Ancient Prophecy.
Another chappy, thanks to anyone still with me! Enjoy!
Chapter Six:
Leo walked into the infirmary room situated deep within the Justice Tower and had to resist the urge to leave again. Raphael hadn't moved since he'd seen his brother some eight hours before. The young leader couldn't help but wonder if this had been how his brothers had felt after the foot had brutally attacked him a few years before, leaving him fighting for his life, but from what Amanda had told them it sounded far worse than his injuries had been. Splinter, Donnie and Mikey were all asleep so he silently made his way to his brother's side and quietly placed a chair on the opposite side to his father.
"I'm sorry I drove you away," Leo said just above a whisper remembering the harsh words he had said to Raph before the hot headed turtle had rushed out of the layer in fear despite his injuries, "please come back to us Raph, we need you." His only reply was the hum of the life support machines and the small beep letting them know that Raph's heart was still beating there was even a tube forced down his throat to keep him breathing.
"I trust he was avenged my son?" Splinter asked without opening his eyes. Leo felt his stomach leap and suddenly wished he had stayed with Serena, but Splinter probably already knew what he had done so he had to face it sooner or later.
"Yes sensei." He replied bowing slightly.
"Were you seen?" The old rat asked.
"Only by those who died." Leo said almost too quietly, "I am sorry sensei; I have dishonoured you by giving in to my anger."
"While I do not approve of the methods you may have used," Splinter finally opened his eyes and looked at his eldest, "for Raphael's sake alone, I am more than happy to know that Hun can no longer direct his attentions towards your younger brother."
"Will he be okay father?" Leo held out a hand and with a feather light touch stroked his brother's cheek.
"Only time will tell my son, but I fear more for your brother's state of mind than his physical health."
"How so master? I mean once he's better and we can take him home we can help him right?"
"In these past hours I have tried to reach him through my meditations," Splinter closed his eyes again and rubbed them wearily before looking at Leo, "but he has built up a wall against even me, You're brother has always been distant when I try to connect with him. However despite the distancing he has always allowed me in, now he blocks my every attempt. And with the knowledge of what Raphael has been doing to himself then. . ." He sighed, "I am not sure my son. Only time will tell."
"I didn't think that blocking you was possible sensei," Leo looked at his little brother more than a little surprised, "I mean, Raph's always been so terrible at meditating. How could he possibly know how to block you?"
"I believe your brother is more capable than he has ever let on, but I cannot be sure. It may be that he is not even aware of the ability and it is his subconscious mind that controls it in some way. I only hope that this is not a sign of something sinister."
"Master? Leo?" Both turned to see Mikey sitting up from the left hand side of the small sofa that was built into the wall, "Is Raph?!" He started excitedly then his weak smile turned into a frown at their faces and the too still form of the brother in question on the bed, "Oh."
"He'll be okay Mikey." Leo smiled reassuringly then heard Mike's stomach grumble. "Have you guys had anything to eat since you got here?"
"They offered but," Mikey rubbed his stomach, "we weren't really feeling like anything then." The youngest turtle rubbed his arms and though about going to find something for his brothers but he couldn't quite muster up the energy to and sighed.
"I'll go." Donnie said from the other side of the sofa rubbing his neck and ignoring the small yelp from Mikey, "I need to stretch my legs," he too looked over at his fallen brother and sighed, "I've got my cell on; you'll call me if anything. . . you know?"
"Of course we will." Leo answered and watched the purpled banded turtle wander out the door and turn right.
Donatello wandered for a while and decided that perhaps it would have been best if Michelangelo had gone for food as he hadn't actually been inside the tower very often and certainly not to this part of it. He tried a few doors and found that most of the floor was dedicated to healing and scientific labs. One or two of the labs he snuck into and had a look around but without the security codes, viruses could be set off and he didn't want to mess with anything that might get wiped just because he felt like snooping. After trying a few more rooms he found an elevator and decided to try some of the upper levels and hope he found something or bumped into someone he could ask.
"Why do a bunch or super heroes need such a big place anyway." He grumbled irritably to himself as he explored the upper next level up.
