Leonardo blankly stared at the body of his younger brother. Raphael had died the night before after suffering the side effects of the venom. He and his other brothers had tried everything but were unable to save their brother. Now as the oldest, he had to help prepare him for burial. But where does one bury someone in the sewers? He placed a hand on Raphael's cold forehead. "I'm sorry Raph, I'm sorry I couldn't save you. It's not the same without you. I swear brother; I will seek revenge on Fishface. No one harms my family and gets away with it." Leo already knew Raph wouldn't agree with his plan for vengeance and that he would rather have him take care of Donnie and Mikey. But he felt this is something in his heart that he needs to do. Giving one last glance, he left the room.
Donnie even so much as refused to look at Raphael's room. He felt he had failed his immediate older brother. He failed to save him. How is he supposed to be the doctor of the family when he can't even keep Death away? The events of the past few days still played in Donatello's mind. "I failed you Raphael. I completely and utterly failed!" Don punched a nearby wall in frustration, pulling back a bloody hand. Donatello laughed at his actions. Doing something that normally his older brother would only do. He watched the blood drip to the floor.
Leo witnessed Donnie punching the wall and his heart sank. His feeling ran the same as his. "Donnie you did your best." He said; placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. Don glared at Leo. "How is Raphael dead doing my best? Tell me? Doing my best would mean that he is still alive which he isn't!" Don yelled; perhaps a little too loudly. "We would still have our brother. I was foolish to think that one dose was enough." Tears streamed down his face. Leo pulled his younger brother into a hug. "I know Don." Leo's shoulder became wet with tears.
Michelangelo watched from the couch. His eyes hadn't been dry since Leo told them. The lair isn't the same without Raphael chasing him; without him sitting at the kitchen table feeding Spike. Spike became reclusive; barely eating his leaf. Mikey held Spike in his lap; his way of keeping his older brother close. "I know Spike. I miss him too. I miss him chasing me cause I pranked him again." Tears fell from his eyes; splashing off of Spike's shell.
Splinter watched his sons mourn the loss of their brother in their own ways. Mikey kept Spike close while Leo and Donnie comforted each other. He walked over to the shelf where he kept the picture of Tang Shen and Miwa. Tears spilled from his eyes as he sent up silent prayers to his beloved wife. "Please Tang Shen, watch over my son and guide him to peace." Splinter turned and headed towards his remaining sons. "My sons; let us not mourn Raphael but celebrate his life. We will discuss burial arrangements later." He embraced his sons. He has once again lost a part of his family. Grief painfully gripped his heart. The small family made their way to the couch.
"I'm sorry Sensei. Donatello said barely above a whisper. "And why is that my son? You have done nothing wrong." Don clenched his fists. "My son, you did everything you could to save you brother. This is something that we all feared would happen one day. I prayed it never would." Splinter tried reassuring his son. "No Sensei, I failed. I should have been able to save him. It was a simple venom. This happened before and I saved him then. Why didn't I see it sooner? All the signs were there. It's all my fault!" Donnie shouted, crying into his hands. "My son, there is something that you must understand. We are ninjas and as ninjas we face danger everyday. And unfortunately that includes death from any source. It is a harsh reality." Donnie choked another sob. "I just can't help but to feel responsible." Leo looked solemnly at his younger brother.
"Donnie, we all feel same. I am the leader and assuring the safety of my brothers is my responsibility. I was there when he was bit. I watched as the venom started coursing through his body. I could do no more than keep Fishface away from him while Mikey kept him awake. If anything; I failed as a leader."
"And what about me? I comforted him as we waited for Donnie to arrive. You didn't see the pained look in his face; didn't watch as he got worse. I couldn't do anything more than hold his hand and keep him awake. I felt useless. As I watched, I remembered the first time this happened and how we nearly lost him them." Mikey sniffed; still holding Spike.
"Yeah and we didn't have the resources then. I feared this would happen so I started keeping antidotes on hand." Don replied. Leo sat in silence, losing the want to even watch Space Heroes. It's not the same without Raphael making fun of the show. Splinter eyes each of his with a pained expression. This day is one he hoped to never have to face. However, such is the risk of allowing his sons to venture topside. As they all comforted each, footsteps echoed down the tunnel as April entered. She was not aware of the recent set of events.
"Hey guys what's up?" When she didn't receive the normal response; she stood puzzled. "Um guys is everything ok?" Donnie couldn't even to look at April for fear of disappointment. April walked in front of the guys. She noticed their tear stained faces. Splinter sat between his sons, tears still ran freely down his face. "Sensei, why is everyone crying and where is Raph?" At the mention of is name, a new cascade of tears fell. Still confused, April didn't know what was going on. "Can someone please tell me what is going on?" Leonardo stifled another sob before standing.
"April, we recently had a fight with Fishface in which Raphael was bitten on the shoulder and poisoned. Unfortunately, Raph doesn't react well to venom. Donatello gave him an antidote but the venom proved stronger. We lost Raphael last night. I was with him during his final moments." April stood shocked. She was prepared to hear that news. Her knees became jello and buckled. Donnie jumped up to catch her before she fell. "I'm so sorry guys." Don held April as she cried into his shoulder.