Chapter 21-
	Raphael felt guilt ride him like a mule as he took the lead of his two remaining brothers. He hated the thought of not having Leo beside him. Fighting with him as he should be. He couldn’t imagine how Leo was feeling right now. Angry? Upset? Hurt? Probably. Helpless? Weak? Useless? Definitely. He knew how that felt and being denied to protect someone you loved was a horrible feeling. 
	No. Not loved. Fonded. Raph didn’t allow that to sway him. As soon as he got back, he was going to make sure Leo realized how much he loved him. He would be saying those words yet. 
	At least Leo is safe. Raph reminded himself. Yet, even now, he couldn’t believe that Leo gave up so easily. He was almost certain Leo would never see reason and continue to fight him until he had his way. It was . . . disappointing. No. He wanted this. It was for the best. 
	“Raph! Get your head out of your butt!” Mikey shouted for him. Drawing him back to the here and now. “Dude, get dressed. I’m nearly done.”
	Raph quickly kicked into motion. Dragging out the jeans, shoes, and hoodie he brought with him. “Well Don?” He looked up to the purple clad turtle who was currently peering out of binoculars. 
	“He’s there.”
	“What’s he doing?” Mikey asked, curiously. 
	“Just sitting on a lounge chair, watching television.”
	“A bit normal, wouldn’t you say? Do you think he’s expecting us?”
	“Can’t say.”
	Raph zipped up his hoodie and threw on a baseball cap. “Plans still in place. Mikey, come on.” Mikey obeyed. Following behind him as they descended the fire escape to the building across from Nak’ir’s. They walked down the street, keeping his hands in his pockets and his head hidden under the cap. Raph could feel Mikey’s presence right beside him as they entered the building. 
	“He still there, Don?”
	“Yep.”
	Raph didn’t wait a moment longer. He flipped up the cover of the fire alarm and yanked down on the lever. The blaring, ear-splitting, screech of the alarm echoing down the halls. It only took a minute for people to start pouring out of their apartments. Scrambling for the nearest exit.
	“He’s on the move.” Don’s voice crackled through the speakers. “He’s heading out the back entrance.”
	The two took off. Shoving their way past the stampeding crowd as they rounded the building. The people barely acknowledging their presence. Their attention too affixed on the non-burning building. Raph could hear them muttering their questions to others. Gaining no answers. 
	“Where is he Don?”
	“He’s right on the edge of the crowd. Closest to the street.” Obeying his directions. Raph and Mikey fought their way there. Spotting the familiar man instantly. Their movements were quick and smooth. Barely trackable as Raph and Mikey grabbed the man. Raph was grateful the pressure point to the throat had worked on him, Nak’ir falling limp in their arms where they hauled him to the nearest alleyway. No trouble from any humans. No questions.
	Don met them there, as well as the rest of the Mutanimals they had called. “That seemed way too easy for Nak’ir.” He stated. Walking over the limp human disguised alien. Raph had to agree with Don. Nak’ir was too smart to fall for something as simple a--
	“Guys, this isn’t Nak’ir.” Don’s voice cut through his thoughts. 
	“What? How do you know?” Mikey asked. Leaning over Don’s shoulder to catch a better glimpse. “He looks exactly like him.”
	“Exactly.” Don grasped the man’s wrist. Taking a throwing knife from his belt and slicing through the flesh on the forearm. Red liquid seeped passed the skin and dripped off his elbow. “I noticed the last time we fought Nak’ir, every damage we made to him, his image would waver. His blood is brownish red. This guy’s human and judging by the scars, Nak’ir’s victim. This must be the original guy he stole his image from.”
	“And he just returned him home?” Mikey shook his head in confusion.
	Don shrugged. “He could have drugged him so he wouldn’t panic. Perhaps amnesia. A number of things could have happened.”
	Raph growled a swear. Running a hand over his head. “So, he’s back at the abandon apartment. Probably getting that stupid bomb ready. This was a decoy, he knew we were coming.” He had set up the human here so they would be distracted with getting him out of there. They lost twenty, almost thirty minutes messing around with the decoy!
	“Don, do you have any idea how much time it would take for a person to reconnect a power and battery supply?” Raph turned to his younger sibling. 
	“The only bombs I’ve made are smoke and flash bombs. I only know the minor basics of a missile. This thing is an atomic bomb.” Don said helplessly. 
