Chapter Text
Normal night patrol had turned from boring to survival escape. Four turtle brothers ran on the roofs, panting hard when the spotlight shined upon them. Leonardo looked over his shoulder, growling silently to himself. Darn! It was Bishop! He just knew! No one else used helicopters or chased them so openly.
“Guys, be careful! It’s Bishop!”
“Of course it had ta be him!” Raphael cursed loudly, the helicopter's sound covering part of his voice.
Brothers kept running over a few more rooftops when Leonardo suddenly came to a stop, his brothers following his lead soon after. With wider eyes, Leonardo swallowed between heavy breathing. An ambush? There were these weird looking people in their lab coats, guns aimed at them.
Leonardo squinted slightly, his mouth turning into a thin line. He had seen such guns before. Stun guns. So Bishop really wanted to capture them, do horrible tests on them. Maybe even kill?
Why couldn't he just leave them alone!? They were no danger or dangerous to the people of New York! Why didn't that human believe or see that!?
A sudden flash with no sound alarmed the oldest just in time. Stepping to the side, Leonardo dodged the first dart aimed at him. His blue eyes saw perfectly how two other persons lifted their guns, aiming at Michelangelo and Donatello. No! NO!
Leonardo growled as he dashed towards his brothers, grabbing on their arms. “Go!” He managed to order his siblings before pushing them off on the roof. He heard their screams, seeing them disappearing into the shadows instantly. He sighed in relief.
“Leo!”
Now remembering the situation he still was in with Raphael, Leonardo spun around, seeing his muscular brother dashing to him.
“The hell ya are doing?! Did ya just toss them off of the roof!?”
“Yes and you’re next! Go! Go now while I hold them back!”
Big turtle growled, grabbing on Leonardo’s shoulders.
“I ain’t going anywhere without ya!”
Look in the smaller male’s eyes became more serious.
“I’m not arguing with you, Raphael! There’s no time! Go before ---! Oh… No. Raph…”
“What?”
Emerald green turtle turned his gaze down on his right arm, on the spot where Leonardo was looking. There was a dart sticking out on his arm.
“Ohhh fuuck…” Raphael grunted with a deep sigh, suddenly feeling how his legs were starting to give in under his weight. Leonardo saw this, instantly stepped closer to support his brother who eventually collapsed against him, unconscious.
Leonardo growled while holding Raphael as well as he could, pulling out his sword, pointing it at the enemy.
“Get back! I warn you! I won’t hesitate to kill if it means to save myself and my brothers! STAY BACK!”
But his words were in vain. Enemy was approaching him with slow but steady steps. Bishop himself looked down from the helicopter's open door. He was grinning.
Leonardo swung his sword, blocking new darts with it as well as he could but when all guns fired at once… He couldn’t dodge or block them all. He felt a sting on his neck and arm, his eyes widening towards the dark night sky while horrified gasp escaped him.
No… No. H-he failed. He failed to protect Raphael…
His legs gave in under his and Raphael’s weight, forcing him to lay on the roof unconscious by the side of his brother.
Spotlight was shining on the turtles while the enemy troop moved closer, Bishop jumping down from the helicopter to investigate the situation himself. As he stood at the feet of the turtles, eyeing them both through his black glasses, his smile widened into a pleased grin.
“Put them in the copter.”
**
First thing what Raphael noticed, when slowly waking up, was the feeling of nausea. God, he hated this feeling! He groaned deep from his throat, lifting his heavy arm to rub his closed eyes. Then hit the smell.
Ew… EW!
He was too tired to open his eyes but his nose picked up the scent of mixed medicines and chemicals, too clean environment. He instantly thought of labs or hospitals. The smell was sickening, making him shiver, the need to throw up increasing.
However, he was a manly turtle and he refused to throw up so he bit his tongue, forcing himself to sit up. He was on the bed which rather reminded him of jail. He snarled at the bed, his eyes slowly focusing to observe the room more.
Plain. It was a VERY plain white room. Ceiling was low but the room was decent sized otherwise. There was only one door at the end of the room and Raphael assumed, hoped, it to be either an escape route or a bathroom. Wall to his left was fully made of glass, behind it were some lab tables and shelves.
