Destiny's eyes slowly open, causing an instant moan of pain to escape her dry lips as the smell of blood and sweat invades her nostrils. She moves her arms only to cry out from the numerous lacerations now decorating them. Her top is still damp from water and her hair and fur feels burnt, charred from the heat of the energy they sent coursing through her body again and again.

She moves her legs slightly, wincing at the stiffness of her muscles, and sees the redness of her skin where the cuffs have encased her ankles. She almost closes her eyes again as a pounding sensation beats against her skull, her lips twitching in a silent prayer for something to come and take away the pain. She just wants to sleep, to make it all stop...

The metal door at the end of the tiny cell creaks open, making her wolf ears twitch. Footsteps get nearer and nearer, then two pairs of rough hands grip her shoulders, causing her to twist away and make a strangled noise of agony. She's dragged from the cell and promptly released from the hands as she's thrown to the ground.

She lands, instantly going limp as her breaths come out in short gasps. The chains around her wrists and feet are still present. She lifts her head for a second, long enough to see that more figures have accumulated near her: there's a pink fish with robotic legs, a skeletal black dog, and a muscular leopard woman in brown, leather armour. She's more of an upright humanoid animal, like the turtles. Destiny's head drops back to the cold floor and she closes her eyes.

"Is she awake?" the fish asks.

"I'll check," the dog offers in a raspy voice.

He moves towards Destiny, lifting a clawed hand and rolling her onto her back. Her expression twists with pain, but she doesn't open her eyes.

"Looks pretty out of it," the dog says, rolling her back over with another wince from her.

The leopard girl sighs, filing her claws. Her glowing yellow eyes move to glare at Destiny momentarily before she sniffs and runs her freshly-sharpened claws through her caramel-coloured pixie cut.

"Can't we just get rid of her already? I'm bored," she hisses, her voice smooth and accented.

"No, Master Shredder wants her alive," the fish states. "Stockman said this process was necessary to the plan."

There's approaching footsteps from the stairwell nearby. Destiny opens one eye, watching as the slightly blurred silhouette of Diaval comes into view before she closes it again.

"Did you fail again?" the dog asks, a malicious grin spreading across his wide face.

Diaval lowers his head. "Mhm," he answers.

"Figures, you can't do anything right," the leopard says with an eye roll. She flips out her nail file again and begins shaping the claws on her other paw. "I'm surprised Shredder hasn't disposed of a street rat like you yet."

"That's enough, Emery," Karai's sharp voice interrupts as she too emerges from the winding stairwell. "You weren't much different than him, if I remember correctly."

Emery's furry shoulders bristle and she bares her teeth, but she says nothing. Karai moves to Diaval's side, casting him a quick look. He nods once before averting his eyes.

"She'll need to be transported soon. Stockman says he's almost ready," Karai says. "Bradford, Xever, she's still alive?"

"Unconscious, but breathing," the dog, Bradford, answers.

"Good, that's exactly what Father ordered. Thanks to Diaval, we don't have much time until the turtles arrive," Karai says, making the white-haired boy's jaw clench. She holds up Destiny's phone, waving it once or twice. "Their leader is very concerned about our little guest. We can use this, you realize?"

"Easy bait," Xever murmurs.

Destiny's eyes shoot open and a low growl escapes her, bringing every pair of eyes over to her direction. She pushes the top half of her body off the floor, her shoulders quaking as she puts every ounce of effort into bringing her head upwards.

"Don't...you dare...hurt them," she threatens.

"Empty threats, coming from a stray like you," Emery says, moving nearer to the weakened girl.

"I can...smell fear," Destiny says, forcing a fanged smirk. "You reek of it, c-cat."

Diaval stiffens noticeably. Bradford and Xever glance at each other sideways, then at the leopard woman. Karai stifles a laugh, feigning disinterest when Emery looks her way.

"You're in no position to be threatening or insulting us, girl," Emery snarls down at Destiny.

"Aw..." Destiny coos, letting out a strained laugh. "Poor pussy cat, I hurt your feelings."

The reaction is instant. Emery swipes her claws across Destiny's face without a beat of hesitation. Destiny's arms buckle and her face makes contact with the floor, blood trickling down her eyebrow ridge and cheek as her mouth fills with the iron taste of blood. Every muscle in her body tenses up as her eyes fill with tears, the wounds sending burning tongues of fire licking down the side of her face.

