Chapter 5: Smarter Than the Average Turtle

A/N: The next chapter is finally here! I have to tell you that I will be juggling quite a few other stories that I want to do, so this may not get updated as frequently as my readers want. I apologize for that, but that's the way it goes sometimes. Thanks to those who have read and reviewed thus far. It means a lot to me that you're enjoying this story. I hope you enjoy this chapter as now we'll get to see how Donnie got to Bishop's new base in the first part.

Disclaimer: TMNT and all related characters belong to Nickelodeon. The 2003 Turtles are property of Mirage Studios. I only own the plot and nothing more than that.

Donatello always took pride in being the smartest of his brothers. When they were younger and Splinter was teaching them educational stuff, Donnie was always the first to answer a question before any of the others unless it had to do with Japanese history or ninjutsu as that was Leo's department. He always took pride in getting good grades and was always happy when Splinter would praise him for his intelligence. Sometimes his brothers would resent him for being so smart, and that often annoyed Donnie. He felt they didn't appreciate him enough for what he could do even though it was his intelligence that had saved their shells many times.

But that didn't matter now. He knew his brothers would be mad at him for what he was about to do. They would more than likely resent him for what he was going to do and call him stupid. Splinter would be heartbroken and would likely give him some sort of punishment if he came back alive from this. And if he didn't, then he knew they'd all be hurt over what he did and sad that he wasn't coming back.

Shaking that thought from his head, Don focused on the computer. He'd hacked into a secret database and had found Bishop's new location. It wasn't far from his other one, and that made Don feel good. He had debated about whether to pay Karai a visit but decided she wasn't worth his time. That honor would go to his older brother since Leo had more issues with her than the rest of them. And since Bishop was the one who had mutated him, he knew it had to end with him.

After getting his location, Don packed some things in his duffel bag and set out. He figured going on foot was out of the question and contemplated which vehicle to use. The Sewer Slider was out of the question, and while he could use the Battle Shell, he wasn't sure the others would like that too much. There remained only the helicopter they had stolen from Bishop. Yes, that would be a fitting way to enter Bishop's base and take him out.

With this settled Don got into the cockpit and started the helicopter. He watched as the doors opened for him to lift off and looked back down at the home that had once been his. Would he ever see it again, or would this be the last time? No, he couldn't think like that. A true ninja didn't let his emotions get in the way of his task, and Don was determined to prove he was just as good of a ninja as his brothers.

Don watched as New York got further away. His thoughts also turned to April and what she would think about this. She'd probably think it was a crazy mission, but she would probably understand why Donnie was doing this. Out of their human friends, April was the one who understood Donnie the most and shared a love of science with him. It was why he had fallen for her even though he had tried his best not to let those feelings get in the way of their friendship. And when April had met Casey, Don had tried to be open-minded to the fact that April liked him even though he thought she deserved much better than Casey Jones. But that didn't matter. Now he had to remain fixed on his goal of destroying the man who had turned him into a mindless beast.

His skin prickled as he approached Bishop's base. He expected to see guards posted there as he landed, but nobody greeted him. He landed the helicopter a fair distance away and then set out on foot to the base. There were a few guards there, but Don took them out easily as he made his way into the compound. The look on Bishop's face when he saw Donnie wasn't too hard to forget. It almost made Don laugh as he took in the Agent's surprise that Don had gotten the best of him.

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Now he sat in his room and contemplated all that Bishop had told him. There was a different cure that would be more permanent than the one Bishop had given them before. If he didn't help Bishop make it, he was doomed to become that monster again, and that was not something he wanted to do. He wanted to be free from this. Although he hated the fact that he had to ally himself with Bishop, he knew it was the best option to save himself from this.

One of Bishop's guards arrived with some food. Don was a bit suspicious at first but realized that Bishop wouldn't kill him now. He needed Donnie for his work, so Don ate the food and savored how good it was. As he ate, his thoughts turned to Mikey who was the best cook in the family. Mikey would probably bond with this cook and make meals that would probably be just as good if not better than this one was. No, he couldn't think of Mikey now. He had a job to do, and mourning about his brothers wasn't going to help him. He had to forget them until his mission was complete.

Don rooted in his duffel until he came up with the copy of Frankenstein that he'd made sure to bring along with some other books. He opened the book and began reading, getting lost in the story and trying to compare it with what was going on now. What would have happened if the monster had allied with Victor Frankenstein? Would Victor have been able to tame him and reform him so he didn't kill people? Or would the monster have eventually killed Victor out of rage?