Of course. Raphael cursed slowly in his mind, forcing his legs to carry his weight as he slid off on the bed, wobbling to the glass wall. He pressed his palms against the cool material, looking through it in all directions. He saw no one.
Quickly he lifted his fist, hitting the glass as hard as he could, expecting it to break and shatter all around but… nothing! The fuck!? Raphael growled, hitting the glass over and over again. Damn it!
“It’s no use, Raphael. It’s bullet proof glass.”
Raphael stopped, turning to look over his shoulder. At the far corner, to his right, sat Leonardo. He was hugging his legs, looking at his brother with those tired blue eyes over his knees.
“I’ve tried everything already. There’s no escaping.”
Leo’s firm and confident look and voice were now changed on this sad, defeated look with silent whispers. H-had he given up? Leo? Giving up!? Never! Raphael growled.
He marched to his brother dropping to his knees in front of him, holding those blue eyes which lowered back down, lids closing to half.
“Ya ain’t giving up, are ya?”
“I told you. There’s no escape. We are trapped.”
“Bullshit!” Raphael growled dangerously, grabbing on his brother’s shoulder. “There is a way and we will find it, together! Like always! There’s no way we let Bishop have his way!”
“Bishop’s not here.”
“What do ya mean?”
Leonardo sighed, adjusting his head while closing his lids fully. “I saw him with a group of those scientists when I woke up. He stood there with them, talking. I was still under the effect of the drugs or whatever there was in the dart but I heard him saying: There’s two of them, as promised. My conclusion is that his only job was to capture us and bring us here to those scientists. What do they want from us? I do not know.”
Raphael’s heart was hammering so hard in his ears that it was hard to hear Leo’s last words. That son of a bitch! He would break Bishop’s neck when he would get a chance next time! However, that would have to wait. There was a clear but tiny peep sound, part of the glass wall opening. A hidden door?
Few scientists steppen inside with few guards, Raphael instantly jumping on his feet, growling loudly. He bent slightly forward, taking his fight stance. He stood between the humans and Leo, making sure his brother would be safe and protected behind him.
When he made his move, it instantly made guards raise their guns at him, ready to shoot. However, one female scientist lifted her hand up.
“Hold it.”
Guns lowered but Raphael didn’t drop his stance. He kept his fists raised, his golden orbs darting from one human to another. Only 5 of them. 2 scientists and 3 guards. Yeah… He could take them out but what about his brother?
Taking a quick glance over his shoulder, Raphael noticed Leonardo still sitting in the same position, keeping his forehead pressed against his knees. Either Leonardo had truly given up hope or he was still weak because of the drugs. Raphael gritted his teeth, snarling. His focus turned back on the humans, his voice deepening.
“What have ya done ta my bro?”
“It was an accident. Miscalculated doze of the drugs in those darts meant for him. I apologize. Effects should fade soon, however.”
Another growl from an intimated looking turtle.
“Ya can show your apologies where the sun doesn’t shine.”
She took a deep inhale, fixing her glasses.
“There’s no need for such language, sir. If you don’t mind, I would like to ask you to relax and come with us. We mean no harm.”
Raphael snorted and grinned, cocking his head to the side.
“Yeah right. The guns are just for fun? A showoff?” Now the turtle lowered his head, growling with teeth. “Ya ain’t the first human who has said that ta us, then ending up trying ta harm or kill us. I ain’t trusting ya.”
“That is unfortunate to hear but, please, I assure you: We mean no harm. Of course we are forced to use force if you or your partner cause us harm or danger.”
“I show ya danger…”
Big turtle hissed between his clenched teeth, starting to take heavy steps towards the humans. However, he felt a grip on his ankle.
“Raphael, behave.”
Looking down at his brother, he felt confused.
“Ya serious? Ya want us ta play by their rules?”
“Yes if it keeps everyone safe. There’s no need for meaningless violence. Besides…”
When those blue orbs rose to meet Raphael’s, it made Raphael’s inhale freeze on the spot. There was a spark in those eyes. Leonardo had a plan and Raphael was sure he knew what it was. They would go and follow the humans, for now.
Raphael groaned deep in disappointment, putting up a little act as he freed his ankle from Leo’s hold while rolling his eyes.
“Fine. No harming humans.”
“Thank you. Help me up, will you?”
