***
The room was occupied by only a few soldiers, most of them debating over their next move. Brian stood facing the only window in the room, his hands clasped behind his back. He heard Jay raise his voice to one of the newer members.
"What we need to do is find him!"
The door was kicked open, banging against the wall, getting the attention of everyone in the room. Brian turned and was ready to attack. Then he quickly bowed and the others followed his example.
"Master Shredder," Brian greeted, eyes still down.
"What have you done to me?" Shredder screeched, pulling the solider up by the collar. It upset her all the more that she could not lift him off his feet. She had neither the strength nor the height.
Brian made no attempt to free himself. "You have to understand that this was the only way."
Shredder let go and turned to the others in the room. "Who was responsible?"
"I was, Master."
Shredder turned to the corner, when an old man stood. "Explain, Cheng!"
Cheng gave a short bow. "There were many circumstances to consider. Believe me, this was the most compatible match."
Shredder glared down at her balled fists, traces of violet and silver still present on the nails. For the first time she noticed a silver ring on her left pinkie with a small turtle on it. She pulled it off but couldn't bring herself to throw it so she simply stuck it in her pocket. "This is compatible?"
Cheng nodded. "I needed someone who had the energy and abilities necessary to house a soul transference. We did not have time to search out another host."
"Can it be reversed?"
Cheng shook his head. "Not without significant risk. I suggest you get used to it." He smirked at Shredder's less-than-pleased response. "I understand that the girl does have fighting potential, and youth is almost always an asset."
Shredder paused to let herself think. True, she was young again, and could easily get revenge on the turtles now.
"The turtles," she said, more to herself than those in the room. "One of them knew this girl."
Brian nodded. "They attacked just after the transfer. They did seem preoccupied with keeping the girls safe."
"The one in the red mask." She turned to Brian. "I need to know more."
Brian motioned for Jay. "Take her home, Jay. I'm sure her family will be happy to see her."
***
Donatello looked away from his computer screen and rubbed his eyes. He'd been searching the Internet for anything that could help their situation. After hours of work he'd found nothing and now he was getting a headache.
His stomach grumbled and he left his computer station to get something to eat. He passed Mike, who was on the phone with Raven, and Raph, who was training. Don would have stopped and commented to Raph about how just days before the rebellious turtle had complained that they had no reason to train, but thought better of it. Ever since last night, Raphael hadn't spoken a word. This morning, he'd gotten up early and started training. He was training before Don got up and started his search. He was still training now, hours later.
Guess he found a reason.
Leonardo was in the kitchen making tea. Don pulled a slice of pizza from the fridge and stuck it in the microwave. Usually, he didn't use the thing, he only fixed it, but he could at least manage to re-warm a slice of pizza without screwing it up.
"Anything?" Leo asked.
Don waited for the microwave to beep. "No. Nothing that would help. I never knew there was so much information about magick out there. It's a lot different from what I thought, too. For example, did you know that most people who practice magick today spell it with a 'k'?"
Leo looked up from watching the teakettle. "Why?"
Don shrugged. "They say it's to separate it from the stage illusions and David Copperfield stuff."
"Oh."
Don looked at his brother. "But Mike's on the phone with Raven. I don't really know what I'm looking for and we thought they could help."
Leo nodded.
"It's not your fault," Don told him.
Leo turned around sharply. "Yes, it is." Leo brought his tea to the table and sat down. "If I hadn't dragged us out there…"
"It still would have happened," Don interrupted.
"If we'd been earlier…"
"We could have screwed everything up, and got us all killed."
"Raph…"
"Would still be temperamental."
Leo lifted his mug like he was making a toast. "Always the optimist."
Don frowned. "I'm serious, Leo, things could have been worse. At least we know what we're dealing with, sort of. Right now the best thing we can do is make sure Raph…"
He was interrupted when Mike cried out, "Raph, wait a minute! Where you goin', bro?"
They both left the kitchen and saw Mike hang up the phone.
"Doesn't do anything stupid," Don finished off his earlier sentence.
Leo grabbed his swords from the kitchen. "We better go get him before he gets himself killed."
***
Raphael followed the path he'd memorized. This was only the third time he'd been down this way, but it was so familiar to him. More so than a trip to the nearest pizza parlor.
As he walked he ran over what he was going to say in his head.
I'm a friend…
No, I don't know where she is, but…
Can I search her room?
Raphael rolled his eyes and looked up at the manhole cover above his head. What would he really do when he got there? Did her family even know she was missing? Would they let him in? Only one way to find out.
Once he was topside he pulled his fedora down lower. At least he'd remembered to grab his disguise on the way out.
He just couldn't stand it anymore, doing nothing. He was going stir crazy; he had to get out. He'd heard Mikey and Raven talking about getting some of Indigo's books in case there was anything in them and decided to go get them himself.
He paused at the bottom of the steps and took a deep breath. At the top, he paused again, this time to wait for someone to answer the door.
The door opened to reveal a plain woman with graying brown hair and frumpy clothes.
"Uh, hi," Raphael said. Can this woman really be Indigo's mother?
"Can I help you?" she asked, her voice was very tired.
"I'm ah…friend of Indigo's, and I was wondering…"
The woman stepped aside and pointed. "Take the stairs, second door on your left, up to the attic."
Raphael blinked several times. "Okay, thanks." He walked past her and up the stairs. Two small children ran down and he had to press up against the banister to avoid getting trampled.
Weird, he thought. She just let me in…no questions.
He stopped at the second door on the left. "She lives in the attic," he said dryly, wondering if he'd stumbled into the plot of a V.C. Andrews book, and hoped that he hadn't.
Halfway up he heard noises coming from above him. Someone was up there. He pulled out a sai and silently continued up.
creak
Raphael paused three steps from the door. Damn loose step. He listened for sounds from the people in the room.
Nothing.
So either he had scared whoever was up there away, or…they had heard him. He wasn't sure until the door swung open.
Raphael gasped and stepped back to the step below him. And missed…
***