The sun was shinning against the outskirts of the foreign mountains, painting the sky in reds and oranges. The birds song began to simmer away and the flowers began to close. Leonardo stood at the entrance of the Daimyo's home looking out to world around. How sweet and calm the world looks was just sickening with the thought. Leo turned his eyes to the side and sighed. Four days, it's been four days since they brought Michelangelo back from that place. He hasn't woken up let alone made a sound. The injuries were extensive, some life threatening. Leo felt guilty, shameful for not getting there sooner, not understanding the dangers sooner.
Leo stood up straight again. He needed to stay positive, strong for his family, especially for Mikey. He knew there was going to be a long road for him and his family and only hoped he could be the leader who will leas them out of this mess of a life.
He turned his head and saw Raphael walking outside, keeping his head low. Raphael took a seat on the porch steps and looked out to the distance. Leo looked over the white bandages around his neck. The look on Raphael's face for the past few days has been solemn. As if in a way Raphael has given up, but yet he has been by Mikey's side since they got back. Leo shifted only slightly.
"How's he doing?" he asked. For a moment, Raph didn't respond or even move.
"Fine." The response was short and almost croaked out. A chill went through Leonardo with the strange feeling that floated between them. Leo could tell that Raphael is not angry, nor revengeful. No, this feeling that he was getting was that Raphael was sad, lost.
"They told you, you couldn't stay in there anymore?" Leo half smiled, trying to lighten the mood. Raph didn't even budge. Leo swallowed hard in understanding that Raph was forced out of the room by the healers. Donatello was also forced out when trying to examine Mikey. The way the healers did it was so much more different then how Donatello would handle it. Master Splinter and the Daimyo have butt heads a couple of times now over the care of Michelangelo. Everything was much more of a mess then before. He was loosing control. He crossed his arms and ducked his head.
"Did you mean what you said? When we brought Mikey back?" He asked. He flicked his eyes to the side to see Raph had his head turned towards him, eyes blaring into him.
"He's dead Leo." He practically growled. "That kid, that's not Mikey in there." The un-shed tears glistening brightly, making his eyes seem bigger then they were. Leo watched his younger brother seeing the emotion on his face. One thing that Leo took note was that he and Mikey were the closest. Even though Raph and Leo spent time challenging and working as a team, it was Mikey that would be there when Raphael had a fit, or Raph watching Michelangelo's back. To see Mikey the way he is now must be heart wrenching more for Raphael then the rest of them.
"Raph, Don't count him out just yet." Leo tried to reason. "He hasn't even woken up yet."
"He doesn't want to wake up Leo don't ya get that?" Raph snapped. Leo just stood there, hearing his brother snap the way he did was comforting in a way. Hope wasn't lost.
"I won't give up on him." He explained, giving Raph a hard look.
"How can you if he already gave up on himself?" Raph challenged.
"You don't know that." He countered.
"I do know!" He growled. For a moment, there was pure silence between them, shadowed by the falling sun and the distant wind. Leo crouched down next to his brother and looked at him straight in the eye.
"Then you need to be strong for him Raph. Our job is to guide him and that is exactly what we are going to do. Am I clear?" He asked. Raph lowered his bearings seeing the dominance his brother was showing, his leadership coming into play. So many years Raphael fought wanting to be leader, the top, but lost his chances when Leo was picked instead of him. His anger and jealousy has fueled his determination to be better, to be better then Leo. To get the credit he deserved. But, at moments like this, when everything had hit the fan, turn into a whirlpool of death and deception, Leo knew how to take care of it, how to take charge. This was something that only Leo could do, he knew how to handle things like this while keeping a level head. At moments like this Raphael knew that Splinter made the right choice by not picking him as leader.
With a slow nod, he agreed with Leo even if he still had doubts about Mikey's well being. He watched as Leo stood back up and looked at the door.
"I'm gonna go check up on him." He faced Raph and held out his hand. "Are you coming with me?" Raph pondered over the option for a moment and looked away.
