Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was dark "hah hah"

Rain pelted the ground

"hah-ngh-hah hah"

He didn't know where he was going but he knew anywhere was better than there. His feet slapped the concrete, the tall buildings soon turned abandoned as he ran. He could barely breath, 'faster, come on FAS-'. He slipped.

Leonardo pushed himself onto his knees, breathing heavily as he opened his eyes. He couldn't believe anything that had happened in the last hour. 

ALL YOU DO IS MESS EVERYTHING UP

All the horrible (truths, they were all true) words his family said rang in his head.

IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU

He knows that but he's trying...

JUST SHUT UP FOR ONCE AND LISTEN

Leo thought he was...

WHY CAN'T YOU JUST BE LIKE YOUR BROTHERS

That's all he ever tried to be, but he never was anything like them. He wasn't strong and brave like his big brother Raph. He isn't funny and smart like his older twin Donnie. He couldn't bring people together like his baby brother Mickey. All he ever was was the so-called faceman, but he couldn't even do that right.

SOMETIMES I WISH YOU WEREN'T MY BROTHER

He wishes he'd stop crying. At least he could pretend the tears were rain, he was at least good at that. His knees were bleeding from the fall, his hands too. Leon picks himself up and continues on into the forest outside of New York. The turtle stops at the edge and turns to look back at his only home, he then faces the forest and continues on.

Chapter Text

Buildings stand proud and tall. Neon lights shining bright as advertisements and news reports make the night feel like day. Traffic, both foot and car cover all main roads. One could easily tell that the city could never be quiet, no matter the time.

New York, still just as bright and loud as he remembers.

A lone figure crouches at the top of one of the few tallest buildings in the Bronx. Completely covered head to toe in black, hiding on the shadowed roof. They move to sit on top of a radiator, still warm from the heat of the day. Their bag hits the gravel with a soft crunch, they pull out a phone that's clearly seen better days. The screen shines against the sleek metal the figures wearing, a message flickers in between the cracks. 

The mask releases a blast of steam, gloved hands reach up to remove the black Oni styled metal. The red illuminated eyes go dark as the figures face is revealed to the cool night wind. Scars run up the snout of the turtle mutant, his red stripes starkly contrasting the green scales. Dark gray eyes scan the horizon before latching onto three figures running in the distance. Leaping across buildings, flips and shouts coming from the three, like no one sees them. Leo shakes his head, smirking.

Seven years later and they're still doing patrols.  

Predictable.

Leo slings a black duffel bag onto his shell and returns the mask onto his face, scrunching his snout at the thought of being near them. Standing up, he pats himself down checking if everything is in it's place. Everything is where it should be, of course, all the knives and kunai safely tucked away in their hiding places. Considering the life he's had, you can't be too prepared. 

The pistols and SMGs locked into the holsters on his sides and hips respectively. The hidden blades in his custom boots are safely locked in walk mode, sliding out into climb mode with a tap of a heel and vise versa. Everything else was in his bag.

Once he's finished double checking, Leo takes a running jump onto the neighboring building. Catching up to the figures running on parallel roofs fairly quickly, he keeps a safe distance as to not be noticed. The group make their way from lower Bronx to Manhattan, jumping roof to roof, over cars and streets. The people down below are left none the wiser of the goings on the shadows above.

Soon the three ninja stop to look out at the block below, unaware of their following shadow. Leo comes to a stop atop a water tower two rooftops away, pulling out a scope, the turtle watches unnoticed by. A gloved hand reaches up to a hidden dial on the mask to heighten the surrounding sound, letting Leo listen in on the conversation below.

"This is where Big Mama's meetup is supposed to be at?" The strongest, he remembers, wasn't the brightest of the group. Wouldn't be able to tell when to take certain risks or not, but always knew when to retreat from any situation. 

"Disgruntled sigh, yes Raph. My contacts have all confirmed this, whatever Big Mama is planning is going to be big. Bigger than usual." The smartest was the rudest in his opinion, he always had a scathing remark on his tongue. 

"Bigger than turning all of the hidden city into a battle nexus? Maaan, wonder what that could be?" The artist was the most emotionally intelligent of the three. It was hard to lie to him, unless you were Leo.

It feels weird seeing them again, especially seeing them act as if nothing had happened. It felt like opening a can of worms just from the sight, something he was not fond of. Pai was right, if they were acting like this without him then they never really cared. Descanse em paz pai. (Rest in peace father)

"OHHH wait wait wait, I see someone coming!" Mikey was always loud, not necessarily a bad thing but inconvenient when they had needed to be silent.

"Mickey quiet!"

In the alley way below, two humans walked in dressed in dark suits, looking as inconspicuous as they could. Then a yokai came through one of the walls covered in graffiti, a secret entrance to the hidden city. Leo stored the entrance away for later, always know where the exits are as Pai would say. The two humans stand before the lizard yokai before removing their broches, turning into yokai. One of them, a spotted salamander yokai now that Leo can see, starts talking.

"'Bout time you two got here, either of ya followed?" The salamander speaks with a heavy accent, one Leo couldn't place.

"We are certain we weren't," the fox yokai says, Leo recognized him as the one from the Nexus Hotel. The last yokai takes a stand at the entrance of the alley, looking side to side.

"So you got the stuff? And they better be in pristine condition, Big Mama doesn't like damaged goods," the fox growls. He slams a clawed hand to the right of the salamander's head.

"Yeah yeah we got 'em! Nothing broken, all there! Promise promise!" The salamander squirms under the fox's gaze. He whimpers as he pulls out a small rock and draws a square on the wall. A portal opens where he scratched the rock on, it gives off a sharp green glow and it smelled like onions for some reason. Donatello seems to have gagged at the scent. 

The large brown bear turns and walks through the portal, coming back with a large wooden box, before setting it down. Fox orders the bear to open it with a flick of his wrist, still glowering at the reptile. Bear uses his claws and tears the box open easily.

"Alright boys, let's cut this short!" Raphael pounded his fists together, rallying the other turtles towards the incoming fight.

With that, Raphael leaps down on top of the bear, Michelangelo and Donatello following his lead. Leo sighs and drags a hand down his mask, 'of course they still charge in'. Shaking his head, Leo jumps down and makes his way to the crate. Creeping along the wall under the sharp shadows, he goes unnoticed by the group.

The fight continues, the orange turtle making quips every now and again. The purple one criticizing the three yokai on how they decided to do business, saying that it was cliche to be meeting in an alley. Leo simply stayed silent as he took a look inside, shoving down the venomous thoughts of jealousy. He could unpack all of that when he was alone.

The contents were the usual; blueprints, bombs, ammo, and weapons as always. But in the center and slightly covered by the hay, was a silver box with an emblem in the center. One similar to that of the radioactive symbols scientists use. Meaning that if this fell into the wrong hands, something bad would happen. What that could be, Leo had no clue but he could think of a million disastrous scenarios later.

