mask that his dad gave him, the mask that set him apart from the rest of his brothers, the mask he would draw eyebrows on because he thought it made him look good. His mask that made him Donnie, his tech that made him Donnie, his color that made him Donnie was gone or destroyed. He wasn't Donnie anymore, not without his things. Now he had to be, needed to be, Mama's boy.

← →

Big Mama tapped her skinny fingers on her desk. Aligned rhythmically with her other hand tapping her temple. The message was sent out an hour ago. Where was Draxum?

Obviously, Big Mama wanted to rub in the sheepmans face that she caught one of the turtles, and she did plan on it. But she also had an idea. If she couldn't hurt the turtles, Draxum could.

The giant clock ticked above the door, and monotone ticking echoed through the room. The noise rang through the ears of the bellhops placed at the door and Big Mama's ears. It felt like the sound you would hear if you got up too fast, except with the clock ticking your vision didn't turn into straight static. Waiting was boring, watching a clock was boring, doing anything right now was boring. Even watching the Battle Nexus was boring. Can't Draxum arrive any faster? And when he does, can he make an entrance? Big Mama needs some entertainment!

A low rumble vibrated through the building, like an earthquake but much more controlled. Draxum has arrived. Big Mama looked to the large window that wrapped along the wall. Purple vines stretched out and smashed into the window, and glass flew everywhere. Big Mama took this as an opportunity to slip into her most comfortable form. She pressed her broach, and waves of purple flooded her vision. The illusion that made her look like a human vanished, and her true real form unmasked itself. The vines still kept quickly into the room, weaving through the floorboards like it was a maze. Vines wrapped around the legs of Big Mama's desk and around the bellhops she had waiting at the door. Draxum was lifted by vines, which weaved into a platform, his gargoyles on their assigned shoulders. Draxum had a stoic face on, a stoic face with plenty of death radiating through his body. His gargoyles kept straight, emotionless faces, hints of joy seeped through their eyes.

“Draxum, you simply must learn to use the dimbally door.” Big Mama said, liking the entertainment Draxum brought with him.

“You must simply learn to use real words.” Draxum mocked. He stepped off his vines and allowed them to seep back down the building. The vines released Big Mama's desk and bellhops creeping downward like they were put in reverse. “What did you want?” He held the stoic look, curiosity windowed through his eyes.

“I have a splendiferous proposal for you, Draxy.” Big Mama said, taking a few steps forward. Her extra legs clicked on the tile. “I have one of the turtles in my custody.”

Draxum perked, and the curiosity filled his face, along with the mental tone of excitement. “Where is he? Which turtle?”

“Barren Draxum, my my, you have a sense of humor!” Big Mama cried, a smile formed enlightening her dark blue persona. “This turtle is mine, he signed a contract. You are here for another deal.” Draxums excitement depleted, disappointment took its place while still keeping his stoic attitude.

“What kind of bargain are you hoping we'll make?” The alchemist asked disappointment, still windowed through his eyes.

“Well part of the deal I had with the turtle was that if he signed the contract, I wouldn't hurt his family.” Big Mama clicked her tongue and changed her tone to a more, intensely sounding business woman, “however, you Draxy weren't a part of this deal.” Draxum perked and looked into the biggest of Big Mama's eyes. “I understand you also have a vendetta against the turtles?” The spider lady said this with emphasis on vendetta crossing the word into Draxum’s thick head.

“I created them. They won't join me.” Draxum said through gritted teeth. His gargoyles looked from Draxum to Big Mama, clearly curious about where this conversation would lead.

“How would you like to take the rest?” Big Mama asked the warrior scientist.

“What about the turtle you have?” Draxum asked, clearly not settling for three.

“Darling, as I've already told you, that turtle is mine now. And I don't seem to think you of all yokai would want a mutated reptile as smart as you by your side, correct?” Draxum looked down, “plus with the other three turtles, you could make just as good as an army, right?”

“You are correct with both statements.” Draxum said, looking up at the spider lady, “However, the softshell only has advanced intelligence because he was supposed to take my place.”

“You saw the softshell as a successor? A son even?” Big Mama asked with utmost curiosity. “Well Draxy-poo, I hate to say it, but he calls me Mama, I won him.” She placed one of her large hands around Draxum and pulled him closer. “Take it or leave it. Three turtles all to yourself, or none.”

Draxum was squeezing his fists so tight they were practically white. He hated this arrangement, and he could obviously get the turtles on his own. He didn't need Big Mama. However, he's been searching for them for 14 years, and suddenly, he gets three offered to him on a silver platter?! It was too good to be true, definitely too good. Draxum searched Big Mama's face for any signs of betrayal or trickery or anything. She seemed to be completely genuine and serious.

Besides, Draxum could just take the softshell for himself later after he got the rest of them. Like Lou Jitsu, Big Mama may own the softshell, but Draxum would steal him back.

“Alright I'll play along with your deal.” Draxum said, releasing his fists. “However, I want to know if you'll make good on your part.”

“You want to know if you can trust me? The nerve! I should be the one to come to trust you.”

“Take me or leave me.” Draxum said, “you want revenge, but you can't as per your contract.” He stepped back from Big Mama's clutches. Now was her turn to clench her fists and strain her jaw. “Which is why you called me, right? Because I'm the only other person you know who dislikes the turtles? How petty of you, thinking I would only just take three and give my future successor to a low life, con woman?”

Big Mama smirked, “Take me or leave me, Draxy. I still keep my turtle.”

“Your turtle? I created them!”

“With Lou Jitsu’s DNA, I know all about your little project. Lou Jitsu was mine.” Big Mama was getting angry again. Her fists tightened.

“He was never yours to begin with.” Draxum exploded, “Slavery is still highly untolerated in the hidden city. You had no right.”

“untolerated yes, but illegal no. Draxy, I stayed inside the law.” Big Mama said, wrapping one of her smaller arms around Draxum’s neck. “Besides he's a human. Humans don't have rights in the hidden city.”

