Worlds Below

Disclaimer: I deny any and, all, ownership of characters used within this story.

Chapter Two:

Don stirred, while not fully awake he could feel that he was returning to alertness, his fingers twitched and moved over the bedding, telling him that it was a tattered patchwork quilt. He could smell candles, and incense and that soothed him, helping him relax even though he felt pain from his many injuries. He could hear the rumble of an overhead train and some dripping water, a strange echoing sound and all of this was very familiar and reassuring to the injured turtle.

As he lay there he began to take note that there was a ringing in his ears, but as he became more fully conscious he realized the ringing wasn't so much in his ears, as outside of his head. Like the tapping sound on the pipes that ran underground. He focused a bit on the noise and was sure that it wasn't just mere taps, but almost a morse code type of tapping. He was almost sure he could figure out the message given the time and with a little effort. However the insistent tapping made him a little more uneasy, because until now his senses had been telling him he was safe, that he was most likely home, the tapping noise assured he was not and this brought him alert faster than anything.

He opened his eyes with a weak groan, turning his head to look around the room, and his eyes focused on a person sitting in a large armchair, for a moment Don felt a spike of fear but that quickly turned to awe as he looked at the person who sat in the chair. Dressed in almost an ancient medieval style wear, with the leather and ragged clothes sat a tall man, who had long blonde hair that came down to his shoulders, his face though was what drew Don's attention. The brow was a bit heavy and the person had strange blue eyes, the nose was flat and broad, he had a slight muzzle, and tiny brown hair grew all over his face. His mouth and nose looked very feline like. Don noticed the hands on the chair were also covered in hair.

The person leaned forward giving him a smile "You are safe here. My name is Vincent, and I assure you that you will come to no harm with us."

Don heard a tone as low and soothing as Splinter's own, and Don almost instantly trusted that voice. He tried to sit up. Vincent leaned forward and aided the turtle carefully, "Do you have a name?" Vincent wondered.

Don nodded "It's Donatello. Though my brothers call me Don."

Vincent's brows puckered a bit as if he was thinking of something, "Donatello? Like the renaissance artist who was known for his sculptures in bronze and marble?" he inquired as if placing the name.

"My father named my brothers and I after, different artist from that era." Don confessed.

Vincent nodded, "Are you hungry? I can get you some soup or tea." Vincent offered, "You are not hurting too much are you Donatello?"

"No the pain isn't too bad. Just a little tired is all. But I would like some tea." Don agreed, "Vincent are you a mutant?" Don asked.

Vincent turned and shrugged, " I have no real idea what I am or how I came to be. I am surely not what most view as normal" Vincent allowed, "But that is all I really do know. Rest I'll return shortly." Vincent vowed as he climbed the ladder out of his room to the tunnels.

Don relaxed against the pillows looking around the room of his host, there was a statue the kind often seen outside the court houses of the maiden blindfolded and holding the scales in her hand, there was small sculptures and pictures all around the room. In fact it looked fairly cluttered and almost as chaotic as Mike's room, and yet Don had a feeling all of the mementos meant something to Vincent, they had some sort of sentimental value if only as a key to the outside world.

Vincent returned shortly there after and while Don sipped his tea they exchanged stories. Vincent explained how a few people topside became disillusioned with life and decided to set up a world under the streets of the city. They had made what they felt was a good world, with good caring people. They helped one another out, and everything they had was shared. Some people stayed only for a time, for a healing process almost while others had lived there since they were children. There was those like Mary who lost her own children so cared for the tunnel children, or Winslow who loved to work with his hands. They had helpers who lived above and donated things the people could not find readily, like clothing, fresh fruit and vegetables, medicine what ever they could handle. How he Vincent had been found by these good people and how they had protected him for many years, caring for him as if he was one of their own.

Don listened enthralled with Vincent's words. Then he explained about his life, how his father had been at one time an ordinary rat who had been the pet of a man named Yoshi, how Yoshi and his wife had been killed by an old enemy leaving Splinter without a family. How Splinter had seen an accident that resulted in a container of strange liquid to be dislodged from a truck and strike a jar of baby turtles down into the sewer.

