Wow! Can you guys believe I'm at my 100th chapter?! AHHHHH! SO MUCH EXCITEMENT! But sadly, until the show continues, You Were So Real will be on hiatus. Who knows for how long but on the bright side I will be able to focus more on Your Hand in Mine. Hopefully you guys read/enjoy that one as much as this series :) As for this chapter, I would of had it up sooner but not only was the Christmas week super busy, it being Christmas yesterday..yeah, you guys understand. But here's a late Christmas present for you all and I hope you enjoy it!
"Looks like the storm is coming our way after all." Kara said to Dragan outside on the balcony. The winds were beginning to pick up so she placed her hand over her cap to keep it from flying away.
"Ye think the guys will be ok?" Dragan glanced outside, staring nervously up at the darkened clouds.
"Yeah, they should be fine. If the power goes out Donnie will have a back up." Kara walked back inside, closing the door behind her but blinked when she noticed Dragan's nervous state. "Hey..you ok?"
"I..I just don't like storms..bad memories is aw." Dragan looked to the side glancing over towards the kitchen where the dining table was. Kara's brows lifted in sadness wondering what was going on inside her head. She turned back outside and figured they had some time before the storm rolled in.
"Hey, I have an idea." Kara spoke softly as she lifted her index finger up. Dragan looked over at her curiously as Kara smiled, tapping her finger to the side of her head. "Why don't we pack up some movies, games, and snacks, and hang out with the guys? You know, have a little sleep over. I'm sure after all the fighting the guys need to relax as well."
Dragan looked at her a moment and her eyes soften and her smile brightened before giving her an excited nod. "That sounds like a plan."
"Then Operation: Sleep Over is a go!" Kara pointed dramatically up to the ceiling before both girls ran to their rooms to pack a bag.
Arriving at the lair the girls looked around to see no one in sight, which confused them.
"Hmm..I don't think Master Splinter would let the guys go on patrol during this bad weather.."
"I heard movement in the lab. Come on." Dragan dropped her bag and walked towards it with Kara right beside her. When they opened the door they could see the guys and Splinter huddled around an unconscious April.
"Guys? What's going on? Is April alright?" Kara ran towards them, bending down beside Leo to get a look at her.
"It's that alien crystal. It's been messing with her head." Leo explained to her.
Dragan slowly walked up to them and glanced towards the table when something bright caught her attention to see the crystal stretched out towards April, trying to get to her. "I knew it.." She narrowed her eyes in it's direction before looking over at Master Splinter.
"That crystal has a strong hold on both her mind and spirit. It has become too dangerous."
Dragan closed her eyes a moment as a scene from their fight with Shredder came to mind.
Dragan slowly sat herself up, holding her side in pain as she tried to stop Leo from going to get her sword and shield. Even though she needed them, she didn't want him to get even more hurt but what she saw next not only shocked her, but caused her stomach to twist in turn in a uncomfortable way; April's eyes were glowing completely white, her hair was floating above her, and her mouth was grinning in a twisted way as she stopped the semi-truck from not only crushing her and Karai, but she managed to throw it back at him. She was never able to do that before.
"He's right. We need tae geit that thing far away from her." Dragan spoke up, looking back down at April.
"Dragan's right." Donnie said looking over at the others. "I need to break it's connection with her. Somehow."
"I'll help you, Donnie." Kara stood to her feet.
"I will tend to her in the dojo. Perhaps the mantras will help."
"I got her, Sensei." Leo stood up, picking April up in his arms and took her to the dojo with Master Splinter right behind him.
Dragan watched them leave then looked over at the crystal as it followed April's movements. "This is not good..."
Not long after the April incident, Raph's phone began to ring. Dragan and Kara were helping the guys clean up while Splinter dealt with April.
"Mutagen? Ok, sit tight. We're on our way. And don't do anything stupid like try to take them on all by yourself again."
"Twenty bucks says he will." Kara said glancing over at the others and making them snicker.
When Raph hung up he turned around to them. "We gotta move. Casey spotted Shredder's goons wrestling up some mutagen from an old Kraang lab."
"Let's go. Donnie?" Leo stopped in front of the door and looked at him.
"I need to keep an eye on this crystal. It's too dangerous to leave unattended. And I have to find a way to sever it's connection to April."
"Uh I'm gonna stay behind and help Donnie. You guys have fun." Kara smiled to them.
