Chapter Text
ACT 1
INT. EVENT HALL - NIGHT
A harsh spotlight flashes onto a freshly mutated turtle. He is small, pale, and nearly weak. His eyes flicker open to new vision. A SCIENTIST speaks for him.
SCIENTIST
This is our Second Renaissance for mankind!
The toddler looks to his left, spotting two other mutant turtles. One, younger, sleeps, while the other looks ahead, wide awake, scar on his face and eyes in pure fear.
To his right, he spots a newborn turtle before his neck gets punctured by a medical needle.
Confused, he looks up ahead, only to realize the relentless noise, the blinding lights, and all of the deathly eyes on him.
SCIENTIST (O.S.)
Marvel at it. Bask in the miracles of science and genius. Know their power.
The noises get louder.
SCIENTIST (O.S.)
And know that I will be oh so generous to gift these two to the highest bidders! —
CUT TO:
EXT. NYC STREETS - NIGHT
The noise is gone. All that's left is the same turtle, grown up with tattoos and a dead stare. He hums to himself. This is RAPHAEL (16).
In front of him are a bunch of TEENAGERS together in a circle. He watches as they all laugh and play with DIY bombs.
One teen in particular nearly gets one detonated under his feet. He jumps and howls in bemusement.
TEENAGER #1
Hey Raphy.
A teen gets close to him, hooking his arm around his neck, despite Raph's disinterest.
TEENAGER #1
How come you don't join in?
RAPH
It's not really a part of the job, now is it? I'd rather be home.
TEENAGER #1
Come on, come on, it wouldn't hurt to just toss one.
RAPH
I'll throw it straight to your face first.
The teens who hear this laugh at the comment. Another teen, ANGEL (18) barges into the conversation.
ANGEL
Sucks to say buuuut they gave you a last minute gig.
She passes a slip of paper, showing an address to which he scoffs.
RAPH
What about getting a nap as a job? That sounds great right about now.
ANGEL
You know how it is.
(Beat)
HEY! Let's get the job rolling. Who's throwing this time.
TEENAGER #2
I nominate Raph!
Raph raises a brow-ridge.
RAPH
Again?
TEENAGER #3
Well, you're supposed to be useful like that.
TEENAGER #1
(Teasing)
Yeah, and you wouldn't want us telling Hun you flaked, now do you?
He glares, then sighs. Getting up he grabs a bottle of liquor and a rag by the circle. Stuffing the bottle and lighting the rag aflame, he tosses the molotov into a Ma and Pa shop. It bursts and lights aflame.
They watch nonchalantly... until they hear a man scream from inside.
Awkward beat.
RAPH
(Muttering)
Dumbasses didn't even check...
TEENAGER #2
Raph, you go inside.
RAPH
(Passive-aggressive)
Oh, for sure I will.
CUT TO:
EXT. NYC STREETS - MOMENTS LATER
The MAN inside now lays down in front of them. He isn't breathing.
They all stare for a beat.
ANGEL
We're gonna need to hide the body.
They all look at Raph.
CUT TO:
EXT. NYC NEIGHBOOR - LATER
MUSIC CUE: Worldwide by Allen Toussaint
The music starts, and Raph is already dragging the homemade body bag uphill.
As the trumpets staccato—
TEXT: TEENAGE MUTANT CRIMINAL TURTLES
Raph struggles while the beat kicks in, pulling weight against his feet and yawning at the cold. The inconvenience is still a mundanity.
EXT. THE DUMP - LATER
He drops the body off once the singing picks up, and walks over to a corner with a boombox, but also lighter fluid and some matches.
As per procedure, he drenches the bag with it the fluid then lights it aflame as well.
EXT. THE DUMP - MOMENTS LATER
The boombox plays the song diegetically now, and Raph sits once again.
SONG
Look at the man up in the steeple,
He waits for the flames to go down, turning to look at the address in the slip.
RAPH
(Mumble-singing along)
Screaming out at all the sleeping people...
Beat.
CUT TO:
INT. APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT
A woman enters a building late at night, shivering from the cold and frazzled with a hefty bag. A NEIGHBOR, checking his mail, greets her.
NEIGHBOR
Oh, good evening, Ms. O'Neil.
