The other side of the coin
Chapter 1
This is another story to One's True Instincts that takes place just before Donatello takes Raphael and during the time Raphael was Donatello's prisoner in Bishop's base.
What was going on behind the scenes? All we know what was happening to Raph, was there more going on then we all relies?
Disclaimer: TMNT isn't mine and this is just a fan fiction writing. No money is being made on this story.
(TMNT CC are AU based on 2003 version, the turtles are 25)
Warning (Rated: M) Disturbing Content, Foul Language, Gore, Major Character Death (s)
Tapping his finger against the suspicious note that came with the pizza box, the orange clad turtle stared at it, contemplating if he should dare.
In what looked like Donnie's handwriting, this made his heart wildly flutter, when he saw it inside the box lying above the warm pizza, which he was just going to sneak a slice for the journey home.
His stomach was growling, and he wasn't unable to resist that delicious smell, stuffing his face before coming to a decision.
Who can bother with thinking on an empty stomach anyways, and this needed all the brain power he could muster, or was it courage?
The note on the unfortunate side, it didn't hold much information to go on. It was straightforward, down to the point, with a location written on it with the words, "Come alone Mikey, if you want to see me… I miss you little brother."
Letting his shell lean against the cool brick wall, Mikey blinked through the grates towards the street lamp casting its fake glow to this dark tunnel.
(Didn't Raph a year ago brought proof that Donnie was attacked and might be dead?)
His brow frowning, he tightened his grip on the note trying to figure this mystery out.
(Then this note it couldn't be from him, right… but…Yet it's his handwriting to the tee…)
Mikey, though never been credited for this little trait he possessed, was very observant when it came to his brothers.
He knew when they were upset, happy or in love, even with the significant signs, such as handwriting.
Donnie had an elegance in his l's and even how he capitalized the M in his name that was dead on to what he remembered of his brother's writing.
Then yet again, it brought back the question, who attacked Donnie? Who took him? And why all of a sudden did he reappears with riddles asking him to meet him, then just going home?
Placing his chin in his hand, Mikey closed his eyes, "Unless he can't come home in fear endangering everyone. He knows where I pick up the pizza and maybe to protect me; he didn't dare wait here for there might be someone watching?"
Letting out a sigh, Mikey took out his shell cell to call home; he was smarter than to go alone, besides, this could well be a trap all he knew.
Once he flipped the lid up to dial Leo, Mikey's face twisted on the 'no signal' flashing brightly on his screen.
"You got to be kidding me…" Mikey complained, shaking the phone, for what reason, mostly to make him feel better. It was the satisfaction that the phone was being tortured for this mishap; regardless it wasn't alive… or felt anything. It was the mental image that satisfied him.
"I could go home… but it's thirty minutes away, and the note did say he will be there for the next thirty, then will leave thinking I couldn't come…" Mikey told himself looking down the dark sewer tunnel, which would lead him to Donnie.
Thrusting his shell cell into his pocket, Mikey scrambled for a pen, writing on top of the lid of the pizza box.
'Dudes, I think I found Donnie! Read the letter, which is where I went. And Raphie don't eat all my pizza!'
Leaving the note from Donnie inside to make sure it didn't get lost, Mikey placed the box to the side where one of his brothers would find it.
He figured they would go looking for him in a bit, heading there to find the box and meet up with him later.
(I'm not making a mistake right?) Mikey asked himself, feeling a bit doubtful this was a wise idea and not something he would brand as being an idiot in the end?
Shaking his head and moving forward in a dead run, Mikey pushed the nagging voice that told him to not be a fool, he had to stay positive. This could be Donnie, and he can bring his brother home once and for all!
This opportunity wasn't something he could just ignore; this was the first actual sign within a year that was associated to his missing brother, and he couldn't let that one slip by. Raph wouldn't forgive him if he did…
Not just that, maybe finding this slim shard of hope might help his brother.
Mikey wasn't naive nor blind, Raph was more than suffering over the thought of his brother was missing, he was heartbroken and not in a brotherly manner.
Donnie loved Raph and secretly Raph was also in love!
He was just a jerk not admitting it, or considering to show such feelings towards Donnie openly.
In the past, it drove Mikey nuts that the signs were clear as day, but the purple clad turtle was too damn shy and Raph… was plainly a shell for brains.
Even now he doesn't admit what demons he is facing; trying to hide behind the wall 'they are just brothers…'
His breath quivered, and his body became catatonic.
His senses screamed this wasn't right. There was definitely something wrong with this picture other than the obvious daunting reality that he was screwed.
Those eyes in the likes he never had witnessed before, taunted him.
The longer he felt those eyes soaking in over the dilemma before him; he threw himself into denial, convinced that this was a nightmare.
This had to be some form of punishment for being a foolish turtle.
Who in their right mind would be so gullible to follow the instruction on a note that was in their pizza box?
Then again, he never denied he was ever in this right mind, according to his brother's standers on any given subject.
