Note: This part may be a little sad for some of you readers, so better get those tissues or sleeves out!

Also many of the Mutopians mentioned belong to my dear friend and co-writer Tyroth Darkstorm, check out his fics! He's amazing!

Chapter Two

Painful Memories

The Present

The scratching of a pen across paper was the only sound that filled the Mess Hall in Mutopia along with the occasional grunt and groan.

At one of the wooden tables, Jake Freeman sat with a glass of water and a mug of coffee as he scribbled on some paper, trying to write a note.

"Shit!" he growled as he wrote a few words, then picked up the paper and scrunched it into a ball before throwing it over his shoulder where several more balls of paper like it lay in a small pile.

"How am I going to explain this?" he asked himself "How can I explain to dad what has become of Callum?"

Bringing his hands to his hair and tugging on it in stress, Jake tried to think of what to write.

It had only been under twenty-four hours since his younger brother Callum had undergone the mutation of the well, which he, and his sister the mutant lizard lady Monalisa had consented to do, to save his life after he was attacked and fatally injured by the Shredder back in New York.

Taking off his glasses, he closed his eyes tightly as tears erupted from them.

He remembered that horrible image, seeing his brother hanging off Shredder's bladed hand like a gutted pig, then thrown out of the boathouse.

Donatello had attempted to save his life, but found there was nothing that could be done, and he felt he was going to loose his younger brother for good, but then Mona had told him about the mutant sanctuary Mutopia and the Magical Well that resided within it.

He had been told that the well would save Callum's life, but it meant he would sacrifice his human self and become a mutant.

Jake had been unsure, as well as horrified, but he soon realised that if he wanted to save Callum, he would have to accept the fact that Callum would be given a new life.

They had then rushed to Mutopia and had gotten there just in time and Mona had given Callum the water from the well and he had mutated into a raven.

Yet he had not taken well to his mutation and Tyroth had to restrain him whilst Mona used a pressure point technique on him to knock him out, then he had been taken to James, Mutopia's doctor to to sedated further and sectioned so he wouldn't try to harm anyone or himself.

That had been several hours ago, and Callum hadn't woken up so Mona and Jake had tried to get some rest themselves.

Mona had gone to her room with Raphael, she had looked so broken and drained from the events that had followed and seeing Callum's reaction to his mutation had shaken her to the core.

Jake had gotten only a few hours, but was soon plagued with nightmares.

Many included memories of his mother succumbing to cancer, and his father's last words to him after she had died and before he and Callum had decided to go to New York, and the day they left Wisconsin having no idea their lives would change.

Closing his eyes Jake remembered that day their mother died, it was best described as one of the worst days of his life apart from the day he heard Mona had disappeared.

Flashback

It was a cold evening in mid November, and Jake sat by his mother's bed, looking at her all hooked up to the different wires that were keeping her comfortable.

The heart monitor was beating steadily, almost like a ticking bomb and it irritated Jake, yet he pushed it aside so he could focus on his mother.

Gina had been diagnosed with breast cancer six months ago, yet she had no willpower to try and fight it, since Mona had vanished, she had been depressed for so long, having never gotten over her only daughter's loss and had decided to just let herself die.

She had also decided she wanted to die at home and she was laying with one of Monalisa's pink dresses in her arms, as if in spirit, her daughter was there.

It was one of the dresses Mona used to wear all the time, and it had never been washed, so her scent still clung to it.

After she and her husband had split, they had sold their old family house and whilst Caledon lived in Madison, Jake and Callum spent time between their father's parents and their aunt and uncles. Gina had gotten an apartment outside of Milwaukee but often had to be looked after as her depression was so great. Almost so bad she had stopped working, even ceased looking after herself and her sons.

Callum was sitting on the other side, looking equally upset but also scowling slightly. He was angry that he had been forced to move between their grandparents and aunt and uncles whilst their dad was with another wife in Madison and their mum was too ill to look after them.

Also in the room was their father Caledon with his wife Pamela, both were looking upset and the rest of the family were with them as well, including Gina's sister and husband and Caledon's parents and brothers.

The grown-ups were standing and watching Gina although her sister was sitting by the pillow stroking her hair every so often to comfort her as she lay there.

Callum would glower at his father and stepmother. Since Caledon and Gina had split, Callum's relationship with their father had become strained, almost so bad they were barely speaking, and once Caledon decided to move on and re-marry, Callum refused to have anything to do with him or his new wife.

Jake placed his hand on Gina's and Callum did the same on the other side.

"Why are they here?" Callum mouthed to Jake turning his eyes to Caledon and Pamela, Jake glared back at him "Not now." he mouthed back then looked at Gina "Think of mum right now! Not yourself!"

