*Disclaimer: I do not own the characters Donatello, Leonardo, Michaelangelo, Raphael, Splinter, April O'Neil, or Casey Jones. They all belong to Mirage Studios and I am only borrowing them for the entertainment of the few who read this. The rest of the characters are mine; please don't borrow them without permission. Thanks!
Chapter 15
Athena:
As soon as Panaceia realized what I had, she had forgotten anything and anyone else outside of her patient. She was flying around the room, a one-woman emergency room team. Meanwhile the four of them held back, the tension and worry from them practically smothering the atmosphere.
I sensed them all, but my focus was elsewhere. As best I could, I ignored the pandemonium happening all around me. I held Splinter's hand and concentrated. I had done it without thinking with Leonardo, and I knew I could do it now. I just needed to concentrate…
Splinter?
Athena…how did you find me here, child?
Oh, just one of the many tricks up my sleeve.
Ha, you are even more powerful than I thought…but you should not be here.
I know that, but…they're beside themselves right now, Splinter, I have to do something.
You can't bring me back.
Are you sure?
Yes.
What about them?
I have always tried to prepare them for this day.
It doesn't have to be today, Splinter. Come back with me.
I cannot.
You can't leave them now; they need you.
It's not in my hands anymore.
What am I supposed to tell them?
Tell them I love them.
Tell them yourself.
Athena…
I know, Splinter, I know. I just can't do this to them, not after everything they've already been through. I cannot fail them in this.
Listen to me. This is not about them, and it is not about you. I am old, it's my time. Nothing you say can change that, even if we wanted to.
There has to be a way. You can't just leave without saying goodbye.
I don't have the strength left, Athena.
Then use mine.
I cannot.
Yes, you can.
Talk to them, tell them through me. Tell them everything you ever wanted to say, but never did.
That would take another lifetime.
You have to leave them something, Splinter.
Alright, call them to you.
Call them yourself.
Athena…
There is a way, Splinter, I'll show you…
Panaceia:
I concentrated on my work, and at the same time I was acutely aware of what Athena was trying to do. Her psi-abilities were developed beyond any of the rest of us. She was the pro in that area. I looked at her sitting there beside him. If I hadn't known better I would have said she was unconscious. I knew that my efforts to save him were futile; I hoped that she was making greater progress.
"Come here, my sons."
I whipped my head around to her. Had she really just spoken? The boys seemed to be in shock as well, standing there staring at her. We all waited, without moving, for her to speak again.
"Please, I don't have much time, come here." Her voice was low and didn't sound exactly like her own.
The four of them were seated beside Splinter and Athena in two seconds.
"We are here." Leonardo looked from Splinter to Athena, not sure where he needed to be directing his attention.
"Good. Athena is helping me, but this is still going to take what little strength I have left."
"Master…"
"Please, do not speak. There are things I need to say right now. Things you need to hear. I will not lie to you; I will be gone momentarily. There is no way to bring me back, so I ask you not to even try. Do not despair, for this is all part of a greater plan for the four of you. I feel it in my heart. I have taken you as far as I could. I am so proud of what you have become, and I am sorry that I cannot be there for this next challenge, but I know that you will all be okay. You have made some amazing new friends, and I know that already they care about you and they will take care of you when you need it. More importantly, you still have each other. I know that you will sometimes disagree and fight, but all brothers do that. You love each other as much as you love me; I know that. Do not forget that when I am gone. Your strength will always lie in your unity. I know that you will grieve, but trust that everything will turn out alright in the end. Go with these sisters and know that you are not leaving me behind; I will always be with you in your hearts. And for that, I will never really be gone. I love you all, my sons."
Athena:
Splinter?
Splinter?
Yes, child?
Please, Splinter, you can't leave.
I must. Don't worry, they will be alright.
I know, but…
They are in your very capable hands now.
Splinter, I don't know how…
Yes, you do. You will care for them and protect them, as I would have. Do not tell me you can't, for the desire to do just that is already alive in your heart. I feel it.
I cannot take your place.
You won't and I am not asking you to. You and your sisters hold the key to their future. I know this now.
What if they…
Give them time. They will grieve; I cannot help that. I have their past, and they will always carry that with them. You have their future…love them well.
Splinter…
Splinter!
Author's note: I didn't want to put this at the beginning and ruin what was coming. This chapter is what I've been dreading having to write. I still don't know that I'm entirely satisfied with it, but I'm too drained to make any more changes. Don't flame me for killing him off, it's all part of the grand scheme. One more chapter and this story (prologue) is done!