"Damn that Raphael!" Leo trudged through the sewers, his mind racing. What're they gonna do if they get caught? Why can't he ever listen?
Michaelangelo trotted behind, struggling to keep up with his fuming brother. Man, he's pissed! Maybe that arm wrestling match wasn't such a hot idea...
The murky water splashed beneath their feet as they hurried on in silence. Mike silently wondered what Splinter would make of all of this. He thought about poor Donatello. Only time would tell if he would make it now. He wished he could be there to watch over him, but he trusted April and Megan to take good care of his brother. Wiping at the tears with the back of his hand, he forced Don's injuries from his mind and began to focus on Raphael's startled face when Megan had given him that 'smack on the kisser.' That Raph, he's such a riot! He began to chuckle to himself.
"Be quiet, would you Michaelangelo?" Leo wasn't in a very good mood right now. Afterall, he had just been beaten in a competition, his body hurt, and now he was going to have to tell Splinter that there was a change of plans. Why am I always the one to have to take the wrap for Raph's actions?
"Gee, sorry Leo." Mike acted as if he was insulted. "But you gotta admit, that face was priceless!" He laughed again. "Wow! I've never seen Raph's eyes bug out so far!"
Leo didn't even want to think about Raphael right now. How could I have let him beat me? He was furious at his brother. He always puts us in danger! It's not right! They moved on in silence for a while until they came to the lair.
"Stay here, Mike." Leo held a hand in front of him. "I'm gonna go check and make sure everything's okay."
Mike rolled his eyes at Leo's aprehension. He's such a worry wart! But he stayed in place as he requested. Leo was definately in a bad mood, and he didn't want to aggravate him any further.
"Splinter?" Leo entered the room cautiously, his katanas in hand. He crept slowly around the living room, his eyes glancing over the dead bodies. "Splinter? You here?", he called.
The rat stepped out of the kitchen and entered the living room. "Yes, Leonardo. I am fine." He frowned in confusion as he looked around the room. "But where are the others?"
Leonardo sighed and resheathed his katanas. "Mike! You can come in now!" The turtle entered, a seriousness in his soft brown eyes.
"Master...", Leo was nervous. He felt as though he had really let Splinter down. Now he would have to tell him that he had lost to Raphael. It was humiliating and shameful, and he had a hard time looking into Splinter's eyes.
"I'm sorry.", he mumbled, lowering his head to stare at the ground.
Splinter was worried. "What has happened, my son?" He glanced at Mike, who started to speak, but decided it was best if Leo told him the news.
"Master, I...Raphael...well, he decided it was time to go."
Splinter was concerned. "Leonardo, did Raphael go on alone?"
Leo gulped and took a deep breath before meeting Splinter's gaze. "Yes, Master. He and Casey."
"Komatta na!" The rat mumbled under his breath.
"I'm sorry, Master, I tried to beat him, but I was weak from battle. Under normal circumstances I...."
"Beat him?", Splinter interrupted. "Were you fighting?"
"Arm wrestling.", Mike offered. Splinter frowned at the two of them, that familiar unapproving look that let them know their master wasn't pleased.
"Arm wrestling?"
"Look, Master Splinter, I know it was stupid, but Raph insisted that we leave immediately, and you know how he gets. I was trying to stop him, and he was ready to fight me. Then Mike broke in with this arm wrestling thing and--"
"Yeah", Mike chimed. "It was my idea. I thought it was better than them killing eachother." He looked into his sensei's angry eyes. "I'm sorry Master Splinter."
The two stood there for what seemed an eternity as the deafening silence hung in the air. Splinter was upset. Why must they always do this? I am getting too old for this game! The anger began to turn into concern as he thought about his impatient pupil and his vigilante friend taking matters into their own hands yet again. He really couldn't blame Casey for rushing to the scene, but it was clear to him that they weren't prepared. None of them knew what they were really up against.
Finally, he placed a hand on each of their shoulders, his eyes softening. "We must go after them."
_________________________________________________________________________________
"Uuhhh..." Robyn moaned as her eyes blinked open. My god, what happened? She struggled to remember how she had gotten on the bed.
"Robyn?" April rushed to her, a smile on her face. "You okay?"
Robyn sat up. "Y...yeah...", she said slowly. "What happened?"
April glanced at the other bed. Megan was removing the soiled bandage on Don's hand, and getting ready to replace it. The sight of the bloodied stitches made her stomach turn.