ROBYN O'NEIL (24), already warming up, softens at the sight of him.
O'NEIL
Hey. 'Busy day at work.
NEIGHBOR
I could tell. Is your boss having at it again?
O'NEIL
(Rolling her eyes)
'Course he is.
NEIGHBOR
Any interesting reports at least?
O'NEIL
No, they all went to Vern.
Trying to get to the stairs, she looks at the neighbor.
O'NEIL
It's... been exhausting, so I think I'm just going to go to bed.
She starts to leave, not even saying a goodbye. The neighbor watches confused.
NEIGHBOR
Oh... alright then. Good night.
INT. O'NEIL'S APARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER
She gets home, placing her bag on a chair and phone on a coffee table next to a lamp. Both are sitting next to a vent.
Before she can get started on a late-night dinner, her phone rings. She lowers her eyes before seeing the caller ID of "Dad" and reaches for it.
However, as soon as her hand get close, a RAT sneaks up from behind and bites it. O'Neil yelps, but it scurries back into the vents before she could do anything about it. The hand is now lightly bleeding.
Shaking her head, she answers the phone, puts it between her shoulder and ear, and starts to treat the wound.
O'NEIL
Dad, I told you this last time. If you're going to call me again, I'm going to block your number.
(Beat)
I don't care if you know how to bypass that! You're still being an asshole!
Although Robyn tries to listen, she can't help the deep frown settling in.
O'NEIL
I get it. Mom won't let you talk to April, but you should at least understand why nobody wants to talk to you.
Another beat.
O'NEIL
We don't care. All we care about is what you did behind the press. Goodbye.
Once the hand is bandaged well, Robyn hangs up the phone. She sighs, just heading to bed, but not before she resists scratching the bite mark.
EXT. ALLEYWAY - NIGHT
Checking the address again, Raph leers at the empty alleyway in front of him.
RAPH
I swear to god, if this is another dealer.
Regardless, he waits. Leaning back against a wall in the shadows, Raph starts tapping his foot to pass the time, nodding along to his own made-up beat.
That is... until he notices a figure lurking deeper in the darkness.
BOUNTY HUNTER
Found you.
The BOUNTY HUNTER lunges forward with a knife in hand, but Raph quickly dodges it. Barely reacting, he disarms the hunter and takes the knife for himself, aiming it directly at the man's neck as he wraps the man around his other arm.
The hunter struggles, now scared.
RAPH
Okay— How else did you think this was going to go?
BOUNTY HUNTER
P— please...
RAPH
You're like the fifteenth one this season, and it's starting to piss me off.
He lightly dips the knife deeper, nearly making a cut. The hunter struggles more.
BOUNTY HUNTER
Please...
Beat.
RAPH
... Okay.
He lets him go, dropping the knife as well.
RAPH
And don't say I didn't warn you.
Raph turns around to let him leave peacefully, trying to brush off his sweat. Though from behind, the man grabs the knife and runs at him again.
But the turtle, expecting this, turns around, eyes rolling and ready for another fight.
— And then the man is shot from above, straight through the head.
The body falls in front of a now flinching Raph, and he takes a beat to process.
Looking up where the shot came from, Raph finds a hidden SNIPER from atop the fire escape.
RAPH
Uh... you didn't have to do that.
SNIPER
I'd argue it's better to be rid of the inconvenience, wouldn't you?
The sniper lowers himself from the fire escape, and coming closer to the light, it dawns on Raph who this is.
It's another turtle mutant, blemished with a giant scar on his head, another around his neck, and a chipped plastron. More scars are covered by his lab coat, but any other mess is covered up by his poker smile.
RAPH
(Pointing)
You're one of the other guys...
SNIPER
— First, let me give a formal introduction: I'm Donatello.
RAPH
... Raph.
DONNIE
I know. I already read your file. — I work with the EPF, to clear any confusion.
Raph just immediately judges the calm and collected DONATELLO (17, formerly SNIPER).
RAPH
EPF?
DONNIE
Earth Protection Forces. It's a private organization... I give my condolences for having the better upbringing of the two of us.
RAPH
Huh... Kay, Scarface.
This breaks the smile for a half-second. Raph even catches a slight glare.
