Chapter 7: Scientific Study.

After the accidental death of Raphael, Dr Welner was fired and was not allowed to continue on with the research team, thus leaving Dr Yesmal in charge of the study. Raphael and Venus' little escapade made world news; the media telling the story of the irresponsibility of the scientists, and the mistake Dr Welner made in destroying one of the most rarest and priceless animals in the world. Although the turtles were abominations and freaks of nature, before the project started, the scientists were given the instructions that the animals were not be harmed, and that any conducive study was to be derived from observation and byproduct testing only. Raphael's violent yet somewhat accidental death allowed the media and the government to question the scientist's jobs and research. Even though the zoo was under scrutiny, admission entries soared, as everyone wanted to see where the action took place.

However, the turtle's zoo exhibit was closed, as it obviously needed to be repaired and upgraded. But that didn't stop some people from visiting the zoo. Record breaking zoo attendance was predicted for when the turtles were to be shown to the public once again. In the mean time, the turtles were trapped in their nighttime enclosures; Venus being placed back in her original cell once again. This left the two remaining scientists to solve the problem of what to do with Raphael's body.

Disposing animal carcasses were always a problem for the zoo, especially when it came to the elephants. Yet Raphael was no ordinary animal, so it was no surprise to Dr Yesmal when he received a phone call concerning the matter. The scientist knew the caller fairly well, so he asked for him to come in to have a look at the specimen, which was currently on a sterilised metal table in the glass prison room.

Dr Yesmal waited patiently for the investor in his new office; the one that used to be Dr Welner's. After an anxious half-hour, the scientist was delighted to hear a friendly knock on the door. He smiled at his welcomed visitor. "Hello Dr Quease. It's a pleasure to see you again," Dr Yesmal said as the two shook hands.

When the turtles were captured, Dr Quease was one of the first scientists to be asked whether or not he would like to lead the study on the mutated reptiles. Even though he was the only scientist in the world to specialise in mutations only, he declined the offer, saying that he studied through dissection rather than observation. But after hearing the news of Raphael's death, Dr Quease quickly came back into the picture.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too," Dr Quease said, reciprocating the gesture of friendliness. After a few minutes of small talk, Dr Yesmal took Dr Quease to examine Raphael's body.

*****

Leonardo grimly and aimlessly looked around the outside room, only to lock eyes with his dead brother's. He snapped his head away from the eerie gaze, feeling sick and sorrowful at the same time. Leo stared towards Mikey, who was currently throwing up into the toilet. He observed the orange wearing turtle's swollen red eyes, acquired through the excessive amount of crying he endured last night. Don had also shed some tears, but Leo hadn't, trying his best to pull what was left of the group together. He had done the same with Splinter, Casey and April's death; being the strong one that was there to help the others in their time of mourning.

Concerned, Donatello stood up and walked over to the sick Mikey. He gently pulled back his fellow turtle's orange bandanna tails so that they wouldn't get in the way of his convulsing action. After a few minutes, the toilet flushed and Mike gave a small whispered thanks to Don's small gesture. The turtle looked like a wreck. Leo opened his arms and gave Mike a much-needed hug. The once fun-loving turtle shivered inside, trying his best to control his devastated emotions. Leo was about to invite Don into the brotherly embrace, when a familiar face entered the outside room.

The other turtles were shocked and angry to see their old nemesis; Dr Quease, especially Donatello, who had once trusted the evil scientist. Dr Quease gave the three males a smug smile before giving Raphael a quick examination. All the turtles knew the grim and final fate of their dead brother. They continued to watch as more horror unfolded.

*****

Dr Yesmal looked on as Dr Quease made notes to himself on his portable tape recording device. There was a soft knock on the door. Dr Yesmal turned his head to watch Dr Aquel uncertainly walk in. "Sorry to interrupt," she opened. "But Simon Bonesteel is here to see you. I can arrange for him to come at another time if you'd like," Dr Aquel offered.

Dr Yesmal thought for a moment. "No. It's alright. Send him in," he instructed. The female scientist nodded and disappeared for a moment before returning back with Bonesteel. Dr Yesmal looked the hunter up and down before smiling.

Bonesteel had changed a lot since the scientist had last seen him. His hair had been cut and his face had been neatly shaved. Instead of wearing tattered clothes, Bonesteel wore a pair of new cargo pants, expensive hiking boots and an army-like jacket and top, obviously still keeping in with his outdoor hunting theme. His newfound wealth not only showed in fashion, but also through his successful weapons dealership that he opened up a few weeks ago. Yet even though Bonesteel could now physically swim through his riches, he still kept his hobby; his new hunting target was a large talking ape by the name of Silver.

Though he still wanted his original prize; one of the turtle's shells to place as a trophy on his wall. "What brings you here Mr Bonesteel?" Dr Yesmal asked even though he already knew the answer.

"I'd like to buy that dead animal off you. I can pay you for it," Bonesteel offered. Dr Quease shook his head.

"This is a rare example of a perfect mutation. It needs to be dissected for research," the white-haired scientist argued.

"I'm sorry Simon. But Dr Quease's study of the creature is a higher priority. The government has offered to fund his research. I no longer have control over the matter," Dr Yesmal said with sincerity.

Yet Bonesteel was stubborn and decided to bargain with Quease. "All I want is the shell," he said with a devilish grin.

"I can give you the shell after I've detached it from the body. I have no need for it after that," Dr Quease admitted. Bonesteel gave the scientist a sly smile.

