"So, little turtle," the stranger hissed while a dozen weapons of different caliber materialized behind him, all pointing at Raphael while the cane that was pointed at his face changed until it became a cannon. "Tell me more about that Lou that you have prisoner."

None of the younger turtles dared to move, they were rightly aware that any provocation would end with their brother turning into an unrecognizable pupa. The mutant in front of them had all the aura of being someone who should never be trifled with.

"I'm waiting," the elder hissed and the rumble of his cold voice chilled the blood of those present.

Tell me about my brother — the older purple one brought his face closer to Raphael's, showing his affiliated teeth.

Wait! —Leonardo's terrified voice breaks the tension and makes the older man look at him. The surprise was great for everyone when they saw a pair of eyes turned into slits that looked at them with different colors, reddish brown on the right, light blue on the left.

Heterochromia... - Donnie murmurs, half scared and fascinated.

He speaks quickly—patience didn't seem to be a quality in the older mutant.

He is not a prisoner! We found him injured and took him home, he has been living with us these last few days — Leonardo is quick to explain, although distrust bubbles up in waves from the older man's aura.

He told us his name was Lou to keep his identity confidential — Donnie adds — but I'm sure it's Leo... your Leo — the resident genius's breathing is labored; The blue turtle and his little orange brother look at each other when Donnie makes the mistaken declaration of Lou's identity, but they are unable to intervene to clarify things when their genius brother speaks again - you... you are Donatello, right? Lou's older brother, we can take you with him — Don's tone tries to be pleasant but the tremor in his voice gives him away.

Of course they're going to take me with him - the older Donnie responds with the same cold tone as before, although he straightens the cane until it is straight at his side, the purple energy weapons do not disappear, of course - depending on his condition we will see what I do with "you," he threatened.

Raphael, who was the only one the taller mutant's weapons were aimed at, raised his sais at the threat. He wouldn't allow a stranger to come and intimidate his family and get away unscathed. The older Donatello looked at him unimpressed and pointed his cane at him again.

Very brave little one - he smiled sideways - but I don't need to fight with you now, I want to see my brother - he pressed a button on the cane and something shot out of the tip, throwing the young man backwards. His brothers, terrified that they had hurt him, gasped and rushed to defend him, drawing their weapons, but stopped short when they heard the one in red growl angrily.

He was a ball, literally, Raphael was a ball with arms, legs and head and he rocked from side to side as he could not get up on his own by waving his arms. If it weren't for the tense situation, the three of them would burst into laughter, although the two youngest let out a few discreet snorts of amusement.

ADA - the older man mentions with a tone of pride in his voice - acronym for Adhesion Agent, which is no longer in beta, thank you - he leaves the cane resting on the ground and makes a quick bow - and now there is a product to undo it, no We want the little grump to stay stuck there forever - Raphael continues to fight against what has him trapped although he only manages to continue rocking from side to side without being able to stand up - take it as a peace offering from me, my other weapons They would have volatilized him - the feeling of cold and danger that was lightened a little when he saw Raph fighting against the ball that contained him returns - and now, young people, if you would be so kind as to take me to Leo, I would appreciate it.

Leonardo and Michelangelo look at each other, doubtful of clarifying the situation, the leader fears that the older Don will take the change in who they are supposedly prisoner badly and become hostile again. They separate, Leo approaches the older man to try to explain and ask him to free his brother and Mikey surrounds Raph looking for some point where he can try to remove the strange substance from him.

An excited screech draws the attention of everyone present to the resident genius who was pacing between various pieces of machinery. He clapped his hands, crouched down, looked over, behind and under each one, whistling or squealing, his eyes shining.

— This is perfect. How did you get the energy matrix of this module to synapse with the condensation piece? It would never have occurred to me to mix these two types of plugin to join these cables... — Leonardo couldn't remember ever seeing his brother so enthusiastic about something before — You have to show me the plans. Did you do this with the stolen pieces? This is art, art — the youngest purple man runs up to the oldest and joins his hands in supplication — it doesn't matter that you are evil, please teach me, I will give you to my brothers as a sacrifice if necessary.

-Donnie! —The three young turtles yell at his brother, who ignores them for maintaining eye contact with the greatest genius ever seen.

"I like how you think little one, I can teach you one or two things only if my brother is in perfect condition," Donatello responds, patting the head of the shortest purple who is surprised by the gesture, being the tallest of his brothers he rarely receives that kind of attention.

— You could also ask to be taken out of here — the one in red claims, spinning slowly on the floor — it's humiliating — Mikey tries to right him, but the weight only throws him to the ground and causes Raphael to roll to the other side of the room.

— I'll do it when you stop being a grump — the tall Donnie ignores him and goes to a light that blinks on a control panel — interesting, apparently they are not the only visitors I will have tonight — a sinister smile crosses the man's face. major purple before the lights in the room change from lilac to red and a loud alarm echoes throughout the room.

The younger ones took out their weapons, or at least the three that were standing, and prepared themselves for whatever was coming to strike. The older man simply pressed a few buttons on a silver wristband that he had on his arm from which several floating screens emerged.

Donnie's happy squeal nearly deafened Leonardo.