RAPH
So tell me, what are you doing here after fourteen years?
DONNIE
— Right. EPF and StockGen have found themselves in an employee issue and have commissioned you to help us handle it.
And they sent you here because...?
DONNIE
I'm part of the mission.
Raph makes a quick clap, bouncing off the wall he relaxed in.
RAPH
Great! Let's get this over with so I can go to bed. —
DONNIE
Wait. This is a multi-day mission.
RAPH
— Just killed my dreams there.
DONNIE
And we have to wait for the team leader to arrive.
RAPH
Why would we need a team leader?
DONNIE
The Foot Clan wouldn't accept our commission if their soldier wasn't in charge.
RAPH
Oh...
(Now taken aback)
Those freaks?!
DONNIE
(Scoffs)
You say that as if the Purple Dragons hadn't worked with them ages ago.
Raph takes offense to this.
RAPH
Hey, the Purple Dragons may be ass but at least we aren't hillbilly ninjas in the middle of NYC.
Donnie gives him a look, no words given.
Somehow the timeout of retorts calms Raph down.
RAPH
Okay. Fine. Let's just wait.
DONNIE
Why, thank you for your cooperation.
RAPH
Never say that again.
DONNIE
Noted.
Although the hunter has been bleeding out this entire time, his body suddenly twitches. Donnie looks at him with annoyance.
DONNIE
Allow me to handle this.
He shoots the body again until it's stiff. Raph still flinches at each bullet.
RAPH
Did you really have to do that?
DONNIE
Oh don't you worry. I have a plethora of bullets left.
RAPH
(Flatter)
That's not what I meant.
END OF ACT ONE
--------------
ACT TWO
EXT. ALLEYWAY - LATER
The boys are now sat down in the alleyway, waiting for their third member. The two make small chat as Donnie writes in a hidden notebook.
DONNIE
You said you had fifteen bounties in the past two months?
RAPH
What can I say? I was expensive.
Donnie lowers his eyes, continuing to write. At the new silence, Raph tries to peep at the notes, but he fails when realizing he's writing in a completely foreign language.
RAPH
What're you writing?
DONNIE
Backup plans.
RAPH
Doesn't sound like something crew would do.
DONNIE
It's best we prepare for alternatives.
(Beat)
Besides, I've read through our leader's profile. It might as well be necessary.
There's another beat of silence. Raph glances at the corpse.
RAPH
Can we get rid of this guy?
DONNIE
Does it bother you?
RAPH
That he's dead? Yes, but he's also ugly which doesn't help.
Plastering on that fake smile again, Donnie puts away his notebook.
DONNIE
I suppose we have the time. Are there any places you know of?
RAPH
Please, the PD has so many spots.
Raph gets up a roll of trash bags from inside his belt. They start working together.
DONNIE
I see... you may actually be of use then.
RAPH
Of course that's what you go with for conversation.
CUT TO:
EXT. BRIDGE - LATER
Standing above water, the two drop the body off in the barge of a scow. They watch as it lands in a thump onto the trash of the city.
The two settle on the rail while the scow sails away.
RAPH
So like... do you do anything outside of this?
DONNIE
I've dedicated my entire life to the sciences and welfare of this country.
RAPH
Oh, so you're just boring.
A shuriken launches between them. It hits the bridge's rails.
LEO (O.S.)
THIS is the first thing I find you two doing?
They turn around, finding another mutant hiding behind a bridge pillar. The new turtle carries twin katanas and black mask, the tails flying in the wind.
This soldier is a tiny child.
Raph's weariness immediately drops.
DONNIE
Allow me. This—
(Places a hand on Leo's shoulder)
— is Oroku Leonardo. Protégé of the Foot Clan's current leader, Oroku Karai.
LEO
Don't touch me.
Donnie lets go of LEONARDO (14), but Raph can barely contain his laughter.
RAPH
This is our leader?
DONNIE
(Bluntly)
It appears so.
Leo, already reading the room, gives a deep glare at Raph, before turning to Donnie.
LEO (SUBTITLE)
(In Japanese)
Just so you know, the clan will be testing us sometime tonight.
DONNIE (SUBTITLE)
(In return)
Duly noted. I imagine it'll be useful.
