A Life lost = A Life gain
Part 10 FINAL
(TMNT CC are AU based on 2003 version, the turtles are 23)
Warning (Rated: T) Disturbing Content, Foul Language, M-Preg?, Character Death,
Please Don't Read if you don't like this stuff.
Taking a steady breath, Raph stared toward the ceiling, trying not to look directly into the light that to his relief didn't flicker or buzz shrouding his current predicament into some horror movie scene.
After his nice ride he had to admit it was something new and wasn't half bad, the driver brought him to an old building that its inside interior was a far improvement compared to its outside exterior, that gave the place no justice.
Once arrived, Karai was waiting for him, holding a contract agreeing that the foot will do what she claimed the night that the deal was made; in exchange for the child, he was caring in return.
Looking over it quickly, Raph wasn't much one for such diplomacy and hoped it didn't have anything to do with turtle soup in the end.
Signing it and watching Karai sign after, she introduced Raph to the doctor, who was going to perform the surgery, whom would go through step by step on how this was going to work so there weren't any surprises for Raph.
It was a simple procedure; they wouldn't put him under, but sedate him, so he is fully aware of what is going on without the pain. Other words, they were doing a C section to gain access to the egg and avoid any damage to his body.
The only way they could perform this was going through his side since any other entry way would result in Raph having his plasteron cut. In the end, the doctor appeared to be very knowledgeable to Raph's mutant body which disturbed him slightly, after the explanation assuring him that unlike a human undergoing this surgery, he would be up and moving sooner and wouldn't be surprised he started healing right away.
Even so, Raph was still a bit concerned after the procedure, over if he would be mobile enough to get home. The doctor understanding this, wasn't worried and suggested a strong painkiller if he wanted it, warning the turtle that he will not feel the pain, however, he was best not to overexert his body, and he would have to make sure not to rip the stitches open either.
All said and done Raph just lay there feeling the man's hand opening him up; it was nerve reckoning, and he had to distract himself in order not to dwell on how unsettling this was.
To his surprise, it ended quicker than he anticipated having the doctor telling him it was over as he bandaged Raph up.
"So that's it?" Raph asked stunned, he was suspecting that monstrosity coming out of him would start something yet nothing happened.
"Yes the egg," the doctor pointed towards an incubator that held a lone egg, making Raph feel a rush of guilt as part of him began to have second thoughts. Was this the right choice?
Continuing the doctor went towards his surgical tools that were on a tray nearby, "It's very healthy, very healthy indeed… my god will be notorious in all his glory!"
Blinking at the sudden change in the doctor's demeanor, Raph wasn't sure if he was hearing things, did this guy just say his god?
Before Raph could think it through, the doctor turned around holding some ritualistic blade lunging towards Raph to stab the dagger into his chest.
Panicking and taken off guard for suddenly being attacked, with some luck on his side, he was able to fall backwards off the medical table scrambling to his feet to catch the crazy eyes of the once kind looking doctor, that was now hungry for blood.
It was like looking at some messed up version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, one second he was performing surgery and didn't show any malice, now was some psychopath wanting to drive that dagger into his heart!
"Shell, what the fuck!" Raph barked, feeling the sting of betrayal.
He should have known Karai wouldn't keep her word doing him in, once she had the opportunity. Worse, she couldn't do the dirty work herself, getting this guy to do it, keeping her blade clean of the deed.
"Your blood will give my god strength! You the father, of our god's body will be his offering!" the lunatic hysterically pointed out, grinning unnaturally.
"What are you talking about?" Raph demanded, wildly looking for something to defend himself.
"Foolish creature! Have you not felt my god's grip on you? Did he not speak to you?" the man rushed forward raising the dagger high to strike Raph once again.
With all his power, Raph held the human's hand feeling his side burning wildly over this.
His body wasn't ready for any physical activity, and it protested against it.
Locked in this struggle, no matter what the turtle did, he couldn't get the upper hand.
Raph blamed his weaken state over his surgery, yet a sinking feeling came over him that oddly this man was matching his strength and even was surpassing it.
"You fucken nutcase, I don't know what you're talking about!" Raph growled his answer.
"Your brother was the key sacrifice for our god's rebirth!" the man cooed in his madness.
The words cold and heartless, was like a sharp blade piercing his very soul, making Raph almost lose his grip over the man's arm that held the dagger.
