Chapter 27: Having Hope
April looked up from her math textbook, making sure to check up on the little turtle in the living room. Donnie was slowly walking around the living room. Leo, Raph, and Mikey were out on a pizza run leaving April, Casey, Karai, and Splinter to watch over Donnie. Casey had needed help with trig so the two had taken over the living room while Splinter and Karai mediated. It was their job to watch over Donnie and make sure he didn't get into trouble.
Donnie had proven to be troublesome in his new tiny form. Raph had set up Spike's old tank for him to rest in when no one could really watch over Donnie. It turned out that Donnie was an escape artist. April had lost count how many times Donnie would escape his tank and send his brothers, sister, and father into a panic. It seemed like the best plan was to let Donatello have some free reign around the lair. He was content to simply walk around and explore.
During the day, Donnie was set in the living room. With the steps surrounding three-fourths of the floor and a wall on the last part, it provided a natural boundary. Donnie wasn't big enough to get even close to the first step so he was safe in the little enclosure. At night, Raph would take the little turtle into his room. At first, Donnie rotated from person to person but the tiny turtle seemed to not like a different environment for each night. It was then discovered that Donnie would actually sleep when he was in Raph's room, rather than search for a place to escape.
A small thump placed April's attention as her eyes immediately scanned for Donnie. Panic set in for a second before they landed on the small shell stuck under the TV. Swiftly, April placed her book down and walked over to the stuck turtle. "Hey, now, Donnie. I've told you several times you're too big to fit under there. Come on now." April wrapped her fingers around the shell and pulled Donnie out. The tiny turtle let out a small hiss, pushing his legs on her fingers in an attempt to get rid of them.
"He doesn't understand, April."
April turned around to glare at Casey. She walked over and placed Donnie on the ground, close to the couch. "He understands just fine, Casey."
Casey continued to look down at his math book. "He's just a turtle now."
"He's still Donatello," April countered, sitting back down.
"I just….. I don't want you to be disappointed if Rockwell can't come up with anything," Casey admitted, thumbing the pages.
April looked down at the little turtle. Donnie had tucked himself in his shell. Rockwell and the other Mutanimals had left the day after Donnie's unmutation to give the family some space.
"Are you sure you want to leave? You may stay as long as you wish," Splinter offered, his mind divided from their friends leaving and his sons in the corner of the dojo.
Slash nodded. "I know this is hard enough as it is. I think it is best to give you some space to… deal with the blow."
"What about the cure?" April asked, clutching onto Casey, her eyes on the dojo.
"I have Stockman's notes as well as Donatello's," Rockwell answered. "My own lab will be able to provide me what I need at the moment. It will actually be easier for me to replicate the original mutation."
"Thank you, Doctor Rockwell," Master Splinter said with a bow. "You have done much for my family."
"Thank you," Karai repeated, bowing next to her father.
"No need to thank me," Rockwell said, putting a hand up. "Even though Donatello and I have had our differences, he is still my friend and I do not wish this upon him. I will do everything in my power to return him."
April still wasn't sure how close Rockwell was. The monkey had decided to only call Splinter with updates and the rat was incredibly tightlipped about any information, even to his sons and daughter. "Rockwell isn't going to let us down."
"I don't want your hopes to get up," Casey said, still looking at his book.
"We mustn't give up hope." Casey and April looked up to see Karai standing by the door of the dojo. She must have just finished her mediation with Splinter and heard the tail end of their conversation. "Donnie wouldn't if the position was reversed. Where there is life, there is hope."
"Where did you hear that?" April asked.
Karai gave a sad smile. "From my father. He said Donatello told him that once."
"Sounds like Donnie," April sighed, running her hand over the pages of her book.
"Yeah boy! Pizza time!"
Casey put his math book aside and rose to his feet. "Welcome back guys. Need any help?" He took two steps and hit something with his foot. Not thinking twice, he kicked it out of his way. A loud smack as something hard hit the stairs in the living room echoed through the lair.