The masked turtle double taps the left cheek of the mask with a claw, and the eyes change a different color. Using the mystic vision, he looks inside and sees a diamond shaped blob. Double tapping again, Leon glances back at the fight before diving a hand into the crate and snatching the silver container. 

Once he has it, Leo slides behind the box with the prize in hand. He gives the cube a once over, a small part of him liking the shiny box. He clutches it to his chest though as Raphael is sent flying into the crate, crushing and splintering the wood beneath him. Leo is discovered as such, Pai always said his luck would bite him in the ass.

"Mierda."

+×+

Crouching a small distance away, Leo keeps a tight grip on the box, thankful for his mask blocking off his expression. The six other inhabitants of the alley way stare at him, the salamander shatters the silence by running away. This sets everything off, the bear and fox bolt towards Leo with outstretched paws. 

The colorful turtles give chase after the yokai, Mikey swings his nunchaku and trips the bear, knocking him down to the pavement. On the way down, the bear just so happens to land on the fox. The fox gives out an undignified yelp, effectively dazed, while the bear gets knocked out by Donatello's staff. Leo makes a run towards the wall, expertly tapping out the knives in his boots into climbing mode, he's up on the rooftop in just a few steps. The colorful ninjas stare after him in awe, while the bear yokai takes the distraction and runs with the fox over his shoulder.

"That. Was so. COOL!!! Did you see him, he was all like BAM BAM BAM- and- and then-!" Michelangelo flailed their hands as they bounced in place, using his body to show off whats going through his head.

"Uh guys."

"-Oh please, Michael curb your enthusiasm. Please remember we do that all the time, however the use of shoes being able to-" Donatello started typing on his wrist gauntlet, eyes shining at the thought of creating more inventions.

"Guys."

"Then he was like SWOOSH sh-BAM-" Mikey swooped his arms towards the wall.

"GUYS!"

"Opps, sorry Raphie!" At the very least, he looked apologetic. 

"It's fine, now Raph understands that he-" "-She or they!" Mikey interjected, "-well whoever they are, was pretty cool, but we have no idea what they were doing here!" Raphael gestured around them, bringing a hand to his face as the realization that showed on his brothers faces. 

"Right, thank you Raph. We must pause our quote unquote nerd-out for far more important issues." Donnie adjusts his goggles back on to his forehead. Mikey deflates a little at that. The nerd-out, as the softshell called his little burst, was named by a brother that they'll never see again. Mikey misses his older brother Leo.

While Donnie looks through the footage he recorded, Raph notices the orange turtle's change in mood. He moves over to Mikey and slings an arm around them, already knowing what he was thinking about. Time to be the big brother he was supposed to be. 

"Hey, don't worry bud, we'll find him. It's just takin' longer than we thought is all." Good job Raph, now just ignore the fact that it's literally been years since they've seen him.

"I know, Raphie, but...every time I think about him I remember all those horrible things we said to him! Are...are we bad brothers? Was I a bad brother?" Michelangelo looked at the snapper with tears in his eyes.

"No Mikey, you did the best you could...times were tough then and we just...exploded. But you were never a bad brother." Raph couldn't leave his baby brother with these thoughts, but it was kinda hard when he was thinking the same thing.

"Sorry to interrupt the feelings-fest, but I have acquired the footage! Though we will have to head back to the lair so I can get a better look." The softshelled genius took a big step towards his brothers with his arm pointed up, a big smile on his face.

The three brothers then made their way back to the manhole they came out of, running and leaping across rooftops. All thinking of a past they wish they could return to. 

                                     +×+

Leo made his way to the woods, the same one he ran through all those years ago. At the time he was terrified, the forest having transformed into horrible monsters. He remembered staying at an abandoned cabin a mile in that was like a light in the dark, and soon came upon it once more. 

Back then, it was only a few years abandoned and still looked fine, but now vine and moss have taken over the sides. The metal roof rusted over from countless storms, windows broken and the front door off it's hinges on the porch. The wood creaks under his boots as he shifts his bag and picks the door up. Leo lays the door against the doorway and slides inside his old safe space. 

The main room was simple, a wide empty space with a lumpy couch and a table. The main room then leads off down a hall with three rooms, a kitchen, bathroom and a bedroom. He just needs to turn on the water and get a generator. Groceries would probably be a good idea too.

After cleaning up the inside of the house which was almost as bad as the outside, leaves and sticks scattered across the floor. Wallpaper was peeling in places, there were mystery stains in the carpet, and torn curtains flapping in the small amount of wind. 'Not as bad as I thought it would be' he thinks. Leo makes his way to the bedroom, finding it in better condition because there was only one window. 

With all the plans in his head of the things he'll need to do, he sits down on the squeaky bed. Opening his bag, the turtle pulls out the silver container.

Leo tilts his head as he crosses his legs and sits the container infront of him. He claps his hands together in front of his face and ponders on if he should open it. Pai would have a heart attack if he just blatantly opens it. Lord knows how many he's given him those. Leo sighs and decides to sleep on it, seeing how he hasn't slept in over 52 hours. 

Placing the box in his bag, he slides it under the bed. He strips until he left in his turtleneck, 'heh', shorts and socks. Grabbing his pistol and placing it under the stained pillow, Leo curls up and falls to sleep.

+×+

Five years ago...

Leonardo sits in front of a cake, a single candle lit in the center as the only light source. The old man that took him in a nearly a year ago sings happy birthday, horribly of course. Apparently, years of yelling out drills and being out on the field can damage your voice. Abilio plopped a hand on Leo's shoulder, the two share a chuckle when Leon shakes from the force.

"Happy birthday, pequeno."

Leo smiled, "Obrigado, pai."

The newly thirteen year old leans over and blows out the candle, cutting out the only light in the room.

+×+

Deep under the surface of New York in the sewers three turtles huddle around a screen, the footage from the scuffle earlier playing on the screen. The purple one stops the video when a black figure appears, a calculating look on his face.

"There's our mystery person. It'll take a bit to clean out the grit, BUT fear not, I will have it ready by tomorrow." With a flourish of his hand and a smug smile, the two other brothers laugh and make their way out of the lab. Eyes sore from the bright neon purple lighting in such a dark room.

"Okay, Donnie. But don't stay up all night, ya hear!" Mikey gave a stern look at Donnie, pointing at him with a little stomp of his foot. They all know how bad the genius is at self-care.

"Groan, fine..." Donnie slumped at that, his plan to stay up all night failed before he could even enact it.

Five hours go by, and Donatello sits in front of the giant screen, illuminated by how bright it is. He's been staring at it for ten minutes, the clean up had finished about fifteen minutes ago. Shelldon had woken him up once the clean up was complete. The picture on the screen was practically crystal clear, a detailed portrait of the mystery person. 

Dressed in black and a mask of what looks like Japanese origins. What had startled him so much were the hands. Albeit small and almost unnoticeable in the frame, were clutching a box with three fingers and only three fingers. Their back sloped like something was underneath the clothes, 'maybe a shell'. Now it could easily be a guy who lost some fingers and had a bad case of scoliosis, or even a new mutant they hadn't seen before. Donnie didn't want to get his or his brothers hopes up, but...