	“About an hour and forty-five minutes if I did the calculations correctly. Though I’m only estimating. Plus, an additional fifteen minute for launching and setting target.” Rockwell interjected. Six pairs of eyes gawked at him. “I’ve studied bombs for a very brief period in my youth. Never been around one, but I know how one works.” The chimpanzee explained. Waving away the questioning gazes as if this knowledge was as normal as knowing how to read.
	“So, what’s the plan Raphael?” Slash’s voice brought him back to their current situation. Oh, how he longed for Leo to be here. Even if he was just here to give him support. He took a few deep breaths. Allowing his agitated nerves to settle. Looks like plan B couldn’t be avoided as he hoped.
	“We’re going to the abandon apartment. Using stealth still until we know of his whereabouts. Can’t imagine he could move the bomb anywhere else. If he knows we’re here, he’ll know we have backup. He’ll have guards around to distract us. Leatherhead and Pigeon Pete, you’ll take care of them. Slash and Rockwell, you’ll stick with us. Rockwell and Donnie will concentrate on disarming the bomb while the rest of us will take care of Nak’ir.” If the guards are distracted, he should be outnumbered, outsmarted, and out strengthened. He had to be. Nak’ir was tricky. Unpredictable. Always having something up his sleeve. It was a risk he was going to have to take. For the state of New York. 
	Leo was going to be so pissed if he died tonight.
	No one appeared to have a problem with the new plan as they took off towards the abandon apartment. 

	Twenty minutes later and they found themselves at the old building. Appearing as abandoned as ever. The silence eerie. This would be the perfect haunted house on Halloween and Nak’ir the perfect monster. He half expected creepy music to start playing in the background.
	Leatherhead and Pigeon Pete already sent inside, doing their duty. He didn’t like the two going in alone.  Leatherhead was hulking and tended to be loud. You could strap a flashing light on him and it wouldn’t make a bit of difference. Pigeon Pete was a klutz. Awkward. Soft. A lover rather than a fighter. As dumb as a bell too. Which was why Raphael had sent them on this assignment. There was a huge chance they would get caught but he knew they could do their job without causing harm to themselves.
	He supposed that was why he was shocked when, ten minutes later, and the apartment hadn’t made a single noise. He expected roars and squawks and weapons blazing. Were they already dead?
	“Slash?” Raph glanced over to the giant turtle. Though as hulking as Leatherhead, over the many years of watching him and his brothers training, Slash; his used to be pet turtle, had put his knowledge to good use. He had easily managed his weight and balance. If he truly wanted to, he could sound as silent as the air. 
	“I told you, I was working them. You didn’t believe.” A dry statement. Not a question. 
	Avoiding hurting his friend’s feelings, he shook his head. Turning back to the building. “They learn quick.” Really quick. Right then, a window crashed open. A limp human like body sagging awkwardly against the wall. Blood pooling beneath him. There was that squawk he was waiting for. 
	“They’re still learning.” He heard Slash mutter, defensively. 
	Raph sighed but chose not to reply. He sent a silent prayer that no one would die tonight. Except Nak’ir. Nak’ir was going to die a horrible death. 
	“Alright, let’s go.” Raph ordered. Stalking across the silent dark street, into the building. He had made sure Don remembered to shut down any security system Nak’ir could have put up in hopes they could secure their positions. There had indeed been a security system. Pain in the rear end to find and even more painful to shut down, but they had done it. 
	The halls were unchanged as they slowly crept their way to the stairwell on the ground level. No signs of bodies, alive or dead. Leatherhead and Pigeon Pete must have stashed them somewhere, he guessed.
	They descended the stairs. Having to use their flash lights again to illuminate their paths when the moonlight got cut off. Then they heard moans, weeping and whispers. It sent a freezing wind through Raph’s body. They were in the right place. A curse breathed out in the back of Slash’s throat when they entered the hallway. He had told them what was down here. Told them about what Nak’ir had done to these many people, but it still shocked them now. He couldn’t blame them. Words never live up to the terror you feel experiencing this for yourself. Given the time he spent down here, he still felt nauseous at the smell of blood, rotten meat, and feces. His mind already begging to resurface. He spurned the temptation before it could take root in him. He hoped the others were as strong. He hadn’t heard any other reactions other than a few gasps. Maybe a disgusted sound. A gag or two, but after a minute, the rest had adapted well enough he could relieve his worry.  
