CHAPTER 15

Beside themselves

Slowly, patiently, Leonardo worked through the kata. From shizen, into ichimonji. Move the weight backwards into doko, then round to hicho. One foot forwards made kosei, then arms crossed for jumonji kihon before leaning into jumonji kumite.

The moves were so intimately familiar that he was able to relax into the routine and allow his mind to wander. As he smoothly lunged into the ihen, his thoughts dwelled on the snippets of conversation he'd overheard at the veterinary clinic between Stockman and Rahzar.

They'd been speaking about using the Kraang technology to copy the thoughts and memories from the turtles into the clones, which was presumably why they'd kidnapped Mikey. There was an implication that they were amassing quite an army of their unethical creatures, which was worrying enough in itself. But if they had succeeded, just what would that mean?

Leo drew his arms together into hira. A genetic copy, with the same thoughts and memories as the one who had originated it. What then would differentiate the clone from the original? If they then became sentient beings, could he really just strike them down without any regard?

He didn't think that Raphael or Donatello had overheard the conversation, and from what he could tell Michelangelo seemed oblivious as well. Leonardo hadn't mentioned it to them, nor did he have any intention of doing so. He knew that they would need to destroy the clones and he couldn't afford to give any of the others a reason to hesitate.

Into hira ichimonji, spreading the arms wide with a slow exhale. Before they could do anything, they needed to find where the clones were being held. Raph was adamant that storming Shredder's so-called palace should be their next action, the moment Mikey was sufficiently recovered to accompany them.

Donnie, fortunately, disagreed and was engrossed with trying to find something from the samples he'd managed to obtain from the latest clone before it's explosive demise. Having set up a temporary lab in the kitchen, he'd been spending most of the last few days with his eye seemingly glued to the microscope that had been rescued from his lab.

Since Donatello was busy with his investigation work, Leo had spent many hours over the past few days trying to get the laboratory cleaned up of the splattered mutagen. He'd mostly been working alone, but with occasional assistance from April and Casey whenever they could spare the time.

With her immunity to the effects of mutagen, April was fine without protective gear. But no-one else was; even Donnie hadn't inherited that particular trait. It had been one of the things he'd tested for and, as he'd explained, it was probably just as well. Otherwise he could have ended up with an immunity to the very thing that had triggered his humanoid form and wound up stuck as a regular turtle forever.

With some scavenging, they'd managed to acquire a hazmat suit for Casey that fitted him well enough. Unfortunately, the one for Leo had needed to be massively oversized for his stature in order to accommodate his shell. That meant the crotch was somewhere around his knees and the arms and legs were rolled back on themselves several times. It made all movements cumbersome and, frankly, made him look completely ridiculous. A fact that the others were quick to point out at every possible opportunity.

At least he got some recompense in that Raph had been landed with the job of Mikey's nursemaid. It was a role he'd initially thrown himself into, but was now beginning to regret as their youngest brother recovered and was starting to take advantage of being waited on hand and foot.

Leo secretly had a bet going with Donnie over how long it would be before Raph finally snapped.

He moved into hoko, then brought his hands together for kongo gassho. He'd finally finished getting everything cleaned up earlier and was relishing being out of the cumbersome clothing and able to move freely.

It also meant that Donatello had finally been able to get back into his lab and use what equipment had survived to further his investigations. A fact that seemed to have paid off, as Leonardo was brought out of his thoughts by his intellectual brother's arrival.

Donnie was clutching his laptop, which hopefully meant he'd got something significant to report.

Halting the kata movements, Leo headed over. "What have you found?"

"Well, you recall I mentioned there were several injection sites on the clone and that the blood sample revealed traces of a rare protein." Donnie reiterated, before launching into a long winded explanation. "So I did some research, and I think the protein acted as a stabiliser for the structural bonding that holds the mutagenic compounds together. As long as it's administered on a regular basis, it seems to prevent the volatile breakdown that we've repeatedly witnessed. However, the shelf life of the protein seems to be short; not only for the live substance but also once it enters the digestive systems before it's broken down and excreted."

Leonardo blinked several times. Individually, he was fairly certain he understood all the words his brother had uttered. But in the combination they'd been used, they made about as much sense as some of Raphael's impromptu rants.

"The clones need regular injections or they go pop." Donatello impatiently summarised.

"Go pop?" Leo repeated. "I'm not Mikey, Don!"

Donnie waved a hand impatiently. "Anyway, the protein is tricky to make and the active ingredient doesn't last long. If they've produced the clones their systems indicated, they'll need a nearby supply."

