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Bruce adjusted his bow-tie while grimacing, pulling his collar away from his neck. How Tony lived in these suits was beyond him. He navigated these black-collar events like a fish to water. But some stuffy suit was not gonna get him away from one of the biggest science events in the country. Tony, unsurprisingly, was on his way, as Clint put it, to the “nerd convention.” striding forward through the crowd with his hand on his phone and the other in his pocket.
Bruce loved these events, especially the New York Apes convention, as it holds a special place in his heart. He wouldn't miss it for the world, with or without the penguin suits.
Not that the same could be said for Tony, who was considered running around and is often too busy to be on the floor touring the place, instead he spent most years giving a speech about Stark industries or managing a panel. This year was different however, he had some specialists taking his place for the panel and questions. This year, the kid asked him to go, and told him of the main attraction, no way he can miss this.
The two adults arrived at the meeting place, slightly away from the mobs of crowds so Tony or Bruce wouldn't get recognized, as their black sunglasses can only do so much.
Tony huffed annoyingly, shoving his phone back into his pocket. And creasing his eyebrows. “That damn kid, I swear he does this on purpose.”
Bruce pulled on his button-up, “What? Did Peter text you?”
“Yep, he went inside, y’know, the opposite of what I told him to do.” Tony explained pointedly, “I knew we should have picked him up from school.”
Bruce stiffed a laugh, no use riling Tony up more than he already was, “Aren't you still telling the public that he’s just an intern? Wouldn't it be a little strange if Tony Stark picked up an intern from school?”
Tony glared at his friend, but his biting remark was cut off by a teenager shoving through the crowds. Tony put himself in a guarded stance, ready for whatever danger could be following his pupil. “Peter! What’s wrong?” Bruce and Tony met the teenager halfway.
Had he been another teenager, he would be out of breath and heaving from the run he just did. “Mr. Stark! I-” Peter stuttered, “Just come with me! No time to explain! The bidding is starting!” Peter said, thoroughly alarmed, grabbing the billionaire's hand and sprinting back inside.
Security, once saw who was entering, made no moves to stop the three sprinting past them. Bruce was following closely behind, focusing on what could get Peter so high-strung. He knew it couldn't have been anything world-ending, as he would have burst in with his suit, and not just his citizen self.
“Mr. Stark! Mr. Stark!” Reporters caught wind as they got deeper inside and started to form a circle, blocking any kind of easy escape. A microphone was shoved in his face, and he could feel Peter’s grip being pulled away. “What do you think of the convention so far?”
“Look, I really can’t talk r-”
The grip that had been slacking, tightened considerably, almost painfully so. His hand must be bruised when this is all over. Suddenly, he was pulled right through the reporters, knocking many of them over. He’ll have to have yet another talk with Peter that not everyone shares his super strength.
“Peter! What’s going on?” The teenager ignored him and kept running.
The reporters that had not been toppled over, followed the three like a pack of seagulls, “What do you think of the turtles?” “What are your thoughts on Pracker Stalkman?”
“Kid! Where are we going?” The three got to yet another security checkpoint with two guards on either side of the door. One quickly left his post and shouted at the reporters, making it clear that there were to be no cameras of any sort, or they would be banned from all future conventions.
The other guard that had been left at the door, although tall and imitating, broke into a goofy smile. “Oh, man! You’re Tony Stark! And Bruce Banner!” He said excitedly. “I’m a huge fan! Can I-”
Uncharacteristically, Peter shook his head frantically, “Sorry, they can’t right now. Just let us through.” He demanded. Tony raised an eyebrow at the usually polite and well-mannered hero. The guard’s eyes faced the floor, in embarrassment and defeat, he glanced at their VIP badges and opened the doors.
Inside, it was practically empty in the large room, only with about ten people, who Tony recognized right away. Super rich douchebags. Most of them weren't even scientists, so why they'd be here was beyond him. It was a science convention after all. All of them were staring at the stage.
Saying that the main attraction didn’t take him by surprise would be a lie. The lid was kept very tight on what the convection holds, more so on biddings. He never expected this.
It was a giant turtle cage that took up the entire stage, with grass, a pond filled with water that was deep enough to swim in, but the crowd was still able to see the water. It had other miscellaneous objects like rocks and such, but what had everyone's attention was the figures huddled in the corner..
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Tony couldn't be sure how many there were, as they all kind of blended together, but his guess was four. Their shells turned towards the crowd with their heads ducked down, it looked as if two were covering the others.