	Raph tried his hardest to ignore the cells as he walked past them. The people were like animals now, there was no silence. Someone was making noises. Moans, mumbles, pants. Banging against the doors. Like a zoo of insane people. It was sickening. He didn’t even like regular zoos and they took care of the animals!
	Raph jumped out of the way when fingertips brushed against the skin on his shoulder. Overgrown, chipped fingernails scratching him. A woman pressed her mouth against the bars of the window. Her tongue wiggling against the iron. Her teeth yellow and red. Her blond hair nearly brown with the dirt and sticking up at odd angles. Purple shadows under her eyes. Her arm swinging out of the window. Her nails scratching against the steel. She giggled at him. He shivered at the look of hunger in those lost green eyes.
	“Reminds me of that horror movie.” He heard Mikey say under his breath. Raph nodded in agreement. This place belonged in the horror genera. 
	“Help me.” Bang. “Help me.” Bang. “Help me.” Another voice. Male. He sounded young. Clearly insane now as well. His voice sounded like he swallowed sawdust. His tone dead every time after a bang against the brick wall.
	Someone screamed. Echoing down the halls. All five of them stopped. Stiffening. Raph held his breath. Even the trapped people had gone quiet. Silence stretching on for the count of five and the shrieking began again. This one nonstop. Pain filled. Wails of distress and begs for mercy. Nak’ir was definitely here and was apparently working.
	The others followed. More bangs. More screams. How the hell did Leo not go insane in a place like this? How had he and Donnie not gone insane? As if to spite him for asking, Don suddenly joined in the chorus. Raph whirled around, eyes wide. Donatello kneeled on the ground, his hands on his ears as his fingers dug into his head. Tears streaking down his cheeks. Mikey hugged him tightly. 
	“Mikey! Get him into the lab!” Raph commanded. Having to raise his voice to near shouting over the persistent screams. Mikey didn’t hesitate. Didn’t even have to lumber to his feet. The turtle was up in half a second, scooping Don into his arms and racing past them. Already knowing the way.
	“Rockwell! Go take care of the bomb while Mikey helps Don!” The chimpanzee nodded. Rushing off in their tracks. “Slash you stay with me! We’ll go after Nak’ir!” Stupid change in plans! Now there was only two of them! He hoped Leatherhead and Pigeon Pete were done with their task, cause they were screwed if they didn’t rendezvous soon. 
	The two took off down the second hall towards the torture room. Slash barging through the door. The poor wooden paneling not standing a chance. Raph followed, that sickening feeling taking over his adrenaline as soon as he entered the room. Again. A man was strapped to a table. A wide hole in his chest revealing parts he never wanted to see. Blood. Was. Everywhere! On the walls. On the floors. Even on the ceiling. Blood splattered and stained on Nak’ir. His image remained the same as the human they had kidnapped at the apartment and Raph rethought allowing the man to live. 
	Nak’ir glanced up to them. Straightened. A slow vicious smile curling those lips. He clicked off the electric saw he held. “About time you showed up. Don’t you know how rude it is to keep your host waiting?” 
	He set down the saw beside the corpse. Wiping the sweat away from his forehead with his arm. Smearing blood across his face and not even noticing. He sauntered over to the sink, rinsing away the blood from his hands all the way up to his elbows. His amber eyes gliding over to Slash. His smile stretched into a grin. One filled with hunger and menace. No doubt he was skinning the turtle alive with his eyes. “And you brought a friend. How lovely. And a big fella he is.”
	Nak’ir shook off the loose water from his hands. Grabbing up a towel and drying them. He peeled off his blood-soaked shirt and tossed it into the sink. Donning on a new, clean one. He grabbed up that same, damn, Leo skin jacket and slipped it on overtop. Shaking the collar on right. 
Bastard. 
Amber eyes twinkled with amusement. 
	Raph noticed Slash had gone stiff beside him. No doubt putting two and two together of the material the coat was made of. No, he hadn’t told him. None of the Mutanimals knew what happened to Leo. In truth, maybe he should have told them. Oh well, too late now. 
	Raph squeezed the turtles arm. “He . . .” Was all Slash managed to mutter.