“I won't settle for three turtles.” Draxum said through clenched teeth. “Give me my successor.”

“Why Draxy-poo, do you refuse to call him son?” Big Mama asked. She was genuinely curious.

“Because I never got to know the child. Nor the others.” Draxum said he didn't dare look at Big Mama's many eyes.

“Then that's too bad for you, Draxy. I'm his Mama.” Big Mama said, pounding her fist onto Draxum’s armor. The alchemist stumbled back. “Now agree to my terms, or I will throw you into the Battle Nexus and eat your gargoyles. I've always loved gargoyle stew.”

This was a predicament Draxum couldn't back away from now. Big Mama was much more powerful than Draxum, even with his mystic powers. Huggin and Munnin huddled closer to Draxums head. They were scared. Clearly, their entertaining show of Big Mama and Draxum didn't end how they wanted. He'll settle for three, for now. Later, when he fully trained the other three, he would come back for his successor, the turtle who was supposed to be his son.

“Alright, fine.” Draxum said, holding his hand out. “I agree to your terms. May your turtle ever so much hate you.” Big Mama gripped Draxum’s hand, and they firmly shook. Big Mama pulled Draxum closer so she could speak in his ear. The gargoyles left his shoulders.

“Any funny business, Draxum,” She said, her voice low and threatening, “and I'll see that your head is on a silver platter in front of the high counsel.”

“I suppose the same goes both ways, Big Mama.” Draxum said, layering on his stoic facial expression and grinding his teeth. He stepped back from Big Mama, who couldn't help but smile at the arrangement.

“Perfect!” Big Mama cried, her pearly teeth shining in the dim moonlight, “I'll send Gus to find them.” Draxum motioned for his gargoyles. “After that, you're all on your own!”

“Will he be involved in helping me capture them, or will he only give me their location?” Draxum asked, petting Munnin, who rested comfortably on his shoulder pad.

“Location and location alone.” Big Mama answered, raising her head slightly.

“Very well. Until we meet again, Big Mama.”

“Good bye Draxy!!” She called, waving both of her small hands. Draxum gave her a slight nod and walked to the door. The bellhops opened them for him. Draxum strided out, shoulders tall, back perfectly allied, and locking his knees. Later, he would get his prodigal son.

← →

The carpet was soaked in tears. He had no idea how long he had been crying, but he was exhausted. Mama wanted him to rest. He should rest. Donnie slowly rose from the ground, letting his arms push him up. He brought his knees to his plastron and straightened his knees. His head ached from having it rest on the floor for so long. His road burns had a layer of slime to it. Lint was caught in the burns, which made them sting harder. Donnie should clean up before getting rest.

Donnie slowly searched his room for a first aid kit. He found it on the nightstand and headed towards the bathroom to clean up. He turned the mirror lights on and hoisted himself onto the counter. Most of the burns were on his calves, so he rotated his hips to reach them. Donnie opened the first aid and found alcohol cleansers. Donnie opened the packaging and rubbed them over the lint covered burns. Needless to say, it burned pretty badly. First aid wasn't Donnies forte. Even though he used the wrong wipe, it still did an effective job. The burns were cleaned on his left leg. Donnie grabbed some bandaids and stuck them on top of the burns, placing neosporin on the bandaid padding. Donnie was also careful not to let any creases or bumps form in the bandaid. He hated when that happened. Once his left leg was done, he rotated his hips again to get his right leg. He did the same process with the right leg and winced once the alcohol seeped into his burns. Before he could put on the bandaids, though, he saw something in the first aid box. A small knife.

At this point, he couldn't control himself. He was so tired and still very overwhelmed by everything he wanted to feel anything other than sad and hopeless. Donnie picked up the knife and began cutting.

One small cut on his left wrist started it all. Blood pearls popped out and pooled around his wrist. He kept cutting up his arm, each time doing longer and deeper cuts. Hot tears seeped down his face. He didn't notice it, though, and Donnie kept cutting. Blood was splattered all over the knife and splashed on the countertop and his leg. Donnie began hyperventilating. His chest was going up and down faster than a rollercoaster. His head was racing too, thoughts about everything, how much he knew his brothers disliked him. How much he hated himself for going off on his own, how much he hated Big Mama, how much he hated being like this. He knew he was autistic. He was treated like he was autistic. He hated being autistic, he hated having to explain his feelings and his actions, he hated that he never got the amount of attention he wanted, he hated being treated differently from his brothers because he was special. He hated being special. He didn't want to be special. He didn't want to be Donnie.

Everything that made him Donnie was already gone. He hated being Donnie so much that he was already willing to stop being him altogether. He kept cutting. He even cut deeper into the cuts he had already made. Donnie was heaving the salt water from his tears mixed with the red blood splattered everywhere. He didn't care how loud he was. He was upset. Being autistic was the worst possible thing he could be. Being autistic made him stand out in the most uncomfortable ways, making him need attention but not wanting to have it at the same time, feeling stupid sharing emotions and feeling like a jerk when he doesn't express himself. Wanting his dad to acknowledge his genius and make him feel special when he hated being special. Why can't being Donnie be easy? Why can't being Donnie not have to drain him? Why did he have to be Donnie? Why couldn't he be Leo or Raph or Mikey? Why was Donnie his identity? Why was being Autistic his only quality?

“Baby..?” a voice asked from beside the softshell. It was Mama, and she looked horrified and deeply concerned. “Put the knife down, honey.” Donnie did as he was told. He set the knife down and looked at his legs. The blood from his arms made funny looking patterns all over him. “Can you tell me what happened?”

Donnie opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. His mind wasn't letting him speak.

