{/Author's Note: When we last left our heroes...
Hehe, nah, I'm not gonna recap. I'm sure if you've been following along, you know exactly where we are! Short chapter, but I'm not in the mood to make another chapter as long as that first one... chapters four and five are already looking to be pretty long! Anyway, though, a word of thanks.
Reinbeauchaser (or Rene ), I really appreciate your latest review! I'd definitely run my stuff through spellchecker if I had it (I'm writing my stuff on wordpad, sob), so I've discussed the issue with my best pal and part-time beta reader KayceeRonin. She'll run the fics through spellchecker herself for me. I'll go back and fix my errors in the previous chapters in time. Many thanks!
To Kaycee, it's all your fault that this story ended up multi-chaptered! Don't even tell me not to blame you... because I BLAME you. X3
Thanks to everyone who complimented my use of accents in this particular story. I have to admit it's extremely difficult to pull it off efficiently. Both him and Casey have that Brooklyn speech pattern that almost sounds illiterate (and DOES sound illiterate if you're Casey --;). Also, I apologize both belatedly AND ahead of time for Raphael's potty mouth... but I seriously see him as the one who can't keep a lid on anything, especially not what he wants to say. I'll bet he got his mouth washed out with soap a LOT as a kid...
On a final note, if anyone's interested, there's still three characters open in an rp we have on GreatestJournal... just look up the community/username 'turtlepower'. We still need Hun, Casey Jones, and Baxter Stockman... and original characters are welcome as well!/}
{={Eyes Wide Shut}=}
==Part 3: Race with the Devil==
This day could not possibly get any worse.
Donatello had decided upon that fact from the moment his feet had left the ground when Leonardo, unknowing of what he was doing, flipped and flung his unwary younger brother right into Casey Jones. Casey himself certainly must've been suffering from the shell of a 180-pound turtle slamming into his abdomen. After all, who wouldn't be?
It was hard for him to fathom what Leonardo could be seeing instead of his friends. Perhaps the Elite Foot, or the dreaded Mystic Ninjas?
Whatever it was, he knew from the expression on Leonardo's face that it could not have been good. Dizzy from the throw, he pulled himself to his feet before helping Casey stand. The human gave a low groan, resting a hand just below his breastplate. "Damn... I hate bein' one-upped, but this is sad. Whata we gotta do ta get through ta him, Don?"
Donatello swallowed. He had no idea what to say, and even less of a clue what to do. He wanted desperately to help his brother... but now, just this once, he found himself staring at a problem he had no immediate fix for. "To be honest, I have no idea." Casey gave him a look that read of panic. "I'm serious! This is a totally out-of-the-ordinary situation... I haven't had time to think of a plan!"
Growing steadily more unnerved by the situation, Casey barely managed to hold in a shout as he jumped back, dodging the downward swing of the pipe in Leonardo's hands. "Y'betta think faster, Donny... or he's gonna mop the floor with us!"
"I'm thinking, I'm thinking!" Donatello cried, ducking under another sweep. "But I don't think so well on my feet...!"
=====
"They should be back by now, April. I'm gonna go look for 'em!"
Raphael was vehement about going after Donatello at this point, and at first, April thought there would be no way to subdue him. But an injured Raphael was a less-violent Raphael, and despite his rowdy nature, he would never strike a woman. Especially not April.
Beyond that, however, whenever he began to get riled up about finding Donatello, he would find himself pinned by the sight of his baby brother and his father, both of them unable to defend themselves. He trusted April to take care of them, but who would take care of her if the Foot came after this place while they were weak and defenseless?
Finally, he gave a disheartened sigh, sinking to the floor next to Michelangelo. The younger of the two brothers groaned in his sleep, turning his head to one side. Almost instinctively, Raphael tensed, reaching up with his uninjured hand to give his brother's arm a comforting squeeze. "S'all right, Mikey... everything's gonna be fine."
He hadn't worried quite as much about Splinter, but only because April had constantly watched over the old rat, and had finally told him his wounds weren't serious enough to be life or health threatening. It was Michelangelo that held his attention now, as his condition was worsening more than it was improving. Donatello was the only one with the medical know-how to help, and he was off chasing Leonardo, who could very well have slipped back into whatever was wrong with him by now!
April frowned as she watched Raphael's face grow darker and darker as he continued to stew in his own thoughts. Sitting on her knees beside him, she gave a sigh, trying to lighten the mood with one of her pleasant smiles. "How's Mikey doing, Raph...?"
"No betta," replied Raphael lowly. "Lookit 'im. He hasn't moved 'cept for turnin' his head or groanin'."