Emotions were never logical.

Chapter Text

The nineteen year old opens his eyes and takes a deep breath. For the past week ever since he entered New York, Leonardo's been having more dreams of his past. He's just glad that there hasn't been anything of his brothers yet. Sitting up, he rubs a hand across his face and groans. 

Leo never was a morning person, but thanks to his messed up sleeping schedule, his insomnia hasn't been able to rear its ugly face. Still, even after all these years of waking up at a certain time, mornings fucking suck.

Deciding to grab breakfast when he goes out, the turtle bends over upside down to look under the bed and reaches for his bag. Setting it down in front of him, Leo pulls out the silver prize from last night. Sighing, he digs in the pockets and finds some gloves. Safety first being drilled in his head from chemical spills during bomb drills. Pai was very thorough in his training, even if some of the things he taught would never really be useful. Learning how to operate a tank by yourself was cool though.

Pulling on specially made gloves, Leo decides that it would be best opened on a table and not on the bed he sleeps on. Picking up the box, he walks down to the main room and places it on the coffee table. Now in a somewhat safer spot, he rests his elbows on the table with the container infront of him. Taking a deep breath, the turtle opens the box.

Inside was a metal plate about the size of his hand. A shining silver that seemed to glow purple in the light. Just being in the open Leo could tell that whatever it is, it was extremely powerful. And that Big Mama almost got her greedy claws on it. 

Whatever she's planning must be big, and his- the Mad Dogz are already on the trail against her. He lifts up the metal carefully, turning it around and studying it. Curiously, there is a small sliver of the plate broken on the top rim. As if something, a blade perhaps, had been sliced- no stabbed. A slice would be too thin. 

Humming, Leo places the metal back inside, before noticing an orange mark on the dark red fabric that the plate sat on. Setting it aside, he pulls out the fabirc and stretches it out. Leo's eyes go wide as he recognizes the bright orange footprint in the middle.

He connects the dots and drops the sheet with a gasp. Big Mama. The Foot. Powerful mystic metal. The strange messages that brought him back, coming from someone he thought was dead.

Big Mama and the Foot were using the mystic metal to bring out a horror upon New York and the Hidden City. And a dead friend knows and is telling him to come back. Sadly the revelation just brings up more questions. As well as a realization. 

That this turtle was gonna need help.

"Huggghhh...fuck."

~

It was dark thoughts that always felt wrong to him, now he knew that you have to have negatives with the positive thoughts but that doesn't mean he has to like them. And Michelangelo wasn't feeling positive at the moment, upset at himself for something he had no control over. More negative thoughts than positive in his mind. Dr. Feelings sat in a corner of his mind and whispered, "It's ok to feel this way, maybe you should go talk to Raph or Donnie about this?" 

And while he usually listened to him, as Dr. Feelings was usually- "always," said side called- right, he didn't want to talk about it at the moment. He was too stressed out and he didn't want that on his brothers, pizza supreme in the sky knew how bad they got. So instead, Mikey did what he always did when he got stressed.

Pulling out pan after pan, Mikey baked all kinds of bread, pastry, and desert. The box turtle made so much sweet smelling food that it brought down the attention of his older brother Raph. The eldest licked his lips as he stared at all the food, already reaching a hand for the pumpernickel bread. 

This reminds Mikey of times where he used to stress bake, back when Leo was still with them, the slider would always be his guinea pig. Happily tasting all the food he made, never failing to make him laugh.

Now that'll never happen again, thanks to them being stupid and ignoring the one turtle who only tried to make them smile. "Stop. Don't think like that. Leonardo was always hiding his feelings, how could we have seen that he was hurting." Dr. Feelings whispered. "Yeah man! Nardo was crazy good at pretending, he could've been an actor! The guy was that good!" Dr. Delicate Touch yelled. 

Mikey took a deep breath from his nose than blew out his mouth. They were right. Leo had always performed his character perfectly whenever they played. He was the best alien whenever they played Jupiter Jim, and he could easily copy word for word when they mimicked a Lou Jitsu movie. Even some of the moves, too.

Raph saw when the first tear fell from his baby brothers face, his instincts kicking in making him worry and hover over the other. "Hey hey whats wrong Mike, did something go wrong? How can Raphie help?" the snapper fretted.

"No-nothing big man, just remembering old times..." Mikey said, rubbing a hand on the back of his neck.

Raphs face softened at the realization, before a soft smile grew. He lent down to be eye level with his youngest and put a big hand on his shoulder. 

"I know it hurts, bud. It's hard to remember them. But...let's try and focus on the now, yeah?"

"...ok."

Raph sighed, it always hurt to see his brothers sad, even more so when he thought back at how Leo must've felt. How he was hurting so much and yet none of them saw, he still blamed himself at how he should've known. Should've seen that his younger brother was hurting to the point that running away was a good idea.

If he could, Raph would go back to that night and hold onto him as hard as he could, keeping him safe and protected like he should've been doing instead of yelling at him. So many should've-could've thoughts ran through his head that he was startled when Donnie ran into the kitchen.

"Hey is something wrong?"

"You need to see this."

~

"Oh great pizza supreme..."

"I know."

"And your sure it's..."

"Yes, I've gone over all the footage multiple times. It's him."

"Then what are we waitin around here for! Let's go find our brother!"

~

Luckily for the slider and his anti-social ass, help wasn't needed at the moment. For now, all he needed to do was find where the pieces are being taken to and then find the rest of them. Easy. He rested his head on the back of the worn couch, shutting his eyes at the incoming headaches he could sense.

If only Usagi was here, he could've easily found the pieces by just sensing where they were. The rabbit was always better at mystics when compared to him, all Leo could do was make lightning sometimes, and usually only small sparks. Though one time he summoned a full on bolt from the sky, but it was storming then so that might've been a simple coincidence. A helpful one, but still.

But that's not useful in this situation, no instead he has to find it himself. Sneak around and scout out the areas...Oh spirits he's gonna have to talk to others, 'Usagi you little shit.' He rubbed his snout, the headaches might be starting sooner than he thought.

Five years spent in the woods can make someone a bit anti-social, then the two years he spent traveling was spent alone or with the rabbit. Can't really blame him though, people can suck at the worst times.

Leo sighs into his hands before getting off the couch, he needed to head to the Hidden City anyways. He's gonna have to scope out where the Foots location is from any locals, that might take a bit if they do know where. He'll just have to do it on foot (heh) if no one does. At the very least, his brothers shouldn't be anywhere near where he should be.

~

~

Two weeks. Its been two weeks and he's finally found them, hiding out inside of an abandoned powerplant in Yonkers of all places. Because of course they would hide out here in the middle of nowhere. Not like anyone would even think of looking here for anything suspicious, see the sarcasm. Nice of that frog-bear yokai to point him in the right direction, those two weeks would've gone on even longer if he hadn't asked around the harbor part of the Hidden City.

