A/N So here is the first chapter of a new arc I've been working on. Don't worry Raphril fans I am still steadily working on "Love or Blood." This is just a more chill fic that I've been writing mostly just for fun (well I write the other stuff for fun too, but they have way more effort put into them). This is rated T mostly for later chapters when things start to get a little dark. Also I know the pacing is a bit rushed in the first couple of chapters, but that's just cause I was excited to get to the meat and didn't feel like going super hardcore on establishing setting. Anyways, please R&R and let me know what you think!
Also as always I do not own anything, but I am still eternally grateful for the existence of TMNT.
Threads
I.
"I still don't get why we're here." Raphael grumbled as he followed his brothers and April through the museum halls.
Donatello turned around, "Because Raphael I – We want to help April with her research project!"
Even though Raphael could not see it, he knew under that thick purple scarf and black hoodie his brother was blushing at his verbal slip. "And that requires all of us because…?"
Leonardo stopped beside a display of medieval armor and shot Raphael an irritated look, "It wouldn't kill you to try and learn something once in a while."
Michelangelo came to Raphael's defense, "Yeah but why does it have to be so darn itchy! Man I hate clothes!"
Raphael jumped at the opportunity, "How about Mikey and I just go grab a slice and –"
He was cut off by Michelangelo's squeal of delight, "Oh My God! Is that a whole exhibit devoted to comic books?!"
April barely had the words out before Michelangelo tore to the display, "Yeah it's a display devoted to the evolution of modern popular culture."
With Michelangelo's departure, Raphael had lost his last opportunity of escape. He admitted defeat, but inwardly continued to gripe as their party continued through the exhibits. After about an hour Raphael despite himself was appreciating some of the displays. They were now in the Ancient South American section of the museum and he was reading a plaque on Cortez's invasion when suddenly they were plunged into darkness.
Instantly, the ninjas were battle-ready using their ears to guide them across the gallery to where a clear disturbance was heard. There was enough light from the overheard windows for Raphael and the others to see half a dozen individuals crowded around what appeared to be a giant stone table. When Raphael saw four of the larger individuals pick up the artifact he sniped, "Hey look guys, I think they want a souvenir."
He took a menacing step forward spinning his sai, "Good thing I'm feeling generous."
Before he even heard Leonardo's usual protests, Raphael began his dash to the nearest thug. He was met by a metal canister hitting his plastron. It immediately hissed releasing a gas that burned Raphael's eyes. Through his tears he now realized they all had gas masks. He started to cough and was only irritated further by the sound of Donatello's voice, "Leo! That's tear gas we need to get to clean air!"
Raphael now found himself wheezing and felt a pair of his brother's hands pulling him out of the cloud. He continued to allow himself to be guided by their grip and was all too relieved when he found himself breathing in the cool night air. Shortly thereafter his vision cleared although his eyes still felt raw. He saw his youngest brother's blue eyes first, "You ok Raph?"
Raphael straightened himself, "Yeah. I just got a few breaths of the stuff."
Leonardo rolled his eyes at Raphael, but refrained from one of his comments, "Good. Let's hit the rooftops and see if we can catch up to them. April can you stick around and find out more about what they stole?"
She nodded, "I'm on it Leo," and dashed back inside the museum. The brothers quickly ascended to the skyline and searched for signs of movement. After a moment Donatello called, "Guys over there!"
The brothers crowded to where their brother was pointing and saw a few figures still wearing their masks pile into a truck. It only took one guess for Raphael to conclude the artifact was stored in the trailer that was hitched to the truck. When the thieves pulled out onto the streets, they were unaware of the four green shadows pursuing them from up above.
They managed to keep track of the truck until it pulled into one of the warehouses by the docks. The turtles hid in the darkness and watched the men unload the trailer and enter the warehouse. Leonardo spoke first, "Ok guys let's get a closer look inside before we make our move. I want to see what we're up against."