"Splinter knew we would never be accepted by the outside world so we live in the sewers, much as you and your family does Vincent." Don paused and set his cup down on a bedside table, giving a rueful grin he continued, "In fact, I am sure we have come across them once or twice in our wanderings down here. But because we don't like to be seen by people we usually duck into the shadows of another tunnel soon as we hear someone."

"Mouse has seen you and your brothers, and a large rat that he is quite sure would eat him." Vincent replied with a smile.

"Mouse?" Don arched an eye ridge up.

"Mouse is a young boy, probably your age or a bit older. Mouse is not sure how old he is. I found him some years ago in the sewers and he was practically wild. Didn't talk was nervous of others, his only friend at that time was a raccoon. He was like a little mouse, nervous, scurrying around getting into or stealing things. I managed to befriend him and since he didn't recall having a name I called him Mouse and it stuck. Mouse still prefers to be by himself." Vincent acknowledged, "And we have not been able to stop him from stealing things."

Don chuckled "Sounds to me he just needs something to do to amuse himself."

"Oh he likes to fiddle with wires and things. He is like Winslow good with his hands. he says we could tap energy off the city to light up our homes and stuff, but Father, is afraid the city would notice vast amount of energy being used and find us out. Too many people need this place." Vincent declared.

Don scratched his chin and his eyes shone a bit, "You're right the city would notice large amounts of energy lost, but you could still do it in some areas without them being the wiser. Trust me there are ways to get around it. After all I'm the one who arranged all the luxuries at home." he confessed doing his best to not be boastful about it. Don sighed "I'd like to meet Mouse, I have a feeling he is a kindred soul, and I really don't have enough of that." Don yawned suddenly and he tried to cover it up with one hand.

Vincent looked shocked "I have been a terrible host you must be tired and need to rest," Vincent realized.

"First Vincent do you have a scrap paper, and something I can write on. I need to get a message to my family, let them know I am all right. If you can get it to one of your helpers, and they in turn can get it to April O'Neil at the Second Time Around antique shop, then it would be a big help to me." Don suggested.

"This April is your helper?" Vincent asked.

"We saved her life, she sort of is like a big sister, or mother to my brothers and I she knows about us. She won't betray you or your family I assure you." Don vowed.

"If she is aware of you and your family then being able to maintain a secret is not the question. Still I can see to it the message is passed on." Vincent replied. He found some paper and some ink for Don to write with. Don scribbled a quick message, and then to assure his brother's it was him, he put a Japanese saying on the bottom that he and his brothers enjoyed as children. He handed the paper to Vincent.

Vincent helped Don lie down "We will see if we can arrange a time and place to meet your family so they may see you. I do not think it is wise for you to be moved too far just yet." he advised, "Now rest Donatello, and hopefully I will have an answer by the time you wake again." Vincent sealed the message with wax and took it to one of the young children who were permitted to go topside. Kipster, was a young lad who knew his way around. He gave explicit orders to the boy.

Kipster pushed back a lock of dark hair " You owe me so many favours now Vincent" the boy teased.

"Ah but Kipster this may gain us some wonderful allies; So it is in your best interest too." Vincent answered.

"Got to do with that turtle?" Kipster asked as he scrunched up his face.

"He has family that may be concerned about him it would be well to ease their fears." Vincent answered.

Kipster nodded and took the note scrambling off down the sewer tunnel, Vincent watched the boy go. He knew Kipster could be a bit impudent at times but he was reliable.

XXX

Catherine moved towards the antique shop, her short blond hair fell over part of her face, and she wore a long coat over her clothes, working as a district attorney meant dressing up for court days, but dressing casual for those days she had to do lots of foot work and foot work seemed to always come with the territory. Still Cathy enjoyed being able to make a real difference in the world, helping out those who seemed to need that extra hand to stick up for themselves and their rights. Today her clothing consisted of slacks and a blouse.

