TMNT: I Fight Alone

Chapter 7: Realization

3rd Persons POV
Shredders lair
22:43

"I want groups of our best soldiers searching nearby towns, forests, anything within a forty mile radius!" Shredder screamed at the foot clans general who sat at his feet, visually shaking in his metal suit. The dark room seemed to get fifty degrees colder, the quietness eating away at the men present like a starving animal with the intent of driving them insane if left with it for too long.

Taking a deep breath, Shredder stood from his throne and walked toward the cowardly general that bowed before him, unsheathing his swords and placing them to his throat. Willing to do whatever it takes to get his point across. To get what he wants.

"Do not fail me again. If they escape," Shredder extended his sword into the mans neck a little further, drawing blood. The general whimpered in response, pleasing the dark man even more.

"Leave me. Take your soldiers and carry out my instructions." He demanded coldly, turning back to his throne. Is low, scratchy voice echoed through the empty halls of the building, bringing chills to anyone unlucky enough to hear it.

Having heard enough, the general scrambled to his feet and left the room as quickly and swiftly as possible. Out to catch those filthy mutants. To finally get rid of them once and for all...

Back at the farmhouse
07:23

"GOOD MORNING!" Mickey screamed cheerfully as he whipped the covers off his long, muscular legs and jumped off the bed with extreme agility and speed. The other turtles groaned from the neighboring rooms, knowing Mickey would never let them sleep any longer no matter how much they wanted or needed it.

All except for Leo, who was glad to have his brothers back, and glad to have his old routine and life back. Although, he wouldn't be able to train as intensely as before due to his injuries, and their old home was being ransacked by the kraang... but it was still nice to be back.

"MICKEY I SWEAR-" Raph screamed from his doorway into the hall where Mickey was running around. A high pitched squeal could be heard as Mickey scrambled down the stairs and barreled into the kitchen in hopes of convincing (y/n) to get him out of the mess he had created. She had a way with Raph that no one else but Leo had, and even then Leo still had troubles with him.

Over the past couple weeks (y/n) had been getting up at the crack of dawn to make breakfast for her friends. Maybe she was just bored, or felt as if she needed to repay them for their hospitality. Whatever the case was, the rambunctious group was not complaining.

Today, however, the kitchen was just as they had left it last night; empty.

"(Y/n)!!!" Mickey screamed in despair as Raph came sprinting down the wooden stairs and rammed into his younger brother at full force.

"Pl-please!" Mickey gasped, clawing at his brothers' arms that held him in the choke hold.

"What do you say?" Raph asked sweetly and evilly. Mickey gasped for air,

"Raphael is the coolest guy ever and I am just a worm underneath his amazing feet and I don't deserve to live on the same planet as him because he is so amazing and handsome please let me go!" Michelangelo screamed, falling to the floor in a heap of sweat and tears. Raphael stood and rubbed his hands together,

"That's what I want to hear." He grinned, then turned to the empty stovetop.

"Where is (y/n)? I'm starving!" Mickey groaned in agreement, rummaging around the cabinets as if half expecting her to jump out of one of them and scare the two (which is something she would absolutely do).

"Guys, she has been making us meals for the past month. I'm sure one breakfast on our own won't hurt..." Donnie rubbed his eyes and waddled over to the couch where he turned on the tv as an attempt to wake him up.

"But Donnie...... I'm hungry!!! I forgot how to make food! Is it even possible anymore?!" Mickey screamed, staring at his own hands in betrayal. Raph then decided to step in and smack his younger brother in the back of the head.

"Shut it numbnut! If she isn't down here, she must be asleep. Go grab a banana or something. I'm sure we have cereal or anything along those lines." Raph grabbed an apple and plopped down next to Donnie.

From upstairs, Leo was attempting to make his way across the room towards his wooden crutches that Donnie had made for him.

'Come on... a little.... further....' he thought to himself, forcing his legs to cooperate. Just when he was about a step away, his foot got caught on a loose piece of clothing and the fearless leader went crashing to the ground.

"Are you alright?! I'm coming up!" Raph yelled from downstairs, not even waiting for a response.

"No- no I got it I'm good..." Leo whispered, gripping his desk tightly and pulled himself onto his feet, ignoring the aching pain in his knee and the warm, sticky blood running down his forehead. Determined to do this on his own, Leo moved once more towards the crutches, only to trip once more and fall to the ground. This time, though, he never hit the ground.

"I gotcha bro, hang on..." Raph grunted as he lifted his brother to his bed.

"Are you ok?" He moved to his knees, getting in his older brothers face. Leo stubbornly refused to look at his brother, keeping his gaze at his feet. Embarrassed, angry, sad, confused, defeated. This was not the Leo Raph had known. The Leo Raph knew would not give up this easy. To give into pain and let it take over him.

After a horrifyingly quiet moment had passed between the two brothers, Raph grew inpatient and decided to just help Leo downstairs so Donnie could fix this.

"Come on, Leo, let's go." Raph sighed, grabbing his brothers' arm and wrapping it around his shoulder, allowing his older brother to use his free hand to grasp his crutches that he so desperately 'needed'.

While they headed down the long, dark hallway. The two brothers passed by the room (y/n) was occupying. Not wanting to intrude, Raph decided to leave her alone. Although, when they passed by, her door slowly creeped open, revealing a tidy, empty room. No (y/n).

"Sh*t" a wave of fear crashes over Raph as he realizes the worst.

"DONNIE!!!"