Raph watches them talking in bewilderment, out of the loop. Though he soon barges in himself.
RAPH (SUBTITLE)
(In really bad Mandarin)
If you're going to leave me out, at least do it on the side.
They both look at Raph, but Leo immediately sports a cocky grin.
LEO
(Mocking)
Oh, you haven't learned Japanese? How bothersome for us.
(Beat)
All you need to know is do as you're told and do not disappoint me.
RAPH
(Beat)
How come you're two hours late?
A smile creeps up on Donnie's face once Leo breaks character.
LEO
I— That is irrelevant to the conversation.
The written address, already worn and torn, slips out of Leo's shoulder harnesses, and his hand zips to catch it.
Beat.
DONNIE
... You got lost.
LEO
SHUT IT. Just because Foot Clan territory makes MUCH better sense than this city does not mean I got lost!
RAPH
Yeah, yeah, got it.
He ruffles Leo's head, to Leo's annoyance.
RAPH
So, what're we doing first?
INT. O'NEIL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
In the darkness of her bedroom, Robyn wakes up to an immediate need to clear her throat. She looks at the clock on her phone. It's 3AM.
She hears a knock on the door ahead. It gets stronger the second time and she wearily puts on her glasses as a response. Before even she could see it, the wound in her hand is darkening to a rotten color.
At her door is another NEIGHBOR, shorter than her.
NEIGHBOR #2
Ms. O'Neil...
O'NEIL
Yes...?
NEIGHBOR #2
(Coughs)
You know Ms. Martin better than I do.
O'NEIL
Oh, Rosa? From next door?
NEIGHBOR #2
- Yes! I think we should check up on her.
She gives the neighbor a confused look.
NEIGHBOR #2
I've been hearing the most awful noises from her apartment. And they weren't any noises I've ever heard in these years. -
O'NEIL
That sounds like something to call 911 for, Ma'am.
NEIGHBOR #2
That's just the thing! The phone lines seem down!
O'NEIL
I-
(Hesitates, then relaxes)
Okay.
INT./EXT. MARTIN'S APARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER
Robyn knocks on Rosa's door, with the neighbor watching her with pure concern in her eyes, as well as redder cheeks.
O'NEIL
Rosa! We're sorry to wake you up.
Beat.
O'NEIL
(Knocks again)
We're a lil' worried about you.
No answer again. The reporter's stumped.
She reaches the door handle, realizing it's unlocked, but she also finally realizes the mark on her hand.
She ignores it for now, entering inside with the neighbor.
Her flashlight is on as she wanders in the dark.
O'NEIL
Rosa...?
Stumbling over pain-killer bottles, Robyn finds the bedroom door. She grabs the handle.
O'NEIL
I am so sorry to intrude but- oh my god.
Opening the door, the two find ROSA MARTIN laying down on the floor.
She is gasping for breath, heaving even. Her hands and legs are tainted in a rotten color while bits of skin break down into spilling blood.
Rosa's body twitches as the neighbor faints and Robyn's breathing quickens between the two of them.
O'NEIL
Oh no, no, no, no, no. We need help-
She opens her phone to no signal, and her hand is darkening even more to her panicked gasps.
Then a scream is heard from another apartment.
EXT. ALLEYWAY - LATER
Leo's katanas clash against Raph's tacked-on arm guards.
LEO
Your form is weak.
RAPH
Hey, I never needed anything more than fist-fighting to get by. I don't see the problem with that.
(Beat)
And how come he's being being left alone?
He gestures at Donnie, who leans back on the wall watching them.
LEO
It's because at the moment, he appears more competent.
DONNIE
That I am.
LEO
See? He's confident in his skills.
RAPH
(Rolls eyes)
Okay? I'll do what you ask for the gig. That's pretty good, isn't it?
DONNIE
You say that as if I wouldn't do the same.
RAPH
This isn't a competition.
LEO
If it makes you a better asset to the team, then it is.
Raph lowers his eyes, clenching his jaw at the conversation.
RAPH
Okay why is it so important? - And why are you saying this? You're like five years younger than me.
From the argument, Leo lowers his eyes, hand-on-hip and looking at the taller turtle before turning his attention to something else.
