Another step forward, like he's walking a tightrope. He flinches as Aira shouts, closing his mouth as he swallows another protest, not necessarily meaning to acquiesce to Maleficent's order, but Donnie feels it all the same, that brightness that starts to fill his inner being, a nameless, unbridled joy that breaks through the fear and anger, and he's unable to keep the smile from his face. It's almost intoxicating, it's far better than the pain he knows will come if he disobeys, the bottomless pit of wretchedness that will pull him down in a heartbeat.

His feet carry him farther, hesitating only because his turtle brother is moving to plow through the raven guard- but then that just clears a path for him in turn.

No, no, he can't, he shouldn't- Raph and Aira...