Chapter 2

Hunting

Raphael slept for all of that day and into the next. Every hour or so Leonardo or Donatello would try to wake him. Even Splinter spent a solid hour trying to get Raphael to get up to no avail. Finally as they were finishing their evening practice the next day they heard some movement from the couch.

Michelangelo made it to the couch first as Raphael rolled over, and blinked sleepily at them. "Well look who's returned to the land of the living," Michelangelo said with a grin.

Instantly the others were at his side. "Raph!" Leonardo exclaimed happily.

"Are you okay?" Donatello asked.

Raphael was awake, but something was off about him, something they couldn't put their finger on. "Yeah, yeah I'm fine, Donny. What's up with you guys?"

Leonardo frowned. "Do you have any idea what day it is?" he asked.

Puzzled Raphael said, "Wednesday?"

"It is Friday evening, Raphael," Splinter corrected, sounding relieved that his son was finally awake. "You came back to us early Thursday morning, and have been sleeping since. "

"You've been out cold for the last thirty six hours," Donatello added.

"Thirty six?" Raphael said incredulous. "I...I never sleep like that."

"Tell us about it," Michelangelo pipped up.

"Raph," Leonardo said trying to gain control of the conversation, "Tell us what you remember about the other night."

Still mildly puzzled, Raphael complied. "After I left Casey I went over to that place he showed us, down by the docks. The Foot was there, but I kept out of sight until they started shaking down this old guy. I couldn't let them hurt him."

"That's when The Foot grabbed you?" Donatello asked..

Raphael nodded. "I thought I had it for sure, but then this girl showed up out of nowhere. It was weird, she told them to leave me alone, and they did." He closed his eyes smiling blissfully. "She was something else I'll tell you. She had these blue eyes that just knocked me flat."

"Something knocked him flat, but I don't know if it was a girl," Michelangelo quipped.

Leonardo glared at Michelangelo, but quickly turned his attention back to Raphael. "Okay, then what happened?"

"She brought me here all the way to the warehouse," Raphael said. "I guess she was right when she said I needed some rest."

"She brought you here?" Leonardo echoed. "You told her how to find the lair?"

"No," Raphael answered, shaking his head. "She knew they way all by herself. She knew my name too."

Splinters tail curled into a tight coil then relaxed again, a sure sign that their sensei was unsettled. "How did this young woman know your name, Raphael."

Raphael shrugged. "I don't know, sensei. I asked her, but she said it wasn't important, so I dropped it."

Even Michelangelo was shaking his head in bafflement. "You didn't bother trying to find out how this babe who came out of nowhere knew your name because she said it wasn't important?"

Raphael shook his head in an effort to clear it. "I guess. I know it sounds crazy, but it all made sense when she was saying it."

Splinter sighed sounding slightly frustrated. "Raphael, look at me,"

Obediently Raphael turned his eyes to his sensei. Splinter gazed deeply into his eyes for several seconds then turned away. "Are you sure you feel all right?"

"Yeah, I feel fine," Raphael said. "Why?"

Splinter shook his head. "It matters not. Though I would ask you to stay near the lair for the next few days. That you have slept so long may mean that something else is amiss."

"Okay," Raphael said calmly.

Now Leonardo tensed up. Something was completely off about Raphael, and yet he wasn't sure what. Still Raphael seemed to be fine, so everyone started going about their business again. Silently Leonardo vowed to keep a close eye on Raphael.

The next day at morning practice Raphael's behavior was still off. It was Donatello who finally figured out what was going on.

"And here I come to save the day!" Michelangelo was in rare form this morning. He did nothing without some irksome patter. He and Leonardo were paired against Donatello and Raphael. Michelangelo was talking up a blue streak, and was slowly getting on Leonardo's nerves.

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a turtle! Come on, Raph! Pick up the pace, bro."

Leonardo had just about enough of Mikey's antics already, and he was about to chastize him when while dodging a blow from Donatello, he heard his brother said, "No leave him."

"Huh?" Leonardo spun, and tried to attack on Donatello again, so they could keep whispering.

"Leave Mikey alone. I wanna see how long it takes him to bug Raph," Donatello whispered as he countered Leonardo's blows.

Leonardo wondered what Donatello meant, but a few minutes later he had figured it out. Michelangelo wasn't getting on Raphael's nerves.

This is impossible, He thought as he struck again at Donatello. Donatello was forced back, and Leonardo took the moment to glance over at the two. Michelangelo was certainly egging Raphael on, but Raphael didn't seem to be bothered by it. In fact once or twice he actually smiled at Michelangelo's sally.

THUNK Donatello's bo came down against his shell, which turned Leonardo's attention back to practice, but until Splinter called them off, Leonardo kept one eye on the pair at his left. One glance at Splinter told him that their sensei was watching Raphael as well.