April cringed. If I tell her, is she gonna pass out again? Deciding she might as well get it over with, she pointed in Don's direction.
"That's what.", she said softly.
Robyn's jaw almost dropped to the ground as she stared at the turtle. "So, it wasn't a dream?"
"No, Robyn. It wasn't. Now do you believe me?"
Robyn nodded, hopped down, and slowly approached the other bed. Her heart was pounding in her chest so hard, she could hear it.
The girl looked up from her work and smiled at Robyn. "Hi, I'm Megan."
"Hi." Robyn reluctantly shook her hand, not daring to remove her attention from the turtle.
Megan noticed her interest. "He's been injured pretty bad.", she said solemnly as she wrapped the new gauze around the hand. The gruesome sight sent instant nausea through Robyn.
"What are they? How did they get here?"
"I told you that already.", April sighed. She really wasn't in the mood to explain all of this again. Seeing the frustration in her eyes, Megan decided to do the explaining for her.
"Well...you see, about twenty two years ago, these guys fell into the sewers along with a canister of radio-active ooze. After they came into contact with this substance, they all started to mutate and grow, and eventually they turned into what they are today."
"Thanks, Megan." April sat down on the other side of Don, stroking his cheek lightly with her hand.
"Oh my god, April!", Robyn gasped. "You're touching it!"
Megan stifled a laugh and smiled over at April.
"He's not an 'it', he's a turtle.", April defended. "His name is Donatello." All traces of amuzement faded as she stared down at the silent face. "He's my friend."
________________________________________________________________________________
"Michaelangelo."
Mike looked up from the bag. "Yes sensei?"
"Is everything to your liking?" He gestured to the bag sarcastically.
"Ummm, yes Master. Looks like you cleaned out the entire kitchen!", he smiled.
"Then we must hurry. Grab your packs and follow me." The turtles did as instructed and stood next to Splinter.
"Leonardo..."
Leo was still ashamed at his failure. "Yes Master Splinter?" He forced himself to make eye contact.
"Do you still have the note?"
"Yes, sensei, right here.", he pulled the crinkled paper from his belt and handed it to the rat. Splinter studied it for a moment, concentrating on the strange directions.
"We have a long journey ahead of us. Let us hope that we arrive in time to help Raphael and Casey on their mission."
With that, the turtles said goodbye to their home and followed Splinter out the door.
________________________________________________________________________________
Megan stared at herself in the mirror. Black bruises covered her shoulders and forearms where the weapons had stricken. She gawked in wonder at the soiled bandage between her breasts. What have they done to me? She yanked at the tape, letting out a small cry as it pulled on her skin. The sight of the wound made her dizzy.
"My god!", she whispered in amazment. The gouge was deep and long. It spread from her collarbone all the way down to the middle of her chest. The skin around the stitches was black and blue, and in some areas, brown and red where the blood had seeped through and crusted around the thread. The sutures were thick, and she figured there must be about a hundred of them.
She ran her finger down the side of the wound as a lump formed in her throat. Never before had she been injured like this. The mere sight of the stitches and the blood made her want to throw up. This is gonna scar! She forced her eyes away from the gash and began to study the others. The ones on her forearms weren't so bad. Most of them hadn't needed stitches, and she could already feel the slight itch that told her they were healing.
She slipped her jeans off carefully, her ribs reminding her that they hadn't yet healed. She stared at the bathtub, now full of rich, fluffy bubbles. She knew it wasn't a good idea to get her stitches wet, but she felt disgusting, and longed to wash away the blood that reminded her of the pain and hurt she'd experienced. Ignoring the warnings that flashed into her mind, she sank slowly into the tub, allowing the lukewarm water to sooth her aching muscles.
_________________________________________________________________________________
"This is crazy, man!" Casey grumbled as they strode along the highway. "You're gonna get us killed!"
Raphael continued to walk, the hat pulled low over his eyes, his coat flapping in the wind, his thumb stuck out at the passing cars. "Yeah? Well, you used to live for this stuff!", he sneered. "And anyway, you got any better ideas?"
The moon provided the only light as the two trudged along the dark road. It had been two hours since they'd begun their journey, and it was now almost eleven o'clock. Casey and Raphael hadn't spoken again about Megan or their previous fight. They each had it on their minds, but neither wanted to start up the argument again. The idea of Raphael falling in love with Megan nagged at Casey. Raphael was his best friend in the world, but he just couldn't imagine him pursuing her. But what if she wants to be pursued? He couldn't take it anymore. This was his little cousin, and he felt the unnerving urge to protect her.
