A/N: Special thanks to my beta, Ravenshell!

Chapter 49

My tail swishes with agitation as blood trails from April's nose. Michelangelo has insisted we do not interfere. I trust my son's spiritual intuition. It excels far beyond many experienced meditators. However, when the blood begins to trickle from her eyes, I know it is well past the time for action. Before I can channel my thoughts to intercede in the spiritual realm once more April screams.

Her eyes open once again, a milky white glow clouding her orbs. Donatello joins her scream, his eyes burning with a crimson glow as his body contorts in unimaginable pain. In a blinding light, gravity is restored as objects come crashing haphazardly to the ground. Leonardo dives forward saving April from an unforgiving collision with the ground. Donatello lands in a heap on the couch. I rush to his side, pressing my hands to his plastron to keep him from rolling off the couch.

"Argggh!" He twists and turns from unseen danger, his eyes haunted by the horror he fights inside.

"Donatello! We are here." It is the only thing I can think to say as my son struggles for survival. His right arm jerks beneath me. I look down to see the veins enlarge down his arm and muscles double in size. His eyes are overly wide and overflowing with tears as his legs elongate and claws rip through the skin of his feet.

My heart races as I pull my son toward my chest, holding him through the rapid, excruciating changes his body is undergoing.

"I am here, my son, I am here," I yell, hoping he hears my voice over the rawness of his screams. Suddenly the stiffening growth of his limbs stops and he stares at the ceiling with a gaping mouth. He gasps as the screams become stuck in his throat. His chest heaves upward and for a moment he appears to be choking until his body goes lax in my arms and his eyes turn brown before rolling under his eyelids.

"Is he..."

"No. He is only unconscious," I answer my eldest son's fear. Donatello's body is hot with fever as his breathing starts to level out. "Leonardo, take April to the medbay. Raphael, Michelangelo, help me carry your brother to the lab. I believe there is an extra bed there." I perform a quick fatherly scan of Michelangelo. He is pale, but his stance does not waver. I will need to check him more thoroughly once we have taken care of Donatello and April.

It takes us nearly an hour to settle the unconscious teens in the lab. April will be fine, but needs to recharge psychic energy with rest. Donatello's fever has finally broken but he still remains restless in his slumber. My three remaining sons sit on various objects in the lab, pensive and tired looks clinging to each of their faces.

"My sons, I feel tomorrow will be a long day. Rest your bodies and minds, I will keep watch over your brother and April tonight." None of them argue which only proves their exhaustion. "Michelangelo, a word please." My youngest looks to his older brothers for assistance, but he is clearly on his own as they shrug sympathetically and retire to their rooms.

"Y-yes, Sensei?" He knows he did not follow orders, that he deviated from the plan.

I stand in front of him as his neck sinks the slightest bit into his shell. "I told you not to go into the spirit realm. Yet, you did so anyway without regard to the consequences that were at stake."

"I'm sorry... I... I could see something was wrong and when you were knocked out of Donnie's aura, I had to do something."

"And that something saved your brother's life." I smile at his confused expression. It is not often that a lecture turns into praise but when it is necessary, it is given.

"Your quick thinking and spiritual intuition served you well tonight. However, you must consider your physical body when projecting yourself into the spirit realm. Expending too much spiritual energy there can make returning to your body difficult and the result could be fatal." I give him a pointed look. He fidgets with his wrist wrappings, giving thought to my words. "You are not to make an unnecessary habit of going rogue. Understood?" I know my request is out of fear and not logic, but the two wounded children currently resting on the cots are all my nerves can handle at the moment.

"Hai, Sensei."

"Do you feel alright?...Are you light-headed, dizzy, or feel disconnected in anyway?"

Just as quickly as I had his attention, I have now lost it as apparently something of a higher interest entertains his mind. I follow his gaze to his sleeping brother on the medical bed. His bright blue eyes narrow with a deep concentration. "What do you see?"

"He's trying to find his way back to us, but he's changing." With all of Donatello's physical changes, I knew it was only a matter of time before the changes began to take root in his mind. My brilliant son did everything in his capacity to stave off the corruption that was once walled behind his mind, but could he have ever truly fought a presence that was merely a monstrous distortion of himself? "Will he be okay, Sensei?"

"That is a question I am afraid can only be answered by Donatello. Your brother is smart and has learned much about his inner strength in a short period of time. He must use this newfound strength to survive." My youngest engulfs me in a not so unexpected hug as his feelings of fear, sadness, and hope pour into his embrace. I return the embrace, stroking his head in a manner much like I did when he and his brothers were mere tots. I send him to bed shortly after as I keep vigil over the two precious children before me.

TBC

A/N: I appreciate all your continued support! As always please leave a review!

See you next chapter!

Poetique