Peter’s eyes were wide and worried. “Mr. Stark, those aren't normal turtles.”
The billionaire looked down, “Really, you don’t say?”
Peter shook his head, “No I mean they really aren't normal, you didn't see them before, they aren't primal, they have human qualities.”
“Did you say human qualities?” Bruce said, looking back to the cage. “That’s extortionary!” Bruce asked, a curious look on his face.
“No.” Peter said, “It’s cruel.” He said, looking at Tony. “He was electrocuting them, they have familial bonds, they scream. He’s gonna sell them off and they're gonna be killed.”
Bruce rubbed his chin, “Probably not all of them, they’ll probably keep one or two of them alive for observation.”
Peter shot a dirty look at the scientist and glanced at his meteor. “Please Mr. Stark, you have to bid on them.”
The look on Peter’s face was one of desperation. Tony looked towards the huddled figures again. They weren't doing much at the moment, but if what Peter said was true then...he should do something. Twice, what’re a couple of millions gonna do to his wallet. “Fine,” Tony said. Peter’s face lit up with thankfulness. “Only if you promise to take them on walks and feed them.” He teased me.
Peter gave a weak glare, but let it go. He was doing him a favor after all. No doubt these guys are gonna cost a pretty penny.
A microphone buzzed to life, and the huddle of turtles finched. “Alright!” A dark-skinned male onstage greeted the crowd. “Now I know many of you missed the initial presentation, so I’ll give you a short taste of what you missed out on!” The few people in the room didn’t move, nor make any kind of reaction.
The man coughed, clearly expecting some kind of applause, but kept going. “If you don't know me, I am Dr. Stockmen! I work for Saki Inductices, and they have found a magnificent discovery!” He said, gesturing to the cage. “Four wonderful specimens that were found in Japan’s beautiful forests, shipped down to the states for the best science convention in the country!”
Tony rolled his eyes, this guy sucks. Let's just skip to the bidding. The people in this room are richer than rich, but their bank account isn’t even a fourth of Tonys.
“So let’s look at what you missed, I want everyone in this room to understand just how extortionary these specimens are!” Stockmen! pulled a remote out of his pants and clinked a button. All the lights dimmed down except for the one’s lightning up the cage, making it the only thing visible.
It was quiet until the button had been pressed again, followed by a scream. Blue sparks came from the pile, the three jumped away and out of touch with the electricity. One of them clawed at their throat where a grey collar was wrapped around their neck, presumably electrifying him. The remaining three reached out to hold him, but their attempts were met with their hands being smacked away. The one being tortured managed to keep them away as if they laid a hand on him, they too would share the same fate. The scream was loud, burning, he scratched at his neck in desperation.
Tony almost had to block his ears, the scream. It was full of anguish. It was almost the exact replica of citizens screaming for Iron Man to save them during the invasion or the horrible cries of pain they would make when an alien shot a stray bullet at them. It was so human.
He looked down at Peter, it was much too dark to see his face, but he was twitching in anger. So this is what he’d seen that had him so riled up. Any doubt that Tony might have had for not buying them, was out the window. Who knows what these wack-jobs might do to them if they get their greedy hands on them?
Looking back to the stage, Tony felt his heart drop. The three remaining ones glanced at each other, before dropping to their knees and gripping the wiggling one. Then it was more than one voice crying in pain.
Moments after, the screaming stopped, and they were left catching their breath. “See!” Dr. Stockmen said, a wide smile on his face as if he didn't just inflict purposeful pain on animals. It burned Tony’s heart. “They have bonds! No normal animals would do this!” He pointed out like he was waiting for them to make a move the entire time. The previously quiet and unimpressed crowd had burst into clapping and shouting. If Tony wasn’t watching the stage and that had been clapping, he almost would have missed the curious interaction the turtles displayed.
Before his very eyes, the turtle that had been on the ground managed to pull himself upwards, and had a harsh glare on his face, one that was quickly matched by the stronger looking one. Followed by some very distinct hand motions and purposeful signals slightly behind his back, like he was trying to hide their conversation away from the bidders. He was smart, very smart. Tony could feel his jaw drop. No. Way. They just formed a very complicated commutation, and then tried to hide it! They were much more than they lead on.
“D-Did you see that?” Bruce asked, just as star-stuck.