	Nak’ir threw his head back and guffawed. “Yes. I tend to get that reaction lately over this coat. I find turtle skin to have a such appealing color.” His gaze switched to Raph. “Though, humans don’t seem to mind it. In fact, I had a couple of women and a few men ask where I ordered it from. I told them it was hand crafted. They loved it.” 
	Raph grounded his teeth. He was going to hunt down those humans and he was going to slaughter their heads from their shoulders. After he finished with Nak’ir first. He could guarantee those humans wouldn’t be so interested in the coat if it had been human skin.
	“In fact . . .” The bastard continued. “I offered to sell them a few rolls of this material.” Wait. Rolls?
	Raph felt his blood freeze to ice as Nak’ir retrieved rolls of Leo’s skin out of a nearby cabinet. Like fabric garlands. He stacked four rolls. One on top of the other. “I have plenty more where that came from.” He skinned Leo more than once. Oh, Leo. His poor Leo. His arms were aching to pull that turtle into his lap and hug him. Never letting him go. He was glad he didn’t take him with him. He didn’t want him to see this. 
	No. Cutting those humans heads off was a too quick way to die. He was going to make theirs slow and painful as well. No one could have Leo’s skin. Not for any price or any reason.
	“You sick scumbag. I’m gonna--”
	“Want to fight.” Nak’ir finished for him. “Alright.” Before Raph could so much as charge Nak’ir. He found his arms grabbed and tugged behind his shell by two humans. He snarled, trying to tug out of their grip, but they were surprisingly strong. Slash, as well, was caught in the same situation. Only he had four humans holding him down. Only four! Slash could tear through four measly humans like they were tissue paper. Which made it obvious, they were far from human. 
	Nak’ir rolled his eyes. “Oh calm yourself. We will fight. I just want to move this to a more spacious room.” He pointed for the humans to move. Nonetheless, Raph fought his hardest against the grips as they dragged him through one of the doors to the laboratory. His eyes immediately scoping for Rockwell, Don, and Mikey. The three appeared to be in the same predicament. Aliens in human form guarding behind them. On the other side of the room, Leatherhead and Pigeon Pete were trapped in a cage. Their body’s cut and battered. Everything was going to hell! Raph silently cursed. 
	“Call in the rest of the crew.” Nak’ir ordered and one of the humans disappeared. Reappearing minutes later with more soldiers pouring in from behind. Too many for Raph to count. Did he bring his entire army with him? Had Nak’ir somehow, gotten back control of his race again? Or were they an entirely new species coming to aid him?
	“Release them. All of them.”
	The soldiers did as they were told. Freeing Rockwell, Mikey, and Don. Unlocking the cage for Leatherhead and Pigeon Pete. This was ridiculous! Even with the team back together they were the ones outmatched, outnumbered, and out strengthened. If that wasn’t enough, two of his team mates were wounded. Badly. They. Were. Fucked!
	His mind racing, Raph faced Nak’ir. Eyes narrowing. “Coward! Hiding behind your guards!” Nak’ir shrugged. Completely unaffected by the insult.
	“I never said I wouldn’t participate in the fight, but you have your army. I have my own.”
	Raph snarled at him. Glancing over at the two injured. “Are you guy’s alright?”
	“Dazed. Nothing more.” Leatherhead reassured him. Pigeon Pete gave him a thumbs up. Good. Hopefully they can take care of themselves for now. At least until he killed Nak’ir. He unsheathed his sais, clenching them tightly. His body trembling with anticipation for a piece of Nak’ir.
	“Ding! Ding! Ding!” Was all Nak’ir had to say before the army of humans clashed with them. Weapons cutting through flesh. Brown blood splattering. Punches and kicks flying. Raph ducked. Dodging a blow to the head. He shoved his way through the crowd. Bobbing and weaving their advances, his eyes honing in on Nak’ir who stood on the outside of it all. Waiting. 
	As soon as he got out of the heat of the crowd, Nak’ir charged him. Meeting him in the middle. Nak’ir was the first to strike, as predicted. Raph blocked smoothly. His sai fisted and ready as the blade descended in Nak’ir’s shoulder. The feeling of broken flesh and meeting bone, vibrating through the weapon and into his body was so satisfying. He spun around before Nak’ir could attack again, yanking the sai out, he knocked him away with a hook kick. 