As he sneaks his way in, making his way through hallways and down stairs, he follows a few Foot grunts. Soon enough Leo had made his way to a giant cave lit by hundreds of candles. Hiding behind stalagmites, he can hear the two leaders talk to a female grunt about...how a chocolate croissant should be toasted? If he didn't know any better he'd think they were idiots, though they probably were if it's taken so long to build whatever it is they're planning. 

Leo crouches and slinks his way closer, if he could at least see where they have the rest of the metal then he could start planning on retrieval. Sticking to the shadows, he makes his way across the giant room until he comes across a giant staircase. Though from his position on the side of it, he can't see what the stairs lead to. He slides out the blades in his boots and starts climbing, still hidden in the shadows.

Soon enough the turtle reached the top, hiding behind a wall of pink rock to catch his breath. Peaking around slowly and low to the ground, he looks for any guards but doesn't see any, you'd think there would be more guards if they had something so important. The two leaders were still on the bottom floor, talking about their orders to the grunt.

Seeing how their attention was on something else, he looked to his left and there it was. A giant metal armor hung from the stand, missing only a few parts. He could see where the piece he had would go on, right smack dab in the middle, connecting the rib plates. 

Leo moved back behind the wall, his mask releasing a small burst of steam, and moves his backpack from behind him. Taking out his phone, he marked his location down before he pulls out a towel. Might as well start the retrieval since the security here was so light, just a few pieces obviously. Didn't need them knowing he was there.

Laying the towel out on the ground, he leans back out and watches the leaders for a moment. Then, while keeping an eye on the Foot, he slowly crawls over to the armor and grabs one of the rib pieces from the back. Once he's slides back behind the wall, he places the rib onto the towel and repeats what he did again.

Soon enough, he's gathered three ribs, the shoulder guards, and the fingers of the left glove. That small part of him won out so he took all but the middle finger, a small smirk on his face at the thought at cartoonish reactions of the Foot. With all the smallest, most unnoticeable pieces on the towel, Leo rolls everything up and places it into his bag. Once he was all packed up, he slings it onto his back and makes his way back down the side of the stairs.

Sneaking his way back from where he entered, cursing out whoever thought fifteen flights of stairs of differing styles, he stood and looked back out at the powerplant. His mask releases the steam once more and then he was gone, heading to his cabin to keep the armor safe. Seeing as to how the mission went, Leo just might head to the Hidden city and celebrate with some dinner. After a victory nap though, two whole weeks of stress was not good for his mental state, Usagi had drilled that into him.

But all in all, a pretty successful mission.

~

It's been mission failure left and right.

They just couldn't find him. In between searching all of New York and the mutant attacks, Leo was nowhere to be found. It was starting to bring them down. Even in the short amount of time negative thoughts had started surfacing, could the three of them even find him? No, don't think like that Raph, gotta stay positive. Positive for your brothers. 

For two weeks though, two whole weeks! They've found nothing, Donnie was even advocating to search the Hidden city. Which by itself would be a good idea but considering that Donatello I-Hate-All-Things-Magic Hamato had put the idea out was alarming. Seeing how their mission was going up top, maybe moving down below would help. Though Raph doesn't want to think on what they would do if Leo wasn't there.

"Hey Raph, you there?" 

The snapper startles out of his deep thinking session, Donnie was standing infront of him snapping his fingers in his face. Once the softshell knew that the eldest was mentally present, he crossed his arms with a slightly furrowed brow. Mikey was standing next to him, a concerned frown on his face as he fidgeted with his fingers. Raph shook himself and leaned on the kitchen counter casually, though by the looks of his brothers he failed in that aspect, 'Cmon Raph, stay together, you're their big brother, gotta be better.'

"Uh-Yeah! Raphs here, what are we talkin about again?" He rubbed the back of his neck in embarasment, he didn't mean to space out.

"Disgruntled sigh, we WERE-" Donatello rolled his eyes dramatically, though Raph could tell that he was doing it just for show.

"We were thinking of heading down to the Hidden City to look there!" Mikey bounced in place, Donnie moved away with a exasperated look before he got hit by flying arms.

"Oh yeah, that would be smart. Well then let's ready up and head out!" Raph gave a thumbs up before turning to leave.

As soon as all his gear is on, Raph moves to the garage and hops in the turtle-tank. Sitting in the captains chair, he thinks back to when Donnie had made the tank with Leo in mind. How he made a third chair infront of the captains and wouldn't let any of them touch it. The snapper wipes a tear away just as his younger brothers jump in, and soon they were off. They've grown used to the New Yorkers barely batting an eye as they sped by, the people up top have probably seen weirder things than a turtle tank speeding by.

They drive to the only entrance they know of. Run Of The Mill was full of yokai by the time they got there, seeing so many different types always fascinated the brothers. Señor Hueso was seen carrying orders from table to table, it was clear that he hadn't spotted them. The turtles weren't on the best of terms seeing as how they've destroyed the skeleton's restaurant several times now.

Turning to his brothers, Raph smirked, "Ok now, let's just get through the back and we're home free!"

"I don't think that's how that saying goes Rapha."

Raphael slides between the waiters with food and ducks down whenever he spots the skeleton at any of the tables. Michelangelo crawls under the tables, quietly giggling as he goes. Donatello simply walks to the back, looking at his phone as he goes. Raphs gonna have to talk about that to him, Donnie's stealth training might need some work. Donnie always was the best sneak...when he wants to of course, and he usually doesn't want to.

Soon enough, all three of them have made it to the back entrance. Mikey does a little dance at this fact, bringing a smile to Raphs face.

"Tortugas."

Raph isn't too prideful to admit that he did squeak when the skeleton caught them, appearing out of nowhere. He somehow had a brow raised in question, his hands on his hips.

Raph smiled nervously while tapping his fingers together, "Oh uh...Hey Hueso! So um...listen uh-"

"We are just exiting your fine establishment, so if you'll excuse us." Donnie interrupted. 

The softshell pushed himself infront of the snapper as he talks to Hueso. Smiles shine on the turtles as the skeleton simply glowers with his non-existent eyes. The skeleton pinches his nose bridge and shuts his eyes, he waves a hand at them with a sigh, "Just go on your ways, at least this time my restaurant is in one piece."

"Thanks Hueso!" All three of them perk up at the dismissal. 

And with that the three of them enter the Hidden City to continue, and hopefully finish, their mission.

~

It was dark.

The room was only lit by two candles on a small table, a picture frame in between them. The faint shapes of what used to be a bed room could be faintly seen thanks to the small candles. A eucalyptus incense stick was placed infront of the picture, softly burning and filling the room with it's calming scent.

A figure was bowed in front of the table, head low and eyes closed. He whispered prayers as a few tears slipped, once he was silent for a few moments, he unclasped his hands and wiped the tears away. 

He stared at the old photo, it was of four turtles playing pretend. The biggest was laid out on his stomach playing dead while one with glasses looked at him with a notepad in his small hands. A third was covered in paint and smiling up at the last figure in the picture. 