"This is strange. But..I'm beginning to get it now." Donnie inched his space staff in front of the crystal, sparks crackling between them both.
"What is it, Donnie?" Kara asked curiously. Before he could begin his explanation the crystal started going haywire and flew out of it's hold on the table. "Oh geez!"
"Woah! On no. No, no no!" Donnie yelled, running after it. He caught the string to it but it only dragged him along with it, Kara running after both of them. When she arrived in the Dojo she blinked in surprise to see April levitating Master Splinter and seeming to be choking Donnie. She narrowed her eyes and snuck up on April, locking her arms to where she couldn't move them. "April, let them go!" She shouted, April losing concentration on Donnie but Master Splinter was still in the air.
"April, you must hear me. This being wants to control you. Fight it!" Master Splinter shouted.
"Master Splinter...I..I can't fight it. She's-She's too strong!"
"Yes you can, April! You're stronger than you think. Fight it!" Kara yelled, keeping her grip on her seeing her eyes returning to normal for a short second before they were glowing once more. Kara felt something grip tightly on her neck causing her to let out a startled gasp and was thrown into the wall. April dropped both Master Splinter and Donnie onto the ground as a fiery, blue aura swayed around her, now beginning to float in the air to the ceiling.
"April, stop! You have to control it!" Donnie yelled as he stood to his knees glancing over to see if Kara was ok before looking back at April. His pleas were drowned out by her laughter though before she flew at them, beginning to attack them all.
-With Dragan-
Dragan and the guys arrived at the scene to see Casey, Shredder's henchmen, and April. Surprised to see April there Dragan looked down and narrowed her eyes seeing the crystal around her neck. "So thay weren't able tae geit rid o' it.."
"April? What happened here?" Mikey asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.
April's eyes and body stopped glowing and she looked around in confusion. "Where am I? Why am I here?"
"That's what we were about tae ask ya." Dragan walked up to her, a serious look on her face and she reached her hand to the crystal, going to grab it but before she could even touch it April's eyes and body began to glow again and she froze Dragan where she was. "Don't touch my CRYSTAL!" April shouted in anger, throwing Dragan into a pile of garbage.
"Dragan!" Leo turned and ran to see if she was alright but blinked when April began to fly away. "April!"
Raph and the others ran after her while Leo went to see if Dragan was ok.
"I'm fine, Leo. We need tae hurry an destroy that thing now." She stood to her feet, shaking off the pain and ran off to catch up with the others, Leo right behind her.
-With Kara-
The lair was in ruins. Kara, Donnie, and Master Splinter were left unconscious under rubble and debree.
Donnie woke up first, pushing some rubble off him and looked down, gasping in shock to see Master Splinter underneath a large part of the wall with Kara under him, face down. "I'm coming, guys!" He yelled as he pushed the debree off them. Master Splinter began to wake up as Donnie helped him to his feet. "I will..be fine." Master Splinter helped him pick up Kara, who soon began to wake up as well and looked at them all with a groan. "Is..everyone ok?"
Donnie sighed in relief to see no major damage was done to her and looked at Master Splinter. "I should never have tried testing that crystal." Donnie turned away and began to walk towards the entrance, Kara following right behind him. He stopped when he noticed a crutch and picked it up to give to Master Splinter.
"She possesses a power I have never seen before, but it is not your doing. I fear she can no longer control it."
"Yes, she can. She can fight this thing. I know she can! She's stronger than we realize; than she realizes!" Kara adjusted her cap now having walked past Donnie but stopped. "That thing..that wasn't April. She would never harm her friends.." She said through clenched teeth.
"I have to get that necklace away from her and destroy it. Somehow."
"Be careful, my son and Kara."
"I can get through to her, Sensei. I know I can."
"We both can, Master Splinter. I promise you that." Kara turned and smiled at him as Donnie walked up to her. They both looked at one another and nodded before running out the lair.
-With Dragan-
Dragan and the others managed to catch up to her at the Channel Six News tower. Dragan pulled out a grappling hook Donnie made her and followed after the guys while Casey took the long way up. But Casey made it up just as they.
"Aw, nuts! Still beat me." Casey pouted, annoyed.
Dragan rolled her eyes before turning to April in front of them as she lowered herself to the ground.
"What's happening to you?" Leo asked.
"Yeah, I thought Donnie, Kara, and Splinter were looking after you."
