Donatello peered over the Triceraton energy blaster. The weapon was formidable, but for what Don had in mind, he needed a lot more firepower. He turned again to his notes. If his calculations were correct this would work. If they weren't…

"I can't back away from this now. I've come too far."

Don picked up the tongs from the table and moved towards the glowing Y'Lyntian Moon crystal nestled in its case. It had taken him months to find one big enough to fit the modifications he had made to the Triceraton blaster.

Slowly, carefully, Donnie lifted the crystal and walked back over to the blaster. The slot for the crystal was ready. All that was left to do was put it in. Inch by inch Donatello lowered the crystal until it was just barely above the slot.

"Here goes nothing."

Holding his breath, Donatello released the crystal, and was blown back by the massive explosion.

Raph had been watching TV when the blast rocked the lair. Leaping up he sprinted to Donnie's lab. He knew it. He knew his bonehead brother was going to get himself killed working like that. Only now did the horror of that reality hit him squarely in the chest.

The thought of his brother hurt or even dead made him break out in a cold sweat.

"Please be ok Donnie!" Raph screamed silently.

As he skidded to a halt at the lab he was flanked by the rest of his family, worriedly peering through the smoke.

They heard a coughing sound and all sagged with relief when they saw Donnie walking out of the black cloud, covered in ashes.

"My son, are you alright?" Splinter asked hurrying to Donnie's side.

"What happened?" asked Leo.

Donnie tried to take a deep breath but could only sputter between his coughs, "Experiment w-went wrong."

"No kidding shell-fer-brains!" Raph shouted. Seeing his brother whole and unharmed unleashed the bottled up rage and worry. "Ya nearly got ya'self killed! What were ya DOIN'?!"

"Hey ease up Raph," Mikey said. "It's not like Don did this on purpose."

"The shell he didn't! He's been working non-stop fer days, he hardly leaves the lab, and he ain't sleepin'!" Raph ticked off three fingers. "Tell me how that ain't just askin' for somethin' like this ta happen?"

"My son, is this true?" Splinter looked at his shaken and exhausted son. He had known something was wrong with Donatello but was worried about pushing the young turtle's already fragile condition.

Donatello sighed.

"Yes father, its true. But I'm only doing this because I have to. I'm so close. I just need to-"

Exhaustion finally caught up with the young turtle as he unconsciously fell to the floor.

"Woah!" Mikey rushed forward to catch him. "Hey guys what's the matter with him?!"

"His mind has been stretched to its limits," Splinter said sadly. "We must let him rest. Take him to his room."

"Where are you going Sensei?" asked Leo.

"I will meditate and attempt to help Donatello on the astral plane," Splinter replied solemnly walking towards the dojo.

The three turtles watched him go then turned back to their unconscious brother.

"OK Donnie – up we go!" said Mikey, gently swinging his brother up into his arms. "Let's get you to a niiice soft bed."

His brothers were smiling at him again. That same sad smile.

"It's so good to see you again Donnie"

Don couldn't help but cry.

"This isn't how it's supposed to be. You shouldn't have died. I should have saved you."

The three other turtles grimaced. It was then Donnie noticed their wounds. The fatal wounds that had killed them all began appearing, blood streaming down their sides.

"There is no help for us Don. It's too late. You were too late."

Donnie jolted awake gasping for breath. He pulled his legs to his plastron and cradled his head in his shaking arms. Great sobs wracked his body. He knew it was his fault. If he had just acted sooner, they would have lived.

A gentle paw lay on his shoulder. Donatello's head jerked up. Splinter's eyes were misty. He gently pulled Donatello into his arms.

"You are not alone my son," he whispered.

After so many months of hiding, Donnie couldn't keep his pain in check any longer. Clutching Master Splinter's robe he cried out in anguish, great tears falling from his cheeks.