The turtles nodded in consent and made their way to the warehouse roof. Michelangelo quipped as they moved, "Why is it that the bad guys always choose giant warehouses by the docks? Like seriously you'd think the cops would have noticed the trend by now?"
Leonardo hissed, "Shhh Mikey!"
Michelangelo lowered his voice, but continued, "I'm just saying bro that the cops should maybe pay more attention to these things."
Raphael replied in a whispered snap, "Well if you're so concerned why don't you write them a freaking letter?"
Leonardo glared at them, "Guys. Be. Quiet!"
Michelangelo stuck his tongue out at Raphael and continued his ascent of the warehouse unperturbed by the daggers his brother was shooting at his youngest brother's shell. Finally, the turtles positioned themselves around a window and looked down.
Below was a large and predominately empty space. All activity appeared to be centered on one individual dressed in a red robe. He was directing his cronies and smiled when they placed the table in the middle of an intricate mural on the floor. Raphael examined it and thought it looked very similar to some of the Aztec stuff he'd been looking at earlier. Obviously whoever painted this had taken great pains to provide the intricate detail in the design. Once the table was in place, Raphael saw the man pull out a brush and began painting a matching design on the stone. Leonardo broke into his thoughts, "Ok Donnie what's he doing?"
Michelangelo interrupted Donatello, "Looks like some creepy cult ritual to me dudes."
Donatello sighed, "I actually agree with Mikey Leo. It does look like he's preparing for some kind of ceremony and that's his altar. For what? I don't know."
Raphael responded, "The designs are Aztec."
Donatello nodded, "Yeah you're right Raph. They're like the ones in the museum."
Leonardo continued, "So we can probably assume they are not with The Foot or Dragons."
Raphael cracked his knuckles, "Independent agents. Doesn't matter they're still going to get their butts kicked!"
Leonardo groaned as Raphael pummeled through the glass and landed on the warehouse floor, "Raph! Ok let's make this quick!"
Raphael's brothers joined him on the floor. The man in the robe looked up from where he had finished the drawing. "Stop them! Now that the images are set the rites must be completed!"
The man then began to chant in a foreign tongue, but Raphael ignored him as he punched one of his attackers in the gut. The brothers were outnumbered, but without their masks and tear gas the humans were far less of a threat. Raphael knew it was only a matter of time before the turtles claimed their victory.
Each turtle now only had one opponent left and as Raphael circled the behemoth in front of him he noticed how stagnant the air in the warehouse had become. He looked beyond his attacker's shoulder and saw the hooded man raise a knife in the air. It was in that brief moment of shock and distraction that the hulk of a man before him blocked the turtle's sai, grabbed his arm, and sent him flying over his back. The force sent Raphael flying onto the altar just in time for the hooded man to plunge the knife into Raphael's shoulder. Apparently this wasn't the man's intended target because he screamed in fury at the turtle whose shoulder got in the man's hand, "NO! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?"
Raphael sat up as his blood poured onto the diagrams beneath him and was preparing to punch the lunatic before him when something blocked his fist. It was like he had hit a wall. Raphael stood up and tried to feel a way out but he was surrounded by an invisible barrier. This barrier was apparently expanding since he saw the now sobbing man get pushed out of the mural. As soon as the man's body left the design, Raphael saw his blood on the alter glow. He looked at in curiosity to see a train of light travel up the red liquid before diving into his wound.
It felt as if every cell in his body was suddenly in absolute euphoria. Raphael had never felt as good as he did right then. It was better than the first time he tried pizza. Better than beating one of his brothers in a sparring match. Better than anything he had experienced. Then, right when he thought he had died and gone to heaven it was over. Raphael did not remember when he closed his eyes but he saw his brothers now in front of him looked quite amused. Leonardo spoke first, "Uh what's with the dopey grin Raph?"
Michelangelo had obviously been holding it in when he finally cracked, "Dude that was amazing! You were just standing there smiling and holding out your arms and you were humming!"