"I-I guess. I don't remember." April said with narrowed eyes.
"I do. It's that crystal around your neck. Ye need tae take it off an destroy it. Now!"
"I said I don't want-Ah!" April let out a painful yell as she gripped the sides of her head, lowering it in pain.
"It's the crystal! It has some seriously bad juju, dudes!" Mike yelled.
"It's changing you, April." Leo said cautiously.
April suddenly began to glow again, her pupil-less eyes staring right at them. "There is no April only Za-Naron."
Kara and Donnie were running as fast as their feet could carry them, tracking April down. Donnie stopped and pulled out his tracker and followed it to the News Tower. "She's there." Donnie pointed. Kara was panting softly from the running but nodded and followed close behind him as they leaped off the roof.
"What do you mean you're not April? Who is Za-Naron?" Leo asked clearly not understanding.
"I am the Soul of an Elder Aeon, one of the First Seven. After a hundred millennia our physical forms had disintegrated, so our spirits were each placed into the Soul Star, to exist forever. I have been transplanting my mind into her consciousness slowly. But the Aeons did not know how corrupt this planet could be. I intend to save it." April waved her hand, lifting them all into the air before shoving them off the roof of the building.
They all yelled in surprise but reacted quickly, using their grappling hooks and landed safely. They looked up and blinked in surprise when they saw Donnie climbing the building to the top with Kara on his back.
"Donnie!
"Kara!" Mikey and Dragan yelled before they went to follow after them.
When Donnie reached the top he jumped over, Kara dropping off his back, and they both ran towards April.
"April!" Donnie shouted to grab her attention.
"Foolish mortal." April said before sending a wave to knock them back but Kara held her ground. "Stay out of my way."
"Mortal? What do you think you are; a goddess?" Kara yelled in annoyance at how she was acting. "Stop acting this way, April, and get down from there! We can help you!"
"I don't think it; I know it." April turned around, staring Kara down darkly. "This will be your final warning, stay out of my way." She sent another wave, knocking both of them down this time.
"April, it's me, Donatello!" Donnie said as she stood to his feet, Kara doing the same.
"Donnie?" April groaned softly, holding her head as she began to lower down to the ground once more.
"Listen to me. Give me the crystal. Just give me the crystal and everything will be ok." Donnie pleaded as he began to reach out to her.
"No!" April shouted, holding her hand out as he began to float in the air, April right behind him.
"No! Donnie! Let him go, April!" Kara yelled in a panic as she started climbing to the satellite. The guys and Dragan reached the roof in time to see this happening and followed after Kara.
"April! Let him go. NOW!" She yelled with such force in her voice, making April snap her head in her direction.
"You." April pointed at Dragan, sending her up towards them in the sky as well. "You have been a thorn in my side for too long. You have grown to be an annoyance."
"Dragan!" Leo and Kara shouted as they began to climb the satellite.
"April, please, let them go! You don't have to do this! You can fight this!" Kara was beginning to grow frantic, the feeling in the pit of her stomach aching. She continued to climb unaware of what they were saying.
"This isn't you, April! That crystal is changing you! You need to break free!"
"Gah, we can help ya. Just give us the crystal an we can destroy it together. Ye don't hae tae fight this alone."
"Ah! It's too much power. I-I can't control it anymore!" April held her head as she tried to muster up the power to fight back but to her, it was useless.
"You can do it!"
"We all know ya can!"
"I-I'm not strong enough." April cried out. "Donnie. Dragan, I'm sorry.." She squeezed her eyes shut trying one last time.
"April...please.." Donnie said softly.
With an angry roar she threw both her hands in their direction, both of them glowing.
"April, stop this!" Dragan cried out as April clenched both her hands, the two of them exploding into dust, lightning crashing around her.
"DONNIE! DRAGAN!"
"Oh, my gosh!"
"Noo!" The brothers and Casey cried out.
Kara's eyes widened seeing not only her best friend, but the person she loved disappear in the sky forever. "No...no.." Her eyes were focused on where he last was as April let out a scream, the lightning clashing into the satellite and knocked them all off it just before she disappeared.
Casey was able to catch her before she could hurt herself and set her down onto the ground as the others stood to their feet, watching April. They heard something heavy falling from the sky and then a loud thud. Leo looked over and saw Dragan's sword and shield drop onto the rooftop and walked over to it.