After practice Michelangelo turned on his video monolith. As he was flipping through channels Donatello and Leonardo watched from the lab.

"I hate to tell you Leo, but this is seriously starting to creep me out. All of Mikey's nonsense and Raph didn't snap at him once. What's gotten into him?" Donatello asked uneasily.

Leonardo sighed, and leaned against the wall, trying to watch both Michelangelo, and Raphael at once. "Whatever that girl did to him, I'm almost ready to believe Mikey. It's like he's under a magic spell or something."

Donatello rolled his eyes. "I don't need to hear about magic from both of you. Magic is a scientific impossibility."

"Okay," Leonardo said, "then you explain what's going on with Raph."

At that moment they both realized that Raphael had just simply stopped doing anything. He was staring at the televisions. Mikey was sifting through his DVD's, and the picture of the ocean was on the screen.

Donatello got up from his chair, and stood behind Leonardo who was making no secret of watching Raphael now. "He's totally mesmerized by the ocean." Donatello said.

"Tell me again how this isn't magic, Don," Leonardo said. He desperately needed some reassurance."

"Hypnosis, more likely, but you can't hypnotize someone against their will." Donatello watched as Raphael simply stood and stared at the television."

"Michelangelo! Change that channel!" Splinter suddenly barked. Both Donatello and Leonardo jumped surprised.

Michelangelo gave their sensei a sly grin and said, "Just looking for my Rocky Horror Picture show. Here it is!" He held up the DVD, and slipped it in. Once the scene of the ocean was off the screens Raphael blinked, shook his head out, then went back to what he had been doing.

As if he hadn't done it on purpose Michelangelo said, "What was wrong with that channel anyway, sensei? It was just The Discovery Channel."

Splinter gave Michelangelo a blistering look, but said nothing.

"That's funny," Leonardo said.

"Donatello went back to his work," what is, Leo?"

"Do you think that stunt with the TV was just Mikey's way of testing something about Raph?" Leonardo asked.

"Possibly, why?" Donatello asked.

"I think Splinter suspects something," Leonardo said. "That look he just gave Mikey gave me chills."

"Hmmmmmm. What did Mikey do?"

Leonardo pursed his lips amused. "You know Mikey. It didn't even phase him, but he's got that look in his eye like he was waiting for Splinter to call him on it, but he didn't."

"You want to try calling him on it?"

"No," Leonardo didn't understand what gut instinct told him not to bother, but he listened all the same. "I have a feeling it wouldn't be the same if it was one of us. It's like Splinter knows what Mikey's hiding, but he doesn't want to bring it out into the open."

"Weird," Donatello agreed. "You know now that I think of it, Splinter never really called Mikey on any of his disappearing acts either. He'd punish him, give him extra chores, but he never bothered asking where he had gone."

"You're right," Leonardo said. Then as an after thought, "Speaking about Mikey disappearing, how is that new tracker coming?"

"All ready done, boss," Donatello said proudly. "I slipped a sliver of one of those alien crystals from our adventures in that underground city into the hem on Mikey's bandana. It's unique power signature will be easy enough to track, and the crystal will keep transmitting even if it gets wet. All I have to do is finish the tracker that goes with it. The next time Mikey disappears you'll be able to follow him without a problem."

"Good," Leonardo said feeling more secure. "Because I have a feeling as soon as Raph starts acting normally Mikey is going to be off again."

Very slowly Raphael began to revert to his normal behavior. Leonardo breathed a sigh of relief the first time Raphael snapped at Michelangelo the next day. After another day had passed, Raphael actually took a swing at Michelangelo. Donatello started relaxing believing the worst to be over, but Leonardo knew that the trouble had only just begun.

Four days after Raphael woke up, Michelangelo went missing from the lair.

"It's official," Leonardo said, as the three returned to Splinter after searching the sewers. "Mikey's gone."

"I don't get it," Raphael said scratching his head. "Mikey pulled his last vanishing act less than a month ago. He never does it again so soon."

"I know," Leonardo explained, "but he disappeared for a few hours that night you came back to us. The funny thing was we tracked him to the tip of Battery Park, Where you can see the sunrise on the water."

Raphael didn't get it right away, but Splinter did. "Where the sun touches the sea at dawn. Why did you not tell me this before?"

"We couldn't prove anything, before," Donatello answered. "Besides Mikey sabotaged his own Shell Cell so we couldn't track him that night. I've planted another tracking device on him, so this time we can find out where he's been going all these years."

"That girl you mentioned, knew your name, she also seemed to know where we lived. I'm not sure how, but I think Mikey's vanishing acts are connected to her. If he knows her then she could very well know about us. I'm going to track Mikey, and find out what he's doing, and maybe bring him back for some explanations." Leonardo said, as he accepted the tracking device from Donatello.

