Chapter 11

Raphael was back working in the mines after being tortured by Prog's trusted soldier Ragor. He hated being forced to toll all day with little reward for his efforts, but he no longer had the spirit to fight back Prog and his subordinates. His memories of what Ragor did to him sent shivers down his spine. He often tried not to think about it.

As a Triceraton cracked their whip towards the prisoner beside him, Raph flinched. He didn't try standing up for any of the prisoners anymore. He was no longer convinced that fighting would do any good in helping him escape this dreadful place. In fact, he doubted he would ever leave this place at all. There was no way he could win, even if he tried. The Triceratons were much too powerful.

He discovered from the other prisoners that the crystals that were harvest here in the mines were used for medicinal purposes and could also be used as gunpowder to power up the Triceratons' machines. Unlike Donatello, however, Raph couldn't make friends very easily. Most prisoners kept to themselves. Even if he were to manage to get close to anyone down here, the other prisoner either was transferred to another section of the prison, or they died from the hard labor, or by some terrible accident.

Raphael would think of his brothers often and he hoped that wherever they were, they were in a better situation than he was. What could be worse than working as a mine working slave?

He was digging up a crystal 'hot spot' that his crystal detector had found in a corner when he noticed two Triceratons standing a few feet away from him. He recognized them as Ragor's men.

"Funny how confident he was when he first arrived," Raph overheard one of them comment about him with a chuckle. Raph looked up slightly from where he was digging and the Triceraton continued. "Now look at him. Heh, a little chicken. Does whatever we tell him to."

"I guess we really did do a number on him," the other Triceraton noted. "I never would have thought he would submit so easily, though."

"Really?" the first Triceraton asked. "Well, let's see how fierce he can be."

He walked over to the Turtle and kicked his shoulder. "Get up!"

Raphael obeyed with no hesitation. The Triceraton punched him in the face, causing the Turtle to stumble backwards.

"Defend yourself, Turtle!" the Triceraton threatened. Raph tried going back to work, avoiding eye contact.

He was kicked to the floor and stepped on by the Triceraton. "I said fight back!"

Raph remained still as the Triceraton continued to hurt him. Normally he would get angry and start fighting back by now, but he refused.

The Triceraton spat.

"Lowlife coward!" then he turned on his heel, laughing as he and the fellow soldier left Raphael in the dirt.

Raphael felt ashamed of himself. He used to not let anyone push him around, but now he was too afraid to lift a finger. He gripped the dirt in his hands. He was angry, but not at the Triceratons, at himself.

"I can't do anything!" he cursed silently. "I'm a coward."

Prog called for Raph later that afternoon and the commander told the Turtle about Donatello's accident. Rah felt worried, he always believed that his brothers were still alive somewhere, but he feared for his tech brother.

"Is...is he okay?" he managed to ask. Prog nodded.

"I believe so. Last I heard was that the doctor managed to stabilize him, but he's unsure if he'll be able to recover soon." Prog frowned and leaned back in his chair. "But I heard his commander doesn't want him back. So my guess is that he's going to order him to be killed."

Raph felt a lump in his throat. If what Prog was telling him was true, then Raph may never see his brother again. Unless of course if he asked permission to see Donatello one more time? No, he was certain Prog wouldn't grant him permission.

Prog noticed Raphael's silence and smirked.

"You wish to see your brother again, don't you?"

"Yes," Raph nodded, "But it is not proper for me to ask such request from you, Sir."

"I don't see why not," Prog chuckled. "Just think of it as a reminder that there is nothing you can do to change your fate here. One day, you'll die here too."

Why was he telling Raph this? It was only making the Turtle feel worse. Prog rose from his chair and walked around the desk to meet Raphal. He placed a hand on his shoulder, causing Raph to flinch.

"Why don't we go so your brother now, then?"

"Please," Raph said in a trembling voice. "I can't handle it anymore. Stop making me feel worse!"

Prog smirked and whispered in his ear. "You can't deny your fate anymore. Wish for death, it will be much easier."

"Please," Raph begged, holding his head and his knees buckled. "Just let me go! I...I!" his eyes filled with tears. He was so alone down here, so afraid. He had lost all hope.

Prog felt a sense of pride as he glared the Turtle down. "So much for the fierce Raphael I heard so much about."

