Chapter 22: Sticky Stuff
Donatello lifted his head, listening to the sounds of the lair. Everything was quiet and the last person, Rockwell, had gone to sleep. He had regain control the previous day but the nervousness around April and Casey remained. Donnie knew he would battle the fear of humans for a while. At this time, he was on a mission and would need to put all his ninja training to the test, especially in this new form.
Donnie slowly lifted himself to his head and walked over to the door leading out of the dojo. He didn't venture much in his home since his transform but it wouldn't cause any alarm. He paused for a second, making sure Splinter hadn't woken. As quietly as he could, Donnie pushed the door opened and carefully walked through the living room.
Ever since the Mutanimals had come down to the lair, the sleeping arrangements had completely changed. Karai was put up in his bedroom while Leo, Raph, and Mikey had all pilled in Mikey's room. Rockwell and Slash were in Leo's room while Pete and Leatherhead were in Raph's which meant the living room was empty and he had a clear shot to the entrance of the lair.
Stopping for one last check to make sure everyone was still asleep, Donnie ran over to the turnstiles, jumping over them, and landing softly. As he regained his feet, Donnie ran the tunnel, following the tracks for the Shellraiser so he could get to the surface. He was on a mission. Donatello was determined to help Rockwell in the only way he could figure out. It all came from a memory and an overheard conversation.
"Just hold still and act like you're still doing work," Stockman instructed. Donnie nodded, reading over the notes and making the occasional line to look like he was actually working. A sharp prick was the only sign something happened and Stockmen pulled away. Donatello took the chance to see what was in the man's hand. It was a vial of his blood.
"What?" Donnie whispered.
Stockman sighed before putting the tube into a pocket. "I have a bad feeling. This is just in case something horrible happens. I have a sample of your current DNA."
"What would my DNA do if something were to happen?"
"Hopefully we won't have to find out."
The blood. Rockwell said he was having trouble separating the two mutations. Donnie ran out the exit, smelling the fresh air as he quickly ducked into the shadows. If he was able to get his blood sample from Stockman, then Rockwell would have the information from his original mutation. It would help. Donnie knew it.
He ran in the direction of Shredder's lair. Donnie needed to keep his head. He needed whatever little of his brain that he possessed to be able to pull this off. Instinct was rising up, trying to drown out his rational thought. With each step to Shredder's lair, it became harder and harder to think. Donnie kept repeating a few words to try to focus himself.
Stealth, blood, Rockwell. Stealth, blood, Rockwell. Stealth, blood, Rockwell.
Donnie huffed as he skidded to a halt, Shredder's lair looming over him. He couldn't help the fear run through his system. He didn't want to be here. It was scary.
Stealth, blood, Hairy. Stealth, blood, Hairy.
Donnie narrowed his eyes and kept to the shadows, ducking into the lair in one of the back entrances, the one he had escaped from before. He really wanted Snakelady or Alpha or GiantRat to be here with him. This was completely terrifying. Donnie ran down the long hallway, avoiding any contact with Foot Bots whenever they crossed paths.
Hide, blood, Hairy. Hide, blood, Hairy.
Donnie ran down the tunnel, noticing a dim light at the end. His instincts were on end, warning him of danger. All he wanted to do was turn around and run, go to the safe place. But there was something important he had to do. He couldn't really place what it was but it something to do with sticky stuff that came out of his body sometimes.
Hide, sticky, Hairy. Hide, sticky, Hairy.
"Donatello?"
Donnie perked up as he entered the room with the light. Flyman! He was nice! Donnie bounded over, ready to get some kind of comfort in this horrible place.
"Why have you come back here, Donatello?" Flyman asked. Donnie's eyes narrowed in confusion. He wasn't sure. It was for Hairy, the sticky. "You must have regained control of your mind to remember I took blood from you. Although this stunt of yours is going to set you back. You are a fool, Donatello." Flyman buzzed away back to the large piece of wood in the center of the room. Donnie wasn't really sure what Flyman was talking about but it sounded like he figured out Donnie was here for something.