	The man stumbled. His anger sizzling in those amber eyes, but he didn’t appear to have even felt the blow. Only indication that he was aware was his fingertips lightly touching over it. Brown coated the digits and he grinned. Raising his hand up to his lips, he licked the blood from his pointer finger
	Raph grounded his molars, racing forward. He pulled back for a stab to the neck. Nak’ir easily blocked it. Bringing it back with a punch to the nose. Raph cursed as blood streamed down his lip. Again. He didn’t let that stop him, darting away from a second strike, he kicked him in the side. Sending him flying back against a counter. Raph didn’t wait for Nak’ir to recover, he barreled at him. Nak’ir reached back, his hands fisting a cloth and he threw it at Raph. Blocking his field of vision. Before he could remove it however, a heel met him square in his chest. Knocking the air out of his lungs. His shell banged against the brick wall and he slid down. Nak’ir steamed toward him, a chain in hand. Raph forced himself to move, rolling to the side and barely missing the chains weight. He lifted it back up, Raph rolled to his other side. Using the momentum, he rolled back on his feet. Whirling around in time to grab the weapon and disarm him of it. Nak’ir punched. Raph dodged, grabbing onto the arm tightly, he wrapped the chain around his wrist. He spun him around, over his shoulder, and onto the ground. Gripping the chain in both hands and swinging him against the wall.
	Nak’ir clutched the chain, pulling his body around. His legs sweeping under Raph’s. The turtle plummeted to the ground. Hard. His groan like music to Nak’ir’s ears. He jerked the chain, dragging Raph over to him, he stomped his stomach. Raph gasped, releasing the chain. Nak’ir stomped his foot again. Again. Raph reached up and grasped the foot, his other hand punching at the back of Nak’ir knee. The man fell.
	Raph clenched the counter, dragging himself back up to his feet. His breathing ragged. Every inhale felt like another punch to the chest. He was pretty sure his innards were jumbled right now. Blood pooled in his mouth, he spat. His legs were shaky and his knees threatened to go out on him. He forced himself to continue standing. Nak’ir picked himself back up. Barely winded. Dang it!
	A grin formed at the sight of his weakness. Nak’ir knew he was winning. Raph ignored the pain in his stomach. Squaring his shoulders. Nak’ir rushed him. Punched. Raph ducked. Another punch. Another duck. An uppercut. Raph sidestepped. A round-kick. Raph ducked again, twirling and nailing him with a hook kick. Nak’ir staggered. Shook his head clear and grinned. He whirled around and kicked, Raph grabbed on to his ankle and hammered his elbow into his knee. Hyperextending it. He quickly switched directions. Punching Nak’ir straight in the jaw. 
	Nak’ir stumbled as pain shot through his mouth and right leg. He growled, paying the pain no mind. He kicked low with his left. Raph blocked with his leg. He kicked high. Raph blocked with his left arm. Punching his jugular before he could see it. Nak’ir merely grunted, his arm hooking around as his knuckles hit Raph square in the jaw.  Raph used the momentum yet again. Allowing his body to swing itself around with a round kick. Knocking Nak’ir away. He leaped forward with a jab. Nak’ir evaded. He punched with his opposite hand and Nak’ir blocked. Grabbing his arm, he yanked Raph forward. Locking his elbow and shoulder. Raph hissed as knee met his forehead. Stars winking in his eyes. He bent awkwardly, using his opposite arm to strike Nak’ir’s side. He missed. Raph dived underneath his arm, pulling his limb free from the hold. Grabbing Nak’ir from behind. His arm around his throat. Nak’ir elbowed his ribs. Raph losing his breath a second time. His hold slipped away at another elbow to his cheek.
	Raph gasped. Sweat and blood blurring his vision. A scream caught his attention back to the war behind him. That was Mikey! He couldn’t see any of his brothers in the midst of the many humans. Only Slash and Leatherhead appeared out of the crowd occasionally. Like a game of peek-a-boo. Though they looked fine from the angle he was at. That did little to nothing to sooth his worries. 
	Arms encased him, yanking him back before he could decide to dive into the war zone to aid his brothers. He supposed he’ll just have to get rid of the trash first. He hoped his brothers were doing better than him.
