Warning: Contains content readers may find upsetting.

Chapter Fifty-Two

Close to you

As soon as the gang made it back into the sewers, they quickly put down the cargo and Michaelangelo shivered.

"Holy Shell..." Raphael said in a sickened voice "How...could they?"

"It reminds me of that time when Overlord was in league with Arashi..." Michaelangelo said "Him and his evil zomborgs..."

Mona went pale as she thought about the time an evil man who made cyborgs out of corpses started working for Arashi, it almost made Dr Arden's experiments look tame.

"Oh God..." she whispered "Don't remind me!"

Raphael, Donatello and Leonardo also went pale as they remembered, even though Overlord was gone, thanks to some friends and allies they made during that time, it still shook them to the core.

"This is gonna break Karai's heart..." Leonardo said in a strangled voice as he looked down at Chaplin.

"How are we gonna get all this back into the lair without Karai seeing it?" asked Michaelangelo.

"Or better yet, Pandora!" said Mona.

"Oh yes!" cried the turtles together.

"I'll call Master Splinter." said Donatello, "See if he can get the girls somewhere else without them seeing all this..."

"Good idea Don!" said Leonardo.


Meanwhile, back in the lair, Splinter was sitting on the sofa holding Pandora in his arms as she sat on his lap.

The little mutant was crying softly into his chest and the old rat stroked her head over so often.

"It is alright young one, it's is alright, it's only a film."

Pandora sniffled and hugged Splinter tighter as tears continued to fall.

Karai who was breastfeeding Kemeko looked at the DVD on the coffee table showing it to be 'The Land Before Time'

"Maybe we should have suggested another film." she said in an embarrassed voice.

Splinter nodded in agreement and continued to hold Pandora close.

"Will mummy be home soon?" Pandora sniffled.

"She will be child, she will." said Splinter softly as he stroked Pandora's back and hair and held her closer.

Karai then lowered Kemeko from her breast and placed her over her shoulder to burp her then leaned a little closer so she could help comfort Pandora.


Just then Splinter's Shell-cell rang making them all look up.

The old rat picked it up and answered it quickly.

"Hello?"

"Master Splinter!" Donatello's voice was soon heard on the other side "Is there a chance you can keep Karai, Kemeko and Pandora away from from the main entrance and my quarters?"

"Of course my son." said Splinter "But why may I ask?" his heart beat faster with panic as he thought something had happened to one of his children.

"It's really disturbing sensei." said Donatello "Too disturbing to say here, but please, just keep the girls away from the entrance, I'll bleep when it's clear, but before you panic, everyone here is okay, we're not hurt."

"Very well Donatello." said Splinter, his voice showing relief that this children weren't hurt, yet he wondered what was so distressing that he had to keep the girls away from the entrance "I'll see you soon." he then hung up.

"What is it?" asked Karai in a worried voice.

"Mummy? Daddy?" asked Pandora, her tearful eyes shining.

"Everyone is okay." said Splinter "They were calling in to say they were coming home."

"Thank goodness." said Karai.

Splinter then looked down at Pandora and wiped her tears.

"I know what will make you feel better sweetheart." he said "How about some ice cream?"

Pandora though still tearful she gave a weak smile and nodded.

"I just need to prep a few things for when my children return." said Splinter "Karai, may you escort Pandora?"

"I can yes." said Karai, holding Kemeko over her shoulder and standing up slowly before holding her hand out to Pandora who took it "Come on sweetie!" she said "Let's get some ice cream!"

Pandora wiped her eyes.

"Okay Kay-ree." she said softly and she walked with Karai and Kemeko to the kitchen.

Splinter sighed with relief and watched the entrance to the lair, after about five minutes, he saw the four turtles and Mona appear carrying the body of Chaplin in the sheet as well as the jars of organs.

"My children!" said Splinter in a loud whisper.

"My lab! Now!" Donatello hissed, motioning with his head to go to his laboratory to which everyone hurried towards.


As soon as they were inside, Splinter quickly shut the door.