Twisting her hands together, April turned her eyes to Michelangelo's still form. "He's just resting... he needs time to recover--..."
"Don't give me no fuckin' sugar-coatin' here, April! Mikey's in a lotta danger... I know damn well he could DIE." April winced, but Raphael continued his tirade, his temper pushed far past its limits. "Master Splinter's hurt too... I know he can make it. He's tough, real tough. Tougher than we'll ever be. But Mikey... well, it's Mikey!"
"I believe that will be quite enough, Raphael. Miss O'Neil is only doing what she can to help."
The voice that spoke from behind them was quiet, but easily recognizable. Black eyes stared at them as they glanced back at him, framed by graying silver fur and set within a kind, knowing face. Raphael swallowed, forcing back the relief he wanted to show, afraid of how weak it may make him look. "Sensei... you're awake!"
The rat was sitting up, looking tired but healthy. His eyes were focused on his sons, then at April, and finally, he took a good look around the room. He appeared distraught. "I let my guard down before... you all were in danger."
Raphael stared at his master for a moment before turning, brow furrowed as he shook his head. "It ain't your fault, Master. Whoeva did that to Leo... they're ta blame." A growl escaped his throat after a moment. "And whoever it is, I'm gonna make 'em pay."
Splinter frowned at that, standing up uncertainly. April moved to stand beside him, hands resting on his shoulders as he let out an uneasy sigh. "Thank you, Miss O'Neil... it would seem I still have much to do in the way of recovery."
"Don't push y'self too hard, Sensei." Raphael stood, watching his mentor with a worried gaze. "Here... y'betta siddown."
The rat complied with a quiet sigh before looking around once again, concern etched into his every feature. "Where are Leonardo and Donatello?"
"I wish we knew, Master Splinter," April replied softly. "I really wish we knew..."
=====
In the sewer where Leonardo had suddenly turned on Donatello and Casey, things were not going in their favor. Donatello had suggested trying to lead Leonardo back towards April's apartment in the hopes that if they got him within range, the mind control would be reversed and they could calm him down and bring him home.
Every time they started to move back, though, the unknowing turtle would run, and Donatello and Casey would be after him again.
Things were looking particularly grim at this point. Both of those in pursuit of the oldest turtle were becoming tired, and being asleep was obviously a plus for Leonardo. Finally, Donatello let out an agitated sigh. "That's it. We're gonna have to fight him."
"What're you, nuts?!" cried Casey. "He's on a warpath, an' you think we can take 'im out?! I thought you were the SMART one, Donny!"
"That doesn't mean I know everything!"
The two dodged again as Leonardo lunged once more, this time managing to sweep the broken pipe so close to Donatello's arm that he swore it broke skin. He was getting sloppy, and he knew it was because he was wearing down.
There had to be some way to lead Leonardo back to the range of his machine... some way to help him!
Lost in his thoughts, Donatello hadn't heard Casey shouting at him to watch his back, and had not noticed Leonardo's sudden recovery and second lunge. The broken pipe caught him hard across the shoulder, and a second time across the face. Donatello staggered, stumbling back to catch the wall as pain coursed through him from the blows. His older brother had struck him in practice with the wooden weapons they had used as children, but he never recalled being in this much pain in comparison.
"Donny!" Casey called over. "You all right?!"
Although he knew the answer otherwise, Donatello nodded. "I'll distract him, Casey! You go topside... tell April and Raph what's going on down here! I can hold 'im!"
Casey froze where he stood, uncertain as to whether or not he should listen. He shifted uncertainly on his feet. "You sure...?!"
"Yes! Go!"
Frowning, Casey took off in the direction they had come, leaving Donatello alone with the half-dazed Leonardo. The blue-clad brother didn't even seem asleep, an almost sharp eye focused on his little brother's every move.
Donatello shifted uneasily, the throbbing in his arm making it nearly impossible for him to properly hold his bo. The bone in his upper arm was shattered, and he was still seeing spots from the blow to the head. His reaction time would be poor if this was a concussion, like he suspected.
He almost wished he hadn't told Casey to leave.
Suddenly, Leonardo lunged forward again, and one of the pipes caught Donatello once more across the face. A fourth hit followed, and a fifth, then a sixth.
The brainiac could no longer stand straight. He leaned dizzily against a wall until a blow to his leg brought existence back to him in one staggering stab of excruciating pain. He tried to escape, but again, more blows followed, and soon, he collapsed under his own weight. His legs were broken in several places... how could Leonardo ever be this cruel?! He reminded himself again... it wasn't his brother doing this.