“That's okay, pancake.” Mama said, smiling sweetly at Donnie. “Can I touch you?” Donnie shook his head and kept looking down at the blood. “Okay, pancake. Can you get off the counter? I'll finish getting those burns wrapped up, then we'll clean up the blood, okay?” Donnie nodded again. He wanted to tell Mama to stop calling him pancake. He really did, but his brain kept him from it.

Mama finished putting bandages on his calves. She had found more under the sink. Mama didn't say a word, but her actions spoke loudly. She was scared for Donnie. The turtle in question remained quiet, and hot tears were still burning down his face.

“Okay pancake, can we clean up all the blood?” Donnie nodded, handing Mama his cut-up arm. She took it gently, holding it like a baby in her human hands. Mama grabbed a cloth and soaked it in warm water. She dabbed it carefully up Donnies arm, cleaning the blood, while simultaneously rubbing right above Donnies elbow in a motherly way.

Donnie took in a shaky breath. Finally, he had his words. “Why are you helping me?”

“Because I worry about my children.” Mama replied, “all the bellhops here, all the workers are my children. I take them under circumstances like yours, most of the time not threatening them like I did with you. I really care about all of them, even if I don't really show it.” Mama wasn't looking at Donnie's face. “I know I kidnapped you, but I do still have a heart. Even if it drowns in my business.”

“I understand.” Donnie said through a choke. “It's like me and my brothers.” Mama smiled at Donnie.

“Okay Pancake, do you mind telling me why you hurt yourself?” Mama wasn't using made-up words. She was being completely genuine.

“I'm just overwhelmed and tired.”

“Well that's not really a reason to hurt yourself. Is it Pancake?”

“No, I suppose not.” Donnie said, “I guess I just hate being the way I am.”

“A mutant?”

“No, I hate being autistic.”

“Oh, well, that wasn't your choice. You were born like that.” Big Mama rested her pale hand on Donnie's lap, “Pancake it isn't your fault you're like this, okay?” Donnie nodded. “Okay, Pancake, I'm gonna take the knife out of here. You get some sleep.”

Donnie did as he was told. He laid on the pillow and closed his eyes. Normally, sleep would take forever to happen, but he fell asleep almost instantly. Snoring softly and hugging his cut-up arm.

Chapter Text

Chapter 5

“Okay game plan.” Raph said, leaning against the table. Everyone was sitting at the table, everyone except Splinter, who still remained in his room. April was leaning against her palm, her hair was frizzy and undone, she was sleeping all day and just barely got to the lair. Leo and Mikey sat next to each other, staring down at Leo's laptop. They were looking at Big Mama's hotel information. “Leo, Mikey, what do ya got?”

“Only a free fifty percent coupon for a ground floor room if we take a survey.” Mikey said, tapping the spacebar.

“That could be a way to get inside.” Leo said, yanking his laptop away from Mikey. He scrolled back to the ad and showed it to Raph. “However I don't think it applies to our whole situation.” Leo said, waving his hand in front of his face, showing his green skin and red marks.

“I could go!” April suggested, “Big Mama hasn't even met me. She'll never know I'm there to get Don.”

Raph shook his head. He was looking at the ad. “No ‘pril it's too dangerous, we don't know enough about Big Mama to send you in there.”

“Well this seems to be the only idea we have so far.” April said, slumping in her seat.

“Well hypothetically, if we do this, what will we do while you're in there?” Mikey asked, sitting up. He was anxious, and he breathed a little shaky.

“I'll turn on my exact location app on my phone, that way you can see exactly where I go and follow me from vents or just wait right outside the hotel, and come in if I need the help.” April stated, sitting back up and motioning her hands like she was explaining this in sign language, even if she didn't know a single bit of ASL.

“And what if hypothetically, you get caught?” Raph asked. This plan sucked, shoving in April, who didn't know anything about Yokai or the battle nexus to save Donnie from the middle of it.

“Then I'll have you three outside to swoop in and save the day.” April said, leaning back in her seat. “Raph this is probably the best plan we got.”

“No, it's the only plan we got, and it's risky.” Raph snapped back. Raph bit the inside of the cheek, his snaggletooth pinched his bottom lip. His crease in his forehead furrowed. “We don't even know if Donnie is-” Raph swallowed the saliva that caught itself in his throat he choked back his anger. “We don't even know if he's there.”

“Then wouldn't this be the best way to find that out?” Leo asked. He remained calm and handed April the laptop. “Take the survey, get the free room. We're doing this.”

“Leo.” Raph started trying to snatch the laptop.

“No Raph,” Leo snapped back, April pulled the laptop away. “We're doing this. Our brother's in there, I intend on getting him out as soon as possible.” Leo's calm demeanor vanished, bursts of anger and desperation took its place. “Take it or leave it.”

Raph bit down hard on his cheek. He glared at his younger brother. He had pushed firmly on the table, and it leaned down under the weight slightly. The tension was rapidly getting thicker.

“Leo, April doesn't know anything about Big Mama. It's too ri-”

“So then fucking tell me!” April snapped slamming her hands on the table, “Donnies my friend too. Tell me what I need to know, now.” The laptop was pushed aside near April's lap, she was standing up and stared at Raph.

Rpah sighed defeated, he knew they would have to tell April eventually but he really didn't want to. April hates spiders just like Leo, there was no way she would even step into a hotel run by a giant spider. He looked at April solemnly, she didn't let go of her slight glare. The snapping turtle looked through both of her eyes, he wasn't the best at emotional stuff but it was clear. April was scared and disappointed. “Fine.” Raph spat out. “Leo, you know most of this, you tell her.” Leo nodded and moved to sit near April. Raph turned and stormed out of the room. Mikey followed quickly behind.

“Raph, Raph, Raph!” Mikey and Raph had walked out to the skateboard ramp. Raph held his head in his large hand and heaved. “Raph will you turn around and talk to me already?!” Raph turned around and sat down on the ledge of the ramp.

“What is it, Mikey?” Raph asked, not daring to look at Mikey's face. His Dr Feelings persona was out.