He was interrupted by a knock and saw Bishop standing there. He figured maybe one of the guards would have summoned him and not Bishop himself. The Agent stood there and just stared at Donnie for a short time.

"What is it, Bishop?" Don asked.

"You're needed in the lab," he answered. He eyed the book Don was reading. "Ah, Frankenstein. One of the earliest horror stories out there. What draws you to it?"

"It's just a very engaging book," Don replied. "I've always liked it."

"I see. And I'm sure that you see some similarities to your own situation as well."

"In a manner of speaking," said Don.

"And who do you relate to the most? Do you relate to Victor or the monster?"

"I suppose I relate to both of them in a way. Though I think of you as a more sadistic version of Victor Frankenstein."

"And why is that?"

"Because Victor only did what he did out of curiosity while you tend to do what you do out of a sadistic nature to see others suffer," Don answered.

Bishop laughed. "You couldn't be more wrong," he said. "I do what I do out of curiosity just as Victor did. Sure, some of my experiments may be a bit harsh, but every scientist has to experiment in different ways. I'm sure you've had to do things you didn't like for the good of science."

"No, I never have done anything like you have," Don said firmly. "I would have never tortured Leatherhead like you did. I would have treated him with compassion."

"And that's where you're a fool, Donatello. Compassion has no place in science. Every scientist must be clinical and leave all emotions behind. Isn't that what your sensei taught you about ninjutsu?"

Don gritted his teeth at the mention of his father and a sharp pang hit his stomach. But he did his best to hide it and glared at Bishop. "Yes, but that doesn't mean you have to be cruel to others all of the time. Splinter taught me about honor and always doing what's right no matter what. That's the way we've always been taught, and it has served us well."

"I can see that, but it won't help you all of the time," said Bishop. "But enough chatter for now. Follow me to the lab so I can show you what I want you to do."

Don got up and followed Bishop to his laboratory which was very big. There were a few specimens there, but Don did his best not to look at them. Bishop noted his look and smiled, taking pleasure in the Turtle's discomfort.

"So, what do you need me to do?" Don asked him.

Bishop pointed him to a microscope. "In here is the basic cure I gave your brothers to help you," he said. "Just study it and get a feel for what it is first."

Don put his eye to the microscope and studied what was on the slide. "It definitely seems incomplete because the cells are moving differently," he noted. "It seems they're not as complete as they should be."

"Correct," Bishop replied. "There is a key component missing, and I need you to get it for me."

"Where will I find it?" Don asked.

"Well, it will require you to return to New York to obtain it since Karai's scientist friend Dr. Chaplin has it. All you have to do is retrieve the chemical and bring it back here. But I must warn you not to talk to your brothers and avoid them at all costs if you do see them. You're smart enough to avoid detection, so do all you can to make sure you aren't seen by anyone."

"And that's it?" Don asked. "That's all you need?"

"For now," Bishop replied. "But if that's not the chemical that is needed, we may need to do other things to obtain it."

"Wait, you're not sure that this is the chemical that will produce the cure?" Don asked incredulously.

"Science is all about guessing, my friend. No, I'm not sure this is the one we need, but it's the best that I can do. All you have to do is find the chemical and bring it back here. If it works then we have the cure. If not, then we'll have to try again."

Don was angry at Bishop's tone. This definitely wasn't a good thing to be doing, but he had no choice if he was going to remain as he was. He sighed. "Okay, I'll do it," he said. "When do I go?"

"Tomorrow night seems like a good option," Bishop said. "From what I've gathered, Karai has to go to New Jersey for a business conference, so she won't be in the building. For now, just stay in your room and don't cause trouble."

Don nodded and went back to his quarters. He wasn't keen on the idea of infiltrating Karai's stronghold alone, but he knew if he involved his brothers, Bishop would get mad and their deal would be off. He just had to do this alone and hope that it was the solution he was looking for. And if Bishop was playing him then Don was going to make sure he had his revenge one way or another. With that last thought in his head, he began to read to rid himself of the nervousness that plagued him. He had to be strong like his brothers and do what was necessary to achieve his goal. No more mistakes and no more weakness. He would go out like the warrior he was if it came to that.

This time, there was no turning back.

A/N: And another chapter comes to a close. I hope you liked it as much as I enjoyed writing it. As I said at the beginning, I am juggling other stories so updates for this won't be frequent as I would like them to be. The stories I'll be working on will be the Falling Leaves universe, the Truth and Lies universe (namely Game of Lies since I really want to finish the main saga), and this story. All I ask is that you be patient with me. Feel free to leave a review and have a shelltastic day.