Rene – In Australia, the American spelling is only starting to be accepted (I blame it on the younger generation and Sesame Street ). I wanted to change over a while ago, but I asked my English teacher and she said that some exam markers will only like the British spelling, and that I'd be marked down if I spell the American way with all the z's. So for that reason, I've decided to keep spelling words the British way so I don't develop a bad habit in exam situations. I will however use American terminology whenever I can remember as I know that most of my readers are American. But here's the annoying part… I've got American spell check, so every time I write realise or summarise etc, I get a red error line underneath so it makes it hard to find the real mistakes I've made. Thanks for helping me pick up the misspellings earlier, and I've updated the previous chapter since I really don't like leaving character's names spelt wrong.
Chapter 30: Silver's Past.
Donatello sighed, once again not being able to fall into a deep sleep. Just like the previous night, he could sense that something was wrong, yet he knew that he was just simply imagining things again. Nevertheless, the fact remained that he couldn't sleep, so he opened his eyes out of boredom. Noticing the resting bodies of his family around him, Donatello was about to ignore his feelings of dread, until he did a double take and found that Silver, Raphael and Diana were indeed missing.
Starting to worry, Donatello looked down the tunnel and found Diana. She was standing all alone; staring out into the dark depths of the vast sewer system as though she was expecting or waiting for someone to return. Highly curious, Don stood up and approached the little girl. "Hey Diana. What are you doing out of bed?" Don asked Diana lightly with a kind tone to his voice.
"I'm waiting for, for Raphael," was all the girl said with a slightly scared tone.
"Where have Raphael and Silver gone?" Don wondered, getting more and more worried as the time passed. Diana's lip trembled with confused and opposing thoughts. Don urgently bent down on one knee and looked her in the eyes. "Please, Diana. Tell your uncle Donatello," the turtle urged.
"But… but Raph said that I would be a tad, taddie tayle," Diana attempted to explain, trying to use her brother's exact words. Don put both of his hands on her shoulders.
"Diana… please. You can tell me. I won't get angry," Don tried a more calmer and trusting approach. Diana shook her head as a tear started to roll down her cheek. "What exactly did Raphael say to you?" Donatello asked another question, beginning to get impatient. He hoped that his interrogation wouldn't be in vain due to the girl's naiveté.
"He, he said that I couldn't tell mummy or daddy where he was going 'cause, 'cause then I'd be a, a taddie tayle if I told mummy and daddy where he was going," Diana explained further with more reason. Don nodded quietly and suddenly thought of how he could persuade his niece into telling him the information he so desperately needed.
"But Diana, I'm not your mummy or daddy. I'm your uncle. Raphael didn't say that you couldn't tell me. So please; where is Raph? I promise I won't be angry," Donatello pleaded in a gentle voice. The little girl stared at her uncle until she decided that he had a point; she had only promised not to tell Venus and Leonardo.
"Raph and, and Silver have gone to New… New York-"
"New York?" Don interrupted in surprise. A sudden urgency ripped through his body. "Where? Why, Diana?"
"'Cause, 'cause-" Diana shed another tear, realising that she couldn't say or remember the words in order to tell her uncle more detail about the current situation.
"Because what?" Don urged her on with increasing anxiety.
"'Cause, 'cause he wanted re… rev, revenge and…" Diana trailed off as another tear fell to the floor. She started to feel guilty that she hadn't told someone else sooner as she had a feeling that this information was highly important. Donatello sighed, knowing what Raphael was planning. Why Silver was with him, he did not know.
In an instant Donatello woke up everybody else in the tunnel. "What is it Donny?" Leo asked, slightly disorientated from his sudden awakening.
"Raphael and Silver are gone," Donatello said to them all urgently.
"What?! Where?" Leonardo was suddenly wide awake.
"They've gone back to New York, Leo. Raphael wants his revenge on Dr Welner," Don informed him. Everyone was quiet for a moment as they allowed for the sentence to sink in.
"Let's get to the airport," Leonardo decided seriously.
21 hours later. Flight 158; Los Angeles to New York.
Raphael nervously looked around when he realised that it was almost time to land. "We'll be getting off soon," Silver suddenly reconfirmed. Raphael simply nodded in understanding. The two mutants had barely said anything to each other throughout the entire trip; too uneasy and worried about the future of their mission to strike up a conversation. Yet as the length of silence increased, so did their boredom. Thankfully for most of the time either or both of them were sleeping so that there was an 'excuse' as to why there was no conversation. Yet with Raphael being the curious and insightful child he was, towards the end of the series of flights he could no longer stand the extreme quietness. As Raphael stared at Silver, while the large ape stared straight back, the boy suddenly thought of something he'd always wanted to ask.
"Hey… Silver?" Raph started his question.
"Hmm," Silver lazily hummed in answer out of pure boredom.