"My sentiments exactly!" Don jumped at the sound and instinctively drew his bow and stood ready, "Whoa! Down boy! I'm a friend of Chrysalis and am currently trying to hunt down something to eat before I die of starvation." The blonde blinked as she noticed the turtle looking more than a little depressed "Are you okay? I mean you look kind of down."
"I'm fine, my brother's not." He said giving the girl a small smile, "He was kidnapped and badly beaten first by an organisation called the foot, then even worse by the purple dragons. Nobody found him and brought him here to their med labs." Don paused to control his breathing that was threatening to get out of control, "We don't know if he'll wake up."
"Harsh." She said, "I'm sure he'll be fine though. The Justice Force have got the best medics in the world so if anyone can make him better they can." He smiled at her then frowned.
"Are you a new member or something? I don't remember you."
"Me?" She blinked and shook her head, "Nope, never had an invite and I do just fine on my own most of the time and have plenty of help when I do need it. My name's Witch, I usually work in LA but I'm here looking for an ancient book called the Tomes of. . ."
"Ellyon?"
"Yeah" she paused and eyed him, "Wait, how did you know that? Are you in league with Zuko and lady Vampira?"
"Lady who?"
"Hex." She looked angry so he made sure the shake of his head was definitely a negative.
"No we're, I mean my family and friends are trying to find it and keep it away from them," he looked away and clenched his fists, "they're the reason my brother was taken by the foot in the first place and why Leo's girlfriend, Leo's my brother, is an orphan."
"Wow, those two seem to destroy families wherever they go," she muttered then quickly changed the subject, "so why aren't you in the med labs?"
"Oh uh, well. . . actually I'm meant to be finding some food for my father and other brothers." He suddenly realised something and looked at her quizzically, "Aren't you even the least bit surprised at my appearance?"
"Witches don't scare easily," she said chuckling, "something to do with the fact that I battle demons on a regular basis. That and you seem like a nice guy."
"Right," he felt a smile reach his lips, something about this girl reminded him distinctly of Mikey, "so do you know where we can find food?" She shrugged and looked around.
"Let's see?" She muttered and held her hand palm up in front of her, a tiny ball of light appeared and floated ahead of them as if waiting for them to follow. "Shall we . . . um, I don't think I caught your name?"
"Donatello," he said and joined her as she followed the ball of light that was no bigger than a small button, "so what have you found about the book?" He asked wondering why they were following the light.
"Just that it's hidden in some huge underground cavern under the East river somewhere." She shrugged, "I have no idea if the cavern is at the bottom or deeper below the river bed."
"Well I don't think we've even gotten that far." He told her rubbing the back of his neck. They turned a corner and the light hovered in front of a door to their left. The pair looked at each other and the witch pressed the button that opened the door and inside they found what looked like a fully stocked kitchen. Don walked straight over to the freezer and made a grab for anything that didn't need too much effort to prepare.
"When was the last time you ate?" he turned with his arms full of fast food to look at her.
"Um, I'm not actually sure." He admitted honestly and cringed as she rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"Put that back!" she said firmly but without sounding too harsh, "I'll make you something a damn sight better than that junk!" She rummaged in the fridge and found what she needed, "You fire up that stove over there and I'll have something ready for you and your family in no time. You do like cheese and mushrooms right?" Donnie nodded in the affirmative then did as he was told and stepped back to watch the girl at work. She couldn't have been out of her teens but he wasn't sure if she was older or younger than he was, for a human she was pretty and was just Mikey's type. In other words; a blonde bomb shell with a Californian tan to match who looked like she went surfing a lot. The girl moved around the kitchen effortlessly and prepared what looked like an omelette with mushrooms and cheese, she found a plate and some cutlery then passed it to him, "You eat and I'll make some more, how many of you are there anyway?"
"Oh fo. . . I mean three." He said taking a bite of the small meal and hoped she didn't bring up his slip.
"Okay three more omelettes coming up." She turned back to the stove and began her task as he ate. Donnie was reminded of Mikey again as he ate the food, but unlike Mikey, this girl could make a really nice omelette! He was almost sorry when he finished but she had already served the three meals and was working on one more that he assumed was for her. She turned as she dished up the fourth and with a wave of her hand the ball of light re-appeared, "Follow that and it'll take you back to the med labs and don't worry about the food." She smiled at him, "I placed a small charm on all three so they'll stay warm. When your brother wakes up come get me and maybe we can trade notes on the tomes, I'm usually down in one of the computer rooms on the lower levels."