"Raph..." Casey was uncertain as to how to approach this. The last time he'd tried, he'd gotten a black eye for it. He brought his hand up to feel the bruise. The swelling was almost gone now, but it still hurt.
Raphael kept his focus forward, straining his eyes for cars. I wonder what 'Mr. Know it All' would say about us hitchiking to the hide out! He grinned. I actually beat him!
"Look Raph...", Casey began. "I'm...sorry about before."
Raphael shot him a quick glance and returned his attention toward the road. "I'll bet that eye still smarts, don't it?"
"Yeah.", Casey admitted. "You really got me good."
"Yeah, well you deserved it, pal!" Raphael laughed and grinned mischeviously, letting Casey know that all was forgiven.
"It's just that...well...she's been through so much lately, with losing both of her parents and being alone in that house..."
Raphael wasn't sure where this conversation was leading, but he didn't feel like discussing it right now. "Look Casey", he said matter-of-factly. "Why don't you just let her make her own decisions? She's an adult."
Deep down, Casey knew he was right. She's been taking care of herself and her mother all this time, and she's smart. But, what about that kiss...?
Raphael thought back to that moment as well. He imagined how surprised he'd felt, how warm her breath was on his face. It was like a dream. Never before had a woman gotten that close to him, except for maybe April, but that was only for a friendly hug.
The two walked on in silence for a while, each lost in his own thoughts. Casey was still angry about the whole prospect, but he figured that Megan would never go for it.
A blue car pulled up by the side of the road. The two friends waited as the tinted window slowly rolled down.
"Need a lift?", a voice called out.
Raphael pulled the hat down lower and thrusted his hands in his pockets so the stranger wouldn't see too much of him. "Yeah, can ya take us to the other side of town?", he asked.
The door swung open and he gestured at Casey to get in first.
"Oh boy, here we go!", Casey mumbled.
__________________________________________________________________________________
"Man, I feel so much better!" Megan came out of the bathroom, her hair and body wrapped in towels. April caught site of the chest wound, barely peeking out of the top of the towel.
"God, what did they do to you?"
Megan pulled the terricloth down just far enough to expose the top half of the stitches. "I know.", she said. "It's pretty bad, isn't it?"
Robyn stared at her in disbelief. "You mean these...turtles actually helped you? They sewed you up?"
"Yeah.", she smiled. "Well, actually, Raphael's the one that saved me. He and Splinter did this." She pointed to the patched wound.
Robyn hesitated, not sure she wanted the answer to the question she was about to ask. "Splinter? Who's he?"
April grinned. "He's their sensei. He's a rat."
Robyn's eyes grew wide and the color was flushed from her face. "A rat? Oh my god, there's a rat!?"
Megan and April almost fell over laughing. They couldn't help it, as they remembered their own fright upon meeting the ninja master.
"That's what I thought the first time I met him." Megan struggled to keep a straight face. "But he's a good rat. He'd never hurt you. That is unless...."
Robyn stared at her, a lump forming in her throat. "Unless what?", she dared to ask.
"Unless you steal his cheese!", she joked. April lost it. The thought of Splinter nibbling on a big block of cheddar was hillarious to her. As the girls laughed, some of the previous tension slowly faded, making the situation at hand more bearable.
Megan's ribs hurt as she struggled to get air into her lungs. She never knew laughing could be so painful. The others noticed her discomfort and looked at her with concern.
"I'm fine.", she said softly. "Just a little sore still."
After the two sobered up, and Robyn calmned her nerves, they began to talk seriously.
"I'm worried about Don." Megan sat next to him on the bed, studying him carefully. "He seems to be breathing okay, but it's like he's in a coma or something."
April joined her and looked at him intently. "Do you think he can hear us?"
"I'm not sure. Oh, my god, April, what if he dies?" The panic rushed through her now as she thought about her mother and father. I failed them. I can't fail him too. "Everyone's counting on us!"
"Megan." April put her arm around her shoulder. "You can't allow yourself to think that way." The truth was, she had been worrying about the same thing. What would we do if he died right here? How would I tell the guys? What would I say?
"So you guys really are friends with these things?", Robyn asked sympathetically, "I mean, these...turtles." Some of the panic was starting to die down as she noticed the fear and worry in their eyes. They really care about this guy.