Raphael didn’t hesitate when he gave his shell to the humans, helping his brother up to his feet, holding on his arms to make sure Leonardo was able to stand on his own.
“How are you feeling, smaller mutant?”
Leonardo looked past Raphael into those light green eyes.
“A little weak still.”
“Hm. I am sorry for the side effect but it should wear off soon. Of course we can give you something to help with it.”
“No, thank you. You have put enough drugs in me already.”
“As you wish. Now, if you both would be so kind and follow us.”
“Where?”
“We have to do some tests to see that you both are healthy and not in danger. After all, the drug in those darts had never been used or tested on mutants like yourself. Only on lab rats. We want to make sure they have not caused any harm to your body.”
Raphael eyed the humans, his temper slowly rising. Bitch. Sensing the tension from his brother, Leonardo gave a gentle squeeze to Raphael’s arm which he was holding for support. Yeah, yeah, Raph knew he needed to behave but he was allowed to get pissed. Not to mention the images of those poor and innocent lab rats… In their tiny cages… Forced to go through who knows what horrible things just so that humans could find a cure, hopefully, to an illness X… It all made him think of Splinter as well.
It all was so infuriating!
“Let’s go. This way.”
Turtles exchanged looks before they slowly started to follow this human woman, her colleague and guards. She led the way with another scientist and one guard, two of them walking right behind the turtles.
Raphael hated how he felt those humans right on his shell. No personal space whatsoever. To distract himself from this annoying feeling – which made him want to punch those jerks – he turned his focus on Leonardo by his left side.
“How are ya?” Raphael whispered as silently as he could.
Leonardo had been better, had looked better. Seeing him like this, exhausted and tired, made Raphael feel bad. Like really bad. It was all because of these humans!
“I’m fine.”
Leonardo whispered back, just barely moving his lips. Then an eye contact from the corner of his eye. His blue eye was sparking again.
“Ready?” He whispered again, not moving his lips. His brother nodded, having a spark in his own golden orb.
“I take the jerks behind us.”
Leonardo nodded very carefully. “Let’s go then.”
Raphael grinned in his mind like a cat. Those idiots did not see what was coming to them!
In a flash Leonardo dashed forwards from his side, Raphael throwing himself back shell first. He felt the contact, hearing yelling from back and forth. A gun fired accidentally towards the ceiling during the impact. Luckily it did not alarm more guards to the scene – yet.
Raphael let his fist give painful reminders to those humans why they shouldn’t have started to mess with them in the first place. Blood ran from noses and splitted lip, bruises forming, golden orbs watching how these males slowly collapsed on their knees and floor.
He heard a few thuds behind him, turning to look at Leonardo sideways. His brother was carefully laying the female worker on the floor after gently knocking her out. Again they changed looks, nodded and started to run forward, away from the direction where they had come from.
Raphael, as a protector, took the lead but also because he noticed Leonardo wasn’t still clear from the drugs. They stopped behind a corner, Raphael carefully peeking past it.
A huge hall with two roads out of there. The distance was big but… if they could keep themselves hidden, they surely would manage to get out. Of course Raphael had no idea where those roads lead. Would one of them take them out or somewhere in a much more dangerous place?
“How does it look like?”
Leonardo whispered while leaning to look past Raphael, gently holding on Raphael’s bicep for support.
“Not all that bad but… It’s too empty and quiet there.”
“Possibly a trap.” Leonardo looked towards the ceiling, seeing if there would be a way out there. There were lots of small ventilation ducts but they were no use. Only part that would fit in them was Leo’s hand. But they also gave a spark of hope.
“See that?” He nodded, escorting Raphael’s gaze up. “There has to be a bigger ventilation duct somewhere.”
“Big enough for us ta fit in.”
Leonardo nodded, carefully stepping beside his brother.
“Keep your guard up. Let’s proceed slowly and quietly.”
“Ninja style.”
This brought a smile on Leonardo’s face. “Just like we were trained to.”
Raphael nodded, starting to follow Leonardo’s lead. However, he soon found himself right by Leo’s side. It felt safer to be at. Not for his own sake but Leo’s. He could react and help his brother better by standing this close instead of further behind.
“Let’s make one thing clear, Raphael.” Leonardo whispered, keeping his serious gaze forward. “If the situation gets difficult, I want you to get away. Run. Run as fast as you can while I hold them back.”
