Chapter 7: Purple and Green

They were out on the rooftops once again. The order, do not act, only watch, Leonardo was sick of watching and he could tell his brothers were done as well. Raphael was a ticking time bomb and it seemed like only the return of Donatello would defuse him. Michelangelo had withdrawn into himself. No amount of pizza, video games, or hugs could make him feel better. Leo couldn't remember the last time he had actually laughed.

"Why won't Sensei let us go in there?"

Leo turned to Mikey, who wasn't even watching the building anymore. "I don't…"

"I think he's afraid to lose us as well." Leo and Mikey turned to Raph, surprised to actually here his voice without a tint of anger. "He has already lost one son and his daughter to Shredder, he doesn't want to lose anymore." Raph looked back at Shredder's lair, knowing he was right in his words.

"You're right, Raph," Leo spoke up. "We should head back." Raph and Mikey both nodded as they turned away from Shredder's lair, away from their missing brother.

"Donnie….."

"What?!" Leo and Raph both cried out turning toward their younger brother as Mikey looked at the next rooftop. The orange banded turtle leapt onto the next roof with his brothers close behind.

"Mikey, what is it?" Raph asked before he inhaled sharply at a familiar staff stabbed into the building.

"No…." Leo breathed, sinking to his knees as Mikey let out a choked sob.

Donatello's bo staff stood straight from the building, a bloody, purple bandana tied around it, fluttered in the breeze.

Master Splinter snapped his eyes open, pulling himself from his meditation. He looked over at his two pupils, watching as Casey struggled to focus and April kept silent and calm. He could barely focus himself as the worry for his son and daughter grew greater with each passing day. The only thing that made things a little better was the hope that his daughter was safe wherever she was. At the same time, the worry for his son was increased knowing he was in the hands of the Shredder. The question was what was better, false hope or actually knowing.

"Master Splinter." The old rat gazed at April, who was looking up at him with worry.

"Yes, April?"

April looked down at her hands as Casey opened his own eyes. "I know the guys have been on scouting missions for a week now, but when will we rescue Donnie?"

Master Splinter sighed, "Soon. My son is in distress and once my sons return, we will make a plan to rescue Donatello." April and Casey nodded as they got to their feet. They both gave a small bow to the old rat who returned it. His ear twitched and he left the dojo immediately with the two children following close behind.

Leo, Raph, and Mikey walked into the lair, dejected and dragging their feet. A somber air followed the three boys as they entered. It was normal for them to come in feeling angry and sad but this was a new low. Something had happened while they were out.

"My sons, what has happened?"

Leo, Raph, and Mikey all looked at each other before Leo took a step forward, reaching behind him, and pulling Donatello's bo staff from his belt. With shaking hands, Master Splinter reached out and took the weapon of one of his beloved sons. "We found it on a rooftop near where we've been on lookout."

"Donatello…."

"There's something else…." Leo paused for a second before continuing, grabbing something else from his belt, holding it in his fist. "Sensei…. Father…." Master Splinter looked up. He knew something was wrong when one of his sons addressed him as so, especially Leonardo. "I'm sorry…." Leo held out his hand, giving his father the thing in his hand.

Master Splinter fell to his knees as he held Donatello's bloody bandana. The familiar purple material was tattered and had turned a strange mixture of the purple color and the rusted brown of blood.

"My son….."

Donatello was making mindless mistakes, senseless explosions, and appearing like he was just failing at creating a cure. Stockman seemed like the only one who realized what he was doing but he kept his mouth shut for the promise of a cure. His shell ached from the crack and his breathing had become hard whenever he strained himself too much. Stockman had secretly given him some epoxy for the crack but Donnie knew the man couldn't do too much without giving himself away.

It had been a week since his capture and now, Donatello realized he was running out of time. Shredder was becoming impatient.

"Donatello," Donnie jumped as the Shredder stepped up to the work area. The man waved his hand as two hands grabbed the turtle. Donnie looked around to see Rahzar and Tiger Claw holding both of his arms, dragging him over to a large vat of mutagen. The two mutants wrapped the turtle in chains and hooked him onto a lift. Rahzar nodded over to Fishface who began to hoist Donatello in the air, carefully maneuvering him over the vat.

"Ummmm, I don't think I can do my work from up here," Donnie nervously said, gazing down at the green ooze as he stopped right above the vat.

"I'm done waiting," Shredder said, walking over to look at the turtle hanging in the air. "This worked with Stockman to get him to work harder. I'm hoping to see the same results."

"Stockman…." Donnie breathed when he realized what Shredder was talking about. "You shouldn't do this! There is no solid evidence that mutagen will give you the desired results! It is highly unpredictable and who knows what will happen if you dump me in there!"

Shredder laughed, walking over to the controls by Fishface. "Then, we will see what happens." The Shredder held a hand over a bright red button.

"DON'T DO THIS!"

And pushed.

A horrifying click and Donatello felt the hook release him and he was falling. The glowing, green ooze came closer and closer. Millions of thoughts flashed through his mind, trying to predict what would happen. He let out a small scream as he hit the ooze with a splash.

Pain. It burned upon impact and sent fire running through his veins. Donatello twisted in the tank, feeling the chains strain on his body. He tried to scream out in pain only to swallow more mutagen, the liquid burned in his throat and lungs. He felt his body twist and contort, growing, his bones breaking and reforming. Everything was changing but the most horrifying thing was his mind going smaller. His thoughts were becoming harder to form as something else rose up, taking over his mind. The last thought before that presence completely took over was a cry.

Father!

Author's Note: Yep. I just did that. If you can't tell by now, Donatello is my favorite and I just love torturing my favorites. Funny enough, one of my favorite episodes has to be from the 2003 series, "Good Genes" and "Adventures in Turtle Sitting." Like I said, I love torturing my favorite characters so when my fav goes through some terrible stuff, I love it. I took inspiration from my favorite episodes for Donnie's mutation. I hope you enjoyed it so far. Thanks for Pilyarquitect, Heather, and Pip for the reviews. Special shout for to Pip for being the 20th review! As always, reviews are welcome.