"Okay. I've put a wax seal on it so it won't open on accident. Here, open your mouth and wrap your tongue around it. Do not open your mouth until you give it to whoever is in need of it," Flyman instructed, prodding Donnie's mouth. Donnie paused for a moment. What was Flyman doing? The cold thing with the sticky wasn't food. Oh! Maybe that is how he is to take it to the….. place.
Donnie slowly opened his mouth and allowed Flyman to stick the cold under his tongue. Donnie automatically wrapped his tongue around it, making sure it wouldn't move while he ran.
"I'm assuming they were able to access the flash drive but I wrote a note and I'm going to tuck in in your shell. It shouldn't move too much," Flyman continued, putting something comfortable in his shell. Donnie shifted a bit, trying to dislodge it but it wouldn't move. He'd have to find someone else to take it out. Flyman wasn't.
"Donatello." Donnie turned his attention to Flyman. "You need to get out of here as fast as you can. I'm forced to call the Foot Bots in case I see you guys. Shredder was not pleased with the fact that you and Karai escaped. I hate doing this but I'll be able to give you a ten second head start. Hurry, Donatello. Run!"
Donnie tilted his head as Flyman pushed on his shell. He didn't want to leave Flyman but the urgency in his voice told him to go. Donnie quickly gather his feet and took off down the hall. He didn't bother hiding from the Foot Bots, merely smashing them on his way out. Hairy. Hairy. He needed to give cold to Hairy. Whatever a Hairy was.
Raphael stretched out his arms, heading towards the dojo. After spending the past weeks sleeping with his other two brothers, Raph was reminded of how annoying it was to share a bed. Spending some time with Donnie would calm him down enough to go back to bed. Raph tapped the door with his knuckles, making some noise to not startle Donnie when he awoke. It was strange. Usually the door was almost shut rather than wide open.
"Hey, Donnie. You awake?" Raph asked to the empty darkness, looking for a shining pair of eyes and listening for some type of greeting. Silence was his answer. "Donnie?" Raph crossed the room, searching each corner with his eyes for his large brother. "Donatello!"
"Raphael!" Master Splinter shouted, throwing open his door. "What is the meaning of this?" Master Splinter flicked on the lights to the dojo.
"Donatello's gone!" Raph yelled, spinning around the room, fear taking hold as he couldn't find his little brother.
Master Splinter took that moment to look around the room to notice his missing son. "Wake your brothers. We must find him!"
Raph bowed and ran out of the room, screaming, "Leo! Mikey! Wake up now!" Doors slamming open was his answer as Leo jumped out of the room, one of his katanas in his hand with Mikey right behind him. Karai, Slash, and Leatherhead had all open their doors as well at the shout.
"Raph? What's wrong?" Leo asked, putting down his katana.
"Donnie's gone!"
"What?"
"Donnie?"
"How can he be gone?"
"We must hurry and fine Donatello," Splinter stated, walking out of to the dojo to hand Michelangelo and Raphael their weapons.
"We're coming with you," Slash stated. "We don't know where he could have gone. With our numbers, we can cover more ground."
"We must hurry."
Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo ran across the rooftops, their eyes scanning every place that Donatello could be. Leo quickly jumped up on one of the higher buildings, doing a quick circle, searching, before jumping down and rejoining his brothers. "Why would he leave?"
"I don't know," Raph honestly answered, trying to keep up his speed.
"Where do you think….." Mikey started as a loud and familiar roar echoed through the night air.
"Donnie!" Raph yelled, changing his direction and running towards the roar.
"Mikey! Call Sensei and the Mutanimals!" Leo ordered.
"On it!" Mikey yelled, pulling out his T phone and dialing up Karai.
"We need to get to him first!" Raph called out, his worry growing.
"We will, Raph," Leo tried to reassure. "We will."
Author's Note: I do have to say, I love all the guesses about the story. I love it! Thanks to Sonic155, Andraia452, Aoifetello, and BipperCipher3 for the reviews.