She trembles, her fingers twitching as her breaths get shallower. Please, let me slip away...

Emery flicks her claws before wiping the blood off on her cropped-top. "You're weak."

"I'm stronger...than you..." Destiny croaks.

Emery growls and lifts her paw again, but Karai reaches out and grasps the leopard's wrist.

"That's enough," she orders. "She's been through enough. We don't want her to expire."

Emery wrenches her paw from Karai's grip and storms off, heading up the stairs and disappearing. Xever crosses his scaly arms over his chest, shaking his head.

"Ooo, someone's angry today," he murmurs.

"What are you talking about? She's always angry," Bradford retorts with a laugh.

"You two, come," Karai says, snapping her fingers and gesturing them over to her. They move further away, wary of the still conscious Destiny and the possibility of her overhearing.

Diaval watches them, then slowly casts his pale eyes down to Destiny. Her chest still manages to rise and fall, but it's shaky, shallow, and she makes a low raspy noise every time she inhales.

His gaze travels along her body, his lips pursing slightly upon seeing her various wounds. Then, he notices her bare legs and his pale cheeks gain a slight amount of colour. He checks Karai's little trio, all three still deep in conversation, and exhales heavily.

He reaches his slim fingers to his cloak and unclips it, sweeping the dark material from his shoulders and revealing the baggy red t-shirt that clings to his lanky frame. He kneels next to Destiny, reaching his hand out and gently touching her arm. He quickly withdraws it upon feeling just how cold it is, a soft whimper from her making her shoulders shake, and he again casts a darting glance up at his fellow Foot Clan members. They haven't noticed.

He takes his cloak and drapes it over her, the length easily covering her bare, beaten skin. Her eyelids peel open, like invisible hands are dragging them back, and she stares up at the strange boy.

"I...hah..." she tries to speak, but her words are quickly drowned out by her weak coughs.

"Diaval."

His head jerks upwards to find Karai walking back towards him with the other two mutants flanking her. Xever's beady yellow eyes fasten on Destiny for a moment, his face twisting as if he's raising a non-existent eyebrow.

"She's cold, thought she could—" Diaval starts, beginning to stand up, but she lifts her hand and halts him.

"It's fine," Karai says. "Take her to the lab. Meet us there."

She moves towards the stairs and disappears up them. Bradford and Xever follow, glaring down at the quiet boy as they pass. Once they too have gone, Diaval returns his attention to the wounded girl before him and slowly picks her up. She doesn't stop shaking the entire time and he's very similar, although he manages to hide his tremors. He makes sure his cloak is completely wrapped around her, offering just a bit of warmth to her tired body as her head slumps against his shoulder. He adjusts his grip, swallowing once.

"W-Why..." she whispers, "...w-would you...d-do this...?"

He looks at her fleetingly, finding that her glassy green eyes are latched on his face, and it's like they're able to see through to his very soul. He can see her greatest desire as he stares at her emotionlessly. She wants to go home. She wants the pain to end.

His eyes flick upwards as he detaches himself from her inner wishes. He begins walking, keeping her very close to his chest as he makes every step as if he's treading on glass. The last thing he wants is to trip and drop her down a flight of stairs.

"Turtles're coming for you," he mumbles. "Might make it, might not."

Destiny starts to drop off again, although her lips twitch into a tiny smile. "They w-will..."

----------

Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo emerge into the dungeons of Foot Clan headquarters, looking around for any sign of life. They peer into every cell, hoping to find their friend with every move.

"Leo, Mikey, check this out," Raphael whispers, gesturing his brothers to him.

The blue and orange-masked turtles join Raphael, who's standing inside a cell. He kneels next to chains on the wall, lifting them and tilting them towards his brothers. Leonardo feels his stomach convulse as he sees blood along the edges of the metal, while Michelangelo makes a tiny noise in the back of his throat.

"She was here, but not anymore," Raphael mutters.

"So...where is she?" Michelangelo asks.

Leonardo's phone buzzes, and it's in his hand and answered before someone can say "pizza". "Donnie, have you got anything?" he asks. "She isn't in the dungeons anymore."

"Leo, she doesn't have her phone on her. I guessed that she would be in the dungeons," Donatello says on the other end.

