CH.7: Unnatural science

Donatello found time moving slower than it had since he was first brought in. His one eye was still sealed shut and given he had no medical attention most of his wounds were kind of staling over. His body was starting to get sluggish and even with the food it was not enough to make him crash to the floor and catch a fever. Something about that last time he saw Davison with that mutant boy…it didn't sit well with him. Had he done something to endanger his life?

"Donatello, so good of you to be awake, I was beginning to worry." Davison stood before the bars and Donatello wanted to shout at him. But…what good would that do? He got up slowly as he felt his knees quake.

"No need…I am not out of this yet. So…more fun with electricity?" Donatello tries to smile but it comes off with a struggle as he has lost much of the energy to keep up with his energy.

"Well…sort of, just, I do not wish to spoil any of the fun. Come on…I believe you have earned a rest." Donatello watches the bars swing out and he is led out by several of the children. Their faces were masks that he could not read and he found himself relying on their support.

"A rest, so, what have I been doing on that cot now?" Donatello queried as he could see the lab up ahead.

"You have been put through the ringer and back, so, you have needed time to recharge as it were." Davison seemed to enjoy that little poke at his suffering, no doubt finding humor in it. This was nothing like Mikey's jokes, even if they got annoying…they at least were not this rude.

"I believe humor is lost on me, give me time though…it may come back." Donatello found the lab was a bit different. However upon closer inspection he notices that many of the children were strapped to tables and the hum of a machine makes it clear just the amount of danger present.

"Welcome to the show Donatello. After our last encounter I realized that there was no way to convince you to turn willingly, well, not without some persuasion. My children, my pupils will gladly lay their lives down for me. You would do the same if your Master was still alive correct?" Davison was encroaching upon dangerous territory and Donatello tightened his hand into a fist.

"This is…monstrous, insane, you plan on killing all of these kids to make a point? They are innocent in all of this…they do not deserve-."

"All of them here…know what they are doing. They are not blind to who I am…what I represent. My ideals, my beliefs…they are theirs. How can you look upon humanity with those eyes when they fear change, when they fear mutants such as yourself? Do you think that they will ever embrace you or accept you into society?" Davison was pointedly making remarks that Donatello had lived with all his life…and…darn it all if this had not gone just a bit far.

"Unstrap them…I will do as you say, just, leave them out of this!" He moves forward but Davison sends a fist into his chest sending him crumpling down.

"Oh no, not quite yet…though I appreciate your willingness, even if it took this to sway you. I believe a demonstration is in order." He makes a gesture as he does and Donatello finds the boy from before…the one he had talked to.

"You sick-." Donatello wished he had his weapon on him but that wasn't an option now. He was on his knees and suddenly he receives a downward strike sending him down to the ground again. Soon he is facing forward so he cannot look away. His one eye yearned to close but that wasn't even allowed.

"Right now my machine, my invention is unrefined, and as such it does not bolster enough to bring me the results I desire. I will show you where it is right now…maybe then you will be able to make the improvements I know you can." Davison walks over to the machine and as he pushes a few buttons and turns a few vials certain chemicals begin to mix and work along into the iv on the kid.

Donatello felt a single tear roll down his cheek and his voice was lost in that moment, the scene too horrendous to even speak of, let alone describe. The child looked at him the entire time and part of Donatello died there…and…some part of him was filled with a rage unwarranted for any ninja to feel.

April, Leo, Karai, Raph, Mona Lisa, Mikey…all of them were set to move out. It was an operation the likes of which had not been seen since the invasion. All of them were fighters for protecting this Earth and ensuring that it did not sink into oblivion. April checked her weapons as they hung out in the sewers prepping a bit before leaving.

April could see Raph and Mona Lisa sharing a moment nearby. The two of them so close and honestly it made her a bit jealous. Leo and Karai were still distant as neither knew how to broach the subject of what they were to one another. The same as her and Donnie. April lets out a sigh and knows she has to settle some unfinished business.

"Guys I will meet you at the rendezvous point we talked about, I have something I need to do. We are going to rescue Donnie…he is coming home." April looks to each and everyone one of them making sure that she meets their eyes, gives them hope.

"Right, we'll meet you there April. C'mon guys…we'd better hurry before Donatello manages to get himself out of this situation." Leo leads them out and April waits a bit until the sewers is empty. Reaching for her phone she gives a call and after that it is all a matter of waiting.