"I'll be there in a minute." He said quietly. Leo dropped his arm and nodded before heading inside. As he walked in he took note of the palace and how the atmosphere seemed to have changed in the small amount of time. All the guards and healers have been giving Leo and his family a hard time about them being there and Leo was getting tired of it.
He walked into the healing corridor and opened the door. When he stepped inside and peered at the room he saw his brother was not on the mat where he has been for the past four days. Panic filled him as he ran out the room, looking for one of the healers. He watched as one walked down the hall and he quickly followed. He ran up and pinned the healer to the wall, making his yelp in fear. Leo gripped tightly at the shirt of the healer, invading his space drastically.
"Where's my brother?" He asked sternly. The healer spluttered his words trying to respond but the tensity of Leonardo's anger was terrifying the young man.
"Answer!" He shook the man lightly and he yelped again.
"H-he woke up and attacked one of the healers! T-they took him down to the cells to restrain him! Oh please don't hurt me!" The healer brought his hands up to cover his face and Leo let his shirt go. His anger spiked to a new high as he dashed down the hallways to the entrance of the holding cells. He was stopped by the body of the Daimyo who was coming up from the stairs to the underground holdings. Looking at the Daimyo made Leo want to see red. Leo tried to shove past him but the Daimyo grabbed onto his arm to stop him.
"And just what do you think you're doing?" He asked, demanding for an answer. Leo quickly grabbed his arm back from the Daimyo and raced down the stairs. He rushed down to the last cell and looked inside to see a bed with straps that looked to be forcefully torn off and two guards both against the wall unconscious. Michelangelo was gone. He took a step back for a second then dashed back up the stairs to face the Daimyo once more. There was no composure, no insight on this. He went up to the Daimyo and pushed him hard, making him tumble.
"Where's Michelangelo!" He yelled. The Daimyo regained himself from the stumble and looked at Leo.
"Your brother attacked one of my people. He is unstable so I had to place him somewhere were he wouldn't hurt himself or others." The Daimyo said.
"Putting him in a cell was your way of restraining? Didn't my father inform you where my brother has been this entire time Daimyo! He attacked your men because he was scared you should have called one of us!" He yelled back, heart pounding fiercely against his chest.
"He threatened to slice my man's throat then himself. I had no choice Leonardo and you must get back in your place!" The Daimyo demanded. That had it.
"My place? My place! I have done nothing but honor you and your home since the day we met! You and my father have been friends for many years and my brothers and I have helped you multiple times and now we are nothing more then a burden to you? I know my place and thats to protect my family. You are the one who is out of place to be demanding so much from the people you owe a great debt to. So dont sit there and patronize me when you are the cause of my brothers misfortune towards your men!" Leo screamed. The Daimyo stood there, stunned by Leonardo's outburst.
Leonardo took a long look at the man before him, so self absorbed, so into his own affair he doesn't even realize how much Leo and his family has done for him. He walked past him and looked over his shoulder.
"When I find my brother, we will leave and never return again. Sir." Leo dashed down the hall to the dojo to see his father discussing some things with Usagi and Donatello.
"Master Splinter was have a problem." Leo announced. All three turned their heads to face the flustered blue banded turtle.
"Mikey's gone." Splinter quickly stood up followed by Donnie and Usagi. As Splinter was about to walk out of the, Leo stopped him.
"Father, I think you need to stay here." He said quietly. Splinter's eyes blazed with rage.
"I will not sit back while Michelangelo is missing!" He barked. Leo licked his lips before taking a breath.
"Sensei, I don't think anyone took him I think he ran away. I need you to stay and have a word with the Daimyo. They tried to restrain him in a cell." Leo felt his father's breathing come to a halt. For a moment everything was still. When they met eyes, Leo felt a shiver go through his spine. Never had he seen so much rage or hatred in his father's eyes before. Seeing his father as angry as he was, was a very, very scary concept.