	He felt himself tumbled onto the floor. Nak’ir’s legs wrapped around his neck. Squeezing his wind pipe. Grunting, he kicked up at Nak’ir head. The hold loosened enough he could wiggle free of the lock. Scrambling to his feet and away from Nak’ir range as he sucked in the precious oxygen. Quickly, he darted away from Nak’ir next attack. Dodging another kick as his shell banged against one of the counter tops. Cornering him. He ducked and weaved out of the way, hammering his elbow into his neck. Nak’ir collapsed against the counter instead, pain skittering across his spine and shooting down his arms. He quickly shifted back around. Blocking a punch, he bent and struck at the softer side of Raphael’s shell. The turtle stumbled backwards, his arms flinging in the air. Nak’ir caught him, pulling around to toss him in the countertop. Smashing the wood to splinters. Raph coughed, chocking as the blood bubbled up his throat. He hacked.
	Before he could retrieve his second wind. Nak’ir grabbed him. Pinning him to the wall. Raph growled, fingers clawing viciously at the skin on Nak’ir’s back. Ignoring the feeling of Leo’s scaly skin of the coat. His legs kicking with all the might he had left. Form be damned. If it meant he would get out of this alive, he was going to fight his dirtiest. Meaning ears, gone. Flesh, gone. Eyes, poked. Satisfaction swimming through his veins when he heard a delightful shout of pain.
	Obviously done with him, Raph threw him to the side. He tumbled to the ground, rolling a few feet away. His body screaming in protest as he attempted to move, his muscles tightening against his bones. His mind threatening to shut down into unconsciousness. He clenched his jaw tightly and was surprised when the bones hadn’t broken from the strain. Meanwhile, reaching for the dagger in his belt. 
	A hand clasped around his wrist. Cold and clammy. Squeezing uncomfortably. Another jerked the knife out of his fist. A heavy weight sitting down on his shell and he howled. Or tried to. No sound came out of his mouth except for heavy breaths. A sharp pain punctured his hand to the ground. Zipping up his arm to his spine. There was that howl. So many obscenity’s whirled through his mind. Not having the strength to speak them. Not with Nak’ir sitting on him like a chair. His joyous laughs as painful as the knife through his hand. Would he be able to live through this? The longer he stayed conscious, the more tempting death sounded. Such sweet, peaceful death. 
	“Get off of him!”
	Raph’s eyes popped open. His hand forgotten as the weight suddenly left him. Breath filling his lungs, as pleasant as any candy. 
	Leo. That was Leo he heard. A new dose of adrenaline pumped through Raph. He slowly picked himself up. Reaching over, he wrenched the knife free of his hand. Flinching. It was so much more painful coming out than going in. His eyes widened as he noticed the battlefield grew larger when Foot soldiers joined the fray. Beating down the remaining humans present. 
	“Goongala!” His shocked eyes shifted over to the crazed man swinging the hockey sticks around like a flag. The familiar skull mask strapped to his face. Casey? When did, Casey get here?
	“Leonardo, so glad to see you again. Missed me?”
	Raph turned back to the other battle currently taking place. His eyes immediately zeroing in on Leo. The turtle was sporting their black leather suit. The leather clinging to ever curve of his muscles, stopping at the black combat boots. Red foot symbols stitched to each shoulder. Weapons strapped to every piece of his body that it could. His swords clenched in his gloved hands. The metal gleaming in the light, a few drops of blood staining the blade. Leo’s eyes narrowed. Those blues swirling with a chaotic thunder storm that mimicked the anger that rattled Raph’s bones. His lips curled. Showing off his canines. The whole image was pure perfection, true to form.
	A flurry of pleasure and pride swelled up inside Raph and fraternizing with his pain. Heating whatever blood was left in him. Wait. No. This was not something to be proud of! He was not glad Leo is here, even if he just saved his butt from getting murdered. And he was definitely not turned on in this very inappropriate circumstance by the leather that clung to every delicious curve of Leo’s beautiful body! He was terrified, actually! He didn’t want Leo fighting Nak’ir. Even if he had faith he could beat him. He didn’t want him hurt by him. He didn’t want him to see the coat. To remember all he had to go through. More than once. He didn’t want that jackasses hands on Leo!
	Raph was just about to spring into the fight that was going to take place, when someone grabbed onto the brim of his shell. Jerking him backwards. Arms wounded around him. Keeping him back from protecting Leo. Humans surrounded him, blocking him in. 
	He snarled.