"Wait, Blue Eyes involved with Mikey? Where did you get that idea from?" Raphael asked.

"From you," Leonardo insisted. "The fact that she gave you a cryptic message that Mikey understood, and answered by going to the park. He asked you where she was going, as if he knew from your description, who she was."

"No way," Raphael said shaking his head. He moved to follow Leonardo, but Splinter moved to block him.

"You should stay here Raphael," the aged rat said hastily. "You are not fully recovered from this woman's influence. You should not expose yourself any further to her abilities."

Raphael didn't expect that. "Wait you're saying she cast some kind of magic spell on me, or something?"

"I wouldn't call it magic," Donatello explained, "but something odd happened to you, and we're not talking about just the nap."

"For the last few days you've been on some kind of high," Leonardo answered. "You haven't been complaining, griping, or losing your temper all week. Yesterday was the first time you took a swat at Mikey, and he's been trying to push your buttons since that night."

Raphael couldn't believe his ears. "Lemme get this straight, you've been worried about me because I haven't been blowing my stack all week?"

"It's not normal for you, Raph," Donatello said, "Even you know that. Something got under your shell, and we don't know what it is."

Raphael closed his eyes, and leaned against the wall. "Ahhhh who am I kidding, I know you're all right. I knew feeling this good wasn't normal, but I liked that feeling, and every time I think about her a get a little bit of that back."

"Then I would suggest you stop thinking about that woman," Splinter said sternly. "She holds some influence over you."

"No, she...she wouldn't hurt me, she wouldn't hurt any of us," Raphael insisted. Even as the words left his mouth the other could tell he was just as surprised as they that he spoke up.

"How come," Leonardo said sternly getting into his face. "How do you know that?"

Raphael shook his head as hard as he could, trying to clear that. "Leo....I....I don't know why I said that." He lowered his head defeated. "Man, she must have gotten me good. I don't even know what thoughts are mine anymore or what she wanted me to think."

That was enough for Leonardo. "That's does it, your staying behind. Don, I want you to stay too. If she can do this to Raph she might be able to do it to us too. There's no sense both of us getting zapped." He faced Splinter then. In his sensei's eyes there was a worry that Leonardo had to address. "You don't think I should go, do you master?"

Splinter lowered his head and sighed heavily. "No, Leonardo, if you feel you should find your brother, then I shall not stop you, but remember your own words. If she can bedazzle Raphael you also are vulnerable. Take care. "

"I will sensei," Leonardo said firmly, then to Donatello. "I'm going to keep in touch with the Shell Cell. I'll see you all later."

"Be careful, Leo," Donatello said. Leonardo nodded, then left the safety of the sewers for the street above.

Leonardo had to be extra careful. It was just before sun rise, some humans were already up and about on their morning routines. He didn't mind too much, it kept him more alert, and ready for danger. It was a true test of his ninjitsu skills to be invisible by daylight.

Donatello tracker was quiet efficient. Sure enough it was drawing Leonardo back to the Battery Park where he has suspected Michelangelo to have gone before.

Finally as the sun rose, lighting the city around him, Leonardo saw his quarry. Michelangelo was at the very edge of the water by Castle Clinton, and he wasn't alone.

Man, Raph wasn't kidding when he said she was beautiful, He mused to himself. The woman wore simply a halter top and a flowing pastel skirt which blew in the wind showing off her curvaceous legs. For a few seconds Leonardo forgot his mission, and simply starred at the woman taken aback by her loveliness.

Whoah! Get a grip on yourself Leo, he told himself. They don't even know your watching them yet, and already your thinking like Raphael. He shook his head out, and busied himself by talking into his headset. "Don, I found Mike, and I think he's with Raph's mystery woman. Same hair at least. Same knockout body."

"Stay with me Leo," Donatello's voice held a hint of hysteria. "Your starting to sound like Raph."

"I know," He answered back, feeling guilty at once. "The scariest thing about that, Don, is that they haven't even seen me yet."

Of course the moment he said that he saw Michelangelo's head turn in his direction. He tried to hide but the morning light exposed him easily. He saw Michelangelo's face screw up, and a muttered "Awww shell," come from his lips. He turned to his companion, and both of them dove for the water below.

"They've seen me!" Leonardo told Donatello. "They've hit the water!"

Through the Shell Cell he heard Donatello say, "They went swimming in that water? Ewww!"

Then Splinter spoke. "Leonardo, no matter what do not allow them to lead you into the water. There is great danger there!"

" I shouldn't have to," Leonardo said trying to fight the tenseness he was beginning to feel. "They're going to have to surface sooner or later, and then I'll have them."