“This shit again?”
A groan.
“Yes, this shit again!” Leonardo hissed while spinning around to face his brother. “It’s better to risk one of us than both of us. I will stay behind and help you escape. You can go back home and make a rescue plan with Donnie and Mikey. Can I count on you to do that? After all, I trust you.”
Raphael’s face said it all. “I ain’t leaving ya, Leo.”
“Raphael.” Leonardo hissed again, grabbing tightly on his brother’s arm with a tiny jank. “This is an order! For once in your life LISTEN and OBEY the given order!”
His brother didn’t look pleased. He hated the idea of leaving Leonardo there alone, in the hands of these horrible humans.
“What if we do it another way around? I hold them back while ya escape? After all ya are better at it, faster than I, too. Besides, I would get ta stay behind and break some skulls.”
There was a pleased grin on Raphael’s face. Leonardo sighed deep but silently, his lids closing, shoulders dropping.
“Raphael…” A whisper. His eyes rose up, meeting with softer golden orbs. “You are in better shape than I am. I can’t get away from here the way you think. Those drugs are still affecting me more or less. That’s why it has to be me who stays here.”
“I can carry ya on my back.”
“Raph.”
“No, seriously.”
Now the little softness had turned into a serious stare contest between the two turtles. After a deep inhale, Leonardo kept speaking with silent whispers.
“I’m not talking about this anymore. If the situation gets bad, you run. You WILL leave me behind. Understood?”
“Shit, Leo, I --”
“UNDERSTOOD!?” Now there was a warning growl mixed in a hiss. There was a furious spark in blue eyes as they stared deep in Raphael’s eyes. “I NEED to know I can TRUST you.”
It had been… so long when Leonardo had stared Raphael with such intensity. It forced Raphael to turn his head, avoiding eye contact.
“Fine.” He sighed in defeat. “I’ll do that. I ain’t liking it one bit, tho.”
Now Leonardo’s mouth, which had become a thin line, turned into a small relieved smile. Gently he wrapped his arms around his brother, holding him for a few seconds.
“I trust you, Raphael. I know you will come back for me.”
“Of course. I would never leave ya.”
Pulling his head away, Leonardo smiled up to his brother.
“That’s why I trust you the most. Not that I wouldn’t trust Mikey or Donnie since I know they would do their best to rescue me too, but… It brings me more comfort and assurance when I know you would be there in a rescue team. You would go through flames and mountains to get to me. To any of us.”
“Even if it would kill me.”
“Even if it would kill you.”
Raphael’s heart was beating faster, warmth sneaking on his cheeks. S-shit… S-should he confess his feelings to Leonardo here and now? After all he’d been having these feelings for the other turtle some years now. The issue was… Leo didn’t know. Bigger turtle hadn’t been brave enough to confess.
Just when he parted his lips, to say something, Leonardo pulled away from the hug turning to face the hall while still looking at his little brother.
“Shall we proceed? We don’t have time to waste.”
Raphael let out a few stuttered words which made no sense, eventually managing to pull himself together. Later. He would confess his feelings to Leonardo later. Right now they need to focus and get the hell out of there.
Brothers tiptoed through the hall, hiding behind these weird vehicles and shadows – which there weren’t much – before they came to the hallway. Cool air was blowing in gently, giving them hope of the outside world.
Leonardo gave a hand signal to proceed forward, carefully. They either were heading outside or there was a big ventilation duct. Either was good for the turtles. As they ventured deeper in the hallway, their hopes came crashing down.
Red lights started to flash behind them with a loud alarm. Shit! Someone must have found knocked out workers and guards!
“What do we do?” Raphael growled, eyeing his brother.
“For now, nothing. We stay here hidden and see if they find us. If so, I attack them and you force your way through them and find the exit.” Leonardo sighed with closing eyes. “However, the chances to find one are now very small. They know we escaped and are looking for us. If only we would have been able to get in the ventilation duct.”
“There’s still time.”
“True but the chances also are that these bigger ventilation ducts are located in rooms where there are workers. Like labs, break rooms and so on. We would be seen.”