"Karai, Kemeko and Pandora have gone into the kitchen." he said "Now what is it you found?"

Leonardo swallowed hard as Raphael and Michelangelo placed the body of Chaplin on the table as well as placed the jars on the counters.

"Master Splinter." he said in a strangled voice "The Foot...they...Dr Arden...he..."

Splinter looked at the jars of organs and he went pale, he then saw the sheet covered Chaplin and looked at the mutants.

"We found Dr Chaplin." said Donatello "We ventured close to the Foot HQ and we saw Dr Arden's laboratory."

"That monster was performing experiments on the corpse..." Mona spluttered again going pale.

Splinter said nothing but walked over to the body and looked at the jars, he then touched the sheet and grasping it between finger and thumb he pulled it back and he saw the bruised, pale face of Dr Chaplin.

"Dear God!" he cried.

"We couldn't leave him there Master!" cried Leonardo "We couldn't leave him there at the mercy of the Foot being subjected to those horrific experiments!"

Splinter again said nothing as he stared at the body, it was if nothing could deter him, his silence spoke of how shocked and disgusted he was at the fact that the Foot would do such despicable things.

The turtles and Mona looked at each other wondering what Splinter going to say, they didn't know if Splinter was going to berate them for venturing near the Foot HQ now with the Shredder back as they knew now that evil man had returned he was more merciless than before but seeing the body of Chaplin before him, he seemed too concerned for what to say to Karai now that her husband had been returned, with all his organs removed and in jars!

"My children..." Splinter said finally finding his voice making the mutants jump slightly "We will need to explain this to Karai...but the little ones must not come in here."

"Yes Master Splinter." said the Mutants together.
"I will ask for an explanation later." said Splinter looking at Leonardo "But in the meantime, Donatello, do what you need to do so we can arrange a funeral for Chaplin."

"Yes Sensei." said Donatello "And I'll do something about the organs..." he looked at the jars and swallowed hard.

Splinter nodded and motioned the others out of the room so Donatello would have room to work.


As soon as they came out of the Laboratory, Splinter lead them to the kitchen where Karai was standing at the kitchen holding Kemeko and looking over Pandora who was eating her ice cream, tears still rolling down her cheeks.

As soon as the mutants walked in, Pandora stopped eating her ice cream and ran over to her parents, fresh tears flowing.

"Mummy! Daddy!" she cried as she ran into the arms of Mona who scooped her arm.

"Sweetheart!" said Mona "Are you okay?"

Pandora just cried into her mother's shoulder and held her tight as if something would take her away if she let go for a second.

Raphael frowned as he stroked his daughter's hair.

"What happened?" he asked.

Splinter and Karai both looked a little embarrassed and guilty.

"Pandora watched 'The Land Before Time'" said Karai.

"It seemed that the scenes in that film made her cry." said Splinter "Despite there being a happy ending."

The turtles and Mona then realised why.

"Death of Littlefoot's mother." said Michaelangelo "That always made me cry like a baby."

"Me too." said Leonardo.

Mona smiled softly and held Pandora close.

"Awww Little Geisha." she said "It's alright, daddy and I aren't going anywhere, we're here!"

"But Littlefoot lost his mummy..." Pandora whimpered "Sharp-Tooth got her."

"That horrible Sharp-Tooth!" said Mona "But Little-Foot and his friends made it home!"

"That they did!" said Michaelangelo in a happy voice trying to help cheer up Pandora "And they finished off that nasty old Sharp-Tooth!"

Mona then looked at Michaelangelo and she gave him a look to which the youngest turtle nodded knowing what she wanted.

"How about you and Uncle Mikey have some fun together?" said Mona "It'll be almost time for your bath and bed."

Pandora looked a little hesitant as she was still upset but Michaelangelo gave her a big grin to which she giggled.

Mona then handed Pandora to Michaelangelo and the youngest turtle put her on his shoulder.

"It's the Mikey horsey!" he laughed "Giddy up!" he then galloped out of the kitchen with Pandora gigging as she rode on his shoulders cheering up slightly as she had fun with her Uncle Michelangelo.