Raphael, suddenly embarrassed, jumped from the altar and looked around to see all the goons down for the count, "Uh how long was I like that?"
Donatello was giggling too, "Oh a good five minutes I'd say."
Leonardo also jabbed, "Did you just get tired of the battle and go to your happy place?"
Michelangelo roared, "Is it filled with unicorns and kitties?"
Raphael noticed the sobbing lump of flesh a few feet away and attempted escape from his brothers' ribbing. He strode away and snarled, "Shut up." He then lightly kicked the man, "What's his story anyway?"
The man had pulled down his hood to reveal a shaved head and blood-shot brown eyes. He glared at Raphael, "How dare you! After years of searching you waltz in and steal my prize! It was my birth right! My destiny!"
Raphael raised an eye ridge, "Uhhh riiiight…" he turned to his brothers, "You guys call the cops yet?"
Donatello nodded, "I took care of it when you were in your special place!"
His two younger brothers choked in laughter, but Leonardo was looking at the man with a thoughtful expression, "What do you mean he stole it? What did Raphael take exactly?"
Apparently the man was too far gone though and was now lost in mutterings, "To a turtle…. Why? A life time… A life time… All gone…"
Raphael grabbed Leonardo by the shoulder, "Don't worry Leo I'm totally fine! Don't let the whack job get to ya!"
Leonardo didn't seem convinced, "But…"
Sirens broke through the night. Raphael ran after Michelangelo and Donatello, "Relax Leo everything's fine!"
Leonardo finally raced after his brother. Raphael grinned at his older brother in assurance, but Leonardo did not return his smile.
They returned to the lair to find their Sensei watching the evening news, "And although the police have yet to release the identities or motives of the thieves they are assuring the public that they have been apprehended and the artifact has been reclaimed. More information will be released as the investigation continues. In other local news…"
Michelangelo whooped, "Hear that guys? We just solved our first big art heist!"
Donatello corrected, "Well technically we didn't solve anything Mikey. We saw who took the artifact and it wasn't art it was an altar."
Master Splinter turned to address the turtles, "My sons, it sounds as though you had an eventful evening?"
Michelangelo was not deterred by Donatello's remarks, "Shell yeah Sensei! Ok so we were at the museum right? Then the lights turned off and we were all ready for action but then they sprayed this gas at us and thought they got away but we totally followed them and found their fortress of evil!"
Donatello groaned, "It was a warehouse Michelangelo."
The orange-clad turtle shrugged, "Anyway their leader guy was totally looney, but Raph still kicked his butt and then get this – Raph like went to his happy place Sensei! He had the dopiest grin on his face!"
Master Splinter shook his head, "Leonardo can you please elaborate on Michelangelo's tale – without the commentary?"
Leonardo obeyed, "Well we did encounter them at the museum and they did get out with the altar Sensei since they filled the place with tear gas. We also did manage to follow them to the warehouse and during the battle Raph did get flipped onto the altar that this cloaked guy was doing… something on. I didn't see the details though because I was busy with Raph's attacker after he downed Raph. The next thing I knew, the cloaked man was outside of this mural and I figured Raph had taken him out. But Mikey's right he did look kind of strange…"
Raphael interjected, "I didn't touch him Leo! The guy stabbed me and then somehow got pushed out of the way!"
Leonardo looked confused and concerned, "You got stabbed!? Where?"
Raphael rolled his eyes, "It's no big deal Leo it was just in my… shoulder…" Raphael looked at where the knife wound should have been but there was no sign of injury, "Wait I could have sworn he stabbed me…"
Michelangelo laughed, "Dude maybe you hit your head when you landed and that's why you were all cheery?"
Raphael still looked confused, "But I didn't hit it…"
Leonardo gave Raphael a piercing look, "Or maybe that guy did something to you!"
Raphael snapped, "I told you I'm fine Leo!"
Master Splinter pounded his staff on the ground, "Enough! Raphael, please explain what Leonardo is suggesting."