He called for his men and ordered Raphael to be taken away. "Bring him to his dying brother. Let him say his final goodbye."

The news about Donatello's had reached Erkon as well and he knew Leonardo would like to know of his brother's condition. As he entered the training room and noticed Leonardo with his blades drawn, he watched with interest. The Turtle was in a Triceraton uniform as he jumped, dodged, and ran through the obstacle course. Lasers fired at him, but Leo used his blades to reflect the lasers' rays back at the machines, destroying them almost instantly. Next he climbed over the obstacle walls with little time for a breath. He jumped over, under, and in-between laser beams that could give away his presence in the room. After this obstacle, he leaped and grabbed the plastic crystal resting on a pedestal before a cage came crashing down over the pedestal and could have trapped him. The exercise ended and Leo panted out of breath before he could relax and put his swords back in their sheaths. He heard clapping and turned to face Erkon.

"Well done," the Triceraton nodded with approval. "You certainly have the makings of a Triceraton warrior."

"Thank you, Sir Erkon," Leo bowed. "I am glad that I have pleased you."

"There is something I wish to discuss with you, Leonardo. Come with me."

Leo wasn't sure what Erkon wanted from him, but he followed the commander out of the training room. The long corridor outside greeted them as they continued their walk to Erkon's office.

"Is there a mission you wish for me to carry out?" Leo asked. Erkon shook his head.

"No. It involves your brother Donatello."

Donatello? Wasn't that one of the Turtles Erkon had mentioned before that he wanted Leo to try and convince to join the Triceratons?

"The name sounds familiar," Leo noted.

"You've been away from your brothers for a long time, Leonardo. It's no surprise that you would forget their names."

When they approached Erkon's office, he invited Leonardo in and the Turtle stood at attention, waiting for Erkon's orders. Erkon noticed Leo's position and smiled.

"You can relax, Leonardo. I don't expect anymore from you today."

Leo let his shoulders ease a bit and he took the seat Erkon offered him. "What was it you wanted to tell me about Donatello?"

"I heard there was an accident this morning," Erkon told him with a sigh. "Donatello was doing his usual work and fell out of his basin chair. The cord securing him had jerked so roughly that his lungs have been damaged. I heard the doctor providing care for him has been able stabilize Donatello, but there is little hope for your brother's survival."

Leo felt a sense of shock overwhelm him. He didn't understand why, he had no memories of the other Turtles. But a part of him felt sorry to hear this news.

"I...I don't know what to say."

"Since he is family, I am granting you permission to see him before the doctor decides to allow him a peaceful passing."

"Will this be essential to my mission on convincing the other Turtles to join the Triceratons?" Leo asked.

"Yes, I believe it will," Erkon nodded. Leonardo saluted.
"Then I accept. How soon will I be able to see Donatello?"

"This evening," Erkon told him. "And Leonardo? I'd like you to know that this fate is unfortunate for your brother. My condolences. If there was ever a way to change his situation, I wish there was. He would have been a useful soldier."

"I understand Erkon," Leonardo nodded before leaving.

As he left the office, Leonardo felt a strange sense of emotion in his chest. It felt hurt and sad. Although his did not understand the emotion, he tried to understand why. His thoughts drifted to the Turtle Donatello since he was certain these hurtful emotions came from hearing about the other Turtle's condition.

His feet would not let him go on and he stopped. He felt a tear fall from his eye and he leaned against the wall for support.

"Donatello is dying," he mumbled. He struggled to remember the Turtle.

His purple-clad brother was the one always coming up with a new invention. He wielded the bo staff and he spent more time on his inventions than his ninja training. He was always eager to talk to Leo about his ideas, even if the older Turtle could never fully understand them. He valued Leo's opinion on everything, and was always there for him and the others whenever they were in need. Don had claimed he hated being the one who had to fix everything in the Lair, but he also didn't mind so much either.

Leo had to cover his mouth to prevent a loud gasp from escaping. He could no longer stand and sank to his knees. The words he had spoken suddenly hit him like a bullet.

"My...My brother is dying!" he sobbed. He may not remember much of what had happened before of why they had come here to the Triceraton's prison, but he did in that instant remember Donatello.