A little time passes, not a lot, but enough to get her worried she was wasting her time. Suddenly she spotted him and she rose up slowly and doing her best to compose herself. "I didn't think you would show."

"Didn't think I should Red, but, can't stay mad at you. So, mounting a rescue mission for Donatello huh?" He kicks at an invisible spot on the ground and she rubs at her arm.

"Yeah, and, we could always use one more person to help us out. I'm sorry about where this puts you…and…"

April sniffed a bit feeling the beginning of tears to fall down her cheeks. Casey was there before her and before she can protest he pulls her into a hug.

"Nah, it is all good. I was a jerk. Listen…Donatello, he was on the scene long before me and I can see how much he means to you. I have to man it up and accept things for what they are. You deserve to be happy Red…and no matter what I am not going anywhere. So, no more tears, and let us bring him back safely right?"

April had no idea where this mature side of him came from, and, honestly she did not wish to question it. Hugging him back she knew that time was wasting and her heart was resolved to see this through to the end. Perhaps some part of Casey would always love her, and, she could handle that…so long as he did not impose or feel that her heart was misplaced in being placed in Donnie's hands.

Donatello hated himself for how low he had sunk. After having seen what he had…there was nothing left for him to resist. Davison had won. The children were all in danger and it didn't matter how many of them he…he…disposed of, long as he got what he wanted their sacrifice meant nothing. Donatello sat before the machine trying to remember all he knew about science and hoping nothing was too scrambled from those machines.

"How long do you think this will take?" Davison was growing antsy and hovering over his shoulder making him aware of the monster and his plan for the city, no, the world.

"Well…things like this take time; Rome was not built in a day after all. Try and remember one wrong move and this all blows up and all you will be left with is green ooze all over your floor, and in your hair." Donatello smirks seeing Davison reach for his head.

"That will not be the only thing on the floor…oozing green turtle, I mean, Donatello. I expect results and if I even think for a second you are deceiving me…these lives will be forfeited as well. I aim for a new tomorrow…and…while I would not wish it, if it comes down to it there will be others like you out there-."

"Right…and here I thought I was special," Donatello continues working knowing that Davison retreats which eases some of the tension. He had been dawdling do all he could to stall this work of disaster, still, the moment Davison caught on he would be one dead turtle. He could only hope that April had gotten a location and was coming. Still…part of him did not want her to come as he had made it clear he was alright with her moving on.

The machine was humming, for the most part, and those children were still plugged into machines. There were only a few that were not in there just so they could keep an eye on him or better yet keep the place secure in case anyone showed up. How much did Davison suspect? Donatello furrowed a brow as he stroked his chin, his one good eye trailing over data pouring from the machine.

His body was weary and as he reached for a glass of water he actually knocked it down. His reflexes were not as sharp as they usually were so as he watched the bottle fall he barely caught sight of the small hand that grasped it before it hit the ground. Donatello watches as the small child holds it out for him and he gratefully accepts it.

"Thanks, um, I appreciate it. So…penny for your thoughts." Donatello takes a few sips before setting the bottle down.

"Penny…I do not have one on me," Donatello sighs feeling like Davison had only taught them so much.

"It is an expression, you know, forget about it. Look, does any part of you feel this is right? Do you really want others to be like you?" He tapped a few controls and felt like he was going in the right direction. The process was coming along but not fast enough where Davison would go skipping into the world ready to take over.

"He is our Master, our Father…he has taught us all we know. But…he…" Donatello could tell the strain, the mental practice of containing emotions as the boy struggles to shed a tear for his fallen brother. It pains him to see this so he reaches out and pulls him to him hugging him to his body.

"It is alright to feel sadness, and, even if you do not shed a tear that emotion is something that cannot be hidden. If there are others who feel the same way you do, listen up, cause I have a plan. If you decide to tell your leader, I will not hold it against you. Still…I may be able to reverse the process Davison has put on all of you."

And so he confers with him, not knowing if this would work or not. He had done all he could on his end in stalling Davison, however, that might not be enough in the end. So this is why he was hoping April and the others got here before then.

Authors note: Next chapter it all comes down to one final confrontation and Apritello fans better brace yourselves for what comes next. Final chapter maybe coming up.