Feeling like his world just shattered more than it was when he thought Leo's death was some enemy revenge or accident at best, Raph's eyes widened in pure terror and animosity towards this human.
"The foot was behind LEO'S DEATH!" Raph growled like a savage beast, feeling his adrenaline taking over allowing him to push with all his might forward forcing the man to smash into a nearby wall.
Unfazed by the pain he should have been enduring, the man smiled more amused by Raph's anger, making Raph wanted to slam his fist into the smug face, "The foot? Those fools had nothing to do with it! It was us, we the ones that walk in our god's light, sacrifice the blue turtle demon, in order that you the red turtle demon will give birth to our god to bring judgment onto this undeserving world!"
Overwhelmed by his locked up anger that has been building up for months, Raph roared over the ridicules ranting from this lunatic shoving his fist into the man's gut, "You bastard! Fuck you and your god, then!"
Taking the man, Raph threw him across the room with all his strength he could muster, he had to end this madness, he was sick of it all.
The dreams, the things he did, so were all this time because they killed his brother, sacrificing him to their so-called god, and he just gave birth to it!
Rushing to the incubator Raph grab a scalpel hearing the man behind him trying to stumble back to his feet, crying out for someone to help and stop Raph from killing their god.
Slamming the lid open Raph hovered over the innocent egg that deep down he knew it was vile since the beginning, raising his hand in the air.
First, though before stabbing the thing to death, Raph placed his free hand on the egg to show this abomination he was the one that was going to end this.
He was the one that was going to get revenge for his brother's death!
~Flash back?~
The lake laid before him, the one at the farm as Raph started to recall this very memory, that was all too familiar.
Wasn't this the first that went wrong spiraling him into hellish nightmares that kept plaguing him? Was this their god that was going to be born over his brother's life that was stolen?!
Advancing forward Raph didn't say hi, or call Leo's name; this wasn't Leo, and he was going to face the bastard behind it all, to tell it he was going to enjoy taking its life for his brother.
The angry turtle with no hesitation slammed his hand onto the turtle in question shoulder, only to freeze in an instant as those gray eyes fell upon his golden ones making him tremble in his wake.
They were kind filled with energy in the likes he hasn't seen since before his brother's death. No memory that he faced the pass months show so much life as they were now. It was like this wasn't a memory, but reality and his brother was alive and well.
Choking out the words that stumbled over his tongue Raph could feel the tears running down his cheeks, "Leo?"
Smiling the turtle turned around placing his hands-on Raph's face warmly, rubbing it with his thumb, "Raph do you trust me?"
Shrouded in confusion, Raph blinked wildly over the ridicules question, "Yes of course; I do!"
"Then... Live Raph! Don't let them fool you; they want you to sacrifice me..." Leo told him after that started to trail off as a horrifying expression washed over him like something was behind Raph.
"Leo what... what is wrong?" Raph attempted to look back merely to have Leo hold his head in place, in order to force Raph to face him only.
Shaking his head, tears streamed down as Raph could smell the fear rolling off of him, "Raph don't look at it! Don't acknowledge it! Don't listen to its lies. You know, deep down," Leo placed his hand on Raph's heart, "What is the truth; you have always known... that is why you hated me so much, for it scared you… That I might still be with you, and you couldn't understand how that was possible, thinking your guilt was haunting you. However, all I wanted was you to know I was here… and I never left you, not for a second…"
"Leo?" Raph started only to have his brother wrapped his arms around him holding him tightly.
"Raph listen to your heart, make the right decision! I know you can do it… Please wake up now!" Leo ordered him.
~Flash back ended~
Snapping out of his daze, Raph's hand shook that held the scalpel, as his other hand felt the egg in his confusion.
Before he could collect his thoughts, Raph caught the tail end of a blade that was aiming for the egg. With his shell, he defended it, feeling his arm flare-up in a hot pain while the blade dig deep down, catching his plastron making it crack.
On the serving side of the blade he could hear Karai gasp in her own puzzlement that Raph was protecting the egg of all things, "Raphael. Why did you do that?! That thing is their god! They murdered all my men and are going to resurrect something that will kill us all!"
Throwing a snarl at the human that also fell for the tricks, Raph glanced at the blade indicating to her to take it out of his damn arm already.
