*As promised, here is a preview of what's to come in Redemption. No hate mail please. ;)

Donatello felt like he was sweating buckets. Fighting off the outside advances from the Monitoring Company at the same time as he strove to get control of the network had been an exercise in sheer brainpower. His beleaguered mind felt like it was about to explode, but he still felt some satisfaction. Despite their best efforts to kick him out, he had succeeded in not being pinned down, and finished the project so necessary to getting the others out. Yet part of him was afraid to give up the fight even now, as if letting go of the reigns for a moment could cause him to lose control of the facility again.

He swiped a hand across his aching head, shaking off the beads of sweat that came with it. Donatello cast a look over at the steel door that was opposite from the desk, and wished he could hear something of what was going on outside. It was bad enough not being able to see, but the heavy construction of the door didn't allow for sound to pass through either. He'd locked it down to outside intruders, and was now waiting for Leonardo's phone call.

The purple-masked turtle fingered his phone, as he considered trying Leonardo again himself. Common sense told him his brother was tied up and would contact him when he could, but Donatello felt uneasy. He braced both arms against the desk, and stretched out sore shoulder muscles.

I miss Jenna, he thought fleetingly. She'd knock that out right quick.

Donatello's gaze returned to the computer, as a flashing indicator informed him that Security was closing in on his signal again.

Persistent little bugger, aren't you? Well, good luck shutting this down.

Donatello intentionally laid a path for the tech this time, luring him to follow his digital signature like bait on a string. He laughed softly as the man on the other end unwittingly downloaded the virus that he'd just finished planting on the server.

"Enjoy."

His chuckle was cut short, by what sounded like a miniature explosion out in the hall. As surprising as the sound was, he wasn't prepared to see the door crushed inward against the opposite wall. The purple-masked turtle dropped into a crouch behind the desk, fear pouring through his veins like ice water. For a few seconds he heard nothing; not until several sets of feet entered the room at once. There was no way he could remain hidden, and whoever was out there had just cut off his only escape-route.

Donatello rose with a huge sense of resignation, but he was not expecting the sight that was lurking under the dim emergency lights. The turtle blinked several times like the nightmare could simply disappear. To his dismay, the scene remained unchanged. The woman that coolly controlled the men behind her was unmistakable, as was the group's identity. Akiudo.

A sinking feeling in his stomach made him feel like throwing up, but he dropped into a defensive posture instead. His hand slowly strayed toward the watch on his other wrist, before a cold warning was shouted out.

"Do not move demon!"

Donatello stared at the figures dully for a few seconds, and then determination surged once more.

Injured or not, I'm still a ninja, and I'm not backing down without a fight.

The turtle drew his bo with a defiant glare, and faced down the warriors with all the strength he had left.

"Drop your weapon," Yukiko ordered.

Donatello bristled under the sound of the hated woman's voice. "Never," he returned fiercely.

"Take a few steps toward me demon - I am sure that you will see things my way."

"Not going to happen."

"Then you do not care what happens to your brother?"

Donatello's stomach churned anew. Leonardo...

"Where is he?" he demanded.

Shadows parted in front of him, to allow a looming figure to approach. Donatello recognized the formidable warrior, but it was the sight of his oldest brother clutched over his shoulder that made his heart stop.

Yukiko withdrew her weapon, and the cold blade of the naginata glittered as it caught the light.

"What say you demon? Shall I kill your brother? He will not be the first one of you to die by my blade."

Donatello steadied his outward reaction with tremendous difficulty. She really believes she killed Raph last time.

Yukiko whipped around her weapon toward Leonardo so fast that a cry leaped automatically leaped from Donatello.

"No!"

She gazed back at Donatello, but left the tip of her naginata resting under Leonardo's chin.

"Lay down your weapon, or he will perish."

"Don't do something hasty here! We're more valuable to you alive than we are dead!" Donatello pointed out.

"Yes - one of you is at least."

The memory of what she'd done to Raphael with that blade was still fresh in Donatello's mind. He released the grip on his bo, and the dull sound it made when it collided with the floor resounded loudly in his ears.

"Do not resist us," she commanded.

Donatello held out both arms in silent surrender, as two men came forward boldly. He shook slightly as they yanked him across the room. Donatello's balance was already off kilter, and the violence in their grip made him stumble. They made no attempt to catch him, allowing the turtle to collapse on his knees close to where Daichi had dropped Leonardo.

The raspy quality to his brother's breathing was instantly alarming. Eyes flashing, he glared over at Yukiko.

"What have you done to him? Why is h-mmph!"

With a flick of her wrist Yukiko motioned to someone behind him, and a rag was jerked into his mouth before he could utter another sound. He growled under the material at the warriors that were snapping his wrists behind his shell, and one of the men turned a hefty kick into his injured rib cage. Donatello's moan was mostly muffled by the rag.

Donatello tensed as he sensed rapid movement, but the blow wasn't aimed for him. Daichi caught his attacker with a crushing drive, sending him into the far wall with a violence that was shocking to see. Donatello's eyes widened in confusion.

"No one touches the Shitenno," Yukiko stated darkly. "Pick him up."

The purple-masked turtle was dragged upright, and found himself staring directly into her soulless eyes.

"You will make the perfect prize for Master Takashi," she informed him. "Brothers, we have what is required. We must make haste and disappear, before the authorities overwhelm this place."

Donatello strained to keep sight of Leonardo, but was unable to see how his brother was faring. He was captured himself by two warriors, who jostled him roughly in-between them. Deadly anger warred with desperate fear, as he searched for a way to get them out of this.