A Dark History

Danny told them everything. The Foot had a secret warehouse which was their hiding place for all the stolen goods and murder weapons. Most of the clan's members and new initiates were hiding in this warehouse doing illegal activities like taking drugs. The older members of the clan concentrated on refining their techniques in the Martial Arts.

Splinter was right at the back of the warehouse, in chains. Danny hadn't been too sure if he was still alive after being brutally whipped and beaten by the Master of the clan - The Shredder.

The Turtles prepared themselves for the battle that lay ahead. Leonardo and Raphael sharpened the blades on their swords and daggers as Donatello and Michaelangelo simulated the battle that lay ahead in order to compare tactics. As Danny led them to the warehouse where the Foot Clan were hiding, Leonardo felt a terrible foreboding.

"One of us is going to die tonight" He said suddenly, turning to his brothers and looking at them intently. I don't know who but I know that will happen.

The other three Turtles who, just a few weeks ago would have been terrified by this revelation, nodded briefly, three warriors ready to do battle no matter what the cost to their own lives.

They entered silently with Danny leading the way. Three Foot soldiers barricaded the way inside, but Leonardo fought all three as his brothers and Danny slipped inside. They walked through the warehouse without waiting for Leonardo towards the place where Splinter was kept a hostage.

They kept low and as they approached a small grate surrounded by boxes and stolen goods, they heard the metallic voice of a stranger. They knew from the tone of that voice that this person was evil and as they drew closer they saw their Master in chains, with the most demonic of all beings standing over him.

This man was clothed in metal as ancient soldiers were once, he had metal gauntlets hanging from his arms and legs, and his hands were covered with scars. The Turtles knew at once he was the Master of this vicious group of criminals. He wore a mask of metal and his face was completely hidden. The Turtles listened to the dialogue between their Sensei and this villain.

"Tell me about these reptiles that talk?" The evil one asked Splinter, his arms folded.

"I will tell you nothing Shredder" Splinter said, his voice weak and fragile as he made his stand.

Shredder sliced Splinter's face with his gauntlets and repeated the question again.

"I will tell you nothing, you who became evil when you took the life of your best friend for a woman who didn't love you" Splinter cried out. Shredder's eyes gleamed.

"How do you know of my history?" The Shredder said in a controlled and bitter voice.

"I know more of your history because I have tried to track you down and issue a challenge since the day my Master was killed. Only you found me first. He was my Master before this mutation befell me and I became this creature. You tried to destroy me with those toxins but I became stronger. Remember, I was Master Yoshi under my Master, Yeshna Ororo! You cover you're face with a mask. How fitting. Tell me, is the mask because of the katana scar that my Master left on you so many years ago?"

Shredder drew his sword and placed it at Splinter's throat. "Everyone who ever knew this has been killed. You shall not be the exception."

The Turtles leapt into action and confronted Shredder before the sword found its mark in Splinters heart. Shredder turned and found the three Turtles advancing towards him. He knocked down Raphael who was the f to to reach him with a single strike from his arm dagger. Raphael fell with blood seeping from the gash on his face. Donatello then confronted Shredder who broke Donatello's staff with a roundhouse kick and then punched him in the neck. Donatello fell, gasping to the floor unable to breathe.

Michaelangelo tried to attack Shredder, but Shredder was too fast and caught Michaelangelo by the throat and was about to break his neck when Leonardo entered the scene, charging towards the Shredder with both swords drawn. Shredder let go of M to to face this new opponent who had taken him off guard, but Leonardo had acted fast, seeing the surprise on the face of his enemy.

The Shredder found himself pierced with Leonardo's katana blade and fell to his knees. He muttered two words to Splinter before his eyes because dull and he died.

"Hate you"

Leonardo helped Michaelangelo up, who was recovering from the fight and Raphael got up himself, his hand to the wound Shredder had made to staunch the flow of blood. Leonardo quickly ran to Splinter and his katana sliced through the chains easily as he helped Splinter to his feet.

"Donatello" Splinter whispered as Leonardo himself looked around for his missing brother.
Leonardo found him, fallen face down on a sharp gauntlet that had broken loose from the Shredder's armour. As he raised his dead brother Leonardo felt one thing that he had never allowed to come forth so freely ever.

As he desperately and in vain searched for a pulse on his brother's wrist, and heartbeat his tears for his dead brother fell onto the sharp and deadly wound on Donatello's forehead.

There was no way this time of reviving his brother.

Splinter knelt by Donatello and his hand ran along the peaceful features of Donatello's face. His fingers moved over his open eyes and closed them.

Bending down, Splinter kissed his sons forehead.

"Safe journey, my son"

April watched the news report she had completed that afternoon repeated on the late night news show in her new apartment. She was huddled on the sofa and didn't hear the door open and the three turtles enter with their Master.

Suddenly she turned and smiled at them all as they walked dismally towards her.

"I got my job back and more. I am now the highest paid reporter in the business!"

As the Turtles didn't reply, April felt a familiar foreboding feeling.

"Where's Donny?" She asked, a mixture of fear and anxiety in her voice.

"He didn't make it" Leonardo replied in barely a whisper.

April began to cry and her tears shed was the pain she had kept hidden from the Turtles, the frustration of the defeats they all had suffered and the loss of one of her closest friends. They came forward and all put their arms around her, seeking to shield her from her own pain. They remained there in that single united position, April, The Turtles and their Master mourning for the death of Donatello. This was the release they all needed from the desperation and loneliness they had felt at the farmhouse.