"You guessed?!" the older turtle hisses. "But—"

"I'm pretty sure that she hasn't left the building," Donatello interrupts. "If they've moved her, I suggest checking Stockman's lab." He pauses as the whispering tones of April's voice just manage to make it through the phone. "Oh, yeah, let's make it quick. My group ran into a few bots."

"Your group?!" Casey's voice can be heard through the receiver, followed closely by a shush from April.

Raphael snatches the phone from Leonardo's hand. "Donnie, are you sure she's in the lab?"

"No, I'm not sure. We have to go on faith."

Leonardo takes the phone back. "See you soon, Don." He shuts off the phone.

"Aw man, I hope she's okay..." Michelangelo says, poking at the chains. "I dunno what it is, but I'm getting the worst vibes off this place."

"Me too," Raphael agrees under his breath, leaning down to eye a suspicious red stain on the cold stone walls.

"Come on, follow me," Leonardo whispers. "Mikey, keep some smoke bombs ready."

Michelangelo salutes. The three turtles sneak up the stairs, katanas, sais, and nunchucks out and ready for anything. They reach the main level, an eerie silence settling over the entire base. It's quiet, far too quiet for the teenagers to be at ease.

They stand, waiting, taking the slowest breaths they can, and listen for anything or anyone that may come.

Their patience is rewarded as a piercing scream erupts from what feels like everywhere, ringing and echoing through the entire base. If the turtles had any hair on their bodies at all, those hairs would have stood on edge as the sound assaulted their eardrums. When it cuts off, they spin in tight circles as they try to pinpoint the direction it came from.

"Oh, dudes, I'm good at this thing!" Michelangelo boasts, taking off down the hall and giving his brothers little choice in what to do. They reluctantly follow him.

Michelangelo leads them through the hallways of the Foot Headquarters until they emerge onto a flat area high up in the rafters of Stockman's underground lab. Destiny lays on a shiny table, strapped down and looking close to death.

Rahzar, Fishface, Emery, and Karai linger near the action, spectating, while Diaval rubs at different spots on his cloak with what looks like an old rag. Baxter Stockman stands near a control board, fiddling with some dials while Foot bots stand at attention. There's a rather sizeable mutagen collar around the African American man's neck. Shredder is nowhere to be seen.

Michelangelo's face twists into a frown as he takes in Destiny's overall appearance. "What...what did they do to her?" he asks softly.

Raphael growls. "Whatever it was, they're gonna get the beat down of their lives for it."

"On three, we drop down, take out the bots, and free Destiny," Leonardo says, his voice collected despite the unfocused look in his eyes.

"Shouldn't we wait for the others?" Michelangelo asks.

"We can't wait any longer. She could be dying right now," the leader in blue says as he keeps his eyes trained on Destiny, his stance rigid.

Not a moment later, Donatello, Casey, and April drop down next to them, halting their minimal movements. April sits down, her overall appearance still rather sickly. Raphael gives her a quick once-over.

"April, no offence, but you should stay up here," he says. "You've still got that headache."

April opens her mouth to argue, then closes it. She sighs and nods. "Okay...fine, but I want to help in some other way."

"You and Casey can stay here and hold onto these smoke bombs, if you want," Michelangelo offers, holding the egg-shaped items out to the humans. April takes a couple.

"Hey, Casey Jones didn't come here to get benched," Casey mutters.

"You'll be alone with April," Raphael retorts.

Casey's attitude does a complete 180° as he takes the smoke bombs. "If I must stay here, I will." He winks at April, making Donatello gag.

"Awesome, let's go." Raphael grins, cracking his knuckles.

Leonardo counts to three and the four turtles launch into action, taking out a few Foot bots immediately. The other mutants spin to face the teens, their faces twisting into various arrays of snarls, amused grins, annoyance, or some other fourth emotion. Diaval remains emotionless as he stands, puts his cloak back on, and readies his bow.

"The turtles!" Rahzar howls. "Get them!"

The enemy soldiers attack, ready to take down the turtles. Each of the turtles split off, taking on the assailants with a renewed vigour. Diaval stays at a safe distance.