Casey was trying to comfort Kara but couldn't hear a single word he said as she down at the ground in front of her not even aware that it had started to rain. She blinked when she felt something light lay in her hands and lowered her gaze down to see Donnie's mask had fallen right into her hands. Her eyes widened, a soft gasp escaping her lips, her fingers gently curling around the fabric. Tears she didn't know were there started sliding down her face. All she could do was stare at the mask.
"She's gone! What..What do we do, Leo?" What just happened? Is Donnie.. Dragan..are they gone?" Raph's voice grew soft and pained at his last question as he turned to his older brother to see him staring at her shield and sword with pain in his eyes. The precious memories he shared with her flashed through his mind. He bit his lip while squeezing his eyes shut to keep himself from crying but it was no use, they came anyways. He placed his hand to his face and fell to his knees. His breathing became hitched and soon he was curled up, holding himself as he cried at the loss of someone, that he now realized, he truly loved.
"What are we suppose to do? Poor Donnie..Poor Dragan.." Casey whispered looking between Leo and Kara.
"We have to do something. That thing taking over April is out there somewhere. We have to stop her before she does more stuff like that. Come on, Leo. Snap out of it..we need you right now.." Raph bent down to his level, placing his hand on his shoulder.
Leo let out a soft sniff and calmed down knowing Dragan wouldn't want him to mourn when there were lives at risk. He stood to his feet and picked up her sword and shield, turning to his brothers and Casey. "Let's move."
"Come on, Kara. We gotta go.." Mikey went to help her up but she wouldn't budge nor respond; she just kept staring at Donnie's mask.
Leo and the others looked at her in sadness, Leo turning away. "Let's go." He said before jumping off the roof. Raph and the others looked at each other then to Kara, soon following after Leo. Kara still in the same spot when they left.
Leo, Raph, Casey, and Mikey arrived in time to see Ap-Za-Naron, throw Hun into a car. "You can't do this, April! Or Za-Naron, or whoever you are!"
"Do not stand in my way, or you will be cleansed just as Donatello was." Za-Naron stated, glaring at them before letting out a whimper, April seeming as though she was still trying to fight it.
"We have to stop her." Raph said, clenching his hands.
"Well, what if April is still in there?" Casey Jones said with uncertainty.
"Are you kidding? I don't like it, but April O'Neil is gone. We have no choice..We have to take her down."
Casey looked down not liking the idea but some part of him knew he was right. He looked up and saw Raph tackle April, hugging her tight to keep her from using her arms. "Do it! Hurry!"
Mikey had his blade out and narrowed his eyes only to close them, his eyes softening once more. "I can't hurt her, dude."
"Ahh!" Raph was thrown off her and she began to bend his body unnaturally, his bones popping and feeling as though they were breaking. He let out a scream of pain before Mikey and Leo wrapped a chain around her, having her drop Raph, and tried to restrain her.
Casey ran to Raph's aid and held him in his arms. "We know you're in there, Red."
"We're your friends! Your family!" Mikey shouted to her.
"Remember who you are! You are April O'Neil!...Remember everything we've been through together." Leo's eyes saddened at the memories of them all, including Dragan.
"Yeah, like the time we fought a giant mutagen man? And our dope missions in space!"
"And Master Splinter, And pizza parties. And Ice Cream Kitty. And Kara..."
Their words seemed to be working on April but the Aeon Soul used more of it's power to control April and she sent a shockwave at them all, knocking them all down and releasing the chains from her. She let out a roar of anger and jerked her head in Raph's direction, flying towards him. Casey went to intervene but she threw him out of the way.
Just as she was about to pick up Raph something told her to look ahead of him so she did. What she saw was Kara walking towards them, completely soaked, with her head down and Donnie's mask in her hand. Seeing Kara, April began to struggle even more, gripping her head tighter. This was beginning to anger Za-Naron and she ignored Raph, flying straight to Kara.
Za-Naron smirked as she raised her hand to cleanse her but before she froze when Kara looked at her, eyes dead and dull of emotion. "Wha..why are you hesistating?!" Za-Naron shouted at April as Kara continued walking towards her. When she was at arms length, Kara lifted her arms and pulled her into a gently embrace. "Remember Donnie. Remember Dragan. Please.." She whispered so softly, giving her a gentle squeeze.
