Disclaimer: I do not own any turtles, ninja or otherwise.

Mind Hacked

Chapter 1-Just The Two Of Us

Michelangelo hesitated at the doorway for a moment, adjusting the tray in his hands. It was their day off from training, which meant that Donatello had locked himself in his laboratory, missing both breakfast and lunch, and if Michelangelo wasn't vigilant, eventually dinner too.

The orange clad turtle smiled, there's no way he would let his brainy older brother miss out on all three meals of the day. With the tray once again balanced properly, Mikey opened the door and bounced into the lab.

"Donnie, food's here!"

The purple masked turtle didn't miss a beat as he continued to type furiously on his laptop. "Just put it over there Mikey."

Michelangelo looked around. Every inch of bench space was covered with notes, old Styrofoam coffee cups, and pieces of parts and contraptions Mikey would never understand. There was no where to place the tray of food.

"Umm, Donnie, over where exactly?"

Engrossed in his work, Donatello continued to type. "Just put it anywhere Mikey."

Michelangelo frowned at the dismissal. He knew that tone. Donnie was going to forget about his little brother and the food he had carried into the laboratory the minute the orange masked turtle left the room. The loud growl from Donatello's stomach did nothing to stop the busy turtle.

"Sounds like your stomach could use a break bro." Mikey stepped closer to his brother, carrying the tray. "I brought you something light, tuna fish sandwiches and potato chips."

Donatello didn't move from his task.

Michelangelo tried again.

"And a nice hot cup of coffee."

Donatello's left hand shot out to the side, eagerly awaiting the coffee. He continued to type with his right, purple clad eyes never leaving the computer screen.

Michelangelo scowled. It looked like Donnie was going to be difficult today. Mikey placed the tray down on a pile of papers. He handed the cup to his brother, but before Donnie's fingers could close around the mug, Mikey snatched it away.

"Hey!"

The sudden loss of his beloved drink caused Donatello to look up from his computer.

Mikey shook his head, holding the mug just out of reach. "Nuh uh bro. You've been working in here all day."

Donatello leaned forward, balancing the laptop while he reached for the mug. Mikey stepped back, just out of reach.

"Mikey!"

Mikey's eyes sparkled. "Just half a sandwich bro, then the coffee's all yours."

Donatello huffed at his teasing younger brother. Donnie opened his mouth to protest, but his stomach betrayed him with a loud growl. "Fine, just a couple of minutes."

With a beaming smile, Mikey handed his brother half a sandwich. While Donatello munched on his meal, Mikey's orange clad eyes surveyed the messy desk. Mikey's eyes lit up as he reached for the virtual reality headset.

"Dude, when did you get an Oculus Rift?"

Having already finished the first sandwich, Donatello started on the second. "I found it during my last trip to the junkyard. It must have been a prototype model because it was missing headphones. I added them, along with a few other upgrades."

Eager to show off his hard work, Donnie shoved the last of the sandwich into his mouth and reached for the keyboard. "I used the Utrom technology we recovered from the TCRI building to modify the interface to interact with more than just gaming platforms."

Donatello tapped a few keys as Mikey adjusted the headset to fit comfortably against his head.

"This baby can sync remotely with any network. Libraries, banks, even government agencies."

The video display zoomed first in, then out, of one network after another, in time to Donatello's explanation.

Michelangelo smiled as the display changed views. "Cool!"

Encouraged by Mikey's enthusiasm, Donatello began to dive into the technological aspects of his upgrades, causing Mikey's eyes to glaze over with boredom. But before he could start whining, Mikey was saved by April's arrival into the lair.

"Hi guys, anybody home?"

Eager to get away from the resident genius, Mikey ripped the headset off. "April's here!"

Michelangelo quickly raced out of the lab to great their guest. He met her in the kitchen, where April had already started unloading a bag of groceries.

Mikey gave the red haired woman a big hug. "Hi April, how was your trip?"

April continued unpacking the food. "It was great Mikey. My sister's new baby is the cutest thing. With three kids, she's going to have her hands full now. Her and Bobby were happy to have my help for the past two weeks."

April's hands swatted at Mikey, who was trying to peer into the grocery bags. "Stop it! This is for everybody."

Donatello greeted their guest as he walked into the kitchen with an empty coffee mug.

"April, it's great to see you."

Standing next to the counter with the coffee pot, April held out her hand. Donnie gave a sheepish smile as he passed over the empty mug. Pouring the hot beverage, April looked around. "So where are the others?"

Donatello silently raised an eye ridge at the plural nature of the question, as he graciously accepted his coffee.

