Chapter 24: Something Terribly Wrong

Donatello grumbled as he lay on the floor in front of the couch. Raph and Casey were shouting at a hockey game in the background. Something was terribly wrong. It took all his energy to move out of the dojo and into the living room. He didn't even really want to move from his spot by the tree but Donnie didn't want to alarm his family. As much as he wanted them to know something was wrong, he didn't want them to worry.

Even though his family had been keeping a close eye on him since his escape, Donnie hadn't been able to figure out a way to tell them something was wrong. Luckily, he had been able to keep his mind around April and Casey so Donnie added them to his list of people to go to. Neither had been able to figure out what Donnie was trying to tell them.

Donnie huffed and laid his head back on his paws, closing his eyes to try to get some sleep. Everything hurt and he didn't have any energy anymore. He wasn't even sure if he could get up from his place on the floor. Thankfully when he collapsed earlier, he hadn't blocked the TV. Then, he would have been found out that something was seriously wrong and his family would worry.

"Hey dudes! Time for dinner!" Mikey yelled from the kitchen.

"We'll be there in 10! It's almost over!" Casey yelled.

Donnie sighed and pressed further into his paws. He had ten minutes to figure out a plan so he wouldn't worry his family. The easiest solution would be to fall asleep but the dull ache wouldn't let him rest. Maybe he could fake it. But Raph was the one in the room and if it was time to eat, Raph would make him get up.

"Alright! We won! Sweet dude!"

Raph gave Casey a high five before the boy vaulted over the couch. Raph rolled his eyes and got up to wake Donnie. "Hey, Don. It's time for dinner." Donnie groaned and buried his face in his arms, trying to ignore his brother. "You can sleep later. You need some food in your system, little bro. Now, come on. Up on your feet."

Donnie lifted his head, knowing he wasn't going to get out of it. Raph was smiling at him. Donnie couldn't let his big brother down. With a groan, Donnie slowly lifted his head and gathered his feet from under him. He slowly pushed himself up, feeling the strain of his muscles and the energy leave his body. Donnie couldn't hold himself up. With a groan, Donnie feel back to the floor.

"Donnie!"

Raph watched in horror as Donnie crashed back onto the ground. Raph scrambled to his brother's side, watching as his chest heaved with each breath as a moan of pain escaped his jaw. He didn't even hear the commotion of people running from the kitchen. The only thing Raph wanted to do was get to his brother. Carefully, Raph sat down and pulled Donnie's head into his lap.

"Donnie? What's wrong?" Donnie groaned and slowly opened his eyes. Raph gasped as the normally sharp brown eyes were unfocused. Raph ran a hand over his head. "You've been trying to tell us this, haven't you?" Donnie cooed and tried to get closer to Raph.

"Raphael? What is going on?" Master Splinter asked, running into the room.

Raph turned with worried eyes, "There's something wrong with Donnie."

"Do you think he got hurt worse from that trip to Shredder's lair?" Leo asked knelling down next to Donnie's large form.

"There wasn't any bad wounds a few days ago," Mikey answered, running a hand over his head.

Rockwell walked over. "I should take another sample. Maybe it will shed some light on the situation." Slash handed the doctor a needle and Rockwell took a blood sample. "Just make sure he's comfortable while I look this over."

Splinter sighed and motioned for Raphael to move. As much as he knew his son needed to be with his brother, he wanted to be there for his son. Raph grumbled under his breath but still helped settle Donnie on Splinter's lap. The wait for Rockwell was torture. Mikey was near tears, Raph was barely holding in his anger, Leo remained completely silent, and Karai knelt by Splinter watching as Donnie's breathing slowly became more labored.

The door to Donnie's lab opened and Rockwell walked out. "I have a few things I need everyone to get."

"I'm not leaving Donnie's side," Raph growled.

Slash took the piece of paper from Rockwell, glancing at it. "It's a long list. We'll need everyone."