The lust fired on, not the kinky kind, unless you're one to be turned on by a killing psychopath that wants to chop you up for turtle soup. Oh, don't forget that would be cannibalism on that note. If your one that dives into such… disturbing fetishes, you would so be drooling over the floor, here is a mop and bucket.
Holding that breath that wanted to be his last, he attempted to stand regardless he was fully aware of this stage his legs were not budging.
Slowly his hunter amused by his still fighting spirit, knelt down beside him. He who had his mask removed, allowing the young turtle to bear witness that grin. A smile that would shatter every mirror that was unfortunate to reflect it.
His voice so familiar yet cold and bitter as if all the light in his heart was consumed by some ancient darkness, he spoke sending chills down Mikey's spine.
The sweat heavy on him, seep out of every pore, yet his hunter seemed unfazed by this game of cat and mouse, with not one sign of tiredness.
"It would seem you're on your last leg, at last," his voice was calm and icy to the touch, striking at Mikey's heart for there was no remorse or care to it. Continuing the turtle only was more amused by how fearful Mikey truly was, yet stubbornly trying to hide, "I wasn't sure how the poison would have affected you in every detail… but now I'm confident I know its time frame. This will help me a lot in the up-coming events."
(Poison!) He gasped at the word, clenching his belt since he had nothing else for support, trying his hardest not to fall over.
To make this more unsettling the hunter before him, placed his hand on his shoulder, that memory served him right should be warm and comforting.
Disappointed, he instinctively wanted to rush away from this mad turtle, with hands that felt like it was covered with porcupine quills, digging in deep, piercing his soul with doubt.
His brother was dead, just as he believed so long ago, when he first lost hope. Now to think that very hope was raised from the dead be some stupid note, in the end to be shattered by some imposter playing ninja turtle...
This turtle so much appeared to be his brother, at one moment blinded by the illusion, he had high beliefs it was.
The one that always made him feel safe, the one he could constantly rely on and tolerated him more than his other siblings.
However, that helmet he wore to conceal his face, to pretend he was some dark figure of the night, wasn't the true mask, this face was!
It was, yes 'it', was a wolf in sheep's clothing! It looked like his dear loving brother, he even for a moment had that voice similar to the one Donnie used to wash away all your nightmares. Heck, he even smelled like him, minus that rubber of his suit that smelled like a burnt tire with a hint of ass.
All those things he witnessed and experienced from the moment, he found this fake at the destination the letter told him to go, to now; Mikey knew there was no way this was him!
(Who is he… and how dare he wears Donnie's face!)
So much amount of effort on his behalf with his body feeling like it went through the meat grinder, Mikey managed to tilt his head up, boldly to tread that unbeaten path speaking out with a hint of attitude borrowed by Raph. "I don't know who the shell you are…"
Rolling his eyes the turtle sneered in enmity, leaning forward quickly grabbing Mikey's chin with one hand, "I am Donatello, but don't bother addressing me as Donnie. I despise that name now and wish never to be associated with that childish nickname ever again."
Mustering the courage he had stored for such rainy days as this, though Mikey never dreamed such a day would come that he had to be stronger than a hulk not only physically but mentally. Mikey pushed the borderline angst that wanted to make him piss himself, since running wasn't something he could do and his body was going to use the next best thing to show off his fear.
"Dude, I can call you late for dinner, light turtle… well dark turtle now… Shell; I could go as far as call you Captain Weirdo Dé Tello. That still doesn't make you, him!" Mikey barked weakly, that came across as a whimper, regardless he gave it his all, to be some valiant brave knight facing the villainous dragon.
(What do I do…. I can't even move! I can't feel my body and there is so much blood; I might pass out soon…)
"You could, and you can think I'm someone else. However,… it doesn't change the underline fact Mikey… no, that too sounds too childish doesn't it… Michelangelo. I am your Donatello if you like it or not," the turtle clap his hands together jumping to his feet.
(Never!) Mikey remained silent, not giving this guy anymore satisfaction. He was too high on his horse, and he was willing to trample over his own brother to death without a tear of remorse.
With a quick look around then at his wrist watch, the turtle nodded to himself, "Everything should be in place, lets us go home, shall we?"
"What! Don't you dare!" Mikey screeched; he didn't want this fake to waltz in and harm his other brothers.
Smiling deeply there was a curl of cruelty to that grin, as the turtle gripped the back of his shell dragging him across the cement path towards home.
"Oh Michelangelo I do dare, and it's time to play the most important game ever! The game of life and forbidden desires, and you're my bait. He will fall for it and walk into my trap."
(He?)
"Dude, you're messed up, crazy town loony and stupid, if you think either Leo or Raph will fall into any trap you lay down for them!"
Tugging his body harder, making the pavement ride up his shell and paint a trail of blood, Mikey wanted to swat the guy and get him to stop dragging him around like his dirty laundry. However, that poison he mentioned earlier was now in full swing, and he could only move his arms slightly. There was no way he could fight back.
"That is where your wrong brother. You see Michelangelo; I know he will go for it. It's in his nature and while the other one is busy tending you. I will have my fun."