She had received a message from Vincent shortly after leaving the office for the day, though it was all ready late in the afternoon, she had managed to get away early for a change. Kipster had given her the note in passing moments after she had left the office, the youth slipping up to her handing her the note; palming it with effortless ease into her hand before taking off after his friends. Catherine noted the message was rather bulky, and that Vincent had wrapped a note around a sealed letter of some kind.

She ducked into a corner coffee shop and waited patiently to get her drink before sitting out at one of the sidewalk tables, that due to the chilly day, were not busy, and sat down to read Vincent's letter.

Catherine,

A wonderful thing has happened. Last night while returning home from your place. I found an incredible being. He was no more human than I am, and yet he was unique in his own way as the difference that sets me a part from others, is apparent in him. Yet he is more like a turtle.

Seeing his injuries made me think of all the dangers father says I face when I go above. Yet it is worth the risks. Yes I know he worries when ever I go above, and this one made me realize the truth of those fears. Even as father was patched him up I caught him glancing my way as if to say, this is what I fear for you. This is what could become of you.

It is terrible enough when man unleashes his anger and hatred upon his fellow being, but to harm another due to differences that can not be controlled is a horrible crime. One of the worst that I can think of or have knowledge of.

When he awoke we had a friendly talk, and I believe he is a gentle person, and his name is Donatello, though he asked me to call him Don and he informed me, that he has a family and his one concern was to get a message to them so they would not have to fear the worst. I can sympathize with his worries. I also know that he can not rest fully until he has put his mind at ease.

Catherine I am hoping that you may do us a favour by taking Don's message to April O'Neil at the antique shop on Eleventh and Bleeker. April is aware of Don's family and will see to it that they know what is necessary. If you must Catherine confide what you need to with April about us, including me for if she can protect beings like Don, we have nothing to hide or fear from her. Once April is aware of this then perhaps you can set up a place to meet Don's family and bring them for a visit as he is should rest and not be moved.

I know you are busy and I am asking a great deal of you Catherine, you know I would not ask it unless I felt you were willing and able to do it. Know also that I ask it for me, because I know how father would feel if I vanished above, and he had no knowing of where I was or what had happened. I ask it for Don, and mostly I ask it for his family to ease their concerns.

Sincerely;

Vincent.

It didn't take much reflection for her to do it. Vincent and his family had done a great deal to help her that she was glad to arrange what she could for them. Also she knew that if Vincent had vanished or been injured she would love to know he was safe. So it was a simple matter to head towards the antique store, with Don's message tucked into her purse. She spotted the small store, that was part antique store, and part thrift store from the looks of it.

Cathy walked in and spotted a red headed lady dusting some shelves, she turned and smiled a greeting "Hi there."

"Hi" Cathy replied, looking at the jeans and short sleeved t-shirt. Cathy noticed a large book case sitting in the midst of the floor, that looked rather out of place as if someone had been interrupted in moving it. But the female seemed to pay it no mind. Cathy scowled and nodded her head, hearing Isaac warn her to pay attention to her surroundings. Isaac ran a school in New York teaching simple self defense as he put it there was none of that kung fu or egg foo yung going on in his school, "what I teach is New York City Street fighting." he proclaimed, "You do what it takes to stay alive."

Cathy had her suspicions about the book case, "My name is Catherine Chandler" She introduced herself as she went over to the red head.

"April O'Neil." April wiped her hand on her jeans before offering it to Cathy, "Are you looking for anything interesting?" April inquired.

'I got the right person then!' Cathy congratulated herself, " Actually I was looking for you." She replied cryptically.

"Looks like you found me. But can I ask what for?" April wondered curiously.

"A special friend of mine, Vincent said that you may be able to deliver this message from Don to his family." Cathy replied as she pulled the letter from her purse.

She saw April's eyes widen and then she felt a strong powerful arm around her midsection, and something sharp poking at her clothing in her right side, while another arm went around her neck. Both arms pulled her into a body that was hard as rock and an angry snarl issued near her ear.

"If you know where Don is, now is the time to talk lady."

TBC