Rockwell nodded. "This is going to help with the cure for Donatello."

"My sons, you should go," Splinter said. "If Doctor Rockwell says this will help, we should help however we can."

"We should hurry then," Slash stated. Slash, Leatherhead, and Pete quickly filled out of the room.

Splinter took a deep breath before speaking. "My sons, my daughter. Take April and Casey and help." Leo paused for second, almost about to argue, before he slowly nodded and got to his feet. Raph was the only one still by Donnie's side, his eyes battling between staying and helping. "Raphael. Go." Raph nodded and got to his feet, running after his brothers. "Doctor Rockwell, what did you find?"

Rockwell sighed, knelling down by Donatello's side. "I compared the sample to the one I took when I first saw Donatello and I have some terrible news. The second mutation has caused a chain reaction that is breaking down his cells."

Splinter gasped, his paws pausing for a second before continuing the path around Donnie's face. "What does that mean?"

"Donatello is…. Dying," Rockwell whispered.

"No….. my son," Splinter breathed, holding his son close. "What can we do?"

"The cure for Donatello's mutation is weeks, months away."

"How much time does he have?"

"A few days at most," Rockwell answered.

"My poor son... my poor, bright son," Splinter ran his fingers over Donnie's forehead. Donnie slowly opened his eyes, groaning, and pushing into his father's hands. "Is there anything we can do?"

Rockwell sighed before answering, "Like I said, we don't have enough time to make the sure for his secondary mutation. Although, there is a way to buy more time."

"What is it?"

"Donatello's retromutagen."

Splinter paused for a moment, unsure what Rockwell was trying to say. His eyes widened as realization set in to what the solution was. "You mean, use it on him?"

"Correct. That would buy us some time," Rockwell said gloomily. It was horrible that they were forced to use Donatello's own cure on him.

Splinter looked down at his bright son. Either way, he would be losing his son. If they waited, Donatello would die. If they used the retromutagen, Donatello would be lost in a whole different way. "Donatello, should we use the retromutagen on you?"

Donatello lifted his head and opened his eyes. He locked sight with his father and slowly nodded. Splinter's breath caught in his throat as those brown eyes were full of emotion. Love, trust, and understanding. Donatello knew the effects of the retromutagen and he knew that to save his life, they would be forced to use it. Splinter couldn't help the tear that escaped his eyes and he held his son close.

"They others should be gone for a couple hours. Should we wait?" Rockwell asked.

Splinter paused, thinking for a moment before answering, "No. If we wait, they will insist there is a way to find a cure. It would be too late."

Rockwell nodded. "I understand. I'll give you some time with him." Rockwell turned away and walked back to the lab.

Splinter ran his hand over Donnie's head. "My poor son. I'm so sorry this had happened to you. My bright son. I'm so proud of you. I love you, Donatello." Splinter lowed his head, touching Donatello's forehead. Donnie cooed and nuzzled his father, hoping to convene that he understood his father's words and that he loved him too.

"Are you ready?" Rockwell asked, walking into the room, holding a large white cloth and a tube of the orange retromutagen.

"Donatello, are you ready?" Splinter asked. Donnie slowly nodded. Splinter placed one last kiss on Donnie's forehead and lowered his head to the ground. Rockwell covered Donatello with the cloth and uncorked the tube.

"I'm sorry, Donatello. I will cure you. I promise." Rockwell patted the large head...

"Remember, I will always love you, my son," Splinter nearly cried, his voice thick with emotion.

...And tipped the retromutagen onto Donatello's head.

Author's Note: The answer to what has been bothering Donnie! Donnie knew something was wrong, he just couldn't figure out a way to tell the others. This is one chapter I was really excited about and when I saw it was the next one, I had to update. Hope you enjoyed it! Special thanks to Pilyartquitect, awesome5689, Juanita27, Sonic155, Andraia452, and Fever To Write for the reviews!