Hissing in pain, he recalled reading that a sleepwalker was a dangerous person... they could attack unprovoked... do things they never would have done awake. He would have contemplated on the matter further, but the dull crack of the pipe across his neck and head sent him spiraling into unconsciousness faster than he could blink.
=====
Casey frowned as he ran, unable to really shake the feeling that behind him, something was horribly wrong.
He had left Donatello alone to fend off Leonardo, who certainly wasn't in his right mind... even Casey knew that. He could be hurt, or worse!
Although he had gone on Donatello's request, he couldn't in good conscience leave his pal back there alone. And so, Casey Jones turned around, spinning his hockey stick in one hand before running back to where the pair had been fighting.
He nearly ran directly into Donatello, who was moving in a way that told Casey he was not at all 'okay'. Frowning, he reached to brace his friend, who was panting through gritted teeth. He had heard that there was some ninja technique that allowed a fighter to mask their pain and return to wherever it was they needed to go, but if Donatello was using it, it was obviously not helping him much at all.
"Donny, what the hell happened?!" the human questioned.
Donatello just shook his head. "No time to explain, Casey! Follow Leonardo... I think he's headed to the Shredder's skyscraper!"
Casey's shoulders tensed as he gave his friend as stern a look as he could muster. "I'll follow after I getcha ta April's, got it?"
"There's no time!" Donatello was vehement, and the outburst seemed to cause him some pain. He bit back a groan of agony, then continued. "Who knows WHAT they'll do to Leo!"
There wasn't much arguing with that. Casey set his jaw and nodded. "Got it. But don't you dare kick it. Got that, Donny?"
The young turtle nodded as Casey ran past him, heading towards the nearest exit to make his way after the unknowing Leonardo.
Donatello, on the other hand, pressed on. He could hardly move, let alone walk, his legs shooting hot daggers of pain through every inch of his body with every step he took.
His vision was blurry by the time that he reached the manhole that led to the alley beside April's apartment, and he found he could not even focus on the rungs enough to grab them.
He likely would have reached for his Shell Cell, but before he could, the pain finally came back full force as he lost the concentration that had been allowing him to move, and even to stay conscious. The purple-clad brother collapsed to his side, falling silent and still on the walkway, with no one the wiser of the critical injuries he had sustained...
==To Be Continued==
Hehe, nah, I'm not gonna recap. I'm sure if you've been following along, you know exactly where we are! Short chapter, but I'm not in the mood to make another chapter as long as that first one... chapters four and five are already looking to be pretty long! Anyway, though, a word of thanks.
Reinbeauchaser (or Rene ), I really appreciate your latest review! I'd definitely run my stuff through spellchecker if I had it (I'm writing my stuff on wordpad, sob), so I've discussed the issue with my best pal and part-time beta reader KayceeRonin. She'll run the fics through spellchecker herself for me. I'll go back and fix my errors in the previous chapters in time. Many thanks!
To Kaycee, it's all your fault that this story ended up multi-chaptered! Don't even tell me not to blame you... because I BLAME you. X3
Thanks to everyone who complimented my use of accents in this particular story. I have to admit it's extremely difficult to pull it off efficiently. Both him and Casey have that Brooklyn speech pattern that almost sounds illiterate (and DOES sound illiterate if you're Casey --;). Also, I apologize both belatedly AND ahead of time for Raphael's potty mouth... but I seriously see him as the one who can't keep a lid on anything, especially not what he wants to say. I'll bet he got his mouth washed out with soap a LOT as a kid...
On a final note, if anyone's interested, there's still three characters open in an rp we have on GreatestJournal... just look up the community/username 'turtlepower'. We still need Hun, Casey Jones, and Baxter Stockman... and original characters are welcome as well!/}
{={Eyes Wide Shut}=}
==Part 3: Race with the Devil==
This day could not possibly get any worse.
Donatello had decided upon that fact from the moment his feet had left the ground when Leonardo, unknowing of what he was doing, flipped and flung his unwary younger brother right into Casey Jones. Casey himself certainly must've been suffering from the shell of a 180-pound turtle slamming into his abdomen. After all, who wouldn't be?
It was hard for him to fathom what Leonardo could be seeing instead of his friends. Perhaps the Elite Foot, or the dreaded Mystic Ninjas?
Whatever it was, he knew from the expression on Leonardo's face that it could not have been good. Dizzy from the throw, he pulled himself to his feet before helping Casey stand. The human gave a low groan, resting a hand just below his breastplate. "Damn... I hate bein' one-upped, but this is sad. Whata we gotta do ta get through ta him, Don?"