As the seconds ticked by though, Leonardo grew more and more ancy. "Something's wrong, I don't see them under the water. I'm going in."

"Leo, no!" Donatello said. "Splinter said...."

"Mikey isn't coming up for air!" Leonardo said as he moved to the water's edge. "I have to make sure he's all right!" He closed up the shell cell so as not to damage it, and ignored the ringing as he dove for the waters."

Fortunately the morning sun was peering though the deep algae green waters. Leonardo found that he could see a few feet in front of him. Unfortunately trying to find a green turtle in green water was like trying to find a white fox in a snow storm. He tried to search as deep as he could, but soon his lungs burned for air, and he knew he would have to abandon his search.

No, he thought to himself. I'd rather drown than leave Mikey to die here.

Suddenly he felt arms around his waist, and soft lips next to his ear. "That is very noble of you to do, Leonardo." A sweet feminine voice said. "But Michelangelo is very adapt in the water, and truly does not need your assistance. In fact he asked me to come here to help you, and make sure you were unharmed for your journey home."

Leonardo spun around to be faced with a pair of the bluest eyes he had ever seen. Something within his own soul stirred at the sight, and he couldn't force it to go away. He took in a deep breath, hardly aware that he was still under the water, but air filled his lungs not the river. He was completely frozen fixated on the eyes of this enchanting being.

"Be at peace, Leonardo," She said in her soothing calming voice. "I do not mean to harm you, but we do want to show you why we think we are best left to our own devices, your brother and I."

Still under water Leonardo struggled not to breath, but to think. "You mean Mikey? What, who are you?"

"I'm your friend, Leonardo," she said softly. "I have always been your friend, but we think it important for you to know exactly what I can do."

Leonardo was horribly confused and worried. What was going to happen? As if she could read his thoughts the girl said, "Don't be afraid Leonardo this won't hurt at all. Just breath deeply, and relax." She placed her hand on his chest, and suddenly his mind was filled with bliss.

"Leo! Leo! Come on already pick up!!" Donatello shouted into his shell cell.

"It is too late," Splinter said, sadly. "Leonardo has followed Michelangelo into the water. He is in grate peril, and we cannot save him."

Splinter withdrew from Donatello and Raphael to his own room. Raphael was shocked and angry.

"What does he mean we can't save him! What kind of danger? What did Mikey just get Leo into?" Raphael punched the wall for emphasis.

"I don't know, Raph," Donatello said. "Mikey might be reckless, but he wouldn't put Leo in any real danger. "Suddenly they heard a click as the Shell Cell was answered. "Finally. Leo, tell me what the sh-"

It wasn't Leonardo's, but Michelangelo's voice that came over the Shell Cell. "I'm sorry, but Leonardo can't come to the phone right now. He's busy getting himself caught in a trap of his own making. You guys really should have kept him home. I'll send him back after I teach him a lesson. Ta ta! "

"Mikey?" Donatello said, shocked that Michelangelo was using Leonardo's Shell Cell. "Mikey what the shell is going on? Don't hang up!"

Raphael didn't even need to hear the click to know that Michelangelo had hung up on them.

"That does it," he said sounding angrier by the moment. "As soon as Mikey gets home he's gonna wish he stayed wherever he is!"

Donatello sighed. There was nothing they could do but wait. He sagged down onto his work table, and said, "or he's going to make us wish he had."

Be on the look out for Chapter 3 Leonardo's Encounter

Suddenly a beeping sound turned both turtles attention to Donatello's computer screen. "Something's in the outer tunnels," Donatello said worriedly.

Raphael leaned forward to get a better look. "What could–Hey! It's Leo!"

Now Donatello really sounded worried. "Leo tripped an alarm? No way! He knows where they all are!" Donatello turned on the security cameras.

Sure enough it was Leonardo, but he seemed very distracted or dazed. He wasn't paying attention to where he was going.

"Something's wrong," Raphael said, watching the screen. "He's not even watching where he's going."

"Let's go," Donatello said. He did a flip out of his chair. Raphael followed close behind. They left the lair, and found Leonardo sitting just outside the entrance looking completely and totally defeated..

"Leo?" Raphael called to Leonardo softly. He knelt down next to his brother, but Leonardo didn't even notice them."

Donatello knelt at Leonardo's other side, and snapped his fingers in front of his brother's face. "Come on, Leo, snap out of it."

Leonardo blinked, and came awake. "Huh? Don?" Leonardo turned ,and looked at his surroundings. "I'm home."

"Yeah, your home, Leo," Raphael said. It was unsettling to see Leonardo this distracted. "You're okay now."

"No," Leonardo put his head on his knees sounding completely dejected. "No, I'm not all right. She made me come home." He sighed unhappily. "I...I couldn't fight her."