Mona and Raphael looked at Michaelangelo in thanks then they turned to Karai and they looked worried.

Karai saw the looks on their faces and her face fell.

"What...what is it?" she asked holding Kemeko close.

Leonardo swallowed hard and walked over.

"Karai..." he said "I think you should sit down."

Karai obliged, her heart beating fast.

"What...what did you find on your patrol?" she asked.

Splinter, Raphael and Mona chewed their lips and looked at Leonardo who took another deep breath.

The blue masked turtle then explained how they got close to the Headquarters and how Mona and Donatello had ventured close to Dr Arden's laboratory and where they discovered his horrific experiments.

Karai started to shake and Kemeko began to whine a little to which Karai gently rocked her to soothe her.

"Karai..." Leonardo struggled to speak "Chaplin...we found him..."

Karai's eyes widened and tears filled her eyes, Mona winced and Raphael placed his hands on her shoulders preparing for the worst as the information told to Karai began to sink in.

Splinter walked over to offer comfort just in case.

Karai couldn't speak for a moment as she looked at Leonardo.

"Chaplin..." she choked out "They were holding my husband...as a tool in the laboratories?"

Leonardo nodded.

"Mona and Don saw him when they were scouting Dr Arden's area..." Leonardo went on "And...as soon as the coast was clear...we brought him back here..."

"He's here!?" Karai exclaimed "You brought him home?" her eyes widened in desperation and she got up from the table and ran out of the kitchen with Kemeko in her arms.

"Shit!" Raphael cried.

"Karai!" Leonardo shouted as he raced after her "Wait! No!"

But Karai didn't listen and ran straight for the laboratory with Leonardo, Raphael, Mona and Splinter running behind.


Sadly they didn't catch up with Karai and the woman burst into Donatello's Laboratory as the brainy turtle was cleaning Chaplin's body ready for embalming.

As soon as she did, Donatello almost jumped out of his shell as he saw Karai standing there in horror and heartbreak.

"Karai..." Donatello tried to speak.

"Chaplin!" Karai choked as she saw her husband laying there on the table and his organs in the jars "Chaplin...what...what did they do to you?" she staggered over and collapsed on the body sobbing her heart out.

As she did the others burst in.

"Karai..." Leonardo said as he reached across to the heartbroken woman.

Donatello looked up at the others speechless, but Leonardo ran over and wrapped his arms around Karai from behind.

"The bastards!" Karai sobbed "The bastards! They took him apart! They've mutilated him!"

"Karai...please!" Leonardo pleaded trying to pull her away.

"No! NO!" Karai screamed "Let me be with him! Let me be with my husband!"

At the commotion, Kemeko began to scream and wail.

Mona instantly rushed over and took Kemeko from Karai's arms and tried to soothe the wailing baby whilst Splinter went over to help Leonardo with Karai.

"Please!" Leonardo pleaded "You have to let Donny work, he's going to prepare Chaplin for burial, make sure he's at peace after what those monsters did!"

Karai put up a fight as she tried to hold onto the corpse of her husband but before long her grief took over and she collapsed sobbing letting go of Chaplin as she did.

His own heart breaking, Leonardo helping Karai up and lead her out of the room, Splinter also helped.

"I'll bring Kemeko in a little bit." said Mona as she held the whimpering baby close to her to which Splinter nodded at her.

Donatello was still frozen in shock as he watched Leonardo and Splinter lead Karai out of the room.

"We're sorry Donny." said Raphael as he walked over to help Mona with Kemeko "We tried to stop her."

"I know..." said Donatello "This is distressing for Karai..."

Mona looked down at Kemeko, the baby had stopped wailing and was now sleeping peacefully in her bundle.

"What do we do now?" asked Mona.

"I need to keep working on Chaplin." said Donatello "Hopefully Leo and Sensei will calm Karai down, in the meantime, you and Raph look after Kemeko."

"Okay." said Raphael "We'll leave you to it Don."

"Call us if you need anything." said Mona.