Doing so Karai took a swift look towards the doctor, she thought she could trust lying there on the floor, foaming from the mouth and his body jerking wildly having some seizure.
Even Raph took a quick look unsure what happened to him for a second ago he was some nutcase that just wouldn't give up, now was dead as his body stopped moving altogether.
Pushing that question to the side, Raph refocused back on the female ninja.
"It's not their god," Raph assured her picking up the egg, ignoring his shoulder that still hurt like hell accompanied with his side.
"Raphael we both know that thing is unnatural and..." Karai started then was interrupted by Raph as he realized she knew more than she let on.
"Karai what do you know!" Raph demanded, finding something soft to wrap the egg with to keep it warm as the human eyed it, debating what she should do, not too pleased with the idea of harming Raph in the process.
"We found out about this ritual a while back that these cultists used on both, you and your brother. They were the ones that set it up that Leo would be sacrificed before you, making you the target to be the one to give birth to their god. At first, we thought it was some sick joke until we realized you were pregnant. It's obvious that isn't possible!"
"And you believe that information? Is that why you made that deal? Why did you wait until I was close to my term? Not terminating it beforehand?" Raph asked, finding a nice sheet wrapping the fragile egg carefully as he could.
Narrowing her eyes, disgusted that Raph was coddling the thing that took Leo's life she snarled, "If we'd destroyed it before you laid it, it would have brought forth a plague like no other! So we had to wait and... and… Raphael give me that demon, so we can end this now!" Karai barked the order, coming forward only to have Raph move out of her reach.
"No! The deal is off Karai; you're not going to lay a finger on my child!" Raph snapped in anger.
"Raphael you're a fool!" the female ninja proclaimed readying herself to fight the turtle pushing aside her dislike over this action, the world's fate was in the balance.
"No Karai you're the fool to fall into their tricks! What would bring their god to this world is by killing LEO!" Raph screamed at the human.
Feeling the frustration growing of this pointless argument, Karai was about to strike down the turtle, only to suddenly freeze in her attack over Raph's next words to her, "I didn't think it at first... not wanting to believe it since it did scare me, denying what was actually going on. However, the truth was before my eyes. Every time I was upset, I kept getting flashbacks of the past. They were small reminders to support me, to help me get through whatever I was facing at the moment. It was Leo's way to communicate to me. As their god in its own way whispered into my ear, telling me to kill this child... Karai, this child isn't their god, it's Leo! They wanted us to sacrifice Leo's soul to feed their god, allowing it to take over this new body, don't you see that!"
Looking at his egg, Raph finally understood it all, "Their god probably couldn't just take anybody… That is why this went down the way it has... A life lost equals a life gain, Leo lost his life to gain another, and they wanted me to give Leo's new life to their god by killing the one I love so much."
Lowering her blade, Karai's hands shook reaching toward the small bundle, seeing that she too was looking for the truth, Raph allowed her, watching her eyes water.
Taking a step back the ninja nodded, "The deal is off Raphael, you are best to leave the city now before anyone knows you're still alive and the child as well."
"Karai?" Raph tilted his head at her unsure what she was doing.
Lowing her head in shame, Karai closed her eyes, "I was a fool to be led on as well, I now see what you mean. I don't understand how this is possible, but I do believe. Raph answer me this, how do you know their god will not force your hand later, if it has already whispered into your ear?"
Smiling Raph wasn't worried, "Easy I acknowledge Leo not that thing, so it can't touch me now. I trust Leo's words that he told me."
He knew, deep down, that was the key, what Leo was telling him. This whole time he believed this child was some abomination allowing that thing to have some power over him.
However, now that he had no doubt in his mind this was Leo, it couldn't influence him anymore, and he trusted his brother more than anything.
Nodding the ninja didn't argue, "Fine then go, and leave like I said and never return to the city if you want to keep yourself and your family safe."
"Why are you doing this Karai?" Raph had to know why she would spare him or believe him.
"I owe him. This is my way to repay a debt long due. Now go! I'm going to burn this place to the ground so no one will know the truth. There is a passage to the sewers in the basement. Take it and grab your brothers and leave and stay safe..." Karai left the room without another word.
"I see." Raph could only answer taking her advice and escaping the building underground smelling the smoke that seeped down towards the sewers. Now, as far anyone was concerned, he was dead and so was his child, giving him the opportunity to start anew and not have anyone hunting them.
