Chapter 9: Last One Standing.
"So what do you think?" Dr Yesmal asked. Dark bags encircled the scientist's eyes. He had spent most of the night making phone calls, hoping to speak to someone who would fulfill his plan. Finally, around one in the morning, he managed to get in contact with Joseph Fiffer, an acknowledged and respected mathematician who worked for the Government in Washington DC. Although it was of short notice and was at an indecent time, Dr Yesmal assured him that what he was going to show him was worth the plane flight to New York.
It was now early morning; the dampness of the air still hadn't lifted as it continued to make his breath visible. In another hour, the zoo would be opened to the public for the duration of the day, so it was crucial for the mathematician to visit immediately.
The two humans stared at the black writing on the enclosure's wall. "This formula…" Joseph started, tracing the writing with an inspired finger. He pulled out a notepad and scribbled down a few numbers before trying Donatello's formula. "This is extraordinary. It solves one of the many mathematical problems that have stumped scientists for years. A lot of people have come close but this… this is extraordinary," the mathematician repeated with astonishment.
"I told you that the plane fight was worth it," Dr Yesmal commented coolly.
"…The turtles did this?"
Dr Yesmal nodded his head. "The purple one to be exact."
"But I thought that vandals were the ones responsible for writing the messages," Joseph commented with a confused expression planted firmly on his face.
"No, it was the turtle. We thought it was the work of vandals ourselves at first, until we caught the purple male in the act just yesterday," Dr Yesmal lied. He knew full well that it was Donatello's doing the whole time, and only told the mathematician otherwise to coincide with the false story the press was using. "So, do we have a deal?" the scientist inquired as Joseph continued to stare at the formula in awe.
"It's a deal. But I think I have to see this for myself, so I know that you're not pulling my leg," the mathematician said, not confirming anything.
*****
Sarah watched intently as the turtles relaxed in the enclosure. They were far more interesting than what she had at first thought, and was gathering tons of observations about them for her hypothesis. Just as she suspected he would, the purple male stood from his lazy position on the grass and made his way to the wall. Sarah was surprised that some of the writing was still left on the enclosure perimeter, as she knew that the caretakers usually wiped it off after-hours. Pen poised, Donatello started to write till his hearts content causing many visitors to gasp in astonishment.
Joseph Fiffer was one of them. Alongside the two scientists, he watched as Donatello wrote another high level formula. Joseph smiled at Dr Yesmal. "We have a deal," the mathematician said, holding out his hand, which the scientist shook generously.
"It'll be done as soon as possible then," Dr Yesmal said before Joseph turned to go to lunch. Much to the scientist's disgust, a news crew and a reporter headed over to him, impatient for answers about the turtle's mysterious abilities.
"Hello. I'm Amy Simmons from Channel Six News," the reporter said, more to the camera than to Dr Yesmal. "We have just witnessed that the turtles that have been writing the messages, not the vandals as once thought," she said, then held out the microphone towards the scientist.
"Yes, we had originally thought it was the work of smart aleck teenagers, but after some close observations we have found that one of the turtles has been writing these intelligent messages," Dr Yesmal said with a false smile, wanting to get away from the press.
"Obviously this is a quite a smart creature. Knowing that the turtle can write, what new plans have been put into place?" the reporter questioned, shoving the microphone under his face again.
"The turtle in question, the purple male, will be studied more closely up in Washington DC by the Government. We have no further information, thank you," Dr Yesmal commented before stepping away from the camera and news reporter. He teamed up with Dr Aquel and strolled towards the staff building with her.
"Are you sure that this will work?" Dr Aquel asked.
"The press thinks that only one of the turtles is intelligent, and will follow him up to Washington DC, leaving us alone. It will work, hopefully. We have no other option," Dr Yesmal explained. "Unfortunately, with the news cameras around, we need to take the marker away before one of the other turtles uses it, otherwise the plan won't work," Dr Yesmal said with a concerned expression. The two scientists reached the wooden fence and opened the padlocked door. After a few more steps, they entered the staff building. "Get the tranquils," Dr Yesmal ordered.
"What? But the public-"
"I'll deal with them, Dr Aquel," Dr Yesmal assured her.
After a few minutes, the two scientists returned to the turtle enclosure's viewing platform. Zoo visitors frowned at the tranquilizer guns in their hands, but Dr Yesmal made an announcement that one of the turtles looked ill and needed to be treated immediately. The members of the public accepted this news and understood they had to be taken down now in the enclosure instead of later when the zoo was closed. The real reason though, was to take the marker away from the turtle's grasp before the news crew filmed one of the other turtles using the pen. Sarah, who had been observing the turtles for a while, knew that one of the reptiles wasn't sick and quickly suspected the two devious scientists.
*****
The four turtles lay on the grassy floor of the enclosure, not having much else to do. After taking a few catnaps, Donatello opened his eyes and noticed a news crew filming them. A blonde reporter fixed up her hair behind the camera, while asking her colleagues whether or not she looked okay. A clever smile encompassed Donatello's face as he thought that now would be a good time to use the pen, knowing that the rest of America would see the deed.
A stir of noise was heard from the audience when he completed his new mathematical formula. Proud with himself, Don turned in time to spot one of the scientists shaking hands with another human. Something didn't seem right. He watched as the male scientist was hounded by the press, before leaving with his female coworker. Donatello stood still, senses on high alert.