"Back at the zoo… when Dr Aquel did her keeper talks… she classified you as a Yeti because she didn't know what else to call you. Well… what are you?" Raphael asked awkwardly. Silver stared at the boy as though he was thinking whether or not he should answer his legitimate question. Concluding that the boy was in no means a threat, Silver decided to discuss what he rarely spoke about; his past.
"Kid… Dr Aquel was right," was all Silver said. Raphael's eyes opened wider.
"So… So you are a Yeti!?" Raphael uttered out in surprise. Silver nodded slowly.
"My family was the pride of the Himalayas," Silver repeated what he had once said to Michelangelo many, many years ago, though this time he announced it in a sadder tone.
"But I thought that Yeti's were brown?" Raph wondered out loud.
"They are. I'm just an albino… a mutant," Silver said with a slight scowl at his genetic makeup.
"But you don't have red eyes," Raphael stated, not believing his ears. Silver suddenly gave him a smirk.
"That's the kindergarten version," Silver said, wanting to break the stereotype. "Just because I'm an albino doesn't mean that I have to have white hair and red eyes like a rabbit. See, there are different types of albinism. I've only got a loss of pigmentation in my fur, while with some humans, they might only have no pigmentation in their eyes, giving them gray or red iris'," Silver explained. "Either way, my colouring made me an outcast of my species," Silver mumbled.
"So what happened to your family?" Raphael boldly asked. Silver sighed and looked at the young boy.
"What happened to my species, you mean," Silver corrected his question gloomily. "You see, there were many Yeti clans within the mountains and we each had our own territory. My family, naturally, had the best land," Silver said sadly, though there was still a proud look in his eyes.
"So what happened?" Raphael urged the talking ape on.
"Humans," Silver summarised with a growl in his voice. "They kept trying to find us; study us. Then they wanted to live there, so when their civilisation increased, our territory decreased in size. It wasn't long then till they brought their diseases as well," Silver scowled. Raphael fell silent, not daring to ask what happened next. But the boy didn't need to as Silver continued his story without encouragement from the young turtle.
"Chicken Pox. It was harmless enough for young humans, but not for Yetis. While baby humans only got itchy sores, my species suffered large blisters, both outside and inside the body. After a couple of days, the blisters began to swell, and if you were unfortunate enough to have blisters down your windpipe, then you choked to death," Silver explained quietly, shuddering as he remembered all the horrific memories. "If you didn't choke to death, then eventually you died from infection when the blisters started to burst," Silver finished the rest.
Raphael took a moment to let all the information he had just heard sink in. "So how many died from the disease?" Raph wondered.
"My whole species… apart from me," Silver said grimly. "It was an outbreak, but somehow I was immune. Maybe it was because I had the albinism gene, or maybe it was because I was cursed to be an outcast and be alone for all of my life… I don't know. I don't know why I was saved while the others died," Silver detested. "I waited though. When all of my family had passed away, I knew that another clan would quickly take over our territory and that I'd be exiled or killed as an enemy. So I reluctantly waited for them… but no one ever came. Two months later, after not seeing any other Yetis, I came to the decision that I was the last of my kind," Silver completed his story about the ordeals he faced while in the Himalayas.
"So how come you eventually led a life of crime with a bunch of henchmen?" Raphael was extremely curious now.
"Well I just wanted to leave the mountains. I stayed in China for a while, but somehow I could never fully grasp the language, unlike your mother," Silver said while Raphael simply gave him a small grin in response. "So I quickly learned English and hopped on a boat to explore the Western world, not really knowing what to expect. I chose America because at that particular time it was known as the land of opportunity. I soon found myself in Queens, New York, trying to make a living through terrorising the bums on the street, and I guess through doing that I began to loathe the human race," Silver summarised. Raphael nodded in understanding, as he had similar thoughts imbedded into his mind.
Silver took a deep breath and sighed. "I guess I just wanted what they had," the ape admitted softly. "It was about that time when a powerful crime syndicate developed in New York City. They called themselves the Foot," Silver added while looking directly at Raphael, knowing that the boy knew of the ninja clan as well. "They managed to capture me and use me as 'target practice' for their training in defeating their mutant enemies," Silver continued, still looking straight into Raphael's sorrowful eyes. "They were the ones who called me Silver. I guess it was kind of a stereotypical fighting alias or something. But it wasn't all bad. While I was there I learnt how the Foot members stole items and gained money, how to sneak into museums and whatnot. I never met the leader, Oroku, Oruko Sushi, or whatever his name was though," Silver said, remembering the conversation he had with Mike in the zoo about Oroku Saki.
"Then one day there was a revolt. I was freed by a couple of disloyal members and… well… from then on they became my henchmen. Using all the skills I had learnt while being a prisoner, I took up a life of crime, becoming competition for the Foot and leading a more luxurious lifestyle out of the citizen's expense," Silver said, ending his long story about his past.