April cried out, the aura around her wavering as she gripped her head once more. She ended up pushing Kara away when the away dispersed, the struggle with Za-Naron continuing once more.
"We don't have the power to destroy the crystal. Only you do, April." Leo said gently.
April screamed as she forced the crystal off from around her neck and slammed it onto the concrete ground, the crystal shattering to pieces. April continued to scream as the aura drew away from her and the dark Aeon creature revealed itself.
"Foolish creature! You could have had all the power of the universe!" Za-Naron Shrieked as she flew at April to take full control of her. April stood to her feet and ran at her, pulling out her Tanto and sliced the creature, destroying it once and for all. As it died, a flash of light erupted in the area around them, screaming as it exploded in dust.
"Red, is that really you?" Casey asked as he helped Raph over to her.
"I think so. But..but Donnie and Dragan..What have I done?!" She looked over at Kara with Donnie's mask in her hands and covered her mouth, tears welling in her eyes.
"It's not your, April.." Leo began to say but was interrupted.
"But it is! It was all me in a way! Dragan an-and Donnie tried so hard to warn me about it but I wouldn't listen! I-If only..." She let out a gasp seeing the crystal was still glowing and ran to it, picking it up. "They're not gone! They weren't really destroyed, but molecularly scattered!" She lifted the remains of the crystal and focused her powers, her aura now glowing around her normally.
Kara sat up and lifted her head up, watching as streams of pixeled light flew around in the sky and towards them. The lights soon gathered in front of them as two figures began to appear, everyone recognizing the two as Donnie and Dragan.
They both fell to the ground but shakily stood to their feet to get their bearings.
Dragan shook her head, placing her hand on the side and groaned. "Trippy.." She blinked when she saw everyone and her eyes landed on Leo. She smiled softly and began to take a step towards him but he was already lifting her off the ground, spinning her around and hugging her close. "Dragan!" He said with such excitement and relief, beginning to kiss her over and over.
April took a step towards him as his brothers and Casey cheered but stopped when Kara walked up to him; all of them quieting down.
Kara reached her hand up to touch his face, her fingertips feeling his cold, reptilian skin. Fresh tears fell from her eyes as she continued to stroke his cheek. He placed his hand over hers and clenched it tightly as he touched his forehead with hers. Her face twisted in sadness but she let out a laugh before it turned to a cry and she fell to her knees hugging him tightly as he fell with her.
April slowly walked up to them, rubbing her arm nervously as she looked at the two. Donnie and Kara both looked up at her and thought the same thing as they both grabbed each arm and pulled her into their hug. April began to cry with them and she held onto them for dear life as the the others walked up to them, smiling in relief. The relief was soon gone when April suddenly passed out in their arms.
"April? April?" She could hear someone calling her name. She opened her eyes and blinked when she saw Master Splinter hovering above her. She sat up with a groan and held her head. "I'm so sorry. I guess I should have listened to you about the crystal. Especially you and Dragan, Donnie. I'm sorry for-"
"For what? Reducing me and Dragan to a quantum smear? Yeah, still feel kind of whacked out of my head, but I'll be fine." Donnie smiled nervously at her before looking down at the sleeping Kara in his arms, making sure not to wake her up.
"It was quite impressive..but very terrifyin'.." Dragan added in. "We know ye are nae truly at fault. The alien said it themselves, thay've been controllin' ya the entire time. Just..listen tae us next time, kay?"
"I am impressed, April. You literally destroyed your demons." Master Splinter said to her.
"She almost destroyed all of us." Raph added in.
"What about your powers?" Leo asked, standing to his feet.
"They were always a part of me. I can't harness the power of the Aeons anymore, but I think I know how to control my powers better." She closed her eyes and held out her hand, which freaked everyone out, making them move out of the way, which resulted in Kara falling onto the floor with a thud, waking her up. April's Tanto shot out from her side and into her hand and she smiled, looking down at it. "So at least some good came out of this."
Sooooo? You all know the routine! Rate/Comment! All feedback is much appreciated! Also, how was everyone's Christmas? Get anything awesome and exciting? Don't be afraid to share :) To Anime Brony: Aww, thank you. So glad you liked it n.n To Kate: I already had Casey flirt with her twice. He knows Donnie and her are together but for future chapters I could have him tease her once in awhile xp. To Guest: I hope it gives you feels. Please, review it and tell me what you think :)