"Then it's a deal. I'll buy the shell from you after you have cut this beast up," Bonesteel said while placing his hand out on front of him. Dr Quease smiled at the final offer and shook the hunter's hand. There was a soft bang heard from one of the glass prisons. The hunter stared as the three male turtles snarled at him. Bonesteel evilly smiled back, along with Dr Quease. 'Stupid animals,' the hunter thought to himself as he continued to smile at the turtles.

*****

Leo looked away from the humans outside; not wanting to think about what they had shook hands upon. His eyes wandered over to Venus' cell. She was lying on the floor; her back was facing everyone else. Leo didn't need to look at her face to tell that she was devastated. He deduced that through her unmoving body language.

Leonardo couldn't take it anymore. He needed to unleash his hidden emotions. This time it wasn't like Splinter, who had lived a long and fulfilling life. It wasn't like April and Casey, who received a proper and respectful burial. This time it was Raphael; a person who he had shared many experiences with, and now he couldn't anymore. They had grown up together, fought beside each other, and had saved and looked out for one another as the years went by. It was the little things that Leo remembered. The smirk that Raphael gave after he had won an argument, the one that Leo both loved and loathed. The way that he would tirelessly flick the channels just to simply annoy him. There were the arguments: each one forgotten by the following day.

And then there were the happy times, like the way Raph would smile before eating a pizza; the technique he used to hide his blushing after April had kissed him; the pride seen in his face after successfully twirling his sai for the first time; and the look of love and glee they had shared together after battling the Foot.

When Leo finally realised that he was crying, it was already too late to hide it. Donatello timidly crawled over and gave him a hug for comfort. "I lost one, Master Splinter," Don heard Leo whisper to himself. He assumed that what he had said was referring to the final message their master had given them before he had passed away. Donatello remembered that Splinter's message to him was one of thanks, and that he should continue on with helping the others, especially when it came to electronics. He concluded that Splinter's last words to Leo, were to take care of both him and the rest of the family. Donatello continued to hold Leo as his tears slowly dripped onto his shoulder.

"I failed. Just like I failed you, Master," Leo whispered to himself again. This time Donatello couldn't ignore what his leader had just said. Don looked Leo in the eye.

"Leo. It isn't your fault. Don't blame yourself," Don said softly. The tears continued to fall from Leo's swollen eyes and down along his cheeks.

"Yes it is," Leo whispered, saying it more to convince himself. Don shook his head in disdain.

"Leo, you know that we couldn't have helped Splinter. We did everything in our power to help him. None of our medicines cured him from his disease. You know that. It's not your fault that Splinter died, just like it isn't your fault now," Don whispered softly. Mike crawled over to sit beside the other two, mainly because he felt comfort in others.

Leo sniffled, not bothering to hide his tears or emotions anymore in front of the others. Donatello had now taken his place as the strong one. "I miss him. That's all. I miss Raphael," Leo admitted while placing an arm around Mike's shoulders. Mikey responded by resting his exhausted head on Leo's shoulder.

"We all do Leo. It's okay to cry. I wish he were here too. You're not alone Leo. We can get through this together," Don said softly, tears filling up in his eyes. He leaned in closer and the three turtles formed a brotherly group hug of comfort and mourning.

"I hope so Don. I hope so."

*****

It was late afternoon. Raphael's body had been taken by Dr Quease, leaving the two remaining scientists to complete their everyday routine tasks.

Dr Yesmal and Dr Aquel observed the turtle's in their glass prisons. Both of them frowned when they saw Venus. "She's not making any progress," Dr Aquel commented to her colleague. "She's not responsive at all," she added.

Dr Yesmal agreed. "When the enclosure opens to the public again, we should place her with the other three," he said. Dr Aquel gave him a look.

"But we separated her because Dr Welner said that the males would become aggressive," Dr Aquel defended.

"Yeah, but Dr Welner went on the assumption that their behaviour is similar to that of a normal turtle's. I mean, let's face it, these aren't ordinary animals. The female was found with the other males and apparently they had been living peacefully together, meaning that they are quite compatible. Besides, placing her with the other three might make her more responsive," Dr Yesmal explained.

"We've seen through observation that these creatures are quite sociable with each other, unlike normal turtle's where the males would fight for dominance. Also, they have managed to live for years in an unlikely environment. Dr Welner gave them more of a natural enclosure with trees and a pond, thinking of them as ordinary reptiles. But after observing them for some time, I have to disagree with his idea, and I think that they would be more comfortable and responsive with something a little more modern. We'll have to experiment first though," Dr Yesmal continued.

"You mean behavioural enrichment?" Dr Aquel inquired. Dr Yesmal agreed.

"I'd like to introduce something new to their nighttime enclosure tomorrow morning. See how they respond with manmade objects," Dr Yesmal instructed. Dr Aquel nodded her head in agreement.

*****

The next morning…

Mike, Don and Leo sat side by side. Things had been considerably quieter since the unexpected death of Raphael. The incident was still raw in their minds, not fading away with ease. The room's lights had been on for an hour and the cell's temperature had stabilised.

Don and Leo frowned when they heard Mike's stomach growl for the fifteenth time, forcing them to wonder why their food was so late this morning. Finally Dr Yesmal entered with their plate of vegetables and fruit. The human pulled out the tray and placed the food in, before pushing the compartment back into the prison.

He then walked over to Venus' cell and did the same. Dr Yesmal stood there for a while to see if there was a change in the female, but there wasn't. She still wasn't eating, and when she did decide to feed, she ate very little. He sighed and exited the room.

The male turtles dug their hands hungrily into the tray and began to consume the fresh food. After a few minutes, Donatello noticed that the scientist had given them something else this morning. He stared in wonderment and puzzlement at the surprise object that had been placed in with their food.