“Raph can you look at me, please?” Mikey asked, squatting down to look at Raphs face.

“No.”

“Why?” Mikey asked to move his head so Raph would have to look at him.

“I don't want to talk about it, Mikey.” Raph spat. “go help April with the survey, I need to cool off.” Raph turned away from his youngest brother. He was heavily annoyed, irritated even. Actually the emotion he was feeling he didn't even know the name to. He wanted to grip a metal ball and smash it inside itself, and maybe do the same thing to a skull. He was just agitated.

“Okay then. Raph scale from one to ten.” Mikey said, sitting down next to Raph.

“I said I wanted to be alone.” Raph said, getting more annoyed.

“That's too damn bad, Raph.” Mikey said he grabbed Raph's face and brought it close to his. “One to ten, how stressed are you?”

Raph had no answer, he wasn't stressed, just angry, pissed off that they were throwing April into the lion's den and they couldn't be physically there with her. Pissed off that his brother went off by himself, pissed off at himself for letting Donnie go off on his own. Pissed off that Donnie needed the extra attention and that affected Leo in a negative way. Pissed off at everything. “Eight.”

“Okay, why are you so stressed?” Mikey asked sympathetically.

“Isn't it obvious?” The Red turtle snapped, “This plan sucks serious butt.”

“Yeah it does.” Mikey said consoling his eldest brother, “but it's really the only one that makes the most sense.”

“We didn't even try to form any others.” Raph protested, “we could've made another perfectly good plan.”

“But no one would listen, huh?”

“Yeah nobody ever listens.” Raph said, slumping his shoulders.

“They're stressed too, you know.” Mikey saidhe was leaning against Raphs plastron and looking through to the table where Leo and April were taking the survey. “Everybody lost Donnie last night. They just want to get him back and right now the first solution they have is the best one.”

Raph understood, Mikey knows feelings. That made Raph feel a little better, slightly better but he was still annoyed. “I just don't get it. Wouldn't they want to look at every option first?”

“Yeah if they knew every possible risk. They won't listen to reason right now. They're scared, heck I'm scared too.”

“Yeah I guess you're right, Dr Feelings.” Raph teased. Raph followed Mikey back to the table, Mikey held Raphs hand and skipped, Raph walked at his normal pace, slumping his shoulders and a smile stretched across his face. “All night what's up ‘pril?”

“I got a free night for tomorrow, I need to check in at 3 pm.” April said, closing the laptop.

“Which gives us plenty of time to plan out everything else!” Leo quickly jabbed in, “So boss man, what are we gonna do?”

“Well first, we'll need a complete layout of the entire hotel to pinpoint exactly where Donnie would be.” Raph started, “We should get a few locations, then each of us goes to check them out, once one of us finds Donnie we'll all get out.” Raph was trying to plan this out like Donnie usually plans things out, hopefully this was something Donnie would do.

← →

Donnie wasn't asked anything today. Mama didn't want to overwork him after what happened the other night. He's been confined to his room for at least a day, if he was keeping his timing right it was 9 am on a Saturday, Donnies usual day of consistent work. But today he just laid in his bed and stared at his arm. His cuts started stinging, they would scar soon enough. He fingered each of the shallow cuts soothingly like he was rubbing lotion over them. His room was completely silent, even the air seemed still.

Donnie didn't dare get up, he didn't dare look anywhere but his arm, criss crossing his mistakes in a pale red outline. His eyes were still puffy, his chest was still heavy. He silently breathed not wanting to disturb his silence. He didn't think either, just spaced out letting his brain take a breather. He just stared at his arm that he unregrettably cut up.

That wasn't entirely true. He did regret cutting himself. The stinging pain that made him wince was proof enough. He wasn't tired anymore, and his back ached from laying down curled up in a ball. He should probably get up now. The screech of the silk moving was the noise that broke the silence. The hum of the air conditioning turned on soon after Donnie was already standing. His knees wobbled under his weight as he walked to the bathroom. The door made a creaking sound as it opened. When Donnie stepped in, the first thing he noticed was his blood, dried up and cracking on the counter. He rested his hand on top of it like he missed the blood that was gone from his body. He looked at himself in the mirror. He couldn't recognize himself for a second. The bruise on his face was extremely purple. It swelled a bit near his eyes. His eyes were definitely puffy from crying last night. A slight shimmer glistened down his cheeks, probably the dried tears.

Was this even Donnies face? Had he gotten what he asked for? He had expressed so much hate being Donnie last night. Had he gotten his wish? Who was he now? What was his name?

The first name that popped into his head was Pancake. It was a silly name, but it had an identity behind it. An identity that Donnie would take if it meant not being Donnie. Pancake is Mama's boy, not Splinter's son. Pancake was cared for, Donnie wasn't. Pancake didn't have brothers who didn't understand him, Donnie did. Pancake was a much better identity than Donnie.

← →

April walked into the hotel. She was wearing presentable clothing, meaning suit pants and a nice pale yellow blouse. Her hair was pulled up into a tight bun, Mikey's favorite style to do in her hair. She had a suitcase with her, filled with clothes to change into and her bat. She held her cell phone tightly with the certificate of her free hotel stay displayed on the screen. She walked confidently to the front desk, trying to look as important, and her mission was.

“How can I help you?” The desk attendant asked. His voice was smug, not in the mean way but in the extremely ‘I've been here for twelve hours’ way.

“I took your survey and won the free night here.” April said, sliding her phone across the counter. The desk attendant looked at it for a moment, then turned his seat to grab a key. April's room key.

“Just know you only won the free room. Everything else comes out of your wallet.” the guys said, his eyes were practically glossed over.

“I understand.” April said in her most polite voice. A pale bellhop grabbed her things and led her to the room. When she arrived at her room, she couldn't help but gawk at how gorgeous it was. She squealed and plopped right onto the bed once the bellhop left. April pulled out her phone to text Raph. “I'm in bitch.”