Tony nodded, but he wasn't sure if he could see it. There was no way these guys weren’t being brought back to Stark Towers with him.
“Do you see what I mean now?” Peter asked, watching as the turtles huddled back into the corner, trying to shield themselves away from the prying eyes.
“Yeah, kid. I see what you mean.” He said, looking around. This presentation does not need to go on anymore, it's already set in stone that these turtles are coming with him. No point getting these other guys’ hopes up. Twice, he’s THE Tony Stark, he’s pretty good at charming others to do what he wants.
“I have to say,” Tony spoke loudly, and the lights turned on quickly, anger on Dr. Stockmen’s face at the interruption, before noticing exactly who did it. All eyes turned to him, and the bidders quickly understood that there was no reason to even stick around. What Tony wants, Tony gets. “When I heard about this presentation, I thought it might be some kind of hoax.”
“Mr. Stark!” Stockmen gasped, “I’m a huge fan!”
Tony waved a dismissive hand, strolling through the crowd that parted without a beat to let him through, and climbed up on stage, like he wasn't interrupting a presentation, or that there was even a crowd there. Instead, it was only Tony and Baxter.
“Let’s just talk shop, okay Dr?” Baxter shook his head agreeably, a large grin on his face. Mumbling that he was talking to THE Tony Stark. He has that impression often.
“Of course Tony!” Baxter said excitedly, “It’s cool if I call you Tony right?”
“Let’s stick with Mr. Stark, alright?” Baxter still had that fan-like glaze in his eyes, nodding along. “Now, I wanna know how much these guys are gonna cost me.”
Baxter’s smile fell a little, but it didn't drift. “Well Mr. Stark, it is a bidding, and I have to get permission from my boss before I hand them off to anyone.” He explained.
Tony had a small-upwards smirk, “I’m sure your boss will be happy to know that such specimen will be given to one of the world’s best scientists.”
Baxter matched his smirk like he was suddenly trying to play it cool, but everyone was aware it was desperation. “I’m really sorry Mr. Stark I’m not allowed to even start the bidding until I complete the presentation, my boss insisted...and he can be very…” Braxer trailed off, “pervasive.”
Tony sighed, this guy isn’t budging. “Well then, let me phone your boss, I’m sure he’ll be very honored to talk to Tony Stark.”
Tony could almost feel Bruce’s and Peter’s eyes rolling. Braxer gulped, “I’m sorry Mr. Stark, I am but….He doest speak English?” Baxter said, but it came off as a question like he was asking if he’ll really buy such a shitty excuse.
Tony didn't. His part-time job relied on him being able to see through lies, and twice, that was the worst lie he’s ever heard. Still, Baxter wasn’t gonna let this go. No point prolonging it.
With a sigh, Tony stepped off stage, calling a warning to the Dr. “Fine, but hurry this up. I have a meeting to get to after this and I might leave if this takes too long.”
Stockmen gulped at the threat, without Stark, the bidding isn’t gonna climb nearly as well.
Tony took his spot again next to Peter just as the lights flicked off again. “Mr. Stark, why didn't you talk him out of it?”
The millionaire pointed towards the cage, “You saw what just happened, he’s not gonna listen to me, better to just get this over with.”
Baxter coughed and directed attention back to the stage. “Onto the show!” He said cheerfully. He pulled the remote out again, and this time instead of electrifying them, the pile refused to move, though, under the main two, he could see squirming and choking sounds.
Baxter waited for a minute, and then pounded on the glass. “Hey! Spit up right now! Or I'll turn up the power!”
Tony wanted to scoff. It was like yelling at a dog. They don’t understand what he’s saying, if anything, scaring and hurting them is only gonna make them hide more. But, to Tony’s complete and utter shock, they obeyed. It took a few moments, but they slowly detached from one another. Still, in range, they watched as the smallest one scratched at his neck, just like the other one before, but instead of screaming, he was gasping for air. His face turned a light purple, and the others couldn't do anything but watch.
The collar was squeezing his throat, bruising it and choking him to the brink of passing out. His squirming got less and less intense, slowly down to the point of stillness, and the others moved in, pulling him away from the public eye and checking him over in haste. Then, another fell, grasping as the air was forced from him. The other’s eyes got wide in surprise, and then they too felt the wrath of Stockmen. “I told you to split up!” Stockmen! hissed, but it sounded extremely gleeful like he was looking for any excuse to play with the remote’s buttons.
