The streets of New York had always been busy, but tonight, Leo’s senses tingled with unease as he wandered the outskirts. His mind wasn’t fully on the mission—he had been trying to clear his head, letting the night air cool his thoughts—but the cry of a child pierced through the silence, catching his attention.

He turned quickly, signaling to his brothers. They followed, the sound growing louder as they pushed through alleyways and abandoned streets.

It wasn’t long before they stumbled upon the source of the cries. The Kranng, a species they thought was just a distant threat, was lurking in the shadows, scooping up terrified children.

“What are they doing here?” Raph growled, his fists clenched in anger.

Leo’s heart raced as he motioned for the team to take action. They had to stop them—now. The battle was swift, each turtle a blur of green and precision as they dismantled the Krang forces. But then, one of the Kranng threw something—a bottle that shattered upon impact.

“NO!” Donnie shouted, his eyes wide with horror. The bottle contained mutagen.

The mutagen spread fast, hitting one of the children caught in the blast radius. The child convulsed and then froze, their body shifting before their very eyes.

The turtles stood, shaken, as the transformation began. The child was now something else—something wrong.

The mutated child saw their reflection in the shattered glass of a nearby window. Their face twisted in terror, confusion, and disgust. With wide, terrified eyes, they turned and ran, their tiny feet pounding the pavement, tears streaming down their face.

“Hey!” Leo called out, his heart breaking as he chased after them, but it was too late. The child was already gone, swallowed by the night, their cries fading into the darkness.

Leo stopped, breathless, watching the empty street before him. They had failed to save everyone.