There was a knock at the window almost immediately. April opened the curtains to find her friends waiting patiently to be let in. April quickly opened the window. The turtles filed in. It was a miracle that Raph fit perfectly. The window wasn't the largest.

“Okay, where's the map of the hotel?” April asked, Mikey pulled out a slim piece of paper from his orange belt and handed it to his human sister. April opened the map to find exactly four places marked on the map, each one with a specific initial marked next to each location.

“this is all on the top level.” Leo said, “so we should all pretty much be in earshot.”

“If not, then we have these.” Raph said, pulling something out from his belt. He handed everyone an earpiece and directed them all to gently place them in their ears. “I don't want anyone knowing we're here, so let's just use these.”

“We're not going out right now, are we?” Mikey asked, “In broad daylight, where people can see us?”

“No mikester, we'll wait.” April said, patting her emotionally adopted brother's head.

While time passed, Leo and April played chess, Raph napped, and Mikey played video games on his phone. Leo's and April's games of chess consisted of plenty of swears and tallies. Most of the swears coming from April, no one could beat Leo in chess.

“Check.” Leo said, his smirk edged higher.

“Fine you win.” April said with a massive eye roll, “best 51 out of 100.”

“Oh dear April,” Leo said, his mouth curled in a smug tone, “you have lost big time, I'm already at 53 wins.” damn, had she really lost count that fast?

“Guys I'm bored.” Mikey complained from his seat in the armchair, placed perfectly by the window. “What time is it?” April glanced down at her watch.

“7:37 we still got two more hours, Mikey.” Mikey pouted and slumped further into the armchair.

“April,” Leo started. The chess board was already reset, “play again?”

“No Leon, I don't feel like losing to you again.”

“I can teach you my strategy…” Leo offered with a toothy smile.

“No.” April said firmly, she smiled back.

Raph mumbled in his sleep for the next few hours. Everyone remained silent and listened. When the snapping turtle woke, he greeted his family with; “It's go time.”

Chapter Text

Chapter 6

Raph was in the Battle Nexus viewing room. Yokai were scattered at bars and round holographic TV's laughing their hearts out over the gory scenery displayed at the Battle Nexus. Raph had a cloak that covered most of his body. His legs were a bit too long, but no one seemed to care. Raph felt like Jupiter Jim, in Jupiter Jim hides from the evil empire 3 and how a poncho and a cloak can easily disguise anyone who's sneaking around where they shouldn't be.

The reason this would be a likely place Donnie could be was because Big Mama did have slaves wandering around. All of them naked. Drunk men from bar tables would talk to them inappropriately. Luckily, they wore shockers, so no touching was allowed.

Raph peered at every slave he saw. Deer, sheep, cow, chicken, horse, fish, shark, duck. No turtle in sight. Raph decided he could talk to a few. Maybe they knew of a recent slave that just dropped by yesterday. Raph walked near a bar where a tall, skinny dear yokai was serving drinks. He waved his hand in front of her face, and she stumbled back and accidentally bumped into another yokai. The other yokai was shocked. The deer yokai quickly apologized and scurried away, Raph followed behind.

“Excuse me miss…” Raph started

“No turtle, I don't want to sleep with you.” Raph was taken aback, appalled. He wasn't even interested in romance.

“No I wasn't going to ask that, mamn.” Raph said politely.

“Then what were you going to ask?” The deer asked. She peered at Raphs face, like she could see his eyes under the cloak. “What are you 15?”

“16 mamn. That's not important. Do you know of any turtles that recently came here?”

“You mean as slaves?” The deer asked, “no I don't know of any, Big Mama hit her limit for slaves about 4 years ago.”

“And what's that limit?” Raph asked

“250.”

Okay, detective Raph time. It's been a while since he has used this alter ego. It's been 5 years, but it's time to bring it back to life! “Okay has Big Mama been in need of scientists lately? Or interested in anything scientific?”

“Unfortunately for you, I'm a slave and at the bottom of the totem pole, I only know of slave transfers to this area.” The deer yokai said, “May I ask why you're looking for a turtle related to science?”

“I'm looking for my little brother.” Raph stated.

“Alright, I may get in trouble for this, but head to the back.” The deer yokai pointed to a dimly lit counter. “He knows everything about this place.”

One step closer to finding his brother. “Thanks.”

“Anytime turtle.” Raph started walking to the bar table. He was walking a little fast-paced, he was ecstatic, and he would find his little brother. He pulled his cloak over his shoulders a little more, made it seem like he was a soccer mom walking for a very important reason. And he had an important reason.

← →

Draxum was waiting at the bar counter. He had asked a deer yokai to direct any turtle. If they came, Gus had told Draxum the turtles were here. Gus spied on them and heard their plan. One turtle would look here.

He could see a large cloaked figure. The snapping turtle, the tank for his army. Draxum pulled his hat down further and put on a stoic face. He wasn't wearing his mask, but the rest of his armor was covered by the large coat he was wearing. He pretended to be making a drink

“Excuse me, sir.” The snapping turtle asked, “do you happen to know of any turtles that work here?”

“Yeah I do,” Draxum said, not making eye contact. “But it isn't safe to talk here, follow me to the balcony outside?” Draxum offered. The snapping turtle nodded. Draxum took all the drink stuff he was using away and grabbed his mask. He hid the mask in his coat and led his tank to the balcony right behind the bar counter. The snapping turtle followed very eagerly. He had no idea about what was to happen. Draxum opened the door and quickly walked out; he headed to a corner where he could put on his mask. The tank waited by the door, and he closed it shut quietly.

“So what do you know about any turtle working here?” The tank asked. He played with his large hands and looked intently at Draxum.

The alchemist slipped on his mask and cleared his throat. “I know a few things. Like how right now I will get one of my creations back.” The tank stepped back, Draxum had turned around, his coat was flung off, his hat was tossed to the side.