"Think you'll ever go back to the Himalayas?" Raphael asked genuinely.
"Maybe… I suppose I'll return when there's nothing left for me in Western society. Who knows, there could very well be other Yetis out there that I have yet to meet," Silver started to think positively. All of a sudden they felt the plane starting to descend. "So do you know where this scientist guy lives?" Silver asked the boy. Raphael shook his head as an answer. "You don't plan things out fully, do you?" Silver noted bluntly.
"I know that he used to work at the zoo though. If we go there, then we might find some old files on him or something," Raphael suggested on a whim.
"I'm not going back there if we can help it," Silver threatened.
"I promise I'll help you find and defeat Bonesteel," Raphael pleaded and blackmailed the ape.
"You better. You'll owe me for this," Silver stated.
At the zoo, 11 p.m.
Dr Yesmal looked at the portable clock on his desk before yawning. Although the mutants were well and truly gone, the scientist still stayed behind after work in order to conduct further research into the biological samples they had obtained when the creatures were still in captivity. In the hopes that they'd one day be returned to the zoo, Dr Yesmal had planned out a breeding schedule; knowing exactly what animal was compatible with another so to prolong the inevitability of inbreeding.
Sitting at his desk and jotting down some notes onto a pad of paper, Dr Yesmal yawned once again and looked up from his work. He jumped in shock when he saw Raphael in the corner of his office. The adult scowled at him while he stared at the bullet wound, the bulky muscles and his many, many battle scars on his shell. Dr Yesmal closed his eyes and counted to ten before opening them again. Just like an apparition the deceased adult turtle was gone. "I should stop working so late," the scientist muttered to himself before he delved into his notes once again. Yet the ghost had made him uneasy, as though the turtle wanted to leap out and hit him. As freaked out as he was at that moment, he eventually managed to calm down and completely focus on the task at hand.
Ten minutes passed and nothing had happened. Dr Yesmal read through his notes before looking up once again. He jumped in shock when he saw another turtle in the corner of his office, but this time it wasn't a ghost, but rather his son. The boy walked forward while the scientist moved back. Dr Yesmal eyed the tranquilizer dart gun in the rack against the wall. Desperate, he lurched out for it, but his trip was painfully interrupted as Raphael threw a single sai through his hand. Dr Yesmal forgot about the gun and started to scream in agony. Both terrified at what he had done, yet loving his suffering at the same time, Raphael shakily stepped forward, pulled out the sai and pushed the scientist back into his seat.
Partially mesmerised by the blood that was pooling out of his hand and onto the sleek table, Raphael suddenly snapped out of his frightened trance and tried to act more serious. "Um… I want to know where Dr Welner lives…" Raphael said uncertainly. Dr Yesmal didn't react and instead he kept calling out for help. Completely inexperienced in the situation, Raph decided to ask again, but with this time more force. "Where does Dr Welner live?" Raphael yelled. Dr Yesmal calmed down yet he still didn't answer. Acting on instinct, Raphael slammed his bloodied sai into the desk near the scientist's injured hand. "Where is he?!" Raphael seethed, starting to get used to the art of interrogation.
"I… I'll have to… to check," Dr Yesmal managed to stutter through his pain. He shakily stood up and slowly walked over to the filing cabinet by the wall. Carefully he flicked through the numerous files until he found one with past employee information, making sure that he didn't make any sudden movements for fear that the turtle might attack him again. With his uninjured still shaking, he handed the file to Raphael. The boy anxiously flicked through and found the address on one of the pages, which he then ripped out and tucked it into the back of his bandanna for safekeeping. Starting to get scared himself, Raph chucked the rest of the file on the desk and swiftly exited the room.
"How'd it go?" Silver asked, standing outside the office keeping guard.
"Um… Okay," Raphael said, still shaken about what he had committed.
"I heard screaming," Silver said, slightly concerned.
"Don't worry about it. Let's just get out of here," Raphael said quickly and started to walk away.
When he was certain the two creatures were gone, Dr Yesmal swiftly ripped a part of his lab coat and tied it around his puncture wound. When he felt the bleeding had slowed, he picked up the phone on his desk and made two phone calls; one to Dr Welner as a warning, and one to Bonesteel to tip him off as to where the runaways would be.
One hour later. Dr Welner's apartment.
Dr Welner nervously clutched the rifle in his hands. He had been tiredly waiting in the kitchen of his home for almost an hour. Nervous, he started his routine patrol and checked in on his heavily pregnant wife. He sighed with relief when he found her still sleeping, safe and sound. "This is stupid," Dr Welner murmured under his breath. "Prank call or something… Killer turtle coming after me… What gives Yesmal the right…" the ex-scientist muttered to himself while he put his gun away back into his locked closet. He kept murmuring those thoughts while he headed back to bed, trying to convince himself that the warning he'd received wasn't true.