"Will do...thanks." said Donatello as he looked down at Chaplin and continued his work as Raphael and Mona left the laboratory.


Meanwhile, Splinter and Leonardo had gotten Karai to her room, as soon as they arrived, Karai collapsed on the bed and sobbed her heart out like there was no tomorrow.

Leonardo pulled her to him and held her as she sobbed and clawed her fingers on his plastron.

"They mutilated him!" She screamed "They tampered with my husband like a tool! They took out his organs!"

Leonardo held Karai tighter and rocked her as she sobbed.

"How could they!?" Karai sobbed "Those monsters! Those monsters!"

"Karai..." Splinter tried to speak as he stroked the distressed woman's back "I now this hurts...and you feel such anger as well as grief..."

"Killing my husband, the father of my child before my eyes was traumatising enough!" Karai wailed "But to have made him an experiment! Something to tamper with! How could they!?"

"Shhh...Shhhh." Leonardo soothed "They will get their's Karai! They'll get their's..."

"That they will!" said Splinter.

Karai continued to sob against Leonardo until her sobs became whimpers and she soon relaxed against Leonardo.

"I'll look after her, Master." said Leonardo "Is...is Kemeko okay?"

"Your sister will look after Kemeko." said Splinter "She'll bring her in when all is calm."

Leonardo nodded in agreement.

"Okay." he said, he looked down at Karai and stroked her hair "Kemeko's alright, Karai" he said "Mona will look after her."

Karai nodded, she could barely speak as she was crying so much.

"Shhh...shhh." Leonardo whispered "I'm here..."

Splinter strokes Karai's back then stood up.

"Look after her Leonardo." he said to which Leonardo nodded and Splinter left the room.

As soon as he had gone, Leonardo lay Karai on the bed and held her close as she cried softly.

"I'm so sorry..." he whispered "I'm so sorry Karai..."

Karai didn't speak yet continued to cry into Leonardo's plastron and her shoulders shook.

Leaning down to look at Karai, tears brimmed in Leonardo's eyes as he saw how distressed and heartbroken she was, he wished within all his soul that he could take her pain away or in some way wish Chaplin back to life, but he knew that was impossible.

"I'm here Karai..." he whispered softly "Everything will be alright...I promise you...I'll never leave you...as long as I live I shall protect you...on my honour...I will protect you and Kemeko..." as he spoke his lips brushed against Karai's forehead and hairline.

As they did, Karai relaxed and snuggled closer to him, feeling comfort in his arms, and she looked up at the blue masked turtle, she was so close to him she could see the individual threads of his blue mask and he could see the tears on her eyelashes.

"Leonardo..." Karai whispered, finally finding her voice "I...I'm glad you're here..."

"I'll always be here for you..." Leonardo whispered back, their lips were so close now, they could feel each other's breath.


Just then, a noise made them both look towards the door and they both looked over, but luckily one-one walked in.

Coming to their senses, Karai looked down and rested her head against Leonardo, her face going pink.

"It's okay Karai..." Leonardo whispered also going pink in the cheeks "Try to sleep now...I'm here...I'm not going anywhere..."

Karai nodded.

"Thank you Leonardo..." she whispered.

Leonardo held her close and stroked her hair, the thoughts of that almost kiss spinning in his head.

Gosh...poor Karai seeing her dead husband and learning the truth of what the Foot were doing to him.

And here we had an almost kiss between her and Leonardo! Wonder how everything will progress now? Stay tuned to find out!

Notes: At the beginning of the Chapter when Mikey mentioned 'Overlord' that was a character that made his appearance in Tyroth Darkstorm's fic 'Mutant Vigilantes' those who have read the fic will know the allies I spoke of, but those who don't, you can find Tyroth Darkstorm in my favourite authors category and read the fics (Which I consider to be canon) to find out! And of course 'Overlord' belongs to Tyroth Darkstorm!

Also, if any of you have seen the film Pandora watched earlier, 'The Land Before Time' that was one of my favourite films as a kid! Even if it did make me cry a few times!

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Pretty long one too! See you next chapter! :D