“You.” The snapping turtle remarked, he pulled out his tonfas, Draxums tonfas.

“Me.” The warrior scientist replied with a smirk. Draxum formed his vines, and the familiar rumble vibrated across the ground. The vines shot up like bullets and curved towards the red turtle.

“Power smash jitsu!” The red turtle yelled. He cared for Draxum, red bolts shot from his tonfas, giving him a large red replica of his hand. He swung the large fist at Draxum, who easily dodged. The vines flew towards the tank, distracting him. The snapping turtle stopped fighting Draxum to avoid the vines, like it was a game of darts. This allowed Draxum to simply walk behind the turtle. He elbowed the back of Reds neck, red shouted and dropped his tonfas, he fell on his knees then collapsed to the ground exhaling. He was out cold.

Huggin and Munnin were sitting on the rooftop just above, wide-eyed and amazed at how skillful their boss was. Draxum got very cheerful claps from his gargoyles. He looked up at them and smirked. “Now we head to Big Mama's office.”

← →

Leo was sneaking around in the vents. He had to make sure Big Mama wasn't in her office. It was likely Donnie was being held in the vault, and since Leo was the only one who knew the code, he was assigned to the office.

He crawled over the vent opening that overlooked the office. He couldn't see Big Mama at her desk, but the bellhops were there guarding the door. He could easily take them out. But would that risk his ninja stealth mode? He decided to wait. If they didn't move in the next 5 minutes, he'd go down and knock them out.

He waited, and the bellhops didn't blink. He yawned, and the bellhops didn't even seem bothered. He looked at the time on his phone. It's only been 45 seconds. Leo sighed impatiently. This was taking forever!

“Screw it.” Leo spat. He pressed down on the vent, and it popped down. He quickly jumped down, holding his ōdachi. He looked straight at the bellhops, who didn't seem faltered by the turtle in the room. Leo took that as an invitation. He imagined sending them to the junkyard. He had a clear image of it in his head. All he had to do was open a portal. A whisk and a flick and a portal opened up under the bellhops, they fell through unfazed by the whole ordeal. “What's weird.” Leo thought, “wouldn't they try to attack me?”

Leo turned to the wall covered in portraits. He was looking for a very specific one to poke at. Leo scanned the wall peering for the familiar picture. Eventually, he found it and poked it in the eyes. The portrait wall faded to reveal the gold vault. There was still a deep cut at the gold doors from when Donnie tried cutting through. The large code stood out, catching Leo's attention. He flipped any number, and all were pretty heavy. He had to really push down hard to get them to move.

1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1- and 1, the door hissed and opened up slightly. Leo gripped the door and pulled it open.

“Donnie! Are you in here, man?” Leo asked hopefully. There was no answer. Leo walked in, looking around. Donnie could have a gag on, or could be unconscious. The vault wasn't too big; he should find Donnie pretty quickly.

Leo was too distracted to see the vines creeping up behind him.

Leo dug through piles using the flashlight on his phone. He wasn't finding anything. He needed to find his brother, Stat. “Come on, Donnie, where are you?”

Leo knew it was a one in four chance his brother was here. But Leo wanted to be the one to find Donnie. He had an apology to say and amends to be healed. Leo started to frantically throw things around. Maybe Donnie was buried? Leo started hyperventilating, “Where are you, bro?”

Leo didn't notice the vines wrapping around his ankles.

Suddenly Leo fell on his face. He grunted and felt like he was being dragged across the floor. He looked up to see he was being dragged. Draxum stood at the entrance to the vault. Raph was wrapped in vines beside him and knocked out cold.

“Raph!” Leo called. The vines on his ankles spread up his legs rapidly. “What do you want?!”

“I want my turtles.” Draxum said in a calm demeanor. “You will join me.”

“Um no.” Leo said, kicking at the vines. They spread up his shell. “You threw me off a roof.”

“And I will do it again if you don't shut up.” Draxum snapped. “I created you, I own you.” The vines started wrapping around Leo's shoulders.

“None of us would ever winningly follow you.” Leo argued. “good luck owning turtles who don't want to be owned.” the vine wrapped themselves around Leo's head and mouth silencing him.

Draxum reached to pet his gargoyles. “Now for Orange.”

Chapter Text

Chapter 7

Mikey was checking rooms, and so was April, but she was on the other end of the hallway and moving at a much faster pace than Mikey. Mikey took his time, he tried to be thorough, from what he knew all the people who stayed on this lever were mutants, yokai like Mikey, so luckily none of them freaked out over a turtle asking about his brother.

“Excuse me, but does there happen to be a turtle in here?” Mikey would ask the guests, “and if it isn't a bother to you, I would like to take a look around, I won't bother you, of course.” Most yokai would oblige and happily let Mikey in. Others would scoff and slam the door in Mikeys face after kindly telling him they didn't know of any turtles.

Mikey wasn't known for being impatient. That was Dr. Delicate Touch's specialty. But he couldn't help but get more frustrated as he kept looking. He hadn't heard from anyone else yet, and he was getting worried. What if Donnie was gone? No, that's a silly thought. Of course, he wasn't gone. Mikey shoved it down where it would resurface, at least not for a long while.

Mikey came up to room 456 and knocked on the door with enthusiasm. He was playing pretend to hide his desperation. A tall orangutan yokai opened the door. They seemed tired like Mikey had just woken them up. “Hello sir, so sorry to bother you. Have you happened to see a turtle?”

“No, fuck off kid.” The orangutan replied.

“Then may I look in your room?” Mikey asked, “if you have nothing to hide, then I won't find anything.” The orangutan sighed and opened the door further, inviting the orange turtle in. The room was just like all the others on this floor. Giant silk lined bed with gold tassels, velvet red curtains, fools gold framed doorways and window sills, and a familiar smell of lilacs and cinnamon. Two scents Mikey never thought would work well together, but here it is the best smelling hotel in his life. Mikey searched the bathroom and under the bed, with places that Donnie could fit in. Unfortunately, he wasn't in room 456. “Thank you for your time.”