The last one was standing on top of the biggest, a wooden spoon was raised in his little green hand. He was laughing at the imagined success of defeating the monster, the biggest smile on his face stretched the red marks on his cheeks.

Splinter hoped with all his heart that his second youngest was safe, that he was found. That one day the rat would be able to hug his son. His son who would smile at him whenever he simply looked at him. A smile that made him feel like he was the greatest thing in the tiny turtle's life.

Oh how Splinter wished he could go back and fix everything thing. He wished he could see that smile one more time.

He wants his baby blue back.

Chapter Text

He sat there. 

For how long, he didn't know. 

The room still had clothes on the floor, none of them wanted to move anything, scared that it would disturb something. What that something could be, they would never know. So nothing was moved or changed in the old bedroom, other than the dust floating about and catching the light. He remembered that his second youngest loved glitter, the shining dust would be an adequate replacement for the glitter. 

His second youngest...because he had four sons...he should go check on the other three.

Yes, he should probably go do that.

In a minute. 

...

What was he supposed to do again?

...

Oh.

...

Right.

With a sigh, the old rodent rises to his feet. Wiping away the last of his tears and dusting himself off, the father turns and leaves the room. Not noticing the soft glow of an odachi hung above the bed.

And no one would know of the twin katana inside the cupboard in the training room disappearing. 

~

Leonardo hiked his way through the woods, clutching the strap on his bag and trying not to slip on any of the fallen dead leaves. He did that once on a drill, Abilio had reminded him of that for a good year. Saying that that had been the most he had laughed in awhile, if it weren't at the turtle's expense Leo would've felt proud. 

A small smile grew on his beak with the memory. 

Soon enough he could make out the outline of the cabin, just barely peaking out of the trees and dense foliage. Leo slowed down as he drew near, a frown replacing the smile with the fact of his door being slightly askew. He distinctly remembered shutting it behind him before he left, Abilio always told him to double check these kinds of things.

As quietly as he could, he placed the bag down beside him and stalked his way towards the porch. Leo listened closely, his tympanum almost against the door. His right hand hovered over his thigh, right over his pistol.

...

There

...

Something was shuffling around.

Drawing his pistol, he leaned down to look through the crack, every part of him was tense. And there he saw it, something moving in the dark kitchen. Now knowing the position of the intruder, Leo opened the door slowly and sliped through, creeping towards the next room. The intruder unaware of the new company, making small noises. 

With the gun held out in front of him, he sniffed the air to assess his situation. Whoever it was smelt like shit, like haven't-taken-a-bath-in-weeks kinda shit. But there was something underneath that, something like...

The intruder must have spotted him because it was now deathly quiet. As the seconds ticked by in the standoff, Leo was finally able to register what the underlying scent was. Just in time for the intruder to step out of the shadows.

~

Where were they?

They're supposed to be here. They're... Did they leave? They didn't leave him, right? No they probably just went out...yeah.

Yeah.

They just forgot to tell him.

Teenagers forget to tell their parents things all the time.

Like the time when Blue...

Don't think of that right now.

First find your boys. Bring them home. Then ground them until they're 80.

Good plan, Splinter. Now to put it in action.

As the rat left the kitchen, he thought of where his turtles could've gone to. He knows that they were still searching for his Little Blue, but that they've pretty much searched the entirety of New York. With a hand on his chin, an idea settled like a rock in his stomach. He never liked the thought of them going to the Hidden City, but he was at least happy that they were together.

And knowing his boys and how danger prone they were, they most likely went down there to continue their search.

Splinter smiled, settling down in his chair, they were always there to help or save anyone who needed it. Like he used to do in his movies. Like how Little Blue used to whenever his brothers had gotten hurt.

He hopes that they find him soon.

~

Leo couldn't believe his luck. Who could've guessed that his luck was just this bad. Not him, never him, shut up. His face scrunching at the mere notion that Usagi was cackling in the afterlife at his misfortune. 

He sat on his bed with the intruder in his lap. The one that broke into his house and ate his bread. Nothing else, just his bread. Didn't help that that was all he had for food. The intruder was small, a type of dog he couldn't recognize just from looking at him. At least he knows it's a boy. And that he likes bread.

"Stupid bread thief..."

Now he has to go shopping, because apparently his mutant body needs more calories than the normal human and he has no more food left. Something he and Abilio learned after training, they had to keep high calorie bars on hand after that. He remembers scaring Usagi when he ate five bowls of his aunts ramen, though that was how he gained Miyamoto-san's gratitude. Apparently no one was able to out eat the older rabbit other than his late wife. 

He sighs, shaking himself out of memory lane, shopping was on his to-do list anyways. Moving the dog off his lap and getting off the bed, he makes his way outside, all the while being followed. The small scrappy thing looked happy as it panted behind him. Something about its little trot made Leo smile, remembering when Abilio told him that his troop were assigned dogs to help sniff out  bombs.

He was even allowed to keep one when he retired, a black German shepherd named Eloise. A real sweetheart, he'd say gruffly. She passed seven years before Leo showed up, not without having two litters of course. Abilio sold most of them off to military dog training camps, but kept the two smallest with him. Naming them Jona and Hydie.

...

They were the best whenever he had a panic attack before the fire.

...

Gotta get food. No time to reminisce, not right now.

Leo pointed at the dog as they walked through the forest, the only sound being their foot steps and the slight jingle of the temporary collar on the dog. "Ok short thing, if your gonna stay, your gonna have to pull your weight. No laziness in my house, got it?" It simply looked at him with his tongue hanging out, like it was simply happy that Leo spoke to him.

He sighed and shook his head, trying to smother the smile growing. When he looked up again he saw the dog run ahead and grab a stick. He softly chuckled when it brought over the stick, starring at him with its big eyes, begging to play. Leo bent over and took it before throwing it a good distance ahead, the dog bolting after almost immediately. 

It was rather lonely, the lifestyle he's chosen didn't really allow friends. Maybe he could let himself have this one, a treat or reward for such a successful mission. It'd only be temporary, just for now.

He just hopes the dog was house trained, because he remembers Abilio telling him how training Jona and Hydie went. Who knew such little things could poop that much.

~

They've been looking for an hour already and no one has ever even heard of a red eared slider, mutant or yokai. He's starting to have his doubts about him being here.

Now he knows that the Hidden City is big 'n all and that they haven't looked for very long down here, but they've been looking for years. His hopes in finding Leo were starting to slip. That small boost he got from looking through his camera footage had brought him back for a bit.

But...

"Come on little brothers, lets take a break yeah?" Raph looked tired, but who wouldn't be in their situation. It felt like he was dragging himself around most of the time, even with a full pot of coffee. 

Mikey slumped at that, "Aww, but Raph we've only searched this corner-!"

"Exactly, lets just slow down. We'll pick back up in a bit." The snapper placated, patting their baby brothers head.