Multifunctional holographic screens - the one in purple exclaimed and the leader did not need to see him to know that he had stars in his eyes - I have to know how they work - Leo was beginning to feel sorry for the older mutant and the harassment to which he will be subjected by his own scientist brother although, watching Raphael struggle to try to get out of the round trap he was in, he was going to let his excited second youngest pester the oldest with questions as much as he wanted.

— What's going on? Why are the alarms ringing?

— Intruders entered — was the brief response of the purple-clad man.

— They didn't ring when we came in," says Mikey, managing to get Raph to his feet although he has to hold him so he doesn't fall again.

— You are programmed to react to a potentially dangerous threat—the older Donatello looks you up and down and shrugs, turning his eyes to the screens—you are not a threat.

The four young people gasp offended at the comment, it is true that they would not antagonize one of Lou's relatives but it is not so that they would not be considered a danger if they proposed it.

— Do you know them? — The eldest interrupts the line of thought of the little ones by enlarging one of the screens and revealing the surroundings of the warehouse where several groups of figures move among the shadows

— Shit... - Raphael mutters as he recognizes the groups and Leonardo finds no reason to criticize their language when that single word expressed very well the problem that was stalking them.

In the den, Angelo prepared a large dinner to receive the boys when they returned from patrol. He felt restless, an itch in his chest did not leave him alone; the feeling that something was trapped in his heart and he was fighting to get out, to make himself known. His ninpo pulsed within him and distracted him no matter how much he tried to ignore it.

He knew that he had a slight connection with the youngest of the family that took him in, sometimes he could feel him like he felt his brothers, something warm and bright that danced around his ninpo but not yet fully united, Angelo knew it was He was the one who wouldn't let him join and Mikey didn't have the experience to break the barriers that the older man placed around the only thing that united him to his true family. He loved the young man and esteemed his family quite a bit and in other circumstances he would be more than happy to receive them into his heart and envelop them with his power, guide them on the Hamato path, on their Hamato path, unite them with the clan, but he was still very hurt, the The pain was very recent and he felt like it was like replacing those he lost so tragically. That's why he didn't open his ninpo even when he felt someone scraping his barriers, he wasn't prepared.

Both Leonardo and Mikey were the ones most likely to try to connect with him. But Leo reminded him so much of his brother and Mikey was a reminder of who he was. He couldn't open it, not now.

April and Casey were with him in the kitchen, they did not go to patrol with the brothers because they were both beginning the exam stage at school and they needed to be one hundred percent so as not to fail the tests. Splinter was very specific in saying that he wanted both young men to concentrate on their studies so they were prohibited from going out on patrol during these times although they were allowed to be in the lair because worrying about their friends would affect their studies. And why it was easier to access Donatello's help if they needed it.

Angelo offered to cook them healthy meals so that their brains received the best nutrients and help them as much as he could, although, most likely, he did not fully understand what they were studying. Math, history or science were not a priority in the apocalypse so he didn't remember much of what he once knew. April told her that her company was more than enough and Casey rolled her eyes, a Donatello was enough, it was not necessary for April to also behave like a young girl in love with her. He understood perfectly how the purple mutant felt with his presence near the redhead. He was determined to make a common front with the group's scientist against Lou, no matter how kind and cute he was with them. Although in reality her competition for the girl was more of a game now, he liked her yes, but she liked arguing with Donatello more, getting the mutant mad was hilarious.

His battle for April was only with Donnie.

A bowl of soup appeared in his sight and the delicious aroma hit his nostrils almost making him moan. The day was very cool, the first signs of the change of season, and a hot soup was all he could have asked for; Lou had actually shown to have great culinary abilities unlike the homeowner Leo, Raphael told him about Donnie's theory that the strange visitor was an adult variant of Leonardo, and both humans were more than happy to receive a good plate of food. prepared by him but, for Donnie's honor, he would not show how much he liked him, they were enemies.

Master Splinter joined them at the table, attracted by the aroma of the soup.

I hope you made enough for everyone, Lou - he says after the first spoonful - why I'll order you another dish after this one - the older turtle giggled.

I made enough for everyone to repeat - he responds, covering the pot and walking to the table - the boys will arrive hungry and cold from their patrol so a good bowl of soup is the best to welcome them.

He still asked me how you get the ingredients to cook so delicious — young April put her books aside so she could eat calmly.

I have my secrets - he winks at the girl and she blushes although she quickly hides it with a new sip of soup - although I can tell you that my brothers taught me good survival skills while we were together.

"I would like to meet them," she answers. Seconds later she widens her eyes when she realizes what those words can mean to the oldest — I mean... I...

Angelo has a lost look although he composes himself quickly.

— You would have loved them, they all had wonderful qualities, they were brave, selfless and protected what they loved with their lives and their hearts - Lou's smile is sad but his voice is firm - and I think they would have liked you a lot.

A heavy silence follows his words, broken only by the sound of spoons in soup plates.

— I'm glad that your brothers have taught you so many things, Lou - says Splinter, placing a paw on the older turtle's arm - thanks to those teachings you are here now and you have delighted us with your food. I will thank you in today's meditation

Angelo sighs shakily and nods with a slight smile on his face.