He watched in horror as the two humans returned, this time with tranquilizer dart guns. Don and the others listened as the scientist lied through his teeth in order to use the tranquil out in public. Without a moment to lose, the two humans turned the sedative weapons towards them, trying to get a clear shot. Alarmed, the turtles huddled around Leonardo, seeking leadership.
"Spread out!" Leo barked. "Don't makes us a big target! We can dodge the shots easier alone!"
Obeying his command, the turtles spread out; prepared for anything. To their surprise, the two guns followed and locked onto Donatello. Panicking, Leo ran over to Don's side and acted like a shield. Deep down he knew it was futile; they couldn't dodge the tranquilizers forever. They would eventually fail, whether they liked it or not.
Dr Aquel ran around the platform and tried to get a clear shot on the purple male. Mike and Venus copied Leo and tried their best to hide Donatello from the scientists. They managed to dodge two shots through using their ninja skill, yet Leo was knocked out when the scientists decided it was easier to just get him out of the way.
With no leadership, the remaining three began to scamper around the enclosure, desperately trying to avoid the barrel of the dart gun. Though the scientists would have preferred to sedate Donatello first, they would eventually have to tranquilize them all so they would be able to remove the marker, and Donatello. Mike soon became their next target, but he was smart and submerged himself in the pond water. Venus was locked onto next.
She didn't run. Instead she stood her ground and began to chant an incantation. A blue and purple glow began to form in her hands as her chi energy began to build. The scientists looked at the female's power with curiosity through their scopes. The ball of energy propelled itself through the air and hit one of the dart guns dead on, causing the shooting mechanisms to jam temporarily. Don cheered while Mike bubbled with victory in the pond. But it was short lived as Dr Aquel's dart gun swiftly sedated Venus.
With a quick reload, Don was shot down with the next dart. He staggered over to the wall and pulled out the projectile, trying to fight the blanket of unconsciousness. Mike cried out from his position in the pond, wanting to dash out and protect Don in his arms. Donatello slipped down to the ground, fast asleep, releasing the valued and troublesome marker from his weak grip.
Dr Yesmal managed to get his dart gun working again and quickly aimed it at Mike. The last conscious turtle fearfully retreated back to the deepest part of the pond. Dr Yesmal called Dr Aquel off, knowing that if the turtle were to be sedated in the water, then there would be a high risk of him drowning. It was a waiting game, and Michelangelo knew it.
He breathed heavily as he treaded the water, tears coming down his face. Mike shivered in fear, as he knew he couldn't hide in the pond forever. He stayed in the water for fifteen minutes, terrified of what would happen if he left. What scared him even more was that he didn't know what they were going to do once they were all unconscious. He gulped in some air, slowly but surely becoming more and more tired.
Though the notes she was making were fantastic, Sarah couldn't help but feel sorry for the shivering turtle all alone in the pond. She stared at the reptile, soon ignoring her observations she had to make for biology. Sarah watched as the tears dribbled down his fearful face.
Growing impatient, Dr Yesmal signaled his coworker to go and wait outside the enclosure door. When she was ready, Dr Yesmal fired his weapon and tagged Mike on the right shoulder. Dr Aquel immediately entered the enclosure and managed with all of her strength to pull the lightheaded turtle to the edge of the pond, saving him from drowning.
After a minute or so, Dr Yesmal joined Dr Aquel in the enclosure. He pulled out his cell phone and placed a call out to the reptile handling staff, and to Joseph Fiffer so he could take his new specimen back to Washington DC with him.
*****
Leonardo groaned groggily as a loud yelling stirred him from his dreamless sleep. After confirming his senses that he was back in the glass prison, he began to focus on what Mike was screaming about.
"DON! DONNY!" Mike yelled, tears streaming down his depressed face. Leo looked around from his position on the floor. Venus, Mike and him were still in the same cell, yet Donatello wasn't. He scanned his eyes around the room and was greatly saddened when he failed to find him in another prison. "DONNY!" Mike yelled again, hoping against hope that he would receive an answer.
Leonardo stood up and placed his hands on Mike's shoulders. "Mike, calm down," Leo started.
"Calm down! Donny's missing!! How can you tell me to calm down!" Mike blurted out, as another tear washed over his cheek.
"Mike… As long as he's still alive, there's hope."
"What are we going to do? Escape!? That's easy for you to say! Every time someone tries to escape, they get taken away! Who's next Leo?!? Who's next?! Answer me that!" Mike screeched, unleashing his thoughts fluently. Leonardo didn't answer. Instead, tears began to encircle his eyes. "Once the scientists find out about Venus, you know she's gonna be taken away! You know that! Or maybe it's gonna be one of us, so they can pair her up, just like they did with Raph!" Mike managed to say before he broke down into distressed sobs. His body shuddered with sadness as his world began to collapse around him.
Leo took Mike into his arms and gave him a supporting hug. "I was so scared Leo," Mike whispered. "You don't know what it's like to be the last one standing," he cried.
"I do," Venus whispered. The two males broke their embrace to look at the female. She had been standing there the whole time, watching the scene unfold, not knowing what to say or do.
"Oh Venus," Mike croaked as he went over and gave her a hug. Although she had never gotten along with Donatello, it still hurt to know that he was gone, and that he was now living alone without them. "Make the pain go away," Mike whimpered over her shoulder.
A tear drifted down Leo's face as he watched his last two followers despair, knowing that time was slowly running out if they ever wanted to be free. That goal and dream had now become further away, as the power of writing was no longer on their side; they had lost the marker, along with Donatello.