Mikey had 7 rooms to go, he had no idea how many April had left. Hopefully Leo and Raph found Donnie this was getting insanely repetitive. Room 457 was a no answer, not even a muffle, so Donnie wasn't in there. Room 458 was another slam in the face before Mikey even spoke.

“Hi miss, do you happen to know of a turtle on this-” the door slammed in Mikeys face at room 459. “Okay that's fine, thanks anyway!” Mimey rolled his eyes at the now closed door. Four doors left. He can do this.

460 was a nice old yokai lady, Donnie wasn't in there, but Mikey got a little mint. He popped it in his mouth and thanked the lady. 461 was another no answer. 467 was a large rino yokai who opened the door, looked at Mikey, and said he didn't place an order for room service and closed the door. At least the ring had the common decency to close it gently. Come on, one more left.

Mikey walked up to room 468 and knocked on the door. At first there was no answer Mikey was about ready to give up, but he heard a rustling sound come from inside, it sounded almost muffled.

“Donnie? Donnie! Is that you?” More rustling sounds and a couple grunts. “Donnie if that's you grunt 2 times!” Two grunts sounded from the room.

Mikey turned his mic on to tell the others. “Guys! I think I found Donnie, room 468 an-” the door opened, and it wasn't Donnie.

← →

Pancake was a stupid name. He knew that, but that's the name Mama gave him. He'll take it. As long as it isn't Donatello, he'll take any identity.

Mama has given Pancake his task. She wants a new bug zapper. He intended to build it. Was it for the wrong reasons? Yes. But he still was going to do it anyway. Why? Because that's who Pancake was; Big Mama's engineer.

Donn- Pancake was so far into his work he didn't realize how much he had done. When he finally took a minute, just a minute to process he realized he was practically finished. Just needed one more thing….but what?

Pancake pondered for a moment. Everything was there, the engine, the tank, the shooter, the controls, the easily fold up mechanism. What was he missing?

Then it hit him.

Of course, his signature color! Now, where was the purple paint? Pancake began his search. He had all the tools he could ever want at the desk. There had to be paint somewhere. He vaguely remembered seeing some a while ago.

Then it hit him again.

Purple was Donatellos' color, not Pancakes. No, Pancake was a different identity. Therefore, he needed a new color. Black. Black would suit him well. Luckily, he found the black paint quickly. He drowned himself in his work again, painting for what seemed like an eternity, when he heard a knock at the door.

“Yes?” Pancake called. It could be Mama checking up on Pancake. She was still worried about what had happened the night before.

“Room service!” a voice called from outside. Pancake wasn't allowed room service. Where wasn't there a bellhop at the door? Where did it go?

“I placed no order!” The flat shelled turtle replied.

“It's a surprise!” the voice called again in an altogether sing-song voice. It was very buttery and sweet. It reminded Donn- Pancake of a past memory. A memory he was working on squashing.

“I'm not allowed to open the door.”

“Then I'll find another way!” the voice called again, the determination Donnie knew. Pancake knew too but didn't acknowledge it. Pancake heard crawling and grunting in the vents until the vent above his bathroom door popped open, revealing a curly haired sweet, beautiful face. April….

“Donnie! I found him, guys!” April called. He had a finger to her ear. An ear piece. “Donnie, dude, you look messed up… You good bro, bro?” April shoved herself out of the vent and plopped on the ground.

Pancake didn't want that identity. Why was it coming back? “Get. Out.”

“What? Why?!” April asked, shocked. “I'm here to get you out. The guys are here, too.”

“April. Get out.” Donn- Pancake said again. “I'm working.”

“Is that what Big Mama is making you do? Building her shit that doesn't matter?”

“It does matter.” Pancake said. “I will bring her more contender to her battle nexus.”

“Why does that matter? Donnie, you can come home.” April said, easing closer. Her voice was so soothing, so perfect. No. She isn't Pancake's friend, she's Donnies. Donnie was leaving.

“Please, human. Leave me alone. Mama will come check on me any minute. I want you gone.”

“I'll get gone.” April said, “but you sure as hell aren't staying.”

“Yes I am.” Pancake said sternly. “I am not your friend. Get out.”

“Donnie, yes you are.”

“No, human. I am not. That identity is moving out.”

“Donnie you can't just change your identity” April said. She didn't understand.

“I'm not Donnie. Now get out.”

“No I won't.” April firmly stayed. She stepped closer.

“Yes. You. Will.” Pancake answered back. He took a step closer.

“No. I. Won't.” April stepped closer again. Pancake felt threatened.

“I said leave!” He whisked his hand, it collided on April's face. A loud smack stung through his chest. Donnie hit his friend. No. Pancake protected himself. Donnie should just move out.

“Donnie…” April said, clutching her cheek. It was already turning red.

“Leave.”

“Well, well, well. Pancake darling. Who's your friend?” Mama asked. She was standing at the doorway looking menacingly at poor sweet April.

Chapter Text

Chapter 8

April was still holding her face. Donnie had slapped her hard. But she wasn't looking at Donnie. She was looking at the menacing woman standing at the door, holding a battle shell. Donnies battle shell.

“Pancake, who is your friend?” The woman asked Don. Donnie glanced at April and looked back.

“No one, Mama.” Donnie replied, “She won't leave.”

April shot a glare at Donnie. Why wouldn't he want to leave? “I came to get my friend.” April said, “after you took him.”

“Well no one.” The woman said, stepping towards Donnie, “If he really is your friend, you'll like the demonstration.” April and Donnie looked at her confused.

“What demonstration, Mama?” Donnie asked.