"Find your brother, and we are going home." He growled his demand. He pushed Leo's hand away and started to walk out of the dojo. "I must speak to the Daimyo." Was the last thing he said before disappearing down the hall. Leo saw from the corner of his eye to see Usagi standing there, confusion plastered on his face.
"Usagi please stay here. I have a feeling the Daimyo is gonna need some assistance." Without another word, Usagi nodded his head and followed Splinter out the room. Donnie came up next.
"What happened Leo?" He asked. Leo controlled himself for a moment.
"Donnie, the healer told me Mikey tried to cut his throat. I think we got a big problem on our hands." Donnie stood there with his mouth gaped. Michelangelo was missing and suicidal. They had to move.
Quickly the two made it out of the Dojo and met up half way with Raphael and all three ran through out the home looking for their lost brother. No sign of him inside, they went outside and looked around the premises. When they got back to the front of the house, they were at a complete loss on where he could have gone.
"Donnie, is there anyway he could have gone back to the to where the cube was?" Leo asked urgently.
"From the last time I saw him he shouldn't even been able to walk let alone run off." Donnie said.
"Well maybe someone did take him." Raph said. Leo shook his head.
"No, the healer said Mikey got out. If he was scared enough couldn't his adrenaline make him run?" Donnie thought for a moment.
"It's possible but he must have been in complete terror and felt his life was threatened." Leo stood and thought for a minute. Mikey was scared, he was weak and tired and needs reassurance. He looked out to the side to see the large mountain with the bulged edge on the side. Then, it clicked.
"Come on this way!" Leo led the way towards the mountain. This was the same mountain that he took Mikey on before his fight with Kluh. Mikey felt low of himself and didn't think he was good enough, so Leo brought him up to the top to the top to let him know focus is his key to understand what he needs to do. Michelangelo is lost and confused, Leo only hoped his idea was true and only prayed his brother didn't do anything to harm himself yet.
As quickly as they could, they made it to the ledge and looked around for Mikey. Leo looked forward and saw Mikey right at the tip of the ledge looking down. He signaled his brothers to approach with caution. He felt his throat go dry seeing his brother standing there, like a stranger at most. Leo moved closer but not too much, afraid to startle Mikey.
"Mikey?" He said quietly. The second the name came out of his mouth, Mikey snapped his head to face Leonardo. Leo flinched at the sight his brother. His wounds still healing, body still terribly skinny. The fear printed on his expression. His eyes were wide and his muscles are tense.
Leo wasn't the only one who noticed Michelangelo's look. Donnie observed his face closely. His jaw went slack when he figured it out.
"The chemical is still in his system." He whispered. Raphael looked at him.
"It's been days Don. Even with you it didn't last that long." He tried to counter.
"When the cube came down, the substance was released but it was spread through such a large area, it didn't affect anyone. But since Mikey had been exposed to it over an extent of time, the lingering substance is still affecting him and continuing the flow of the chemical in his system. Look at his eyes." Donnie motioned Raph to look. When Raphael looked, he saw a thin layer of tears it seemed that glistened in the dimmed light.
"His eyes are glazed over. He probably doesn't even know what he's doing right now." Leo overheard what Donnie had said and formed a plan.
"Okay, Donnie stay by my side and were gonna try and talk to him. Raph, go around the side and wait for my signal." Raph nodded and step out of the way. Leo looked forward to see Mikey standing there, still facing the ledge but head turned his way.
"Mikey...It's me Leo. Do you remember me?" He asked, placing his hand on his plastron stepping closer. Mikey let out a small whimper, making Leo stop in his tracks. With slow movement, he brought his hand out in front of him.
"Come on buddy, you gotta step away from there." He tried to soothe. Mikey's breathing was coming in heavy pants, holding his chest as if in pain.
"Leo he's having a panic attack." Donnie whispered. Leo retracted his arm and put his palms up, showing he wasn't a threat.
"Y-you have to leave." Mikey croaked out. Leo was taken back at the sound of his brothers voice. He reminded him when he was first going through puberty. His voice cracking, body small. It was a strange thing to see.