Donatello swallowed. He had no idea what to say, and even less of a clue what to do. He wanted desperately to help his brother... but now, just this once, he found himself staring at a problem he had no immediate fix for. "To be honest, I have no idea." Casey gave him a look that read of panic. "I'm serious! This is a totally out-of-the-ordinary situation... I haven't had time to think of a plan!"
Growing steadily more unnerved by the situation, Casey barely managed to hold in a shout as he jumped back, dodging the downward swing of the pipe in Leonardo's hands. "Y'betta think faster, Donny... or he's gonna mop the floor with us!"
"I'm thinking, I'm thinking!" Donatello cried, ducking under another sweep. "But I don't think so well on my feet...!"
=====
"They should be back by now, April. I'm gonna go look for 'em!"
Raphael was vehement about going after Donatello at this point, and at first, April thought there would be no way to subdue him. But an injured Raphael was a less-violent Raphael, and despite his rowdy nature, he would never strike a woman. Especially not April.
Beyond that, however, whenever he began to get riled up about finding Donatello, he would find himself pinned by the sight of his baby brother and his father, both of them unable to defend themselves. He trusted April to take care of them, but who would take care of her if the Foot came after this place while they were weak and defenseless?
Finally, he gave a disheartened sigh, sinking to the floor next to Michelangelo. The younger of the two brothers groaned in his sleep, turning his head to one side. Almost instinctively, Raphael tensed, reaching up with his uninjured hand to give his brother's arm a comforting squeeze. "S'all right, Mikey... everything's gonna be fine."
He hadn't worried quite as much about Splinter, but only because April had constantly watched over the old rat, and had finally told him his wounds weren't serious enough to be life or health threatening. It was Michelangelo that held his attention now, as his condition was worsening more than it was improving. Donatello was the only one with the medical know-how to help, and he was off chasing Leonardo, who could very well have slipped back into whatever was wrong with him by now!
April frowned as she watched Raphael's face grow darker and darker as he continued to stew in his own thoughts. Sitting on her knees beside him, she gave a sigh, trying to lighten the mood with one of her pleasant smiles. "How's Mikey doing, Raph...?"
"No betta," replied Raphael lowly. "Lookit 'im. He hasn't moved 'cept for turnin' his head or groanin'."
Twisting her hands together, April turned her eyes to Michelangelo's still form. "He's just resting... he needs time to recover--..."
"Don't give me no fuckin' sugar-coatin' here, April! Mikey's in a lotta danger... I know damn well he could DIE." April winced, but Raphael continued his tirade, his temper pushed far past its limits. "Master Splinter's hurt too... I know he can make it. He's tough, real tough. Tougher than we'll ever be. But Mikey... well, it's Mikey!"
"I believe that will be quite enough, Raphael. Miss O'Neil is only doing what she can to help."
The voice that spoke from behind them was quiet, but easily recognizable. Black eyes stared at them as they glanced back at him, framed by graying silver fur and set within a kind, knowing face. Raphael swallowed, forcing back the relief he wanted to show, afraid of how weak it may make him look. "Sensei... you're awake!"
The rat was sitting up, looking tired but healthy. His eyes were focused on his sons, then at April, and finally, he took a good look around the room. He appeared distraught. "I let my guard down before... you all were in danger."
Raphael stared at his master for a moment before turning, brow furrowed as he shook his head. "It ain't your fault, Master. Whoeva did that to Leo... they're ta blame." A growl escaped his throat after a moment. "And whoever it is, I'm gonna make 'em pay."
Splinter frowned at that, standing up uncertainly. April moved to stand beside him, hands resting on his shoulders as he let out an uneasy sigh. "Thank you, Miss O'Neil... it would seem I still have much to do in the way of recovery."
"Don't push y'self too hard, Sensei." Raphael stood, watching his mentor with a worried gaze. "Here... y'betta siddown."
The rat complied with a quiet sigh before looking around once again, concern etched into his every feature. "Where are Leonardo and Donatello?"
"I wish we knew, Master Splinter," April replied softly. "I really wish we knew..."
=====
In the sewer where Leonardo had suddenly turned on Donatello and Casey, things were not going in their favor. Donatello had suggested trying to lead Leonardo back towards April's apartment in the hopes that if they got him within range, the mind control would be reversed and they could calm him down and bring him home.
Every time they started to move back, though, the unknowing turtle would run, and Donatello and Casey would be after him again.
Things were looking particularly grim at this point. Both of those in pursuit of the oldest turtle were becoming tired, and being asleep was obviously a plus for Leonardo. Finally, Donatello let out an agitated sigh. "That's it. We're gonna have to fight him."