“Pancake, it's just insurance.” The woman twirled her finger, motioning Donnie to turn around. She then fitted the battle shell on him, and April could tell it did not fit well. It looked too small.

“Now darling, tell me your name?” The woman asked April. It was a question, but it sounded like a command.

“April.” The yellow human responded, shooting darts at the woman.

“Excellently splendiferous.” The woman said, “You may call me Big Mama.” That was Big Mama. She didn't look like a spider lady. But she was still a threat. “Now what you see here, April, is insurance.”

Donnie looked at April with wide eyes. What did she mean by insurance?

“Now if your friend or his brothers misbehave-”

“You said you would touch my brothers!” Donnie shouted. He stepped away from Big Mama.

“Now see what happens when he misbehaves.” Big Mama pulled out a remote from her coat and pressed a button. Donnie doubled over, screaming and scratching at the battle shell.

“Donnie!” April yelled. She covered the space in between Big Mama and Donnie. “What did you do?”

Big Mama pressed the button again, and Donnie screamed out and cried. Donnie cried. He was lying on the floor buckled on top of his legs and screaming, still scratching at the battle shell. April looked behinder and saw blood coming out from the sides and pooling off the floor around her friend.

“Stop it!” April cried, “Stop it, please!” Big Mama released her finger from the remote and placed it back into her pocket.

“Then leave.” Big Mama said. “Don't bother looking for the other turtle's, they're in custody.”

“You said you wouldn't hurt them.” Donnie choked, “you said you cared.” He sobbed the words out and clicked on his breath.

“Pancake, that's just business.” Big Mama replied, “I didn't take them, Draxum did.”

“You told him, didn't you?” Donnie choked.

“I made a simple business deal, and I'm altering my end.” Big Mama said before turning back to April. “You leave before I give you to Draxum.”

April looked at Donnie. At her friend, her friend, whom she loved more than anything. She couldn't just leave him.

“April, go, please?” Donnie begged, “I don't want you hurt too.” April nodded at her friend. Donnie formed a small smile before flinching back to a stone, cold faced persona. April raced out of the room and to the elevator, making sure no one would follow her. She huffed as she ran, holding back every tear that wanted to break out from her eyes. All of her friends are gone, hurt. And she left one! April smacked her forehead in stupidity after jumping into the elevator. Hopefully, Donnie will be okay. Please let him be okay.

← →

Splinter was ready to crawl out of his room. He was finished moping. He had to train his boys, his bedroom door creaked, and the familiar smell of day-old pizza filled his nose. There was trash littered all over the floor. First lesson: Cleanliness.

Where were his boys? Probably in the living room still sleeping, or in the kitchen making food. Splinter checked the living room first, with no sons. The kitchen; no sons. The arcade was empty as well, along with all their bedrooms.

Splinter called Red. The phone vibrated and tolled while Splinter tapped his foot in annoyance. One ring, two rings, three rings.

“Hey this is Raph, Raph can't come to the phone right now. Try Donnie.” Splinter hung up, Red was never good at answering his phone.

Splinter dialed Orange.

“Mikey's party line! Who's your daddy?” Splinter couldn't help but huff at Orange's voice message, “leave me a message, or call Donnie. Byeee!!”

“Hello?-” Splinter called blue. It sounds like he answered.

“Blue! Where are you and your brot-”

“I can't hear you.”

“BLUE! WHERE ARE YOU?”

“Ahh now I can. Hold on just one second.” From the other end, Splinter could hear shuffling noises. He almost dropped his phone when a loud air horn blared on the other end. “Haha sucker! Call Donnie or Raph.”

Splinter sighed. His sons were useless and lazy. Just. Like. Splinter had been. April. April would answer. One ring, two rings, three rings.

“Splints!!” April called from the other end, “I'm so glad you called!”

“April, where are my boys?!” Splinter demanded.

“Hold on, I'm almost to the lair, I'll be there in a second. You might want to sit down.” April hung up. Splinter's nose twitched. What has his family gotten themselves into?

← →

Needles. She used needles. Thick ass needles that punctured his shell he was still bleeding even though it's been an hour since it happened. He's insurance and a forced engineer.

No hold on, Donnie was insured. Pancake was the engineer. And it wasn't forced. Pancake wanted to work for Big Mama. It was better than building and fixing stuff for his family.

As long as Donnie stayed at bay, his brothers wouldn't get hurt. As long as his brothers behaved, Donnie wouldn't get hurt. This was all explained to him by Mama.

As long as Pancake built stuff for Mama, Donnies brothers wouldn't get hurt. It was double insurance, a pretty good deal, too. Draxum got three turtles for his army, Mama got one to help her Battle Nexus thrive. Pancake was okay with it. Donnie wasn't.

The needles were thick, made of high-grade titanium, too. The battle shell was tampered with. Donnie hated that. Pancake didn't care. The regular additions were taken away, and only the protective shell remained. New additions were added. The needles for one, and a tightening clasp.

Big Mama explained the additions along with their punishments. “Any shenanigans, needles. Sabotage, Needles. Any contact with anyone that isn't part of the hotel staff, clasp. Pancake the clasp is strong enough to crush your shell into millions of pieces. No outside contact.” The last rule scared Donnie. Pancake didn't care for the last one. He had no friends anyway.

The only reason Donnie stayed was because of his friend that came earlier. She kept calling him Donnie, and Pancake hated that. But when she was threatened, Donnie came back. Donnie had to help his friend. So Donnie remains only for insurance now. No outside contact allowed.

While Pancake worked, making finishing touches on the bug zapper, Donnie worried. He worried about his brothers and dad and about April. He hurt her. Well, Pancake did.

Donnie had to get out. Pancake needed to stay. Donnie needed his family. Pancake could go for some lunch. He quickly stood up, and wobbled under his weight. He got up too fast, and the blood loss got to his head. He tinged and collapsed slowly. Pancake/Donnie lay on the floor completely unconscious.