"I am!" Callum mouthed back, his tearful eyes narrowing as he held Gina's hand tightly. Turning his eyes to his father and Pamela, he felt insulted that they were there, as if seeing his mother waste away wasn't hard enough, seeing the woman who had taken Gina's place felt like a knife in is soul. It wasn't her business being there, and he didn't ask for her to be there either!

Jake felt tears prickle his eyes, he could hardly recognise his mother as she lay there, there was no hair on her head, her body was thin and lank, her skin was almost grey and lifeless, and her eyes were red from so many tears she had cried, if not from the pain of the cancer, but for the loss of Mona.

"Mum." Jake whispered "I know you can still hear us, if you can, please...let me know."

He watched his mother as she lay there just staring at the ceiling, her chest slowly rising and falling.

He then felt her hands clasp his, if only very faintly.

"Mum?" he asked.

Callum also leaned in as he felt Gina squeeze back.

"Mona..." Gina whispered faintly "I want to be with Mona."

"Gina?" her sister looked at her and stroked her forehead.

"Mona..." Gina murmured "I want to be with her, my daughter."

"I know sis," Gina's sister wept softly "You'll see her soon, and she's waiting for you."

"She wouldn't have wanted this..." Caledon whispered softly "Our daughter wouldn't have wanted this."

Pamela placed her hands on Caledon's to comfort him as did his brothers and the grandparents just wept softly.

"Just go to sleep sis..." Gina's sister wept softly "It's okay, don't wait for us..."

Gina looked at her sons and gave a small smile then looked back at the ceiling.

"Jake...Callum." she whispered.

"Mum?" Jake and Callum leaned closer so they could hear Gina as she spoke what could be her final words.

"I love you both...I'm sorry about everything...I love you...never forget that."

"It's okay mum." Jake comforted yet tried to hold in his sobs "You have nothing to apologise for."

Callum meanwhile said nothing yet he placed one hand on Gina's shoulder.

"my sons..." Gina breathed "I'll tell...your sister...I...I said...hi." she said faintly "I'll tell her...you all...say hi."

Just then, Jake heard the noise of the heart monitor getting slower as Gina said those final words, he looked at his mother's face as her eyes began to slowly close and soon the monitor made the flat-line noise.

No sooner did that happen than a few sobs were heard around him as it was clear that Gina had succumbed to her illness and she was going to join Mona in the afterlife.

Jake felt his heart break and he lowered his head squeezing his mother's hands before breaking into choked sobs.

Callum looked at his mum, his eyes filling with tears as he looked at her lifeless body and he scowled more before standing up and flouncing out of the room.

Caledon equally as grief stricken turned to him and tried to stop him but Callum ignored him and left the room.

Caledon lowered his head sadly and Pamela pulled him close.

Gina's sister started to sob to which her husband walked over to comfort her and Jake just continued to sit there as tears fell from his eyes and he kissed his mother's fingers.

"Goodnight mum." he whispered "I love you so much!"

He soon saw a doctor appear behind him and start to note the time of death and Jake gently placed Gina's hand down before standing up and walking over to Pamela and Caledon.

Pamela looked at Jake and sighed sadly.

"I'm so sorry dear boy." she said tearfully before going over to the grandparents and Caledon's brothers leaving Caledon to talk to his oldest son.

Jake looked at his father and wiped his eyes under his glasses.

Caledon had composed himself and pulled Jake aside.

"I'm so sorry son." he said "I never imagined this would happen...I know your mother and I parted ways, but I'm going to miss her too."

Jake said nothing but patted his father's back comfortingly.

"Listen Jake." Caledon said as he looked towards the door "I know it's been difficult for all of us, but I know how difficult it has been for Callum."

Jake swallowed hard.

"Dad, look I...I know I kept a lot from you and mum, not to mention the rest of the family, but...I..."

"Jake." Caledon interrupted "I know why you did it, and as much I was angry you didn't tell us, I understand why, but that's not what I wanted to speak to you about."

Jake looked at Caledon and took a breath as he tried to control himself enough to listen to his father.

"Jake, I know Callum's finding this so difficult, and I know he hates me and Pamela."

"It wasn't your fault he couldn't accept that you and mum couldn't keep it together. Sure I was upset too, but I understand."

"I know." Caledon said "And Believe me, despite everything I've tried to help, and I've tried to show Callum I still love him and will do anything for him."

"I know dad." Jake said.

Caledon then placed his hands on Jake's shoulders.

"Jake, you've done so well taking care of Callum, despite everything, and I commend you, and I want you to promise me something."

"Yes dad." Jake said sincerely "Anything!"

"Look after your brother, I know you will, but since he refuses to speak to me or have anything to do with me right now, I need to know that he'll be okay."

"Don't worry dad I will." Jake promised "I swear! For mum and for big sis."

Caledon smiled through his tears and hugged Jake.

"You've been so strong Jake." he said "Monalisa would be proud of you."