"What're you, nuts?!" cried Casey. "He's on a warpath, an' you think we can take 'im out?! I thought you were the SMART one, Donny!"
"That doesn't mean I know everything!"
The two dodged again as Leonardo lunged once more, this time managing to sweep the broken pipe so close to Donatello's arm that he swore it broke skin. He was getting sloppy, and he knew it was because he was wearing down.
There had to be some way to lead Leonardo back to the range of his machine... some way to help him!
Lost in his thoughts, Donatello hadn't heard Casey shouting at him to watch his back, and had not noticed Leonardo's sudden recovery and second lunge. The broken pipe caught him hard across the shoulder, and a second time across the face. Donatello staggered, stumbling back to catch the wall as pain coursed through him from the blows. His older brother had struck him in practice with the wooden weapons they had used as children, but he never recalled being in this much pain in comparison.
"Donny!" Casey called over. "You all right?!"
Although he knew the answer otherwise, Donatello nodded. "I'll distract him, Casey! You go topside... tell April and Raph what's going on down here! I can hold 'im!"
Casey froze where he stood, uncertain as to whether or not he should listen. He shifted uncertainly on his feet. "You sure...?!"
"Yes! Go!"
Frowning, Casey took off in the direction they had come, leaving Donatello alone with the half-dazed Leonardo. The blue-clad brother didn't even seem asleep, an almost sharp eye focused on his little brother's every move.
Donatello shifted uneasily, the throbbing in his arm making it nearly impossible for him to properly hold his bo. The bone in his upper arm was shattered, and he was still seeing spots from the blow to the head. His reaction time would be poor if this was a concussion, like he suspected.
He almost wished he hadn't told Casey to leave.
Suddenly, Leonardo lunged forward again, and one of the pipes caught Donatello once more across the face. A fourth hit followed, and a fifth, then a sixth.
The brainiac could no longer stand straight. He leaned dizzily against a wall until a blow to his leg brought existence back to him in one staggering stab of excruciating pain. He tried to escape, but again, more blows followed, and soon, he collapsed under his own weight. His legs were broken in several places... how could Leonardo ever be this cruel?! He reminded himself again... it wasn't his brother doing this.
Hissing in pain, he recalled reading that a sleepwalker was a dangerous person... they could attack unprovoked... do things they never would have done awake. He would have contemplated on the matter further, but the dull crack of the pipe across his neck and head sent him spiraling into unconsciousness faster than he could blink.
=====
Casey frowned as he ran, unable to really shake the feeling that behind him, something was horribly wrong.
He had left Donatello alone to fend off Leonardo, who certainly wasn't in his right mind... even Casey knew that. He could be hurt, or worse!
Although he had gone on Donatello's request, he couldn't in good conscience leave his pal back there alone. And so, Casey Jones turned around, spinning his hockey stick in one hand before running back to where the pair had been fighting.
He nearly ran directly into Donatello, who was moving in a way that told Casey he was not at all 'okay'. Frowning, he reached to brace his friend, who was panting through gritted teeth. He had heard that there was some ninja technique that allowed a fighter to mask their pain and return to wherever it was they needed to go, but if Donatello was using it, it was obviously not helping him much at all.
"Donny, what the hell happened?!" the human questioned.
Donatello just shook his head. "No time to explain, Casey! Follow Leonardo... I think he's headed to the Shredder's skyscraper!"
Casey's shoulders tensed as he gave his friend as stern a look as he could muster. "I'll follow after I getcha ta April's, got it?"
"There's no time!" Donatello was vehement, and the outburst seemed to cause him some pain. He bit back a groan of agony, then continued. "Who knows WHAT they'll do to Leo!"
There wasn't much arguing with that. Casey set his jaw and nodded. "Got it. But don't you dare kick it. Got that, Donny?"
The young turtle nodded as Casey ran past him, heading towards the nearest exit to make his way after the unknowing Leonardo.
Donatello, on the other hand, pressed on. He could hardly move, let alone walk, his legs shooting hot daggers of pain through every inch of his body with every step he took.
His vision was blurry by the time that he reached the manhole that led to the alley beside April's apartment, and he found he could not even focus on the rungs enough to grab them.
He likely would have reached for his Shell Cell, but before he could, the pain finally came back full force as he lost the concentration that had been allowing him to move, and even to stay conscious. The purple-clad brother collapsed to his side, falling silent and still on the walkway, with no one the wiser of the critical injuries he had sustained...
==To Be Continued==