Donatello entered the room just as Mikey wiped away some of his tears. Sitting down next to him, Don checked Raph's injuries. "I saw Raph in my dreams Donnie." Don merely nodded; not really paying attention. "He told me that everything will be alright." Mikey said; trying to sound light hearted, just as Raph told him to do. Don turned his attention to Mikey. "No Michelangelo; everything is NOT alright. How can you say that? Our brother is dying and I can't do a single damn thing to save him. He is getting worse by the hour. I suspect he only has a few more days; at best. You're sitting with a smile on your face when I am just trying to keep our brother alive and still trying to figure out what happened. So no Mikey, everything is not alright!" Donatello half shouted. Mikey's face fell. He wished Raph would just wake up and tell him that everything is alright. "Sorry Donnie, just trying to lighten the mood like Raphie said to." Don lowered his eyes and placed a hand on Mikey's shoulder. "I didn't mean to yell. It's just that this is very stressful and it's getting to the best of us. I feel like I have failed. I can't even save my own brother let alone remember what happened that put him in this situation. And what do you mean 'Like Raph said to do?'" Mikey smiled a bit.
"Raphie boy told me in my dream to keep my head up and be me and that everything will alright in the end; that we just need to get past this. I saw him Donnie and he wasn't hurt at all; no blood or anything. Just like he was right before we went to bed. I want to see him like that again Don." Tears spilled from his eyes. "Please Donnie; I don't like seeing our big bro hurt like this. Why is it always him? Why does he always have to get hurt?" Don enveloped Mikey in his arms.
"Because Mikey, he is the protector of the family. Leo doesn't like to admit it but he is. I don't like him in the role either but there really is nothing we can do about it. Raphael has made the decision to protect us at all costs; including his life." Don placed a hand on Raphael's forehead. He hated it as much as Mikey does, seeing his strong brother in such a state. Part of him wished that he could trade spots. "Why don't get some rest Mikey? You need it. It's my turn anyway." Mikey wanted to argue; however, something told him to let Don have his turn. Maybe Raph planned on doing the same thing with him. At the thought of his brother, he gave a sad smile. "Night Donnie; take care of Raphie." Mikey headed for his room although sleep wouldn't come so easily to the youngest turtle.
Donatello moved to the same spot Mikey had been sitting at. He sadly looked at his brother. Don silently prayed that all signs were wrong and Raph would indeed survive. The expression on Raphael's face remained peaceful and unchanged. The only indication he still lived is the steady rise and fall of his chest. Of all his brothers, Don felt the greatest burden to keep them alive. But as ninja; he knew that one day, not all of them will make it home. Raphael stumbled forward as the bo-staff caught him on the side of his head. His vision blacked out for a few brief moments. Hearing the whoosh of an incoming strike, he was unable to roll away in time. The strike caught him right on the ribs. His ribs made a sickening crunch as they broke. Instant sharp pain filled his body as he clutched his side. Spitting up some blood, he begged for his brother to snap out of it. "Come on Don, I know yer stronger than this." Raph wiped the blood away dripping from the corner of his mouth. Using his sai, he painfully heaved himself off the floor and faced his younger brother. Dodging to left, he heard the whack of bo-staff off the stone floor. Raphael painfully breathed thru broken ribs. A wave of nausea and dizziness slammed into him as he slipped on the floor. His shell landed hard and black spots clouded his vision. Blood trailed behind him as he crawled away from his advancing brothers. Each had their weapon drawn with his blood dripping off them. Leonardo moved to the front with his katana pointed directly at Raphael's plastron. Raphael stared in the blank eyes of his brothers. "I'm sorry," was all he said he before the katana plunged deep in his plastron. Raphael lay still as the katana was pulled free from his lifeless body. "How do you like it Donatello?" Don spun around to the shadowy figure behind him. Confusion spread across his face. "Confused are we? Let me explain. You Donatello had a hand in killing your brother." The figure moved directly in front of him. Donatello stood shocked. "No, that can't be true. I could never attack my own brother." The dark figure laughed; moving to the side. "Oh but you did Donatello. Just look." The shadow figure gestured to Raphael's prone form. Blood pooled under him. "Isn't it wonderful to have your revenge for all the times he has poked fun at your intelligence. For all the times he has woken you up at all hours of the night to stitch him up. Never letting you have a rest. His just dessert for the many times he rushed into battle; knowing you'd be there to fix him up; always taking advantage." Donatello refused to believe what he is seeing is the truth. "NO, I would never do that. I know he's like that. I just want to make sure he is alright. I would never withhold treatment from any of my brothers." He shouted back that figure. "Oh but this time you did. You waited till the morning. So tell me; wasn't it a nice feeling letting him suffer?" The figure let out a deep laugh. Don clenched his fists. "I demand to know who you are that you think you can do this to my family." The figure stepped into full view. "I AM YOU. The part of you that stays hidden but wants out; behold the truth Donatello." Hot breath slammed into his face like from the fiery pits of hell. Don stood shaking. This isn't real, this isn't happening? He didn't do this. The figure came into full view. Standing directly in front is his evil half with glowing red eyes. "You are NOT part of me. I will not let you do this!" Dark Donatello only laughed. "But I already have, in my hands I hold a red string. This represents Raphael's life; as long as it remains in one piece, he lives but once it is cut; he dies. So choose wisely Donatello; will you see the truth?" Dark Donatello disappeared into thin air; laughing. Donatello shot up; breathing heavily. "Did I really attack my own brother?" Don brought his knees up to his chest and rested his head on top of his kneecaps. The nightmare felt all too real. Tears fell from his closed eyes. He couldn't bear to even glance upon his older brother.