Akila watched Malick take a jar off of one of his crowded shelves of things. The lid was coated in a thick layer of dust, and whatever was inside the small jar glowed dark purple. Curiosity peaked, Akila asked, "what's that?"

Malick tapped the jar lightly and blew the dust away. "The first five years of your life," he replied with a crooked smile.

"My memories..!" Akila realized with wide eyes.

"Now, don't get too excited," Malick warned with a sad, stern look, "you're eager to know your true past, but let me warn you: you went through things that no child ever should have to."

Akila couldn't recall the last time her heart pouded so violently from nervousness. She nodded quickly and watched the doctor open the jar and pour the thin liquid into a large machine. From that machine extended a flexible metallic cord with some sort of nozzle on it's end. Malick lifted the nozzle and spoke, "it's just a laser; no blood, no pain. Stay still and relax."

Akila was calmed slightly by Malick's comforting coo. She closed her eyes and prepared herself. And at the click of the laser, the insides of her eyelids seemed to grow bright.

​​​​​​Images flashed across her mind like a movie being fast forwarded at full speed. Her mother's looks of disgust and anger, Edward's loving gaze, Malick helping her take her first steps, and even the Shredder smiling in a way that made him look like a completely different person. And with every true memory that returned, a fake one disappeared. The last thing Akila saw was the false image of her mother smiling lovingly down into her crib...fading back into dark, nothingness where it had come from.

• • •

Akila had been missing for almost two whole days now. The turtles had barely slept since her kidnapping, planning their rescue mission. "But what if she's not there?" Mikey asked in fright.

"Shredder kidnapped her, Mikey," Raph retorted, "she's gotta be in his lair, somewhere."

"I don't know, Raph; Mikey does have a point there," Donnie countered, earning a look of annoyance from the red turtle. "I'm just saying, if she really is Shredder's daughter, wouldn't he want to keep her somewhere safe? Somewhere where no one would look for her?"

"But we don't know that," Leo reminded, "and even if Akila is his daughter, he's still the Shredder; there's a possibility that he doesn't value her as family." Leo paused to think before continuing.

"It would be a big risk to invade Shredder's lair without knowing that Akila is actually there," Donnie reminded.

"That's a risk I'm willing to take," Leo responded immediately. He didn't need time to think; he wanted to save Akila this night. 

Raph smiled and stepped toward Leo, "me, too."

"I'd rather give up pizza for a whole week than not try," Mikey piped up in a surprisingly serious voice.

"And I'd do anything for Akila, as you all know," Donnie added, "if you're all willing to take the risk, I am, too."

Leo smiled proudly, determination in his eyes. "Then it's settled," he spoke sternly, "tonight, we'll break into Shredder's lair; we'll rescue Akila and bring her home."

• • •

​​​​​​Akila gasped loudly as she flung herself up into a sitting position. To her right, Malick sat with a glass of ice water. "Drink this, your mind is probably exhausted right now," he ordered softly.

Taking the cold glass from his hand, Akila gulped it down. She felt it cool her body immediately, and after a few minutes she was able to focus again. "..Are you alright..?" Malick asked in concern. 

Akila immediately recognized that concerned voice and her eyes met his. Tears began to well up in her eyes and she threw her arms around the doctor, the now-empty cup dropped with a *thump*. "I-I can..you were a-always there--I remember..!" Akila stuttered numerous times. Her mind felt like a jumble, and she was having a hard time organizing her thoughts. Having so many memories return so quickly was certainly an intense experience.

Malick embraced Akila back, his own green eyes beginning to water with tears of joy. "I'm so glad you remember me again," he whispered.

When they let go, Akila began to ramble on about her newly discovered memories. "You and Edward worked for Shredder, and so did my mother," she spoke as if to ensure the facts, "Edward loved Nadia, didn't he..." she frowned when she came to a realization, "and that's why he grew to hate her so much...she was an awful mother..I just never knew..."

Malick gazed at Akila with sorrow. "That's right," he confirmed, "after Nadia died, Edward began to lose himself, as you know."

Akila looked up at Malick with curious eyes. "You must've been very close to Edward," she remarked.

"I certainly was," the doctor said with a sad smile, "he was like a brother to me."

Before Akila could speak any further, the heavy door to the room swung open with a loud creaking noise. Tiger Claw stepped in. "Master Shredder will see his daughter now."

Malick shrunk back and bowed a small bow. Tiger Claw came inside and took Akila by the shoulders, practically pushing her out of the room. "M-Malick..!" Akila shouted back with alarm.

"It's okay, Akila," Malick reassured her, "I'll see you soon." His smile was the last thing she saw before the metal door slammed shut.

Akila let Tiger Claw force her back into Shredder's presence, still just trying to organize her jumbled memories. When they arrived back in the room with his throne, Tiger Claw left the two alone. Shredder approached Akila. But now, when she saw his face, memories of his kindness to her as a child invaded her mind. He didn't raise me himself, but the times he did care for me...he really seemed to love me... she thought to herself.

"I take it your memories are back in tact," he observed, ripping Akila out of her thoughts.

"Yes.." Akila replied slowly. 

"Look me in the eyes, child," Shredder ordered gently, "didn't Edward teach you your manners while you were away?" His voice was stern, but not threatening.

Akila did as she was told and met Shredder's sharp eyes. "That's better," he spoke approvingly, "I expect nothing less than the best from my daughter."