Mikey began nibbling on a pizza crust as he sat down. "Casey should be here any minute, then we can start the movie."

Frowning, April realized Mikey's omission of Leonardo and Raphael meant that the blue and red clad turtles would not be joining the group for movie night. In recent months, the two eldest turtles were repeatedly at odds with one another, causing Raph and eventually even Leo to lose their tempers. April was disappointed that she would miss Raph and Leo during her visit tonight. But the two brothers spending time together outside of the lair was a good sign, it meant that their relationship was finally on the mend.

Hoping that she was correct, April began to ask. "So does this mean tha-"

A frantic Casey Jones came running into the lair, stopping April mid question.

"Guys! Guys! Come quick! I just saw Leo and Raph. But they were wi-. I mean the Foot Clan and them." Unable to put his thoughts into order, Casey tried to explain again. "Oh my god, that club owner. Leonardo, he did, I mean his sword. And Raph he was wearing." Casey shook his head, still not believing what he had just seen. "Just forget it. I don't know what's going on, but we've gotta go now!"

Casey turned and immediately began to run towards the exit of the lair. Not hearing anyone following him, Casey turned around to stare at the stunned group.

"Why are you two still sitting there? Come on, we've gotta go! Something is going on with Leo and Raph. They've gone crazy or something. We've got to help them!"

Mikey shot a questioning look to his genius brother. Clueless, Donatello shrugged.

April's eyes roamed the group, trying to figure out the puzzle.

"What is wrong with you two?"

Casey rushed towards the two turtles, causing Donatello and Michelangelo to leap to their feet. The two ninja's automatically drew their weapons at the sign of an oncoming threat, as years of ninjitsu training kicked in.

"Stop!"

April's sudden command drew everyone's attention to her. Taking charge the red head began issuing orders. She pointed to Casey first. "You sit down over there."

Casey reluctantly took an empty seat at the table.

"You two, put those things away."

Stunned at April's outburst, the two ninja's stored their weapons.

Once everyone was seated, April nodded in satisfaction. "Good, now Casey, tell us what you saw, from the beginning."

Shifting in his seat, Casey struggled to keep his frustration at bay while he recapped the events from earlier that evening.

Earlier that evening.

Casey moved towards the open skylight on the roof with a wicked grin. All of his time hanging around the turtles was finally starting to pay off. He had just successfully trailed a couple of foot soldiers to a popular club on the edge of town. The glass was thin and the night was quiet, allowing Casey to both see and hear everything happening below. Casey tensed, ready to rush in when the club owner's voice called out.

"Wh- Who- Whose there?"

Afraid he had been detected, Casey held his breath and waited. After a few moments, the foot soldiers he trailed earlier emerged from the shadows. Thankful that he had not been caught Casey once again tensed up ready jump down and start a fight when he was stopped again. This time by a familiar voice.

The gruff voice carried a Brooklyn accent as it carried to Casey's stunned ears. "Marty McHammond, you are late with your payment."

At the sight of the foot soldiers filling into the room, Marty's voice rose up in pitch as he began to beg.

"My best dancers just left. Business has been a little slow." Marty chuckled weakly at the black clad ninjas before him. "I'm sure you understand. It's just a dip in business. I need a few more days."

A deep chuckle rumbled from the depths of the darkness, and then Marty's last two guests began to move forward, slowly revealing themselves. This time, the voice that replied was different than the first. This second voice was smoother, yet it sounded no less dangerous.

"The Foot Clan does not tolerate lateness."

The two figures emerged wraith like from the shadows. And that was really the only way to describe the creatures that began to approach. Two bulky, inhuman looking creatures. Marty's pulse began to race as adrenaline flooded his system. The two creatures, no not creatures, these things were not human. They were monsters! Horrified Marty watched the two monsters approach his desk.

Wrapped around their faces was a narrow black fabric, with holes cut out for their soulless eyes. They had green skin that looked leathery to the touch, were one brave enough to actually do so. Both were minimally clad, sporting a belt, and wrist, elbow, and knee pads. The blood red symbol of the Foot clan stood out against the black fabric where one would normally place a belt buckle. It was obvious that the two creatures were of the same species and their muscles rippled as they moved forward, the definition obtained either from Mother Nature herself, or from many hours lifting heavy weights, Marty was not sure. The yellow area running down their torso, looked like some form of body armor.

But that was where the similarities ended for these monsters had their differences too. The monster on the right was a shade of dark green, and was more muscular than his comrade. He moved forcefully forward, power and strength radiating off of him. At the belt on his waist sat two sharp looking knives, with three prongs and black covered handles. The monster on Marty's left was a lighter shade of green, possessing sinewy muscles that reminded Marty of a jungle cat. He moved like a predator, a predator advancing on Marty as if he was the prey. Across his front ran a strap that connected to something on the creature's back, peeking out from behind the monster's head were two handles wrapped in black cloth.