"NO!" Karai screamed, diving toward the sound. April and Casey both jumped back, looking over to where Karai was going. Laying on his back was Donnie, his little limbs flailing in the air as he called out weakly. Karai knelt by the tiny turtle, gently picking him up and cradling him to her chest, scanning him over with her eyes.
"Donnie!" Raph cried out, running over to the two. Karai moved her hands so Raph could get a better view.
"You kicked him," Mikey's small voice rang through the lair.
Raph immediately turned, glaring at his friend. "Why would you do that?"
"I didn't mean to," Casey started. "I wasn't thinking. I thought Donnie was on the other side of the room. I really didn't even know he was there. Besides, he's not hurt right? And he probably doesn't even know what happened…."
"Of course he does! He's Donnie!" Raph yelled, stomping over to Casey.
"He won't even remember it."
"That doesn't make it right for you to go around kicking him!"
"Raph, he doesn't….."
"He does understand and he knows it's you!"
"IT IS JUST A TURTLE!"
Silence fell at Casey's words. Casey finally caught his breath and took in the scene around him. April remained rooted to her place, hands over her mouth and her eyes wide. Karai kept Donnie close to her chest, her eyes narrowed in anger. Mikey was behind the couch, hand over his mouth and his large blue eyes shimmering with tears while Leo stoically stood behind Mikey. Raph's heavy breathing was the only sound as a mixture of rage and grief flashed in his green eyes.
"I think you should leave," Leo finally spoke up, his voice cold as he stared at Casey. Casey quickly glanced around the room, hoping for a friendly face. His face relaxed as Splinter walked out of the dojo, hoping to have found a friend.
Splinter cast his eyes on the group, settling on each child for a moment. He came up to Karai holding out his hand. Karai glanced at Donnie before handing him to their father. Splinter carefully cradled the turtle, inspecting for any harm. The little turtle peeked out of his shell and gave Splinter an affectionate nip on his fingers. "He is fine. There is no harm done. This has been a long day for all of us. I suggest that April and Casey go home for the time being."
"But Master Splinter!"
"You may visit tomorrow, if you wish," Master Splinter said, walking over to where Raph was frozen. The rat placed a paw on the red banded turtle's shoulder, pulling him out of wherever his mind was. Splinter gently handed Donnie over to his older brother's capable hands.
April stayed rooted, the war on her face showing she wanted to stay but didn't want to disobey Splinter. With a quick bow, she gathered her books, and left the lair, not looking back as Casey ducked around the couch and followed her out. Once the two humans left, Mikey fell to his knees, a harsh cry leaving his mouth. Leo automatically knelt by their brother, holding him close as he cried.
"Is Casey right?" Mikey cried, clinging to Leo's front. "Is Donnie really gone?"
"No," Master Splinter stated, walking over to his others sons. Karai joined Raph's side, running a finger along Donnie's shell. "We must have hope that he will be returned to us. I believe that Donatello is just sleeping in that form. He will come back. We must have hope."
Author's Note: Update for the weekend! Hope you all enjoy it! Also, on the two different options, I shall be doing both. I just couldn't decide. One option will be posted in the main story and the other will be in a separate fic. I'm going to try to post them at the same time so you all can enjoy reading them.
Juanita27- OMG! You seriously predicted it! A few days ago, I was like, I want to do both and decided I would post the second option as well. Do you know magic?
Aoifetello- I think he is adorable! My sister has a turtle and he does exactly what I wrote with me whenever I pick him up.
Fever To Write- I'm glad I can stab your heart
BipperCipher3- Oh Donnie will be back... eventually.
CuriousHeather- Thank you! Gotta love angst.
Pilyatrquitect- I felt like I really needed to express the loss Splinter has. I'm sorry for your own loss and I understand, I lost a close family member a few years so I know how it feels.
Andraia452- Donnie will always prove him wrong.
Sonic155- Oh no! I hope not. I do not wish to kill you.