2 Weeks later
Sitting there with the sun on his shell and the shade over head, Raph relaxed under the old tree at the farmhouse. It's been weeks since he came home holding the egg, claiming it as his child. Which that news did bring much joy to both Donnie and Mikey until Raph explained half the story what went down, and they had to leave.
It didn't take them long to pack up and head for the farm. Raph purposely kept the sacrifice bullshit and Leo being reborn to himself; he figured both brothers have gone through enough, to add this to the mix. It was best to leave that secret in the past and look forward to the future avoiding complications.
A future Raph was going to make sure Leo's dreams come true.
"Hey Raphie is it ready?" Mikey asked, swinging upside down on a branch with his bandana swiping over Raph's head in annoyance.
"Mikey, stop asking!" Raph huffed, staring at the egg that was protected inside his crossed legs.
Donnie did determine it would be a matter of days until the infant would hatch out of his shell and every passing moment only built the anxiety in Mikey making him more unbearable than normal.
"Well tell him or she to hurry up!" Mikey beamed poking Raph on the top of the head loving how frustrated Raph was getting.
"I told you, it's a he; the child is going to be a boy, and I can't tell it to hurry up," Raph snapped his head up growling, then focused back to the egg, talking towards it more than Mikey, "Not that I haven't asked him to…"
"I wouldn't worry Raph, she… rrr…he will hatch when he is ready," Donnie pointed out taking a seat beside Raph then rolling his eyes at Mikey was yet again monkeying around like a goofball.
"Yeah, I know Donnie… Huh?" Raph started, then paused, hearing a car coming down the dirt road towards them, making him stiffen up fearing it was someone lost or someone did figure out he wasn't dead and tracked him down.
Then to his relief he recognized the popping noises and almost laughed over how Mikey sucker Casey to use that death trap of a car.
The point Mikey brought up was that it would be perfect to use on the trips back and forth from New York to avoid suspicion.
How could you avoid noticing that noisy vehicle that had its own special way to turn heads, was beyond him.
Turning towards the house, the car stopped abruptly wheezing as it did.
April who was in the passenger's side, without a second thought rushed out for dear life gasping for air using her knees to support her.
Pointing at the rust bucket her eyes narrow in frustration, "Casey you better take the time to clean inside that thing, or I will walk back home!"
"April it's not so bad," Casey answered getting out rolling his eyes over the drama queen.
"Like hell it isn't! You had been in there too long that your sense of smell is gone! It's disgusting, are you sure nothing died in it?"
Letting out some chuckles while watching the drama unfolding the brothers became amused, it was interesting to watch those two bicker like two old married couple over the funniest and sometimes bizarre subjects.
Raph placing his hand on the egg, suddenly stopped laughing as he realized something was going on.
Flashing a look down his heart jump in joy as, he couldn't contain his excitement, "IT'S TIME!"
Stopping their argument in mid flight, Casey and April exchanged looks rushing over toward the brother as Mikey jumped from the tree leaning against Raph's shell peering over his shoulder.
"SO so?" Mikey said quickly only to have Donnie putting his hand over his mouth to stop him from pestering anymore.
The egg vibrating started to crack as a small green hand poked through and the sounds a crying came from within. Raph not sure what he should do, look towards Donnie for guidance as the young brother nodded, giving Raph permission to help the little turtle.
Carefully Raph removed the pieces one by one, making sure none capsized, placing them to the side.
In a matter of minutes, the egg was mostly taken apart, leaving a little turtle that wailed a hale storm kicking and grasping the air.
Slowly Raph gently as he could, placed one hand under the child's neck to support it and then moved his other to hold the child comfortably in his arm. Instantly the child ended its crying taking Raph's thumb to suckle on.
With a smile, Raph couldn't hold the tears as he kissed the newborn over the head lovingly.
"So what is it? A he or she?" Mikey excitedly asked, pulling Donnie's hand away to speak properly.
"A boy," Raph announced as the human friends knelt down to get a better look at the new addition to the family.
"What is his name," April asked next tickling the infant's cheek, which cooed at her in response.
His smile brightening more, knowing what they would think, but he didn't care; Raph gave his new child the name he knew was best, "Leonardo."
Fin