Lost To Darkness - TMNT 2012 Fanfic

Chapter 4

MIKEY'S DISAPPEARANCE: 3 DAYS

Hours turned into nights as the turtles scoured the city, leaving no stone unturned in their search for Mikey. The alleys, rooftops, and sewers became their canvas as they tirelessly sought any hint of their brother's whereabouts. As dawn broke over the city, the turtles found themselves back in the lair, their exhaustion mirrored in their worn expressions. Donatello leaned against his computer console, his fingers tapping rhythmically as he reviewed the data he had gathered.

Raph slammed a fist against the wall, frustration evident in every line of his body. "Nothing, Sensei. No one's seen or heard anything about Mikey. We even have the Mutanimals looking for 'im, and they hadn't seen a thing."

Leo's voice was heavy with fatigue as he addressed their father. "It's like he's vanished without a trace. Whoever did this to him is good at covering their tracks. Really good."

Splinter's wise gaze fell on his sons, his voice measured as he spoke. "We must consider all possibilities. Think carefully, my sons. Who could be behind this? And why would they target Michelangelo?"

Donnie's fingers stilled on his keyboard, his mind racing. "It has to be someone who could have anticipated Mikey's actions. Someone who knows Mikey enough to plan this."

Raph's brows furrowed as he considered the options. "A personal vendetta, maybe? Or someone looking for revenge against us?"

Leo's eyes narrowed in thought, mutter his own statement to himself as he crossed his arms, the gears in his head evidently turning. "Someone who wanted to weaken us by taking out one of our own...?"

April, who had been quietly listening to them, interjected, raising her hand to get some attention. "We also can't rule out the possibility that it's someone new, an enemy we haven't encountered before. Maybe even someone who wants to prove themselves or make a statement... but the Foot..."

The Foot.

"... come to think of it, when was the last time we had Foot Clan activity?" Leo brought up to himself, the Foot Clan having been dormant for a few months before Mikey's disappearance.
Splinter's ear twitched at the mention of Foot Clan activity, and he turned his gaze toward his oldest son. His whiskers quivered slightly as he considered the implications of Leo's observation.

"You raise a valid point, Leonardo," Splinter spoke, his voice calm and measured. "The sudden absence of Foot Clan activity is indeed suspicious, especially given their recent history of engaging with us."

Leo's gaze met Splinter's, and his determination hardened. "It's like they've been laying low, regrouping for something big. And now with Mikey gone..."

Just as Leo finished his sentence, the lair's entrance slid open with a rush of air, and Casey Jones burst in, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath, covered in cold sweat. His terrified eyes darted around the room, locking onto the gathered group. April was looking at him before taking a breath of her own, Donnie had also jumped from his seat, looking to face him with a tired and annoyed look on his face, Leo and Raph just stayed silent, relaxing slightly as it wasn't some random intruder.

"Guys... I've got some... news," Casey managed to gasp out between breaths, his expression a mix of urgency and concern.

Splinter's ears perked up, and he stepped forward. "What is it, Casey? Calm yourself and tell us."

Casey took a deep breath, his hands planted on his knees as he tried to regain his composure. "I was... doing my rounds... you know, patrolling the city... when I heard something. I followed the sound, and... I found something you guys need to see."

Raph's voice was laced with impatience. "Spit it out, Casey. What did you find?"

Casey's gaze locked onto Leo's, his eyes reflecting the seriousness of his discovery. "I found... a Foot Clan symbol spray painted nearby."

The weight of Casey's words hung heavily in the air as the group processed the gravity of the situation. Raphael's impatience gave way to a tense stillness, his eyes narrowing as he absorbed the information.

Raph's voice, now tinged with concern, broke the silence as he paced around the lair, stomping his foot to the ground. "That's not a coincidence. They're trying to send us a message."

Leo's jaw clenched, his expression growing even more resolute as he held the handle of his katanas. "They're letting us know they have Mikey."

Splinter's gaze held a mixture of concern and determination. "We must not let their tactics divert us from our goal. This is a challenge we must face head-on."

Donnie's fingers danced across his keyboard as he accessed his tech. "If they're leaving a trail, it means they want us to follow it. But we need to be careful. They could be leading us into a trap."

Raph's impatience flared anew as he paced back and forth across the lair floor. "Enough talk! Mikey's out there, and every second we waste is a second they have the upper hand!"

April stepped forward, her voice filled with concern. "Raph, we get it. But rushing in without a plan won't help Mikey. We need to think this through."

But Raph was beyond reasoning. His anger and worry for his brother had consumed him, and he stormed towards the exit, determined to find any trace of Mikey, no matter the cost. He didn't respond to April's plea, his mind set on one thing: finding his missing brother.

Donnie hesitated for a moment, torn between following Raph and staying to strategize. However, he knew that Raph needed someone to watch his back, especially if he was charging into a potentially dangerous situation. With a quick nod to the others, Donnie made up his mind and hurried after Raph. "You guys plan without me, I'll handle him!"

"Don-"

But he had also exited the lair by the moment Leo said anything.

Outside the lair, he'd barely caught up to his hot-headed brother. He placed a reassuring hand on Raph's shoulder, his voice calm and steady. "Raph, I get it. I'm worried about Mikey too, but we can't rush into this blindly. We need a plan, some intel. It's the only way we can help him."

Raph's fists clenched, and he glanced back at Donnie, frustration and fear etched on his face. "Donnie, I can't just sit around and wait while they have Mikey. I won't."

At least: That was one thing they both agreed with.