"Don..." April bent down close to his face, attempting to wake him from his slumber. "Don? Can you hear me?" But the turtle did not stir. "Don, it's me, April." Tears came to her eyes as she studied him for movement. "Don, come back to us. We need you." She fell on the bed and wrapped her arms around her friend, the sorrow exploding into sobs as she buried her face in his neck.
Megan's own tears began to flow as she watched in despair. She laid a hand on Don's forehead, and the other on April's back. She was lost. She didn't know what to do for either of them. She hadn't felt so helpless since her mother had gotten sick.
A wave of understanding flooded through Robyn. These guys weren't evil, they were real people with real emotions, and her sister cared deeply for them. It pained her to see the two friends in such sorrow. She mustered up her courage, and decided it was time to make ammends for her previous disbelief. Rising from the other bed, she approached the turtle and carefully removed the cloth from his head. Megan and April gawked at her in wonder as she re-wetted it with cold water and returned it to its place. Then, without a word, she joined them on the bed as they sat around his body in silent reverence.
__________________________________________________________________________________
"Come to me, Donatello. All suffering is gone.", the gentle voice boomed. "You are safe now. No more pain."
Don took a few steps closer to the light as an overwhelming joy washed over him. Never in his life had he felt so free, so completely happy.
Little colored lights danced playfully around his head, causing him to think of Michaelangelo. He'd love this! He looked down at his body. There were no signs he had ever been in battle. He felt young, like a kid again.
A light airy singing began to fill the room. The sound was so beautiful, he could've sworn it was the song of angels. It was so peaceful here.
He felt a strong invisible arm wrap itself gently around his shoulder, leading him closer to the brilliance.
"Now you will be at peace. Never again will you be forced into hiding. Never again will you feel the sting of battle. Your time has come, Donatello. Say goodbye to the wicked world you once knew, and come to me."
He longed for the peace and acceptance the apparition promised. Yes, it was time to leave his family and friends behind. They would understand, wouldn't they?
He walked willingly toward the luminescense, the joy spreading deeper inside of him with each step. No more pain...
The memories of his past slipped slowly away. He could barely even remember having lived a life on earth. He recollected nothing of his family, his sensei or the friends he'd left behind, only peace and joy, only the light.
He could feel the warmth of it on his face. His eyes remained shut as he allowed his skin to absorb it. He stuck a hand out toward the heat, and he could feel the soft pull dragging him ever closer.
That's it.", the voice came again. "Enter. Your destiny awaits."
He took a step forward, the brilliance almost engulfing him now. He didn't need to open his eyes. He could already see what was on the other side. Beautiful golden gates stood before him, sparkling in the sun. A large clear blue lake stretched out as far as the eye could see. He longed for this place, for its beauty, for its peace.
"Don?", a strangely familiar voice filled his head, "Don, can you hear me?"
He was confused. He knew this voice. It had been someone very important to him, but who?
"Don, it's me, April."
"April!", he gasped as all of the memories began to flood back into his mind. He remembered the first time he and his brothers had met her and how they had helped her conquer Baxter Stockman. He remembered Michaelangelo; his crazy antics, his love of life, his cooking. He remembered Leonardo; the discipline, the focus, the leadership. He also remembered Raphel; his anger, his energy, his drive. Visions of Splinter filled his head. He thought about his sensei's teachings and ageless wisdom, and his heart began to fill with Splinter's never ending love. He remembered Casey; his energy, his loyalty, his undying spirit of adventure. He pictured Shadow; the little girl they had all grown so attached to. He thought about her innocense, her curiosity, her love. Lastly, he thought about Megan. He hadn't gotten to know her while he was living. He wished now that he'd had the chance. He remembered the unusual gentleness Raphael exuded when he was in her presence.
"Don, please come back to us."
He wasn't sure what to do. This place was so wonderful. He knew he could be happy here forever, but what about the family and friends he'd left behind? For the first time since he'd entered this place, he missed them.
"Donatello. It's time." The voice boomed again. "Come with me."
He was caught between his emotions. He thought back on his life. He remembered the first time he and his brothers stood together in a battle against the Foot. He thought about the day when they had defeated the Shredder. Then, they had been as one. He thought about the pain of being "freaks" in a world of humans. Their unity, their bond is what had made life worth living. The joy of family, of the good times, outweighed the sorrow.