— I will meditate with you tonight - he says - I also have a lot to thank my family for.

The younger ones look relieved.

— We will leave as soon as Donnie returns, I have some things to ask him but, if I have time, I would like to meditate with you too - says the girl - at least for a moment.

— You are always welcome, my student, it would be nice if all my children were infected with your enthusiasm for meditation - she complains and the other three members of the improvised meeting laugh.

— Only a Leo would love to meditate — Casey jokes and Lou smiles at him in amusement. The boy is as convinced as Don that he is Leonardo and will not convince him of his mistake until the official Leo decides, it will surely be fun to see his face.

"I'll wash the dishes," Lou offers once they finish eating, the feeling that someone is trying to access his ninpo returned with force and he prefers to be away from the sight of Master Splinter and the psychic girl in case his face shows the concern he feels in its energy. He is not yet ready to admit what ninpo is and what it means, but if he continues like this, he will have to talk about it with everyone. Meanwhile he would try to keep the barriers up.

— We're officially screwed — already, this time Raphael was overstepping his linguistic liberties but Leonardo wrote it down to scold him later. What was seen through the screens was priority.

— Those over there are Beboop and Rocksteady along with an army of Foot robots — Leonardo points to a pair of huge mutants carrying weapons and surrounding the warehouse looking for an entrance.

— Robots? "In my time the feet were made of paper," says the oldest, staring at the screen.

— Hey? —Donnie asks but he is ignored.

— These are purple dragons - Mikey is quick to point to another group made up of stereotypical gang members - they were searching the warehouses the day we found your gifts...

— Mikey drones, drones — rectify the minor purple

"That, drones," the young man repeats and is surprised to feel a hand caressing his head.

— Thanks for the report, Michael - all the brothers look at each other confused by the gesture but ignore it... for now.

— And those over there are krang robots - Leonardo finishes saying, pointing at another group that is approaching quickly - Lou and I confronted them at the university where you also took things - he didn't want to use the word steal in case the older mutant is sensitive to accusation and reacts badly.

— We can deduce then - says the older one, pressing other buttons on his futuristic wristband - that everyone has problems with me and that you guided them here - a robotic shell detaches from a wall and fits on the back of the older turtle - the good thing is that I wanted to test the prototype of my battle shell and now is a good time.

Young Donatello lets out an excited squeal as he sees how the shell covers the older man's back and approaches to stare at him.

— How does it work? What gadgets do you have? How do you handle it? Why doesn't it bulk out with your natural shell? She—she peppers him with questions while she gazes in wonder at the bright purple shell.

— I'll answer your questions later... if they survive - the older Don spins his staff in his hands and then points it at Raphael and shoots a gas at him that makes him cough but frees him from the trap he was in - now let's play.

By pressing a button on his wristband, several panels of the warehouse open, revealing a large amount of machinery, first, and then a good amount of weapons: Lasers, missiles and rocket launchers.

— Let's welcome our visitors - the oldest laughs before several walls of the cellar fall and leave the entire interior in view of the confused invaders - I'm not used to receiving visitors but... - the oldest Donatello hits the floor with his cane calling the attention of enemies targeting them. The turtles take out their weapons, scared of having to face so many enemies together — since they came uninvited, I will have to summon all my technology so that they learn to respect my privacy.

What followed could only be described as pure and simple chaos; All the pafred weapons began to fire at the same time an amalgam of nets, substances like the one that captured Raphael, rubber bullets, and an endless number of different things designed to incapacitate or stun the enemies. Suddenly Leonardo saw a smoke bomb explode at the feet of a group of disoriented dragons and the second a dark green and purple spot passed by him as the older Donatello launched himself to hit the coughing criminals. He was fast and efficient, he didn't waste time, he left them out of combat and launched himself against the others.

After the initial confusion, his brothers joined the disaster, Raphael took advantage of the smoke, fireworks or nets that stunned the enemies to disarm them and leave them out of combat. And he was having fun, his laughter was a clear sign. Mikey, for his part, looked for those who were trapped in the ADA and made them roll, using them as if they were a bowling ball to throw them towards the groups of krang robots or foot soldiers, shouting excitedly when he managed to throw several off with a single shot. . Donatello, on his side, alternated between hitting one person or another with his cane and observing in wonder the machinery spread throughout the warehouse. Leo could see him muttering under his breath, jumping excitedly or moving his fingers when he saw something particularly cool. The oldest of the brothers just sighed and tried to keep his little brothers safe. Getting them out of the chaos right now was impossible.

Raphael was completely fascinated, this Donatello did not hold back when it came to causing damage, he was fucking violent, he attacked mercilessly with his metal staff and the one in red could clearly hear when a bone broke or an enemy fell to the ground after a blow. . And he moved so well, using the staff as an extension of himself, spinning, punching, jumping and dancing around enemies relentlessly, always with a sadistic smile on his face. Those who saw it froze with fear and soon the vast majority of humans had either fled or been incapacitated thanks to the weaponry and attacks of the greater purple.

— They flee in that truck! —exclaims Raphael following a group of stragglers. The older Donnie stands next to him and hands him a rocket