The smallest one started gasping for breath, making large gulps as his face returned to a normal shade. Baxter must have turned his collar off when he fell over, out of fear that he might actually end up suffocating.
The other three didn't have to bear it nearly as long as the smallest and were effectively let go, following the same gulping of breath.
The manic grin on Stockmen’s face couldn't get any bigger, and Tony’s mind wondered if he had some kind of grudge against these animals. Nobody should take this much joy out of internally harming a living thing.
“Alright, folks!” He clapped his hands, the light coming on that momentarily blinded him, as his eyes had adjusted to the darkness. “I hope you enjoyed the presentation, and we can start the bidding!”
A curtain started to flow behind him, and Peter locked eyes with one of the turtles. He was the smallest one, with the baby blue orbs. They were filled with despair and hopelessness. His fists tightened. This man was sick. The two watched each other before the curtain closed completely, blocking sight of the cage altogether.
“Mr. Stark,” Peter said seriously. Tony could now see Peter’s face in the full light and was unsettled by the intense look. “We have to get them out.”
Tony nodded, “We will kid, we will.”
Stockmen waved a sheet of paper in the air. “Now ladies and gentlemen, this is to be a silent auction, I’ll let each person go through three times to see if they want to up the amount they bid, but after that, I will call my boss and see if we can go through with the bid.”
Tony’s face hardened, and cut in front of the entire crowd, throwing himself right in front of the paper just as Stalkman put it on the table. The people behind him complained, but he ignored it and pulled out his special pen, writing the amount down. With a smirk, he put the pen back in his front pocket, and confidently strolled away from the table.
The next lady in line, who Tony recognized to be some rich lady that ran a market in makeup upstate, who inherited all the money from mommy and daddy, glanced down at the amount on the sheet, and her jaw dropped.
Tony had written down twenty million dollars for the opening bid. Bruce tried to hold back his laugh as she pointed frantically at the paper and gestured for the others to look at it. Peter laughed openly.
“She's daddy's money kinda gal.” Tony declared, his arms crossed, “She only spends money on clothes. She probably just wanted them for makeup testing.”
Stockmen! watched their reactions, and walked over to the sheet, before adjusting his glasses. “Oh wow! Would anyone like to match this?” Baxter asked, holding the bid up. All eyes traveled to the wallpaper and floor, nobody raised their hand or objected. “Alright!” Baxter said, “That was fast!”
He hopped off the stage and made his way over to them. Peter’s body tingled in warning, letting him know this man wasn’t sane. He hadn't been this close to Stockmen before, as when he saw the opening presentation, he rushed to find Tony and Bruce. He felt unnerved, his body compelling him to sink into a battle stance, but he stood strong, though noticeably tense.
Baxter came over and shook Tony’s hand unexpectedly. “I’m so glad that you stayed Mr. Stark! These specimens will benefit science leaps and bounds! Nobody is more capable than you!”
Tony forced his lips into a tight smile, pulling his hand away and whipping his palm onto his suit. “Yes well, when will they be ready to go?”
Baxter frowned, “Well, I do have to call my boss first, but no doubt he will say yes! They will send us years into the future! Nobody will do a better job than you!”
Tony waved a hand, “Then what are you still doing here? Hurry up and call your boss, I’m a very busy man.” He bit, waving a hand dismissively.
“Oh!” Baxter said, “Of course! Right away!” The man rushed out of sight and behind the curtain, pulling his phone out and dialing the number.
“Nobody gets through.” He commanded the guards, if anyone overheard this conversation, he'd be screwed.
Baxter waited for the phone to pick up, and glanced at the cage, finding four angry pairs of eyes staring back at him. He was not threatened, however, but rather amused. “Oh don’t give me that look, you freaks are gonna have some use after all.”
Leonardo did a quick glance over the room, before snipping a reply. “You better find a hole to hide in Balkman, you better hope we never find you after we escape.”
Baxter rolled his eyes, not bothering to soil the moment by correcting the turtle. “Escape? You four must have spent too much time underground, there won’t be an escape. You were just sold to the leading man in science, one of the most powerful men in the world, not to mention an Avenger, there won’t be an escape for you.”
“Trust me, Baxter, not even an Avenger can save you from us.” Raph snapped, pounding his fist onto the glass. “
Baxter unintentionally found himself backing away from the imtidating turtle, seemingly forgetting that bullet-proof glass separated them.