DONNIE
(Correcting)
Two-to-three years our junior actually –
Leo shuts the both of them up by getting behind them on a garbage shoot and aligning one of his katanas onto both their necks.
LEO
As much as you two think you are below me, you must realize that I am fully trained in every combat given to us as the Foot Clan. I can dodge your punches, evade your bullets, withstand any sort of obstacle before you can stop me from being in charge.
Despite the looming threat on their necks, Donnie shows no sign of concern.
DONNIE
Hm, as surprising as it may seem for you, I'd beg to differ.
The blade gets closer to Donnie's skin.
RAPH
'Kay Fearless, how about we lower the knife?
LEO (SUBTITLE)
(In Japanese)
It's a KATANA, you idiot!
DONNIE
He says it's a katana.
RAPH/LEO
Shut up! –
A clacking sound is heard, and Leo immediately clocks it enough to jump back, ready to fight. Raph and Donnie loose themselves out before looking in Leo's direction.
An entire collection of BOUNTY HUNTERS surround the exit.
BOUNTY HUNTER #2
Looks like we gotcha.
BOUNTY HUNTER #3
And there's even more of you! Spectacular. –
BOUNTY HUNTER #4
You mind telling us what happened to Tim?
Beat.
Donnie sighs, looking down.
DONNIE
Fifteen bounties, huh?
END OF ACT TWO
--------------
ACT THREE
EXT. ALLEYWAY - CONTINUOUS
The gang is still surrounded.
RAPH
Look, at least it's only like eight guys here.
LEO
Red, tell me why these people are on us right now?
RAPH
It's Raph–
DONNIE
He let bounty hunters on his tail.
LEO
You let people TRAIL you?!
BOUNTY HUNTER #3
How cute. They can all talk.
LEO
I swear if this isn't the most IMPRACTICAL–
DONNIE
Enough.
(Grabbing gun)
Do you want this to be incapacitating or lethal?
LEO
(Still annoyed)
Lethal.
RAPH
Guys wait–
Donnie nods in agreement with Leo, and shoots the third bounty hunter in the chest at an instant.
RAPH
Jesus, it is NOT that serious.
The hunters hesitate after the first shot, but one still runs towards Raph.
The man tries to make a punch but Raph simply tanks it with his shell before punching back, harder.
Leo also starts participating in the fight, slicing a hunter's chest until they're on the ground with fatal wounds.
LEO
Are you not going to ensure the impact?
Raph kicks two other men.
RAPH
No? Why would I have to?
He bites his words as soon as two men recover and grab-attack him.
DONNIE/LEO
That's why.
Donnie, after getting another hunter, tries to shoot Raph's men away, but they all struggle.
DONNIE
Hey, can you be still for a minute? It'll make a clearer shot.
RAPH
Can you not shoot when I'm RIGHT HERE?
DONNIE
Why, yes. Yes I can.
This banter distraction causes Donnie to get a slice in the arm by a dagger. Though while he looks more bothered than in pain, Leo rushes in to take out the hunter behind him.
LEO
Are you getting distracted?
DONNIE
Yes, but you are too.
He shoots the guy coming from behind Leo. Realizing this, Leo gives him a stink eye before getting distracted again.
LEO
WHAT are you doing?
They catch Raph busy beating a man to the stomach.
RAPH
I'm getting the job done.
LEO
Yeah, by wasting your time!
Two other men are on the ground, starting to get up. Leo runs over to simply stab one of them but the other gets a slash on Leo's leg.
He yelps, causing Raph to drop the now-passed out hunter to try and help him, but he proceeds to get slashed as well.
RAPH
Shit!
Raph tries to hold off the attacker coming at them, struggling to hold off the knife while bleeding. But before the man wins and gets a single strike, he gets shot by the neck and falls.
Donnie then double taps the hunter Raph beat up. From the end of the battle, the two injured look up at Donnie.
Beat.
DONNIE
... That was terrible.
LEO
Oh you tell me—
DONNIE
Your leadership isn't going to carry us through this mission.
Leo's eyes widen at the fact, then furrow into pure denial and rage.
LEO
No. No, no, no, no, no. I'M going to lead this mission and it WILL succeed no matter what any of you say.
