Burying his face in his father's ragged kimono, Donatello listened to the sound of his breathing and heartbeat. They weren't sure how long they stood there in the silence; minutes or perhaps seconds, but what Donatello did know was that it was definitely real. Memories of the fight between Shredder and Splinter flashed through his mind, causing him to grip even harder.
"We thought we lost you." He murmured into his father's chest.
Setting Donatello back, Splinter looked down at the young turtle's face. Even though it was dark, he could see him clearly; Donatello's eyes shone brightly in the darkness.
"Well, I thought I lost you all as well. When the Shredder threw me down the pipe,I had no idea what Oroku Saki might have done to you all." In a soft voice, Splinter said to his son.
Glancing over at April, he saw her getting up from where she had landed and then looked around the dark chamber. Noticing that there wasn't anyone else, he looked back down at Donatello. "So where are you brothers?" He asked quickly, gripping his shoulders.
"They are back at the lair. We managed to get out of the city, but then we came back. It's a long story…More importantly Sensei, how did you survive?" Donatello looked up at splinter, questioningly.
A soft chuckle escaped from Splinter as spoke. "That is a long story as well. However, I have Miwa to thank." Pointing over towards Karai, she had shifted back into her humanoid form and crossed her arms.
April gasped as she was shocked by her new look, but Karai paid no mind. Donatello eyes widen in shock and he turned away from his father to get a closer look at her.
"Incredible!" Remarking her appearance, he tried to get up closer. Stiffening, Karai shifted back and let out a warning hiss. Her glowing green eyes narrowed as she prepared to strike.
"I wouldn't do that, Donatello. It seems she lost most of her memories. The only thing she knows is that I'm her father." Warning his son, he gripped his shoulder.
"Oh okay." He replied meekly and looked back at Splinter.
"Well, Sensei I noticed the air here seems pretty clean. I guess because it's isolated. However, we should get to the lair. It's safe there." Explaining to his father, Donatello realized something. The air heading towards the lair wasn't safe to breathe, and Splinter didn't have a respirator.
Using quick thinking, Donnie pulled out his T-Phone and dialed up Mikey.
"Hello?" echoed a voice through the phone.
"Hey Mikey, there's no time to explain…but I need you and Raph to bring two respirators up to the clean water channel. I'm counting on you." Speaking swiftly, he waited for Mikey's "okay" and hung up.
"Master Splinter, wait here with Karai. April and I will be right back." Motioning towards the water, Donnie's tired voice held confidence.
Splinter's eyes brightened at the idea of being able to return home with his family. "Alright, my son. Make haste, I'm eager to be home with my family."
At his father's words, Donnie dived into the water with April following closely behind. When he hit the cool water, he suddenly remembered how fatigue he actually was. His throat still ached from where Karai had strangled him. However, his discovery was what kept him going and it fueled him as he made his way through the cold waters. Soon after, he reached the channel where his meeting point was and made his way to the surface. He had hoped the guys had already been there and were waiting. When his head broke through the surface, a sudden chill smacked him in the face as he climbed out. Turning around, he reached his arm out to help April out of the water.
"Donnie, what's the big deal?" Raph's loud voice echoed in his ear.
"Guys, you won't believe who we found! Wait right here!" Donnie exclaimed as he took the devices from them and headed back into the water.
Leaving them bewildered, Raph looked over towards April who was drenched in water.
"April, can you explain what just happened?" Watching her squeeze water from her hair, he folded his arms over his plastron.
Returning his look, her blue eyes glimmered and a smile broke out on her face. "Guys, it's Master Splinter!" failing to contain her excitement, her voice peaked upwards.
"Wha-?" Both turtles said in unison as they looked at her incredulously.
Clutching the sides of his head, Raph's mouth gaped open. "What do you mean Master Splinter? How?" Not believing what he was hearing, he threw his arms out in front of him.
Mikey's eye went wide. "But we saw what happened to him!" He began to act out the scene before the two of them, when Raph punched him to make him stop.
Not liking the hit, Mikey yelled out "Hey!" and flailed his arms around in anger.
"Guys, calm down!" April tried to get the two of them to listen to her.
Within minutes of them bumbling around the small tunnel, their moment was interrupted by splashes from the pool. Three tall figures climbed out of the pool, causing Mikey and Raph to cry out in shock. "Master Splinter!"
Both Mikey and Raph ran to their father and were pulled into a hug. "You're alive!"
Smiling softly, Splinter looked down at the two young turtles clinging to him and replied "Yes, my sons."
Minutes passed as he let his sons cling to his soaked body. However, he was eager to return home and dry off. "Come my sons, let us make haste."
Hearing their father give the order, they let go. He walked passed them with Karai slithering close behind in her serpent form.
"Woah, is that Karai?" Leaning close, Mikey whispered to Donnie.
"Uh, yeah…" Donnie replied weakly, as he their fight was fresh in his mind. "Try to keep your distance from her, for right now. She only trusts Sensei."
Nodding, Mikey understood and closely followed behind the taller turtle. Filing in line, they all made their way back to the lair. As soon as they reached the lair entrance, Donnie moved towards the front. Then opening the entrance to the lair, he motioned everyone inside, while closing the door behind him. After they all got inside, he activated a switch and the air inside the cramped room became clear within minutes. Once it was safe, Donnie opened the other door to allow everyone through.
Without a second to spare Mikey rushed out of the room and cried out "Leo, come here...you gotta see this, bro!"
Within minutes, Leo popped his head into the lab doorway. "What? Why is everyone crowded in –" and when his eyes met Master Splinter's he gasped out. Not knowing what to say, his eyes grew wide.
Seeing his other son, Splinter smiled and stroked his beard. Raising a hand, he motioned for Leo to come.
"Master Splinter!" Rushing over to his father, he had been the one that clung to him the hardest.
"I'm home, Leonardo." Chuckling softly, he patted Leo on the head.
"Hai, sensei." Leo murmured as let go of his father.
The four brothers smiled at each other and then back at Splinter. Casey had come into the lab to see what all the commotion was about. "Woah! It's Master Splinter!" Casey cried out.
"It sure is!" Raph relied as he glanced over at his friend.
Noticing a large scaly serpent behind them, Casey pointed over towards it. "Is that who I think it is?"
Leo hadn't noticed Karai standing in the back corner and he let out a gasp as she shifted back into her humanoid form. Flicking her tongue out in annoyance, Karai hissed when all eyes were on her.
"Yes, that is my daughter Miwa. She's the one who fished me out of the water and took care of me when I was injured." Master Splinter explained.
Remembering that him and the others were soaked, he walked passed Casey and motioned for everyone to follow. "Come, let's get warmed up. I want to get out of these ragged clothing." he said as the sounds of his tail dragging across the ground accompanied his voice.