“Y-” The phone picked up, and Baxter quickly turned his back to the turtles and walked a few feet away, despite their yelling. “Master! I have wonderful news!”
“Do they have a buyer?” Shredder asked, ever to the point.
“Yes, Master! And you won’t believe who bought them!” More yelling in the background. “Tony Stark!”
A loud bashing sound came from the line, Baxter flinched. “No, they can't be sold to Tony Stark.” Shredder gruffed.
“B-But sir!” Baxter stuttered, never had he thought that Shedder would say no! He didn't predict that Shedder didn't care about scientific discoveries as much as he did. Yes, they are a huge pain, yes they are annoying, yes they have beat him up multiple times, and yes, he truly does believe that IF they somehow managed to escape, they would hunt him down. After all the torture that he put them through these last few months? After Shredder killed their father and he put them in test tubes, using their familiarity bonds against them? It's hard to believe that they wouldn’t seek revenge. But even with all that, they are miracles of nature. Aliens had formed them, gifted ordinary turtles, house pets, into human hybrids. So much could be discovered by dissecting them, and he’ll finally get the over-due revenge on them for everything they did.
“Please Master!” Baxter begged, surprising even himself, “Mr. Stark could advance humans centuries into the future with them! Better than I ever could!” Baxter pleaded, “Not to mention he has access to the best science equipment in the world! They won’t last more than a month in his grasp! He’s a scientist! He’ll tear them apart!”
The line was silent for a second, “Fine.” Shredder gruffed, “But I warn you Stockmen if they escape, or getaway, I’ll gut you.”
Baxter gulped, envisioning his sharp blades through his chest. But this was for science. “Ye-Yes, sir.”
The line went dead, and Baxter found himself holding the phone up to his ear for a few seconds more.
He smiled evilly at the turtles, turning to face them. “You know it’s common practice to keep one specimen alive and analyze the other.” He grinned, “Wonder which two Mr. Stark will keep alive, and which two are gonna be cut open.”
Turning on his heel, he walked back out the curtain to deliver the news to Tony. Raph was left shouting at the coward to come back.
“Raph!” Leo snapped, “Keep it down, we can’t let them catch us talking.”
“Like hell, we’re gonna be some kind of science experiment,” Raph mumbled. The last few months had been hell. Going from place to place, being beat and tortured, this glass was the closest they have seen the outside in a while. But at least they were together.
“Leo’s right Raph, if they know we can talk, our survival rates decrease sufficiently,” Donnie explained, looking over Mikey’s neck. He had the worst injuries by far, as he choked longer than any of the rest. Even from under the collar, the intense bruising was visible that wrapped all the way around. “Mikey, how’s your throat?”
Leo’s neck was red from irritation from the shock, but the damage would heal in a few days. Mikey’s was much more concerning, as the crushing could have damaged his windpipe. “Yeah Mike, you’ve been really quiet,” Raph observed, turning away from the glass and looking down at his youngest brother. His heart dropped in his chest when he saw his brother.
Tears were streaming down Mikey’s face, who was pointing at his neck and pulling at the collar. “Donnie! What’s wrong with him!”
“I-I think the damage to his throat was too severe! It must have done more internal damage then I thought!”
Leo had rushed behind the youngest, pulling his hands away from his neck while Mikey struggled, trying to free himself. Raph was quick to help and jump in, restricting Mikey while Donnie looked at the damaged area.
“What can we do!” Leo asked, holding down his crying brother as he attempted to pull away.
Donnie bit his lip, “It’s hard to tell because of the collar, I cant see all the bruising!” He explained quickly, avoiding a stray limb that Mikey had gotten free, which Leo quickly pulled back down. “If it was crushed completely he wouldn’t be able to breathe at all, but there isn’t anything I can do until we get the collar off.”
“That means?” Raph snapped
Donnie glared, “It means that we have to watch to make sure he doesn’t suffocate, but we can’t heal him until I can get supplies and get this thing off.” He snipped back.
Mikey cried, and Leo cradled his head in his lap. He was so proud. Mikey had managed to hold the pain in until they were alone, how badly he must feel. “Shhhh, it’s okay ototo.” Leo hummed as his struggles started to die down. Instead, he made rasping sounds, his lungs begging for air that only barely managed to grace his airways.
Donnie was forced to watch. He was supposed to be the healer, he was supposed to help them when they were injured, but without his tools, he was useless. He couldn’t help Mikey. He couldn’t help his baby brother.