"I will tell them the truth…" he threatened, though this wasn't much a threat.
Stopping abruptly, the turtle looked down over his shoulder, "Tell them what exactly? You think I'm some fake over the conclusion that you came up with? Over the fact I'm not like some naive turtle who in turn has been so closed minded of the truths of life? One that has been thinking inside the box all his life, not realizing there was more? You too are in such a state."
"Dude, have you ever recorded yourself? You have major mental issues, man. FYI, I was pointing out how you're messed up, evil boss level nine hundred and ninety nine screwed in the head, and no way you're our brother. You might walk around wearing that face, but inside you're not him."
Sighing, the turtle shook his head, "That is where you're wrong Michelangelo. Don't worry, maybe in death you will find the light I have seen… But by then it will be too late."
(I'm really going to die?)
Hours it felt, or was it only a matter of minutes until they finally came to the front door of the lair.
By this time, he couldn't feel a thing and no matter how much he tried to scream out; it came to a disturbing gurgle.
"Good bye Michelangelo," the turtle said unexpectedly.
It even spooked the young turtle, since this guy has been mute for most of the trip here.
Heck Mikey wanted during those times too pester the turtle to tell him what he was really after.
Unfortunately, as his voice was hindered at the moment it started to do so no longer after the hunter proclaimed he was going to die.
Using what reserved energy he had saved up after he came to the conclusion he couldn't fight back when he was dragged like a rag doll, focusing on the poison to stop it from progressing and collect his energy, which seemed to be working, he turned his head in surprise.
The turtle was leaving, and he wasn't just pulling his leg on this either.
In a split second, the hunter vanished within the shadows and moments later Mikey couldn't sense his disturbing presence anymore.
Taking a breath, he directed his attention to what he should be worried about. How was he to get into the lair?
(You can do it...) He told himself, extending one unstable hand forward, grabbing the cold solid concrete using his fingernails to grip the ground in order for him to drag himself onward.
Like a snail, he moved inch by inch, feeling and seeing how the pavement was tearing into his skin making them raw and start to bleed.
Ignoring it by pushing it to the back of his mind, he dragged his dead weight, feeling the fake wall that was the lair's door.
(Now what?) As if something was answering him, the door mechanism came to life, and the gears could be heard clicking and moving as the door sprang open with no one on the other side.
Was this some trick?
The door never opens unless someone hits the button, and he didn't do it and like hell, the door responded to him being in front of it. Unless this is the work of... a ghost!
(Is there something wrong with me, when I still joke, and I'm on my deathbed?)
Continuing his journey while every joke on ghosts and anything that was irrelevant to his situation to ease his mind of the inevitable death, it was Leo's voice that pierced his heart.
It brought a bright, joyful spark to him, kindling the hope he thought the darkness had claimed from him, Mikey would have run to his brother if that was possible.
Trying to speak to his distressed brother who sounded like he was going to have a heart attack, he could still only let out gurgles in response.
Then something changed as the fear clawed at his throat, the room started to spin, and the brother's voice became distant and hard to understand.
Before he knew it, his brothers were carrying him, to where, he wasn't sure. The darkness that was creeping towards him and was gaining speed, his body felt cold.
His brothers' ghostly voices haunted him; they were so close, yet so far away.
The desire to reach out to them to warn them, anything, couldn't be met over this thick wall that his state of mind and body caged him in, closing him off to them.
At one moment, he swore Raph was there, and then his voice vanished suddenly, replaced by April?
His heart would sing on any given day hearing the friend's voice, since she was his favorite after all.
The human female that was a bit older than him, who laughed at his jokes and enjoyed his company, even when he was a goofball and when no one else appreciated his personality.
However, though her voice like Leo's, was a clutter of sounds that only the variance of pitch separated on who was speaking.
Her pitch was one that always made his heart sink in despair; she was worried and upset.
Mikey has been there many times when Casey was an idiot and hurt her feelings and knew all too well how she sounded when something was bothering her.
Not just that, he must look like hell after what that turtle did to him.
There was another sound in the darkness that he was sure he didn't make up, a beeping that was winding down.
Each beep was becoming distant to the last, was it the monitor that Donnie had to keep track of their vital signs?
(Is my heartbeat declining?)
In a panic, he tried to pump his adrenaline, hoping it will make his heartbeat faster in order to regain a normal pace.
As if death was calling him, laughing at his fruitless attempts, no amount of effort on his behalf succeeded.
The taunting sound only became more distant, and the voices were fainter full of fear.
To think the darkness couldn't become any pitch blacker, it did and colder, as no light came to greet him.
(So death is nothing after all?)
Piercing through the darkness during his final moments, Mikey wish it didn't, only making the regret in him worsen.
"Mikey fight! You can't die you can't leave me!" Leo's voice rang in clearly then anything, hearing the grief in it.
(I don't want to Leo... April…please help me!)
Shattering his darkening world to nothingness, was the sound of an alarm stating his heart had stopped. And that was it…
TBC