Raphael felt uncomfortable as everyone turned their attention to him, "Well I got flipped on the altar during the fight and apparently got in the way of the guy. It was weird. It looked like he was going to stab his hand, but got my shoulder instead… He kind of freaked out going on about his birthright and how I ruined it. I tried to get off the altar to… uh… knock some sense into him and I was trapped."
Splinter responded, "Trapped?"
Raphael nodded, "Like a barrier… I didn't think much about it though because suddenly I uh… I uh went to my "happy place…""
Michelangelo laughed, "See even you can't deny you were happy Raph!"
Raphael glowered at his brother, "Shut it Mikey!"
But Splinter was not finished, "What did you experience in this place?"
Raphael looked at the floor embarrassed, "I felt good."
"What do you mean?"
The interrogated turtle sighed, "Just that: I felt really really good but I'm fine Sensei! Seriously!"
Splinter frowned obviously contemplating the information that had been presented to him.
Donatello piped up, "Ah may I interject Sensei," Splinter nodded, "When we were in the museum Raphael did inhale quite a bit of the tear gas. Usually the gas just irritates mucous membranes, and the symptoms usually alleviate shortly after exposure ceases. However, that is in humans; the effects could be different in mutant turtles. Perhaps Raph experienced a residual hallucinogenic effect in the warehouse?"
Leonardo responded, "But then why did it not affect him until we were at the warehouse? It must have been a good half hour since Raph inhaled the stuff."
Donatello calmly replied, "It just so happens that it usually takes half an hour before the gas' characteristic effects begin to wear off. Raphael's experience may have been residual symptoms resulting from the final stages of his body detoxing the chemical."
Raphael gaped at his brother, "Wait a second are you saying I was high?"
Donatello grinned, "Pretty much."
Michelangelo could not stifle his delight, "Dude that's awesome! What was it like? Like I know it was good but like how good? Like getting a new comic good? Oh or beating your high score good? Dude was it better than pizza?"
Splinter snapped, "Enough Michelangelo! Donatello your explanation is sound, but would you mind examining your brother to confirm?"
Donatello nodded and Raphael moaned, "But Sensei…"
Master Splinter silenced his son with a look, "Raphael, you will let Donatello examine you. In the meantime, I wish to meditate on the information you have all given me tonight."
Their Sensei departed to his room and Michelangelo proceeded to gaze curiously at his sai-wielding brother Raphael rolled his eyes, "Yes Mikey, it was better than pizza."
Raphael then followed Donatello to his lab with Leonardo at his heels. Michelangelo meanwhile shook his head wearing in expression that clearly showed his offense at Raphael's blasphemy and then proceeded off to the kitchen. In the lab Raphael could not help feeling irritated that not only did he have to put up with Donatello giving him a physical, but he had to do it under Leonardo's watchful eyes. "Ever heard of privacy Leo?"
Leonardo continued to frown, "Hey if Don decides to stick a tube up your tail I'm gone, but otherwise you can deal Raph."
Raphael glared at Donatello next, "Hey don't look at me I'm just following orders and no I'm not going to be sticking any tubes up anything!"
A tense forty-five minutes later, Donatello finally finished his examination and sent Raphael out with a clean bill of health. The turtles left the lab, all too ready to get some sleep. Leonardo saw Donatello move towards their Sensei's quarters, "Where are you going Donnie?"
Donatello waved Leonardo off, "I'm just going to let Splinter know that Raph is fine. That way we all can sleep easy."
Raphael rolled his eyes at this exchange before disappearing into his room. However, before Raphael sunk into his bed he could not help but examine himself in the mirror. He rubbed his hand over where he knew the man had stabbed him. There was no scar and no pain. He shook his head and turned away inwardly chastising himself, "What am I doing? Don went over every inch of me and found nothing. Me looking in the mirror isn't going to change that… I know he said it was a hallucination… but it felt so real…"
Raphael stared up at his ceiling from his bed. Slowly he fell asleep dreaming of the taste of bliss.