"Sigh, didn't you say that you need to do some shopping? There is a market two blocks east of here." He couldn't let Mikey stay sad for too long. Last time that happened he went on a baking streak and Raph fell into a food coma for two hours, that was not pleasant. They had to make a new rule on how much Raph could eat at a time.

Hearing this, Mikey lit up. He always loved shopping, from food to little niknaks, Donnie could never put a limit on Mikey's budget. He's tried once, and in retaliation Mikey took from his stash and bought 50 giant inflatable flamingo pool floaties. The three of them head there way to the market, making small talk along the way. 

Through out the stalls, yokai called out to anyone who passed them. Strange food, fruit, and vegetables being sold by even stranger people. It was crowded, just enough to get on his nerves, just a touch overstimulating. But with a giant of a big brother, the crowd parted enough for them to slip through. 

"GASP! Oh. Me. GOSH! Look at this little cutie!"

Mikey was bent over a small dog, and from what his scans are saying, it was a welsh terrier. From its size, it must've been the runt of the litter. After he relaid this information to Mikey, the box turtle got even louder in his cooing. He mentions how it must've gotten lost in the crowd, now also grabbing Raphs pitying awws. Then in the distance, someone whistled through the crowd, the dog stiffened and walked its way towards the sound.

Well, guess the dog wasn't lost.

Ohhh is that a mystic crystal stand?

~

Oh sweet pizza supreme, this dog is so cute! He just couldn't stop petting him, but then the owner must've called him cause he started to leave. His little tail wagging back and forth while it trotted away.

But someone could try and steal the cutie, he couldn't just let that happen! Mikey followed the dog through the crowd, keeping his eyes on the tiny bundle of cuteness. He mainly crawled in between the legs of the crowd, if he stepped on any toes that would stay with him. Soon enough, the dog stopped and sat down, looking up at his owner with its tongue out.

Mikey was crouching, his hand still on the dog, and slowly looked up. Dirty black combat boots were covered by dark cargo pants which led to a sleeveless turtleneck with the back cut to reveal a shell, it was turtle. Strong, lean arms held bags of food, green with yellow stripes.

It couldn't be...

No way, not here of all places...

"Leo?"

Chapter Text

Fuck

First thought to go through his head, sums up the entire situation perfectly he thinks. His luck really is the wrost, because of course they would be here in the Hidden City. Makes total sense. Wait, did that mean Splinter lets them go wherever now? And when did they find out about the Hidden City!? 

Though to be fair, the last time he was anywhere near them, they all barely went up top. Funnily enough, they were planning on going to the surface to go pool jumping. He thinks...

It's been awhile. 

He wished it'd be longer.

He wished for the past to stay buried. 

He needed to run.

Strangers yelled out expletives, yokai being shoved out of the way as four turtles pushed their way through the crowd. He had dropped his groceries the moment he realized what had happened, but he couldn't leave the dog, it wiggled in his arms but knew to stay put. It could sense that his new person was upset with the situation, he didn't want to make it worse. 

Leo needed to find the exit. 

If only they weren't chasing him away from the closest one. He had to lose them somehow, if he could sneak up and scare a rabbit samurai, then he lose 3 ninja. Just needed to get out of their sight for a moment and he's home free.

He zigzagged around yokai and took a hard left into a alleyway, Mikey barely able to follow. Leo wove his way in between all the lefts and rights before diving into a restaurant. He quickly makes his way into the back and out the delivery door, scaring the underpaid employees unloading the delivery truck. 

Sliding in between a few stalls, he was able to find his way back to the market in just a few minutes. Skating past the disgruntled yokai, he found his groceries on the ground, seemingly untouched. At least he hoped they were untouched. 

He put the dog back on the ground and grabbed all of his bags. A few items were probably squished or broken with the fall from earlier, but that was a problem for later. It was all easily replaceable, it all being mostly food. With a glance behind him, he made his way to the closest exit portal. Dog still trotting happily with its tongue out, it followed after his new person.

Guess Leo's luck had turn around.

~

It was him.

That was his brother!

Yeah sure, he looked different but he's never seen another turtle yokai or mutant in New York!

Add on the fact that the slider recognized him, and bam! Hundo percent brother...probably. He could hear Donnie and Raph behind him, but that didn't matter. Mikey could finally hug his older brother after so long.

Mikey was broken out of his thoughts when he heard the bags being carried crash and balked when Leo scooped up the dog, running away. Running away from him.

"WAIT, LEO! STOP!" He gave chase, his brothers had caught up by then and startled at hearing Mikey.

"LEO?!"

~

They lost him.

He had tried to keep up. He had! But...well Leo was the fastest out of all of them. Usually they were able to keep up, and they did for a good bit, yet somehow...

The moment he had gone into that restaurant, the manager and wait staff had yelled at them. Though that might be because they saw Raphs size. Can't blame them for getting worried, Raph was a big boy. Emphasis on big. Nothing wrong with that though. His brothers loved his size, a big cuddly teddy bear they called him.

No no Raph, get back on the point. The snapper shook himself, taking in the situation. They had retraced their steps back to the market, but it was obvious that Leo had left by now. He could be anywhere by now. His brothers were looking disappointed, Mikey fidgeting with his hands as he looked left and right. Donnie had his goggles down as he scanned the crowed, occasionally looking at his wrist computer thing. Raph really needs to pay attention to his brother's science talks if he doesn't know what its called.

It seems as though they also needed snapping out of, so he gently grabbed both thier shoulders and gave them a light shake. With their attention now on him he gives them a small smile, "Hey, why don't we head on home. Leo's left by now, yeah? So no point in hanging out here."

His brothers looked disheartened at that but they agreed with the elder. And so they made their way back to Run of the Mill, grinning apologetically at Huéso, and started the trek home.

The weather decided to match their moods with a light rain, thunder rumbling in the distance. By the time they had made it home, they were soaked, the rain having fallen harder.

They didn't think the mood could get worse but then they saw Splinter waiting for them at the entrance. The rat at first had a small smile that fell at the sight of his crestfallen sons. He gestured for the turtles to head to the kitchen and quickly made for the bathroom, returning with towels.

Once dried and the kettle on the stove, he turned back to his sons. At his questioning gaze, Raph spoke up. He told his father everything while Donnie pulled up a still he took of Leo. Seeing his lost son for the first time in forever, Splinter gently grabbed the tablet handed to him and stared at it.

It was still and silent for a few minutes before it was broken by the kettle going off. The sound snapped the rat back to the present, a thought coming to mind thanks to the image. He quickly wiped a stray tear away before turning back to his boys.

"I understand that this must've been hard for you, but we can now safely say that Leonardo is safe. And that he is here in New York or at least under it."

Raph balked at that, he had completely forgotten that part and with a glance at the others, it seemed that they had too. With this realization, they all smiled. Because maybe they'll find and convince their brother to stay the next time they see him.

Now with proof that their brother really was here, they weren't letting him go without a fight.

~

God damn, this teacher can drone. April sat at the back of the classroom, head propped up by her hand. She's been awake for only an hour but she just might fall back any minute, if only she didn't need the class credit for her degree. This was her first year in college so it made sense that she had to start with the basics but did they have to be taught with such borimg teachers.