DONNIE
Keep telling yourself that.
Leo tries saying something else, but he falters. Raph notices the shift.
RAPH
Hey, Don? I think you should chill out on this guy. —
Leo snaps at him, smacking away Raph's hand of comfort.
LEO
Do not pity me.
DONNIE
He's right. What we need to worry about is how to fix this.
Donnie steps away, moving to sit on a dying body. He even adjusts his lab coat so it doesn't get stained as he grabs his notebook.
DONNIE
Let's see... considering our current situation.
He crosses off multiple options, though he stops at a certain one that meets his eyes. He hesitates, before circling it down, shutting the book and standing up.
DONNIE
Let's go.
He leaves, tossing some hidden gauze at Leo and leaving to the exit. Leo watches, tapping his still-bleeding foot then bandaging it up, tightly.
LEO
Karai is not going to like this.
RAPH
(Sighs)
It's not the end of the world.
Raph lowers himself to Leo's level, offering to help with the gauze. But Leo just slaps the gauze back at him. He takes the cue and starts wrapping himself up.
RAPH
He's just trying to get this thing over with like the rest of us.
LEO
It'd be better if we followed protocol.
RAPH
Such as...?
LEO
Wear a mask.
RAPH
... M'kay, work in progress. Whatever.
Once they're done, Raph gestures to follow Donnie as they both get up.
EXT. JUNKYARD — LATER
The three enter into a seemingly worthless junkyard. A giant one at that.
LEO
What is the purpose of coming here?
DONNIE
You'll see. This will be an important asset to the mission.
From behind, Leo mocks Donnie's words.
Though, Raph watches the two of them, as well as the random scurries of questionable creatures around the trash.
RAPH
You know, this has been bothering me all night.
(Beat)
But how come they put all three of us together for this gig.
Donnie stops his walking and turns.
DONNIE
Well, it's quite simple actually.
INT. APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT
Everyone in the complex is out of their apartment, coughing, wailing, desperately trying to contact for help in their weak state.
It is pure hysteria as Robyn tries to get through it all in the stairs.
DONNIE (V.O.)
It seems that mutants are the only ones immune to our target.
She herself is weakening, as her hands are rotting into a deep black and she's covered in cold sweat.
On the other hand is her phone, desperately trying to contact her father.
O'NEIL
You can fix this... You KNOW how to fix this...
She falls into the end of the stairs, her phone flying and failing to call.
Getting up, she, alongside other residents, reach for the door. Some are crawling from the rot in their legs. But once they reach it, it's locked.
Agents with guns are on the other side of the building.
AGENT
As per EPF quota, you all will be quarantined until further notice.
O'NEIL
What— GET US OUT OF HERE!
She cries out with the other residents for mercy, banging on the front door. However, the cover is already being put up, and all they can do is scream in pain.
It gets louder, more homogenous until it condenses into what sounds like a muffled echo.
FADE TO:
INT. TOP APARTMENT - SAME TIME
The top apartment is more like an attic than anything else. It is covered with stacks of papers, switching between medicine and gospel. A rat scurries over the remnants of a cross as we see a ragged, white MAN curled up behind a computer screen as the only light source.
DONNIE (V.O.)
It seems he was a scientist from StockGen gone rogue.
He soon hears the screams from below.
DONNIE (V.O.)
He goes by the name of Victor Falco.
The man smiles at the noise.
CUT TO:
EXT. JUNKYARD — CONTINUOUS
Raph and Leo look at Donnie, questioning the explanation.
RAPH
Okay...? And going to the junkyard is gonna help us... how?
DONNIE
Well to put it simply, to get our next recruit.
He purposefully kicks a tripwire in front of them, initiating bear-traps to shoot out from all sides. Though, while Raph and Leo are left to dodge them, Donnie stands perfectly to where they miss.
However, shooting out afterwards isn't a contraption, but instead a creature running on all fours in great speed.
It circles around them before stopping, ready to pounce.
But Leo and Raph realize something. Despite its white eyes and animalistic movement, it bares an orange scarf and bandages around its green limbs.
With a still look, it's another mutant turtle.
This is a fifteen year old MICHELANGELO.
END OF SHOW
--------------