Marty wasn't sure what the beings were that came out of the darkness in his office. The only thing the club owner was certain of, was that there were two of them, and that was two too many for Marty McHammond. As the monsters entered the light, sweat pooled down the double chin of the heavy set man's face, and Marty quivered in fear.

The word on the street was that the best loans to receive were those obtained from the Foot Clan. Along with the desired money, came much needed protection from rival gangs. But dealings with the Foot Clan were also rumored to be among the most dangerous. Missed payments carried with it a steep price. And in the past two weeks there have been stories that the Foot Clan possessed more than just mere human ninja among its ranks.

Yet despite their reputation, Marty McHammond thought that he could outwit the Foot Clan. And he almost had too. Marty had his black bag all packed and ready to go. If he only had been given a few more minutes, he would have already fled the building and this wretched city. But now he was caught, alone in his office, with two of the Foot Clan's monsters before him.

Marty turned white as a sheet as he asked in a voice barely louder than a whisper. "What are you?"

From Marty's right side, the larger of the two grinned, but it was a gesture that held no warmth behind it.

"We're the ones collecting your payment to the Foot Clan."

"I don't have the money, I need more time."

From Marty's left the Kelly green monster spoke, its voice smooth, controlled, menacing.

"You have run out of time."

Panicking in the presence of the two beasts Marty barked out. "No, you are monsters!"

Marty quickly reached into his desk, his feeble hand searching for his gun, hoping he could shoot the two monsters before they killed him first. Marty retrieved the gun and immediately aimed the barrel at the closer of the two figures. Before he could disarm the safety and shoot, there was a flash of silver from his left. The gun fell to the desk in two halves.

Marty hadn't even seen the Kelly green monster move. But now Marty felt warm liquid run down his leg, as the creature that was suddenly right in front of him held the blade of a very sharp looking katana, a hairbreadth away from his neck. The katana wielder's voice, revealed that this was the monster who had just spoken mere moments prior.

"Tsk, tsk, Marty."

The second, larger monster walked forward, circling Marty like a shark pondering its next meal. The creature's hands removed a knife from his belt, and he began to twirl the three-pronged knife with incredible speed and dexterity among his thick, three fingered hand.

The sword wielder continued to speak, his voice as steady as the blade he held at the club owners neck. "We were just here to collect the money that you owe the Foot. But now you've gone and tried to shoot my brother."

The sword's sharp edge pressed against Marty's neck, the small nick drawing blood.

Hissing, the Kelly green monster's voice turned venomous. "That was a mistake."

A black bag on the floor caught the larger creature's eye. He returned the three pronged knife to its place at his belt and opened the bag. He grinned and showed his comrade the contents.

"Well look at what we have here."

The sword wielder's eyes shifted to view the bag, then quickly returned to stare at the shaking fat man in front of him. The monster's voice was low, the eyes cold as they seemed to bare into the club owners very soul. "It looks like someone has been very naughty."

Marty began to beg. "Wait, wait, I can explain. I can share it with you. Both of you, you creatures, or animals, or monsters, or whatever you are."

The larger monster moved to stand near his comrade and rolled his eyes. "We're not monsters, we're turtles."

Once again, Marty didn't see the turtle in front of him move before there was a flash of silver, and then a searing pain from his right hand. The right hand that had tried to pull yet another gun on the two monsters. The right hand that was now sitting on his desk, severed from his arm. Marty howled in pain, tears running freely down his face as he looked around, but the two Foot Clan monsters, and the black bag of money, were gone. In their wake, the air carried the sword wielding creature's parting words.

"And turtles bite."

With eyes widened in horror, Casey pressed a fist to his mouth, struggling to keep his stomach from losing its late lunch.

"No, this is impossible."

The vigilante's mind began to race. Leo had ju-. A-An-And Raph was wearing Fo-. This can't be happening."

Casey gave his head a hard shake. Nothing he just saw made any sense. Did he just step into the twilight zone?

"I've gotta tell Donnie and Mikey!"

"And that's when I came here."

April stared at Casey. "So you mean to tell us, that Leonardo and Raphael are working for the Foot Clan? How is that possible?"

For the second time that evening, Mikey's questioning eyes met Donatello's.

"Donnie?"

Donatello put his empty coffee mug onto the table, and asked the question both Mikey and he had been wondering the entire time they were listening.

"Casey, who are Leonardo and Raphael?"