April more hears than feels the buzz of her phone on the desk. This wakes her up more than the Dr.Pepper she had, slipping the phone to her lap with her eyes glued to the professor. Can't have him thinking she's on her phone, even if she is. Flicking her eyes back and forth between the phone and the professor, she scrolls through the messages she got.

Eyebrows🐢: Hey, when can you get here the soonest?

Something happened and we thought it best to include.

April quickly looked back at the still talking teacher then responded. 

CraneMaster💅: in class at moment

once clas over ill head on ovet

She quickly turned her phone off, ignoring the buzz of Donnie being her autocorrect, and turned back to the lecture. The professor had started going over the lectures homework, something about summarizing certain pages. Once the words 'you're dismissed' she was the first out the door, thanking the school gods that she only had the one class that day.

April quickly made her way to the closest entrance to the lair, making speedy apologies at the crowds she pushed through. Finally, she pulled the cover out and over head as she went down the ladder. Turning on her phone light, she started walking for several minutes before she saw lights at the opening to the lair.

There waiting by the entrance on his phone is Mikey, when he sees her a smile grows on both their faces as the turtle bounces. A big hug later, they're in Donnie's lab as the purple brother plays footage on his giant monitor. He stops it on a dark figure, he gestures to it as Raph enters the room.

"This, my dear sister, is someone we've been tracking for the past few weeks. And-" Donnie was always one for dramatics, moving his hands this way and that. 

"WE FOUND LEO!!" Mikey crowed with his arms im the air. April looked at him in shock before turning to the grumbling middle child. Donnie had a hand on his face, pinching the spot between his fake eyebrows. 

"Hold on, hold on! What do mean?" She didn't want to get her hopes up, so she needed clarification. She remembered Leo when Donnie first brought her over, the little guy was always excited to see her whenever she came over. But over time, she could tell something was bothering him. Something to do with the other turtles, her big sister senses went off whenever they overtook Leo in conversation. 

So when he ran away, her heart broke because she could've done something to help him. That fact had always haunted her, but over the years, it got quieter. She didn't think of him as often anymore, the brothers didn't talk about him as much.

"Well when we went over to the Hidden City to look around, we stopped by a market to stock up. Mikey saw a dog and followed it to it's owner who was Leo." Raph gave a small glare at said box turtle for wandering off. He didn't like it when his younger brothers went off without telling him.

"And you're absolutely sure it was him? Cause this wouldn't be the first time," April reminded them and they all thought back to when they thought they heard Leo talking. They had been relaxing on a rooftop when they heard it, but it just turned out to be some guy walking down the sidewalk with someone. It was just some guy named Ben she thinks.

Donnie spun around his chair and pulled up new footage he took when he had followed Mikey. He paused it again, showing a clear picture of a red eared slider, it was so clear that April could see the heterochromea. Blue and brown eyes that were a mirrored look to Donnie's own.

Yeah, she was sure now. That was missing brother. 

She was gonna rain hell on whoever stopped her from getting him back. And from the looks of it, the rest of her brothers would back her up.

~

They lost them.

They don't know how or who, but they're gone.

They needed to find them, find the theif and kill him.

"Woah, calm down there Casanova. We just need the parts back." A high, gravelly voice broke the spoken thoughts.

"Perhaps if you could find them, you can get that promotion you wanted." A deep voice said.

"I shall do whatever it takes to retrieve the pieces, masters! And that promotion will be MINE!" The sound of quickly retreating steps was the only sound in the room.

...

"D'you think she can do it?"

"Ahh Cassandra can do whatever, if only she'd get our orders right at that café down the corner."

Chapter Text

"-and then I said that Lou could've just listened to Carrie and he wouldn't've gotten caught-"

"Uh-huh...real interesting Mikey."

He watched as a 7 year old Donnie continued on working on the projector, he couldn't remember why it needed fixing. Leo stopped talking, seeing as Donnie thought he was Mikey, his shoulders slumping into themselves. This wasn't the first time he was mistaken for another brother by Donnie, sometimes the softshell would be so busy that he didn't pay attention to his surroundings.

"Uh-well...I-I think I hear Raphie calling so." Raph wasn't calling him, his brothers never really needed him for anything, he wasn't very useful for anything other than a scapegoat. It was always easier to just accept the blame than to fight it, that would always get him in more trouble. 

"Oh great Einstein, could you stop talking for five minutes! I'm trying to focus here!" Donnie, who was now 10, glared at him from across the table before turning back to the projector. Leo knew he didn't want to make him mad so he quickly left.

What he wasn't expecting was a wrench his brother was previously holding hitting the back of his head with a resounding crack.

~

He was jolted out of his sleep by his person flying off the bed, dragging him along with the blanket. He shook himself out of the sheet and looked back at his person, he let out a soft whine at the panic he could smell. His person was scared and was breathing really fast, he didn't like that. Not on his person, as the loyal dog he is, he can't let this happen.

His person was curled up into himself, so he walked over and gave his hand a small lick. The sudden cold sensation seemed to have snapped his person out of his ball time enough for him to crawl into the small space. Wiggling into the space between leg and chest, he looked back up at his person. He could see the confusion on his face so he licked his nose, that seemed to be the right thing to do as the distress melted off his person.

His person moved their legs so they stretched out, which was nice of them as he was starting to feel squished. He hopped of his persons legs and made a small circle before stopping right infront of him. His person gave out a huff and shook his head, he thought that his person was upset at first but then he saw him show his teeth. He knew that stray people did that to other strays to show happiness, so clearly his person was happy with him. He let out a happy huff of his own when his person scratched the space behind his ears, his tail wagging in appreciation. 

Hmmm, he really needed a name for his person. If he was gonna keep him, he needed a name for him to call.

~

After the little panic attack in the bedroom that will not be mentioned, Leo had moved to the kitchen to start on breakfast. He was lucky that only a few eggs had broken when he dropped them, just enough for a few omelettes. Cracking four on the pan he had found and turning the oven on to slowly heat up, he fell into the motions of making an omelette. 

He paused in his breakfast making when he felt something rub his leg, looking down at the dog. It stared up at him, it gave a small yip before turning in a circle and sitting by his feet again. Leo sighed with a smile, after moving his food to a different burner he went over to the cabinet filled with bowls and plates. Bowl in hand, he pulled out the dog food he had stashed under the sink and filled the bowl.

He had to hold the dog back as he placed the bowl down, a laugh bubbling out at the dog. Once the dog was situated, he went back to his own. As he ate, plans started filling his head. He needed to head back to Lairdman Island and gather more of the armor from the foot soon. He had waited long enough to steal more safely, hopefully at least.

As deep in thought as he was, he didn't see the dog sneak beside him and gently pulling the plate off the table with its teeth. Leo startled back when the plate hit the floor, turning to the clatter he saw the dog eating the leftover eggs off the tile. 