"We need you...." April's voice echoed in his ears.
Donatello knew what he wanted now. There was no doubt in his mind. The final decision made, he turned and faced the bright luminesence.
"It's not my time yet.", he called to the invisible voice. "I want to live."
As he spoke these words, the light began to grow brighter, blinding his vision even through the closed eyelids. The illumination was so vivid, it stung his pupils. He turned his head away, shielding his eyes with his forearms. A loud menacing cackle flooded his mind. Where is it coming from? He didn't dare open his eyes to look around.
The laughter grew louder. It was a voice he recognized. As he struggled to place it, it began to speak.
"What's the matter Donatello? Afraid to face me?" The brightness seemed to fade, and he dared to remove his arms from over his face. As his eyes blinked open, they met with those of an evil spirit from his past. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. It can't be! He's dead!
"Shredder!", he gasped. ____________________________________________________________________________________
"It is almost midnight and you are tiring.", Splinter said to Leonardo. "We must stop soon."
"No Master, I'm fine." But the truth was, his side hurt something fierce, and he could feel the blood sliding slowly down his skin where the stitches had been torn open during the arm wrestling match. Splinter spotted the blood and forced him to sit.
They had made it a good ways through the tunnels. Splinter was surprised at how much progress they had made. He worried for Raphael, but right now, he was even more concerned for Leonardo. He dug into his bag and produced new bandages, a needle and some suturing thread.
Leonardo moaned as his sensei removed the soiled bandage. Realizing Splinter's intentions, Michaelangelo grabbed his brother's hand and held it tightly. This is really gonna hurt buddy!
"Rraaaaahhhhhh!" Leo cried in pain and gritted his teeth as the needle sunk into his flesh. Mike thought he was going to cut the circulation off in his hand, he was sqeezing it so hard. A wave of horrible anguish swept through Splinter as he stuck Leonardo with the needle. He wished he had some ice to numb the pain. The torment in Leo's cries urged him to stop, but he knew he had to continue.
Leo's body twitched with each stitch, the excruciating pain seering through the whole left side of his body. Sweat began to bead up on his forehead as he struggled to hold still.
Michaelangelo reached for a blanket and began to dab at the moisture. Hold on Leo, Splinter's almost done. It pained him to see his brother in so much agony. He'd never liked that part of being a ninja, getting hurt and having to see his family in pain.
Finally, Splinter pulled the last stitch through. "I am almost finished Leonardo." He tied off the thread and laid a hand on his shoulder, searching his eyes. "Are you alright, my son?"
Leo was breathing hard, and he continued to grip Mike's hand. He remained silent for a moment as he waited for some of the pain to subside.
"Yes, Master" His weak voice said at last. "I'll be fine."
___________________________________________________________________________________
Soft snores filled the air as the comfort of sleep took over. The room was black, and a calm quiet flooded her surroundings. Megan couldn't sleep. She glanced over at the still forms of April and Robyn as she thought about all that had transpired since she'd boarded that plane yesterday morning. Such amazing things had happened to her, and she realized for the first time that she would never be the same again. She thought about Raphael, that strange look he was always giving her, almost as if he were interested...no, it couldn't be...could it? She thought about his wide-eyed expression when she'd kissed him. Ha ha! He wasn't expecting that in a million years! A smile came to her lips as she remembered his snappy attitude, his gentleness, his rage, his concern for his brothers. There's just something about him...
Suddenly, something jarred her from her thoughts. There was movement next to her. She sat up quickly, her mind racing as she wondered how someone could have gotten into the room without their knowing. She reached down to the floor, where her suitcase laid open and searched for the sai Raph had given her. Finally, she felt the cold steel and lifted it to where she could make out the sillhouette in the moonlight.
She rose quickly from the bed, ignoring the discomfort in her ribs. Whoever was here with them, she wasn't going to let them win without a fight. Her eyes searched frantically in the darkness, trying to locate the intruder.
Finally, they fell on the bed. Was the stranger attacking Don? She rushed back over to his side, raising the sai in the air to stab the assailant. But, then, she realized what was happening. There was no attacker. Donatello was stirring!
"April!" She ran to the nightstand and turned on the dim reading light. "April, wake up!", she whispered.
April was groggy. "Huh? What is it? What's wrong?" Robyn also heard the comotion and sat up in curiousity.
"It's Donatello." The anxiety rushed through Megan as she glanced back at the turtle. "I think he's waking up!"