"We can't leave you up here Mike." Donnie spoke. Mikey snapped his eyes to Don.
"Please! Please J-just go. He's gonna hurt you if you stay." Mikey pleaded, tears painting his cheeks.
"Who?" Leo asked. Mikey didn't answer but looked back over the ledge but stared forward.
"Jump now Michelangelo." Mikey started to shake terribly. In the sky, merely feet away from him floated Rictor staring at him. A wide grin showing off his complexities.
"Jump now, if you don't then I'll find you and your family." He threatened. Mikey took a step closer to the ledge.
"Mikey stop!" Leo called. Michelangelo stopped on command, conflicted on who to listen to. He looked back up at Rictor, frowning at him.
"You dare disobey me? You want me to take you again? Make you suffer, make you wish you were never born? Jump you pathetic excuse for a being!" Rictor yelled. Mikey's head was swimming. He was confused, so tired and so scared. He wanted Cal. He wanted his friend, the person who kept him sane in that place.
"I-I want Cal." He whimpered. Donnie and Leo looked at each other, confused on who he was but brushed it off and waited for Mikey to make a move.
"Mikey, is it Rictor who's threatening you?" Donnie asked. Mikey flinched, enough of an answer for Donnie.
"Mikey, Rictor isn't here anymore. That person your talking to is not Rictor." Donnie tried to reason, understanding the chemical is causing Mikey to hallucinate.
"Michelangelo." A new voice called. He looked at saw something beautiful. It was nothing to be described but something warm and at peace. He felt content looking at the figure, feeling safe in a way.
"Walk forward dear boy, come home." It was hypnotic in a way. Mikey couldn't look away, he couldn't focus on anything else but what the entity was telling him. He felt this was a cleansing of his sins. He will be forgiven if he goes. No more pain, no more suffering. Just calmness, and peace. Mikey took another step forward.
"Wait Mikey don't!" Donnie called running up.
"Raph!" Leo called. Raph heard the call and dashed forward toward his brother. Seconds later and it would have been too late. He quickly grabbed Mikey around the waist and pulled him back.
The second that he felt the hands wrap around his waist, the figure, his savior disappeared.
"No!" Mikey screamed, devastation filling his voice as he began to thrash out against the turtle holding him tightly.
"Let me go please!" He screeched, squirming out of the hold. Fortunately for Raph, the fight wasn't much for Mikey was still weak. He was able to bring them both down till Raph was kneeling, holding Mikey tightly as he still tried to fight. Donnie and Leo ran over to the two youngest to see Mikey had stopped fighting but instead clung to Raph lightly. His wallowing was audible and his face was swollen.
"Let me go...please let me go.." He cried quietly. Raph stayed facing forward, allowing his words to sink in. He looked up at Leo, glaring in a way. Leo swallowed hard, realizing this was going to be harder then he originally thought.
Master Splinter stood outside of the Daimyo's home, watching the sun disappear behind the trees. When he went to talk to the Daimyo, he accused Splinter for raising ungodly children and that he failed as a father. After a fight between he and the Daimyo, he was banned from entering the home again after sending the Daimyo to the healers. He didn't regret doing what he did to him, for putting his son through that after everything that he endured was just disgraceful. Although, at the same time he felt the Daimyo was right. He allowed Michelangelo to be taken away from him and was put through so much that when he came home we was unrecognizable. Even though he knew he failed, all he can do is fix what he had broken.
He sat up when he saw his sons walking out of the almost darkened forest with Mikey cradled in Raph's arms. They met half way and Splinter looked down at Mikey to see he was sleeping. He could tell from the swelling in his eyes and the streaked stains of tears on his cheek that he tired himself out. He looked up at his other sons to see the same despair on their faces. With a heavy sigh, he started to walk towards the portal entrance, more then determined to get home.
A/N: Wow we are getting closer to the end guys D; so sad. But, we are not done yet. Again, please excuse my OOC-ness with the Daimyo. I just need to make him a mean character to make things better haha. But please leave me a review and tell me what you think! Love you guys!