"Is everything alright?" his wife asked tiredly when he finally returned to bed.
"Yeah. Must've been a prank call," Dr Welner said while fixing up his sheets on his side of the mattress. Dr Welner closed his eyes and tried to allow the comfort of sleep to take over. Still slightly nervous, the man thought he heard some movement within the room. Edgy, Dr Welner reached out and turned on his bedside lamp. He jumped in shock when he saw the eight year old turtle next to his bed with both sai unsheathed. Rudely roused from her sleep, Dr Welner's wife started screaming, causing Raphael to hesitate in swiftly killing his target.
The boy was scared, knowing that he was way out of his depth. He knew that Silver was in the next room to help if something unfavourable were to happen, such as Dr Welner fighting back with an improvised weapon. Yet there was still plenty on doubt in Raph's mind. With all the talks he had with his parents and uncles, he started to wonder whether he was doing the right thing; if this really was justice. Then he remembered why he was here in the first place and suddenly a surge of anger rippled through his small body. Raising both sai above his head, Dr Welner yelled with fright when he realised that this could be the end.
Suddenly the glass window which looked onto the fire escape smashed into smithereens. As quick as a flash, Raphael was disarmed and pushed away from the ex-scientist. The boy looked in astonishment at Leonardo, not expecting him to be in New York. Michelangelo and Donatello quickly entered the apartment following Leo's lead before Venus helped Diana cross through the smashed glass. "Are you alright sir?" Leo asked Dr Welner and his pregnant wife. Numbed by trauma, the man simply nodded in response.
"Why… Why are you here?!" Raphael suddenly protested. Silver could hear the commotion in the other room, though he decided to remain hidden in the rest of the apartment for the time being knowing that Leo would not be pleased by his appearance.
"Raphael, we cannot let you do this," Leonardo said sternly.
"Why not?! Why can't I have my revenge?" Raphael argued. Leo sighed, sensing that the boy already knew the answer yet he was too stubborn to listen to his gut feelings.
"Raphael you know why already. Killing this man will only make you sink to his level," Leonardo said softly, pointing to the pregnant wife who was shaking like a leaf in fear. In an instant, Raphael understood why he was so hesitant. The wife was just like Venus when his father was killed, and the unborn child would grow up and lead a similar life like himself. He was hesitant because exacting revenge wasn't just about Dr Welner, but it affected the man's whole family as well, and Raphael didn't want them, the innocent, to suffer. "Come on. I didn't chase you half way across the world for nothing," Leo said.
Defeated, Raphael walked over and rejoined his family, knowing that he couldn't find it in himself to commit the deed anyway. Realising his mistakes, a few anguished tears escaped from his eyes. "I'm sorry dad," Raphael said, slightly shaken about what might have taken place. If he had killed Dr Welner, then the horrible darkness of anger would have taken over his mind and scarred him for life. As a ninja, he wasn't ready to murder someone yet, and even if he was, he couldn't find the honour in killing a man in front of his pregnant wife. A part of his mind sighed with relief, knowing that a monster within himself could have been created that night.
"Let's go, okay," Leo soothed his adopted son. The entire turtle family turned to leave, but instead of facing an empty fire escape, they found Bonesteel holding a tranquilizer dart gun in front on their face. Immediately the turtles backed away, giving the hunter some room.
"It's getting easier every time," Bonesteel commented with an evil smirk on his face.
"Bonesteel!" Dr Welner called out in relief, wanting to be saved from the horrible creatures in his apartment. With a smile, the hunter kept approaching the turtles, while they kept stepping back, until they hit the bedroom wall.
"Now who should be put to sleep first?" Bonesteel inquired cruelly.
"You should be," Silver growled, bursting in from the next room. Surprised at the Yeti's abrupt appearance, Bonesteel attempted to quickly shoot Silver, yet he failed and missed in his haste. Grasping at the opportunity, before Bonesteel had time to reload, Silver grabbed onto the hunter's neck hard and fast. Using his hidden strength, Silver lifted Bonesteel off the ground. The hunter kicked and flinched, gasping for the precious air that was hardly getting through to his lungs. Blood rushed to his head, but Bonesteel managed to stay alive despite the burning sensations in his throat. Deciding that he had had enough of playing around, Silver made the final blow. Lifting his free hand, Silver grabbed Bonesteel across the face while still holding him above ground with his other. Then, with a simple twist of the wrist, the hunter's neck was snapped clean and fast.
A scream was heard from the two humans, while a gasp of horror was uttered from the family of turtles. Silver continued to hold the limp carcass above ground until he abruptly tossed it to the floor like a dirty rag doll. The body of their most feared opponent laid motionless on the carpet of the apartment; his neck was twisted at a bizarre angle. After a minute of being in extreme silence, it became clear that Bonesteel was dead.