"I'll do my best dad." he said.

End Flashback

Jake tugged his hair again as he thought of what his dad had said.

He promised he would make sure Callum was okay, but how could he have kept that promise now after what had transpired, he felt like he had let his father down.

After he had awoken from his restless sleep, he had gone to James's medical room and had checked in on Callum who was still asleep and restrained.

There was also a camera watching the Raven just in case he awoke, but so far, Callum hadn't moved.

Seeing no point in wondering what would happen once he awoke, Jake had wandered around the village taking in all the amazing architecture and different areas, before finding himself in the mess hall where the tables near the kitchen area were set up with tea, coffee and cereals for the morning.

After helping himself to some water and coffee, he had decided to try and think of what to write to his father, but each time he tried to write something, his mind just went blank.

Just then, a light went on behind him and Jake almost jumped out of his skin, he turned and he saw that the kitchen lights had come on and he saw what looked like a large bug walking around and humming to himself as he put on an apron and chef's hat.

Jake's eyes widened then he realised who it was when the mutant bug turned and saw him, it was the Cockroach Chef Louie.

"Ah Good morning Master Freeman, or should I say good evening?." he said "An early riser I see?"

"Early riser?" Jake questioned, he then looked up at a clock above the kitchen counter leading to the mess hall and he realised it was 7pm!

"Damn!" he said "I've been up all day!"

"You been there a while eh?" asked Louie "Normally the early ones are the most hungry! Well a certain orange-masked turtle is! Although I think his mind is preoccupied with something other than breakfast!"

Jake raised an eyebrow.

"Oh right! Not sure if you knew already, but he and the Viper Kate have quite a passionate relationship!" he chuckled as he began to rattle some kitchen tools "Sometimes it's difficult to pry them apart!"

Jake felt a slightly lightness in his soul as he thought of the orange-masked turtle he had gotten friendly with and he had seen if only briefly how he and Kate the Mutopian Viper had gotten close to each other.

Just then, a few Mutopians walked into the mess hall to have breakfast, and he could see the turtles and Splinter coming in as well, apart from Raphael, Michelangelo and Monalisa.

Leonardo was carrying Kemeko on his right shoulder and Donatello had Pandora on his shoulders and was holding her legs as she laughed.

Splinter saw Jake and walked over.

"Good morning Master Jake." he said "Did you sleep well?"

"I don't know Splinter." he said, "I've been up for hours, still trying to figure out what to tell dad about Callum, I've barely slept at all!"

Splinter then saw the mess of paper on the floor near Jake and sighed.

"I see." he said "Trying to find an answer to the questions your father may have is difficult."

"Dad and Callum weren't on speaking terms as you know." Jake lamented "But it didn't mean dad didn't still care for Callum, he still tried to keep in contact and send money when we needed it, and gifts at Christmas and birthdays, yet Callum always made it so difficult."

Jake soon felt Splinter's hand on his shoulder and he looked up at the old rat.

"You've done so much young Jake." he said "And you should be proud of yourself."

"I tried sir, I really did." Jake said "I tried to keep the peace, I tried to keep things going, but there were times I felt like I was falling apart at the seams! Trying to keep things going after Mona's disappearance and after mum died."

He looked at Leonardo who had let Kemeko down from his shoulder and was placing a bib around her neck as well as lean down to kiss her head every few seconds making the four year old Japanese girl giggle.

"I suppose your eldest son feels the same pressure if all the wheels came off one day?" he asked.

Splinter looked across to Leonardo and nodded.

"As my eldest son, he carries the burden of being sensei and head of the family after I'm gone." the old rat said "I'm not going to be around forever and I need to have a piece of mind that my family will be well looked after, and not just my children, but their children after that."

As he spoke, he looked at Pandora and Kemeko.

Kemeko was laughing at Pandora who was pulling faces at her.

"I think you'll be alright." Jake said "I have seen how Leo is with the others, as well as with the children, and you've done so much for Mona after you took her in, I know I said some things I regret when I first met you, and I only wish I could take it back, I was just so...so..."

"You need not apologise young Jake." Splinter comforted "We understand, and yet you have formed some bonds with my sons as well as mended yours and Monalisa's."

"Speaking of which." said Jake "Where are Mona, Raph and Mikey?" he asked.

Splinter placed his fingers on his chin as he looked up to see more Mutopian's appeared, along with the Chicago Knights, minus Kate.

"Good question." he said "Though I think I know where your sister has gone first."

Jake sighed sadly.

"I hope she's okay." he said "And I wonder if Callum has stirred?"

Such a sad flashback scene there, and Jake has so much on his shoulders now, and even more weight since he has to now think of what to tell his father and the rest of his family of what has befallen Callum, yet he can't tell them that Callum's now a mutant Raven!

Things can only get more worrying as time goes on.