Raphael growled, his hands turning into fists. Just great! So fucking great! The sound of running passed them as groups of guards ran all around in the hall, yelling commands and orders. Apparently turtles were more precious than anything else in the lab, based on the words they heard being yelled. They MUST be found!
“Well, sounds like they ain’t gonna kill us.”
“For now at least. But… It makes me fearful about the plans they have for us.”
Raphael felt shivers run down his spine, Leo’s voice holding an eerie tone in it when he spoke those words. Raphael shivered hard. He didn’t want to think about what was in store for them. Knowing humans… It wouldn’t be anything too nice.
Suddenly a flashlight shined on their faces, blinding them.
“THEY ARE HERE! I FOUND THEM!”
“Shit!” Leonardo cursed, lifting an arm to his eyes. It did block some of the light which still blinded him but, thanks to being a ninja and all that blind training, he didn’t need to see all that well in the end.
“Raphael. “ He said hastily. “You promised.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Then go right away when you get an opening. I will cover you.”
Raphael watched how Leonardo dashed towards the group of guards in a flash, knocking the flashlight out of the guard’s hand.
“NOW!”
Raphael wasted no time as he dashed by Leonardo’s side, helping him to knock out a few guards before forcing his way past the rest. However, he couldn’t help but to look over his shoulder, seeing Leonardo fight there with the rest.
Damn it… DAMN IT! Raphael grit his teeth, feeling a mild burning sensation in his nostrils and sting in his eyes. He didn’t want to leave Leonardo here alone, in the hands of these humans! But he also didn’t want to break his promise.
Closing his eyes for a second, Raphael pushed those thoughts and emotions away, focusing on getting away. He heard more yelling when more guards spotted him, coming after him. A dart flew past his head with a whistle, forcing Raphael to increase his running speed. He rolled and dodged at times to avoid those darn flying things, punching hard a guard who dared to come to stand in his way.
He was furious. He was snarling and cursing, not minding to shed some blood. These bastards deserve it! They deserved all the pain! They deserved to feel his fury!
Feeling the cool air to hit his face from somewhere, Raphael hit the brakes, made a turn towards the wind and ran as fast as he could. The tunnel was long and dark but the air was clear. It brought him hope of an exit. He came to this bigger entrance, seeing a light at the end of it. It was the sunlight! It just had to be!
Raphael laughed at himself as he started to run towards. Yes, YES! He was getting out of this place! He was going to be okay! Get back home, get guys and then come rescue Leonardo!
But as he kept running forward, Raphael noticed something odd. This entrance room itself was like a bigger version of a human's house entrance / mudroom, then there was this open doorway which looked a lot like some medieval castle with its iron gate which comes down from the ceiling. Behind them was this muddy little hill path towards the opening, outside world. It had to be some kind of secret escape route for the workers? Or a secret entrance?
Bullshit to all that! Raphael was heading out, no matter what!
Suddenly there was movement from the corner of his eye as he passed this small open space between the walls. There was a guard, turning this small wheel with a rope on it. The sound further above made Raphael look forwards, seeing the iron gate emerging from the ceiling.
Oooh no! That bastard was NOT going to block his exit! No matter how fast the guard tried to turn the wheel and get the gate down, it just didn’t work that fast and the turtle was reaching it.
“Screw this!” Guard screamed, taking out his small blade. With a single flash, he cut the rope.
Raphael heard the gate coming down and he knew he had little time to act. Either he stops or makes a slide, either getting past the gate or getting pierced by it… He swallowed, making his mind. Big turtle sped up and then threw himself on his stomach, sliding past the gate.
He was about to scream in joy when horrible pain sent a shock wave through his body. Raphael screamed in pain while laying down, trying to pull his left leg but it didn’t move.
With tears forming in his eyes from the pain, Raphael turned to his side as much as he could, looking down at his feet. His mind instantly filled with curse words.
One of the gate’s “spikes” had pierced his calf, sinking into the ground. There was no way he could get himself free from this. Raphael turned on his stomach, tears slowly traveling down on the side of his beak before falling on the ground.
Fuck, fuck, fuck, FUCK! FUCK IT ALL!
He had been SO close! He had disappointed himself but mostly Leonardo… Damn it!
A sound of firing gun and instant sting on his right leg made Raphael realize what just had happened – and he cursed again until his mind went black.