Leonardo dodges a few attacks from the Foot soldiers, evading Karai's attempts at stopping him rather effectively. He doesn't slow down for a second, his sapphire eyes locked on the prize. He slices into two Foot bots, using one of the dismembered chunks of torso to knock Karai back before he finally reaches Destiny's side.

He looks to the metal cuffs surrounding her arms, then at the control panel, where Baxter Stockman huddles in fright beneath the desk with his hands clapped over his fluffy afro.

Leonardo pulls out a few shuriken and whips it at the table, embedding the stars in various buttons. Much to his relief, the cuffs pop open and Destiny slumps off the table, falling straight into his arms. His heart clenches as she whimpers, her skin cold to the touch.

"Des? Des, say something if you can hear me," he pleads, adjusting his grip on her as his hand cups her face.

"L...Leo..." she mumbles, her eyelids drooped.

She slips completely into unconsciousness and crumples against his chest, causing his breath to hitch. The turtle pulls her closer to him, checking her pulse with worried eyes as he tries to steady her.

He senses something moving behind him and spins, unleashing one katana and blocking Karai's attack from behind him. She smirks, stepping back and preparing for his next move as she flips her tantō gracefully in her hand.

"Always the hero, aren't you?" she asks.

He doesn't answer her, holding his katana out protectively while keeping his other arm securely supporting his injured friend's body.

"I don't want to fight you, Karai," he says lowly. "Not today."

She laughs. "I don't remember asking for your opinion."

"I don't...uh...remember caring...about that..." he attempts to retort.

There's a cry of surprise from nearby as Donatello hits the ground, Emery's foot slamming down on his plastron as she brandishes her twin daggers. Karai becomes momentarily distracted by the loud noise, her eyes darting sideways. Leonardo reacts instantly. He sheathes his katana, lifts Destiny completely into his arms, and lunges out with a solid kick to Karai's gut.

"FALL BACK!" he calls, moving away from his fallen assailant.

Purple smoke explodes everywhere the second that the command is hollered, making the Foot mutants let out cries of surprise and anger. When it clears, there's not a trace of the ninja to be seen.

----------

"That was too close," Raphael pants as the group returns to the ShellRaiser, which is still parked outside a nearby alleyway.

Leonardo doesn't respond, cradling Destiny impossibly closer to him. His hand tightens slightly around her bare legs. If it wasn't for the circumstances, he'd take the moment to notice how strangely smooth they feel to his touch, but now is not the time for that.

His dark blue eyes shift to Donatello as the purple-masked turtle rolls his shoulders and winces. "Don? You okay?" Leonardo asks.

Donatello nods, forcing a gap-toothed smile. "The leopard caught me off guard. I'm fine." His eyes fall downwards to Destiny, his happy façade disappearing. "You need to drive. I can take her."

"What did they do?" Casey whispers, his tone shocked and appalled all at once.

"Lots," Donatello snaps.

Casey bunches his eyebrows together. "I know, but I meant details! She obviously got really screwed up!"

April claps her hands over her face and makes a sad noise, making the two boys shut their bickering up in a snap. She shakes her head, wiping at her eyes.

"I...I should've gotten to you guys sooner," she says. "Des was all alone in there for so long, she must've been so scared. She just..." She looks away from Destiny, dragging her fingers across her eyes again.

"Don't blame yourself, April. You were just being a good friend," Michelangelo says, reaching out and taking her hand in his own. His free hand gently pats the encased one, his gentle smile making her face lighten slightly.

Casey nods and wraps an arm around her shoulder. "Wolfie will be just fine, I'm sure of it."

Leonardo moves over to Donatello, carefully switching Destiny from his arms to his brother's. Leonardo makes sure that the intelligent turtle's grip is secure before finally releasing her. His eyes shift upwards, finding the silhouette of the Shredder staring back at him from the ledge outside the throne room window. A beat passes before the shadow disappears.

Leonardo straightens up and turns to their vehicle. "Let's get home," he says. "She needs medical help, and soon."

Everyone nods. They pile into the ShellRaiser and drive off in almost record time, remaining completely silent. Donatello's hold on Destiny remains consistent the entire ride home, and everywhere he looks, he finds faces looking back at him that are just as pained as his own.

April and Casey sit beside him while Raphael and Michelangelo cast fleeting glances to the wolf girl from their stations, as if both are watching and preparing for the chance that the shaky rise and fall of her chest will cease.