"Thanks Witch."He said and took the three plates offered to him and some cutlery. With one last smile at the girl he left her to her own devices and followed the light back down into the heart of the tower.
"Man we were getting worried bro." Mikey teased with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"I got a little lost." Don shrugged and passed out the meals.
"Since when did you get so good at cooking bro?" Leo commented after tasting the food.
"I didn't cook it," Don admitted walking over and checking the life support machines for his own peace of mind, "some girl from LA cooked it. She said she was called Witch."
"Whoa! The White Witch?" Mikey asked looking at no one in particular with a dreamy expression on his face.
"Well she just called herself Witch, but she was all in white so I guess. Do you know her?" The brainy turtle took his place on the sofa again and watched as Mikey played with his food.
"There aren't many pictures of her but there's a lot of artists renditions," Donny raised an eyebrow at the last word impressed his brother even knew what rendition meant, "but I mean she's not like other super heroes she's kinda like us. I mean she saves people out in the open, but she doesn't stick around after and if she notices anyone taking pictures or videos then it's said they won't come out when they're developed or played back." He sighed, thinking of the screen saver he had of one rendition, "She's meant to be really pretty."
"I guess," mentally agreeing with his brother and then remembered what he had wanted to tell his brothers, "Actually she's here looking for the Tomes of Ellyon." He told them and promptly blushed when all eyes were on him, "She said there's some cavern somewhere in or under the East River."
"I'll bring up Serena next time," Leo said staring at the floor, "I expect she'll want to talk to this girl at the very least."
"Maybe they could have an uber witch team up?" Mikey sad chuckling, "they could go beat the socks of that creepy Hex lady!"
"She's not going up against Hex again!" Leo stated simply.
"But there's no way we can beat Hex," Donnie pointed out, "anything we learnt from the tribunal is nothing compared to what we saw that night Raph . . ." He looked away unable to finish his sentence, "Serena may be the only hope we have to stop . . ."
"No!" Leo got up and stormed out of the room.
"That went well." Don sighed then something caught his eye. The turtle frowned and looked at Raph's left hand; he ignored the stares from Mikey and Splinter and waited, "There! It happened again!" He knew he'd seen movement this time.
"What?!" Mikey looked from one brother to the other looking both confused and terrified at the same time.
"His hand moved!" Don said excitedly, "I saw his fingers twitch!" Mikey beamed and rushed over to the bed.
"Raphie?" He asked not daring to touch his brother should he hurt him, "Can ya hear me bro? Come on Raph please wake up, please?!" Mikey was nearly in tears at this point and very nearly started to shake his brother before he stopped himself.
"Michelangelo, my son!" Splinter addressed Mikey, "He must wake up on his own. He . . ." At Mikey's cheerful yelp Splinter looked down at the bed and saw Raphael's eyes open.
"Raphie!" Mikey yelled and got a smack upside the head from Don for making Raph wince, "Are you okay? We were so worried bro! We're gonna . . ."
"Mikey I'm not sure he's really with it," Donatello placed a hand on the over excited turtle's shoulder, "and he can't speak cause he's got the ventilator down his throat."
"Oh." He looked crest fallen but placed a hand on Raph shoulder. Raph turned to his brothers then looked at his master; he blinked a few times before looking around some more as if something was missing, Mikey smiled knowing who his brother was looking for, "Leo, um, he went out bro. He needed some air or something." Raph looked at Mikey and blinked again as Donnie came into view, on his cell.
"Leo'll be here in a sec," Don told them all storing it away again in his shell, "Hey Raph, you're gonna be okay bro." Donnie gently placed his hand on the top of his head, "We're going to help you through everything okay." Raph smiled and closed his eyes allowing the tears to trickle down his face.
"It is alright my son," Splinter cupped Raph's face and wiped away some of the tears with his thumb, "you are safe now."
"Raph!" Leo ran into the room and toward his brother, "I'm sorry for what I said I didn't mean . . ." Leo saw his brother slowly reach out for him and took it without hesitation. Raph squeezed as tightly as he could and tried not to fall asleep again just as two young doctors came in and he began to squirm.