"There's only one factory in the city that produces it. You'll never guess which one." He held out the laptop to show Leo a map, centred on an industrial estate in Chinatown that they already knew was under The Shredder's control. "Look, there are several old warehouses in the compound. I'd bet one of those are where Stockman's holding the clones."

"I'm impressed." Leo commended, examining the map. He was already formulating several infiltration plans based on the locality and the situation, as he currently understood it.

"About time!" Donnie chided. "Anyway, that's not all."

Leonardo looked up.

"Well, I was thinking about how we can safely defeat the clones, given that they explode into mutagen…"

"If you're going to suggest the hazmat suit, forget it. I can barely move in that thing, let alone fight!"

"Actually, I've come up with an enzyme that will digest the protein in such a way that the conversion to mutagen should happen in a controlled manner. It's still a bit messy, but a lot less explosive."

"So, we spray them with the enzyme and instead of exploding they… melt?" Leo replied, trying to make sense of the suggestion.

Donatello shook his head slightly. "Not exactly. The enzyme would need to be consumed."

"Well, that's not impossible…" Leo mused, mulling over various options. "How long will it take to prepare enough?"

"Not long. As long as Mikey doesn't eat the ingredients, I can produce a suitable quantity in a few hours."

Leonardo nodded decisively. "Ok. We'll make our move as soon as he's recovered."

From the other room there came a resounding crash, followed by a squeal of laughter that could only have come from their youngest brother. It was then immediately followed by the thudding sound of heavy running.

Raph's voice floated through as he roared "You… You FAKER! GET BACK HERE!" and thundered after Mikey.

"I think he's recovered." Donnie superfluously stated.

"Yeah." Leo agreed, before grinning. "And it sounds like I win. Enjoy my chores! Two weeks, was it?"

Donnie glowered. "One!"

He then hesitated a moment, before adding. "By the way... Thanks. For cleaning up my lab."

Leo smiled. "No problem."

The four mutant turtles and their two human allies had so far spent an hour perched atop a nearby building, overlooking the factory and warehouses that Donatello had pinpointed as likely locations for the Shredder's clone plan. From their vantage point, they were well placed to survey the area below.

They'd already spotted enough evidence to support Donnie's theory; the Purple Dragon's had been intermittently sighted patrolling the area. However they hadn't yet seen any of the clones.

The weather was slowly deteriorating and it was getting pretty cold atop the exposed rooftop. It didn't bother Leo particularly, but he could tell that the others were starting to get fed up and impatient of all the waiting.

Raph had already suggested numerous times that they should just go down there and kick in every warehouse door until they found the one they were after. Casey seemed to be thinking along similar lines. At least, for the moment, they were happy enough complaining to one another about the lack of action rather than doing anything about it.

His other two brothers had been more patient, but it wasn't going to last much longer. After several false starts, Donnie had been trying to have a whispered conversation with April. However it was evidently not going the way he'd been intending as Mikey was cutting in every few words and, as far as Leo could tell, trying to suggest some kind of impromptu rooftop flash mob dance.

Five more minutes, Leonardo silently decided. Then they'd go with Raph's plan. Or something similar but different enough that he could claim it as his own.

Fortunately he didn't need to concoct a variant of the plan as, just a few moments later, he spotted Fong crossing an area enclosed with high metal fencing and opening a door to one of the warehouse. Leo leaned closer, peering across the gloom to make out what emerged.

He didn't really need to bother, as it was apparent very quickly as approximately twenty mutant turtles headed to the outside area to seemingly practice fighting. Disturbingly, they were even dressed exactly like their originals, appearing almost indistinguishable in the poor lighting.

"That is freaky." Raph commented, echoing Leo's thoughts.

Mikey grinned. "I think it's awesome!"

"You would."

"Ok, here's the plan…" Leo started. "Casey, you and April head for the front of that warehouse and create some kind of distraction, then vanish."

"No problem." April stated, with a brisk nod.

Leo turned to his brothers. "The rest of us will jump down and infiltrate the clones."

"You want us to pretend to be our own clones?!" challenged Raphael, in disbelief.

Leonardo nodded. "Yes. Once we're inside, we can create an entrance for April and Casey to join us. Then, we take down the clones by feeding them the enzyme."

"No fighting?!" protested Casey.

"Yeah, no fighting. Unless you want them to explode in front of you and get a face full of mutagen."

"I'd pay money to see that." Donnie muttered.

"Has everyone got it?" Leo asked, glancing across the group.

