Ch.3: You're Not My Brother!

"You're worthless Raphael!" were the first words Leo and the others heard after the white light had vanished.

Once again, they had been transported to the lair, but there was something darker about the atmosphere this time. To thier horror, they saw what it was. There, in the center of the lair, stood a present version of Raphael, surrounded by dark versions of his friends and family.

"I don't like the looks of this," said Mikey, noting that the dark version of himself and the others had glowing red eyes.

Dark Leo drew out his katana blades and started slicing them at Raph, making the turtle's blood spill onto the floor. Then Dark Mikey and Don pulled out their weapons and started whacking Raph as well.

Dark April and Casey took their turns and added to Raphael's torture, calling him worthless and a waste of skin. Dark Splinter just stood there observing it all. Leo and the others just stood there gasping at the horrible sight of Raphael in pain.

"You were never my brother!" shouted Dark Mikey to Raphael.

"You're powerless!" said Dark Don.

"A waste of time!" said Dark Casey.

"You don't deserve to be a part of our family!" said Dark Leo.

"Guys please.." said Raph, tears threatening to poor from his eyes " Master Splinter...please,"

"No use begging," said Dark April.

"Master Splinter" said Raph, ignoring April " please...help me,"

Instead, the Dark Master Splinter turned his back to Raphael, and whispered the five cruel words a ninja turtle never wanted to hear.

"You were never my son,"

With that said, the dark version of Master Splinter walked away into the darkness, leaving Raphael's fate up to the others. Dark Leo took his Master's absence as his cue and raised his katana blades over the helpless Raphael's head. The other dark reflections followed his lead.

From the sidelines, Leo, Don, Mikey, and Splinter shut their eyes as their dark clones brought all their weapons down onto Raphael. An ear-splitting scream cut through the air. And by the time anyone was brave enough to open their eyes, all they found was that the dark reflections had vanished, and a bleeding Raphael now lay lifeless on the floor.

The white light flashed again, and Leo and others soon found themselves standing back in the Realm of Pain. Looks of horror and guilt were painted on each one of their faces.

"Mikey" said Leo, looking towards his youngest brother with a serious expression " please don't touch anymore orbs!"

Mikey nodded in agreement with Leo's decision and took a seat on the valley floor, with Leo and the others soon following suit.

"I can't believe that's the way Raph sees us" said Leo, breaking the brief silence " to think that we would call him worthless and try to kill him,"

"Maybe he has a good reason for seeing us that way," said Don, solemnly.

"What do you mean Don?" asked Mikey.

"I mean think of all the fights we've been through together" said Don " Raph is always the first to react whenever we get into any danger. He's always there to save our shells, even after we yell and say mean things to him,"

"Yeah" said Mikey, understanding where Don was coming from " the dude always had a big heart. When Leatherhead accidently attacked me that one time and I pretended to be dead, Raph was geniuely concerned for me, cause he thought I really had died,"

" On the farm" said Leo, quietly " after I had gotten attacked by Shredder and had my swords broken, my spirit was shattered as well. But Raph helped me repair my swords and get me back on my feet,"

"When Splinter dissappeared that one time" said Don " Raph wouldn't stop until he found him again, and went out on his own to search for him,"

"Yes" said Splinter " he cares for us all. His heart makes him strong, while his guilt makes him weak. We must save him before he loses his heart,"

"I don't know if I want to risk touching those orbs again" said Leo, shivering slightly " the first two trips were enough,"

"I don't want to either" said Don " but given the location, we don't have any other choice,"

"To get to the monster haunting Raphael's mind" said Master Splinter, standing up " we must take the risk and touch another orb,"

"Hey here comes one now," said Mikey, pointing.

"I got it," said Don, and reached up and touched the orb.

Once again the white light flashed and the turtles and their Sensei were transported to another realm of Raphael's mind.