"It's okay bro, they're not going to hurt you," Don pulled his brothers out of their way, "they work for the Justice Force and we're at the Justice Tower." One doctor Don recognised as Evelyn Chase came over and smiled.
"Seeing as he's awake, let's see if he can breathe on his own huh?" She then turned to Raphael and smiled at him warmly, "Okay Raphael, this will be uncomfortable and may hurt a little but when I disconnect the tube and I say when, you need to try and cough for me okay?" She turned off the breather and was glad to see everything stayed as it should. "Alright Raphael are you ready to cough?" She looked at him and he nodded weakly, "Okay on three, one, two, three." He did as he was told and coughed as hard as he could and felt sick as the human doctor pulled out the tube going down to his lungs. It seemed to take forever and he could feel himself begin to panic but then the tube slipped out and after a few more coughs he took in several deep breaths. "How do you feel?"
"Light headed." He croaked grimacing at the sore throat he now had and at how weak he sounded.
"Well that'll be the painkillers," she chuckled, "although the alternative will most likely be just as undesirable." She turned to Donatello knowing he would be the one to care for her patient once back at home, "Now that he's awake he's out of the woods, but I want to keep an eye on him here for a while before moving him, if it's alright with you."
"If that is what needs to be done then Raphael shall remain under your care for the time being Miss Chase." Splinter bowed, "You are an honourable human, and we have had too many bad experiences with regards to human doctors. It is pleasing to meet at least a few who do not wish us harm."
"I have heard rumours that you've had run ins with that beastly Bishop," she replied nodding her head, "I met the man once and it was once too often! The man should be locked up in a lunatic asylum, if you ask me!" She stopped and blushed, "I'm sorry, I forget myself sometimes."
"No sweat doc lady," Mikey patted her back, "we're not too keen on Bishop in this era either! Ow!" Mikey held his head and looked at his master, "What?"
"I'll leave you to it for a while," She chuckled, "I need to run a few more tests down in the lab, come on Davies." The other doctor walked out behind the woman glancing back at them once then they both left.
"What did I do?"
"You mentioned something about the future Mikey!" Leo said looking anywhere but at Raph.
"What we saw in Cody's future is yet to happen and it may be that it was not truly our future." Splinter explained with one hand protectively on Raph's shoulder.
"Splinter's right," Don carried on vaguely wondering which lab she had been talking about as all of the ones he'd seen had been empty, "the future you saw was one of any number of possibilities. For all we know that was the future of another group of turtles from a parallel reality whose decisions and actions ended up with that outcome. Although, we knew of Casey's journal but that doesn't mean that we won't make a different decision and . . ."
"My brain hurts." Mikey whined and bounced back over to Raph effectively stopping Donnie mid rant, "so Raphie, you sure you okay?"
"I'll be fine Mike." Raph said barely more than a harsh whipser then looked at Leo. "Don't go blamin' yourself for any a this," he found himself out of breath from just a simple sentence, "I'm the screw up that got caught."
"You're not a screw up Raph!" Leo took a step back shocked at his brother's words.
"Am so." Raph said feeling his eyes grow heavier, "besides, it's better me than any of you."
"WHAT!" his three brothers said at once.
"Why would you say such a thing my son?"
"It's true," the injured turtle closed his eyes feeling himself slipping off into unconsciousness, "I'm already messed up . . . don't matter if I get . . . messed . . . up . . ." The darkness overtook him and he slept.
"Why would he say that?" Mikey sobbed feeling physically sick.
"Probably the same reason he was cutting himself." Don sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.
"He shouldn't think that!" Leo slammed his hand down on a nearby table, "I'm the one who should be protecting all of you! Does he think he's worthless or something?!"
"I am afraid that may well be the case my sons."
"But he's not!" Mikey protested and held his brother's hand tightly, "He's our secret weapon. He's our brother Raphie, the one who's always got our back in a fight. He's the crazy one who'll take a bullet for anyone of us." Mikey brought the limp hand to his face and whispered, "You're not worthless Raphie. We all need you!"
Well one more chapter up! I hope you like it, I hope to have another one up soon. Angel xxx