Chapter 9
"Master Splinter, Master Splinter. Raph says that there are monsters in the closet." cried a five year old Mikey running over to Master Splinter, who was reading a book in the corner of the living room. Master Splinter looked up and smiled. He scooped the little turtle up in his arms and placed him on his lap.
"Raphael was just trying to scare you my son. There is nothing to be afraid of in the closet." Mikey looked up at him with wide bright eyes.
"Really?" Master Splinter nodded.
"Really." Mikey smiled and that caused Master Splinter to smile. As the two sat there in the lamp's light, Mikey couldn't help but smile.
"What is so funny my son?"
asked Master Splinter curious of what his youngest son was thinking
of.
"Well, if Raph says that there are monsters in the
closet and he thinks I'm going to believe him, he's stupider than
me." This comment caused Master Splinter to laugh out loud and
pat his youngest on the back.
"I must admit my son, out of
all your brothers, you are the one who knows how to get a chuckle out
of this old rat." Mikey gave Master Splinter a huge grin.
"What
can I say, I'm just special like that."
A loud crash of thunder snapped Master Splinter out of his dream filled slumber. He looked around the living room and realized that his sons had still not returned. He shook his head and stared down at a comic book that Mikey had carelessly left out in the training arena. Master Splinter shook his head. He couldn't understand what his youngest seen in these cartoon drawings of superheros and villians. From what Master Splinter understood, comics were all the rage above ground. Master Splinter smiled just thinking about his youngest son but soon frowned when he realized that his brothers had not come home with him yet. Master Splinter placed the comic book on the table beside him and slowly stood up. He grabbed his walking stick and made his way over to the lair's entrance. It had been over five hours since his sons had left to find their brother and it was starting to worry Master Splinter. Just as he was about to go in search of his sons, he heard a comotion outside. Hoping it was his sons returning, he quickly opened the door and waited for his sons to enter. Master Splinter was relieved when Donatello came walking in but was worried when Leonardo came walking in with his left arm all bandaged up.
"Leonardo what..." but
before he could ask his oldest son what happened to his arm, Raph
came walking into the room with a battered and bruised Mikey in his
arms.
"Michaelangelo!" he cried moving to Mikey's still
form. Raph stopped in mid step and allowed Master Splinter to examine
Mikey's injuries.
"Don's getting the lab ready"
was all Raph said. Master Splinter looked up and noticed how defeated
his son looked.
"My son, you have managed to bring your
brother home and yet you act as if you have lost him." Raph
looked down at Master Splinter and tried to hide the fear in his
voice.
"Don said that he wasn't sure if Mikey would survive the night." Master Splinter was caught off guard. He wasn't expecting things to be that bad. Before he could question his second oldest son, Donatello came running back into the living room.
"Raph, the lab is all set up. We need to get Mikey in there now!" Raph nodded and followed Don back into the lab leaving Master Splinter and Leo alone to their thoughts. As the door closed to the lab, Master Splinter turned to face Leo. It was then that he noticed how pale he had become.
"Leonardo what is the matter?"
he asked placing a furry hand on Leo's shoulder. Leo remained silent
and Master Splinter escorted him over to a chair. He motioned for him
to sit in a beat up brown lazyboy recliner and Leo did as he was
told. Master Splinter then went to the kitchen and made some tea.
While he was waiting for the water to boil, Master Splinter kept
peering into the living room to make sure that Leo hadn't disappeared
to his room. He was relieved to see him sitting in the same chair
that he was told to sit in. When the water was ready, Master Splinter
placed two teabags and two cups on a tray and brought them into the
living room. He set the tray down and began to pour the hot water.
When the tea was ready, he offered Leo a cup.
"Drink this my
son. It will come your nerves." Leo looked at the glass
suspiciously. Master Splinter chuckled.
"Do not worry. I didn't place anything in your tea." Leo looked at him for a moment before taking the glass out of the old rat's hands.
"Thank you sensei." he said bringing the cup to his lips and taking a sip. As he brought the cup down, Leo groaned in pain as his arm began to hurt. Master Splinter looked at him concerned.
"What happened to your arm?" he asked placing a paw on the wound and observing it. Leo sighed.
"Shredder took Mikey hostage. There was no way that I was going to let him hurt Mikey." Master Splinter nodded his head to show that he understood. Leo placed his head in his hands and began to sob.
"I can't believe that I let this happen to Mikey." he said. Master Splinter looked at him with understanding and sympathy.
"It is not your fault Leonardo. If
anyone is to blame then it is the Shredder." Leo shook his
head.
"No! It's my fault. Mikey wasn't to keen about going
topside and I should have listened to him." For once, Master
Splinter was at a loss for words. It was hard watching his oldest son
beat himself up about something that had happened with which no one
had any control. Master Splinter remained silent and went back to his
rocking chair. There the two remained in an uncomfortable silence.
Three hours later, the lab door opened causing both Leo and Master
Splinter to jump. Appearing from the doorway, was a very tired and
exhausted Don and Raph. Don looked the worst because he had on a
blood stained apron and gloves. Leo quickly jumped up and ran over to
his two brothers.
"How's Mikey?" he asked
grabbing Don's shoulders. Don gasped and looked away. Leo's concern
grew worse.
"Donnie..." Don slowly turned to face his
older brother and avoided any and all eye contact.
"I...did
everything I could Leo but..."
"But what?" By now tears were starting to form in Don's eyes and Leo began to catch on.
"Is Mikey..."
"No!
He's not dead...it's just that..." Don hesitated.
"Just what?" Asked Leo gently squeezing Don's shoulders.
"Right now, I don't think he will make it through the night." Leo gasped and released Don from his grasp.
"Not make it...through the night?!" he said in disbelief. Don shook his head.
"The odds of him surviving are 1 to a million." Leo stared at him in shock. Master Splinter gasped and had to use a table to balance himself. Raph quickly moved to his father's side and helped him to steady. Leo just stared at Don for a moment before clenching his fist. Gathering up his strength, Leo stood up straight and started to make his way to the lab. No one tried to stop him because they knew it was pointless. As they watched Leo disppear into the lab, they all held their breath...hoping for a miracle because tonight...they were going to need it.
To Be Continued...
A/N: Hey there. Sorry about the wait and I hope chapter 9 was good. Sorry about the chapter mix up. Now, the memories and family scenes will be in chapter 10. I promise.