Mikey looked confused. "Got what?"

Raph signed heavily. "Just follow us and keep your mouth shut."

"Got it!"

Leo raised a fist triumphantly into the air and launched into the pre-battle speech he'd spent the last half an hour mentally preparing. "Then, for the preservation of righteous morals, we shall-"

"Save the speech for later, hero boy!" Raph said, jumping onto the railings and disappearing off to get into position.

As he moved the others enthusiastically followed, eager to get off the damp rooftop and begin the infiltration. Before he'd even really gotten started, Leonardo was left presenting his speech to thin air.

"But it was a really good one…" he lamented, before reluctantly moving to follow the other turtles.

They were already crouched atop a stack of two large containers that overlooked the enclosed yard in which the clones were methodically sparring. While waiting for April and Casey's distraction, Leonardo found himself watching the clones.

It was more than a little disconcerting, watching five copies of himself milling around. He found himself able to study his own form from every angle, in a way no mirror could ever reveal. Did he really look like that? He'd always pictured himself taller.

In a way, he was relieved to see there was no spark of intelligence in the clones eyes. They appeared to just be mindlessly following the instructions they'd been given, with no independent thoughts of their own. It made the fact that they would hopefully soon be just piles of goo on the floor a bit easier to stomach.

"We're going to need to pretend to be just like them." Leo murmured to the others.

"Yeah. It's not rocket science, Leo." Raphael groused. "We just gotta look and act completely brainless."

Donnie chipped in, "Wow, something where Mikey's the expert."

He got a pouting scowl in response, but there was no time for any retort before what sounded like a firecracker exploded on the far side of the warehouse.

"And that's our cue…" whispered Leo. "Here we go!"

He swung down to the ground, timing his arrival for when Fong was looking in confusion towards where the sudden noise coming from the other side of the building. Quickly, Leo hurried over to where a group of his own clones were practicing swordplay.

Glancing back he saw his brothers doing the same thing with their own likenesses, until he realised in sudden alarm that he no-longer had any idea which of all the mutant turtles his brothers were. They had merged in so well with their copies that it was next to impossible to differentiate them.

The realisation left his pulse quickening worriedly, but at the same time it gave him some comfort that if he couldn't even tell the clones and his brothers apart then the Purple Dragons had no hope of doing so. As Fong turned back to cast his gaze over all the mutant turtles, he gave no indication that he suspected anything was amiss. Evidently, counting was not his strong point.

For another half an hour they were left outside to practice their combat skills, before Fong summoned all the clones back inside with a short series of commands. Obediently, Leonardo fell into line and started shuffling towards the doorway. That was, until he realised that each clone was receiving an injection as they entered the warehouse. Presumably a dose of the protein Donatello had discovered as needing to be regularly administered.

That wasn't something Leo had accounted for in his plan. Would the protein harm the non-cloned turtles? Quickly, he cast a gaze up and down the line as he tried to identify where the real Donatello was standing. After several indecisive moments, he settled on the likely candidate stood three places behind him.

"Donnie!" he hissed insistently.

The turtle in front of him turned. "What?"

Leo quickly returned to facing forwards in surprise. He'd been sure that Donnie had been a clone!

"Is the protein injection going to cause us a problem?" he whispered.

Donnie shook his head. "No." he replied, before reconsidering. "Not straight away."

"What do you-" Leo started, before cutting off as Fong must have caught the noise and turned towards them.

The two swiftly returned to blank, silent impersonations of the clones as the Purple Dragon approached. For an anxious moment, Leonardo was sure their cover had been blown. But Fong headed past them, walking up and down the line as he seemingly searched for the source of the noise.

When he failed to locate it, he seemed to disregard the sounds as a figment of his imagination and subsequently returned to stand by the doorway. Leo let out a small sigh of relief and saw Donnie do the same.

Further up the queue, Leonardo noticed one of the Raphael's surreptitiously glancing back and seemingly looking for something. Catching his brother's eye, Leo silently mimicked the injection and then gave a thumbs up to try and convey that it was all fine.

Raph gave a scowl, but nodded slightly and turned back to the front. Not a moment too soon, as Leo watched his brother being beckoned forwards to receive his injection before being ushered into the building.

Despite another stealthy glance around, Leo wasn't able to locate where Mikey was standing. Hopefully he'd seen the exchange and knew to keep going with the plan.

Returning his eyes to the front, Leonardo glazed his expression over to mirror the blank look the clones were wearing and stepped forward in turn to receive his own injection.