"Damn it, you sneaky little thief! Though considering how I found you it makes sense. A chip off the ol' bandit block as Usagi would say." He crossed his arms on the table, a smirk on his face as he watched the dog clean the floor. He slapped his hands on the table when a thought came to mind.

"Hey...there's an idea. Bandit! That's what I'll call you, ya little food bandit!" 

He bent down and ruffled the tan fur on the dogs head, the dog - Bandit jumped up on its hindlegs with his front paws on Leo's legs. The turtle and dog then go on to a session on belly scratches that turned into a game of chase.

This lasts for a good hour, after giving Bandit a bowl of water Leo collapses on the couch and is soon joined by the dog. With Bandit laying on his chest, they both fall into a comfortable sleep.

~

The night was getting colder as autumn goes on, the wind somehow finding the few cracks in his mask and clothes. He gave a shiver as he walked back and forth on top of the powerplant he had just been inside, looking for the armor. Anger slowly building at his stupidity, for allowing this to happen. A part of him reasoned that he couldn't have known.

But the powerplant was still empty. 

All traces of the Foot were removed. 

Even the secret passageway that led to the underground space had been blocked. 

Leo stopped his pacing, getting angry wouldn't help the situation. Taking his mask off to take a deep breath, he thought back as to where they could've gone to. The problem with that though was that he had no idea where they could be now, which caused him to get frustrated again. Leo snarled before replacing the mask as he jumped off the roof, landing in a roll and walking to the closes Hidden City portal.

The last time he was there, there was a stand selling crystals with different uses. He might might be able to find something that could help trace the armor and lead him back to the Foot. Hopefully they're not too expensive, he might have to pull a few hits to make up the money.

Good thing Usagi and him had made a name for themselves, back at Neo Edo. It was fun to see Japan but he preferred the states and the giant forests amd mountains that humans rarely went to. Maybe after everything he'll vist the Appalachian mountains again, make a trip out of it. Bandit might like it.

With all the plans going on in his head, as he travled through New York, Leo didn't notice that he had an extra shadow following him.

~

She finally did it, that stupid theif finally showed themselves at the old base. She stalked him as he traversed through what remained of the Foot base, internally cackling at that fact that the Foot outsmarted the theif. As if her great leaders would keep Foot secrets in a base that was previously raided!

HA!

Take that you idiotic scum!

The Foot Clan will always prevail!

Cassandra watched with barely contained satisfaction as the theif stomped back and forth for a good five minutes. She slapped a hand over her mouth to cover a gasp when the theif- no turtle removed that stupid mask. The clan had been stolen from by one of those infuriating turtles!

Oh if only her great leaders could see her now, they would applaud her for keeping such a tight grip on her anger. How she wanted to put that turtle in his place! And show him the TRUE POWER OF THE FOOT CLAN!!

'Soon Cassandra, the turtle thief will learn soon enough!'

She followed him as he left and ran over rooftops. The turtle started making strange turns when they entered Bronx, it made it a bit of a challenge to keep her eyes on him. A challenge Cassandra was willing to take!

Strangely enough, they started heading to Harlem, which she knew for a fact that the other turtles lived near. Just imagining the praise she'll gain from her leaders if she obtains the location of the Hamato clan home fills her with glee.

But then the theif stopped, looking over at the street below, so she crept forward to hide better so she could also see. There down on the street were the other turtles and the pig mutant. Cassandra has seen the pig fight first hand thanks to a scuffle once, she knew he was powerful. 

Then the theif jumped down into the fight.

Obviously she had to follow!

She just didn't plan for her gut to become best friends with the pigs meat tenderizer. 

The leaders will understand, especially if she returns with their favorite coffee and biscuit orders.

~

East Bronx was where he realized he was being followed. Making a hard right and started running towards Bronx, he jumped to the zoo then turned to Crotana park. He zigzagged towards Yankee stadium then to St. Mary's park before running to Harlem. Whoever this was was hard bent on following him, if it wasn't him being followed he'd be impressed. 

Still not cool though. 

But then he started hearing a fight down Harlem, and out of the corner of his eye he saw an orange figure fly above the rooftops. Leo had to stop to see what was going on, no one was just comically thrown screaming for fun. 

The first thing to catch his eye is a massive pig...yokai? It didn't look like one but then again yokai come in all different shapes and sizes. So he watched as Raphael charged into the pigs gut and Donatello zooming to catch Michelangelo. Then he got an idea to lose his little follower. 

So he jumped right on in, landing feet first on the pigs face.

A wild plan requires a wild start as Abilio would say. Though Leo doesn't think he'd apply that in this situation. 

So with a few jumps, he finally sees his stalker leap down as well. The presence of two new fighters startle the others before the pig gets even more angered. Swinging his meat tenderizer into the ground and yelling out about pests ruining his revenge. 

With a little manipulation, he somehow gets who he now realizes was a Foot soldier smacked by the pigs weapon. They're sent flying up to the nearby roof of an apartment. With that out of the way, he quickly runs from the battle.

Somehow he doesn't see his newest stalker.

Usagi would be so disappointed if he were here.

~

He was right there. 

He literally joined the fight, bounced around, and then left.

He swears, if that turtle wasn't his brother...

Luckily he had a secret weapon.

So with that, Donnie takes to the skies, his battleshell flying him over rooftops. Flying just high enough to not be heard, and keeping a wide enough space to not be immediately seen. See, he can be sneaky when he wants to, Raph shouldn't doubt him on that.

As quickly as he could, he taps a series of commands on his wrist gauntlet. A subtle beep sounds from his tech bo and he flings it forward, aiming at Leo. A trigger slides out of the bo near his finger, and with a pull, a piece of tech so small it was near unnoticeable shot out. Once Donnie knew it was attached, he came to a stop, silently hovering. 

He stayed there, watching his twin disappear over rooftops and past alleyways. He only landed when his other brothers and sister called out to him, pulling him out of his thoughts with a smile on his face.

"I hit him. I know where he's going!" He turns to his family, their concern quickly change to excitement. 

He can finally fix his family. 

Finally have his younger twin back.

He couldn't wait to find him.

Chapter Text

Hey hi everyone! Little Authors note!

Now I know it's been a few months I think, but I promise it's not what it looks like. This story is not being dropped.

Instead...

It's rewrite time baby!!!

I've had trouble moving forward in this story mainly because I have absolutely no plan. Not a good idea now that I think about it. 

But thanks to me finally buckling down and noting down what gonna be happening, I now have a plan!

It'll take some time for me to write the first chapter so don't think this is over till I say so.

I will be leaving this entire story up, and because of the rewrite I'm going in a different direction, so if any want to pick this up or spin it around go ahead! Just, ya know, tell me in the comments.

Now as for my other story, Up-Kranng, that one is being put on hold. At least till I get to planning on where that ones going, which will most likely happen once I finish planning this one.

If you haven't read Up-Kranng go have a read!

That's it for this note, thanks again to anyone and everyone who's stuck around! Reading all your comments help brighten my day!

Bye bye!