Replaced Part 4

(Damn, what am I going to do?)

With the lair not being a wise choice of places for him to go back to, Raph quietly sat there overlooking the city night scenery, and it was beautiful.

The city in its finest hours was magical over how the light sparkled beneath the moonlight.

Even with this splendid view, he was unable to enjoy it, Raph was lost, unsure where he could go or what he should do or who he can trust.

Leo was out of the question, even Mikey was iffy at this moment; Casey proved to be unreliable and then there was April… but who knows if she was replaced too.

(Replaced...) Raph played upon the word in his head, was that what was happening?

Sighing wrapping his arms around his waist to give him warmth, though it wasn't even remotely cold out, Raph froze when he caught a glimpse of blue flashing by from the shadows, moving in the opposite direction.

(Leo?)

Biting his lip, Raph contemplated whether he should flee before the older brother gave any notice to him, or he should follow the leader to see what he was up to?

(Ah, what the hell...)

Giving in, not that he had anything else to do Raph got up quickly.

Leaping to the next building, Raph trailed the brother as far away as he could manage, to not to be caught, but close enough not to lose Leo's tracks.

Steadily, Raph proceeded forward in the cover of darkness, suddenly slowing his pace, to press his body against a nearby wall, watching Leo landing on a roof waiting for something.

(Who is he waiting for? Wow, never seen Leo so antsy.)

Staring at the brother who was acting a bit anxious and nervous, a trait that was uncommon for the fearless leader, Leo's mood changed to his normal calm state, in mere moments before Karai showed up alone, puzzled on why Leo had summoned her.

"Leonardo, why did you call for me?" Karai eased up noticing they were indeed alone, not realizing Raph was in the shadows, nor did Leo gave any notice as well.

"Sorry Karai for calling you so suddenly, but I needed to talk to you about something urgent," Leo said smoothly slowly approaching the female ninja.

"In regard to what? I thought we had an agreement it was best we communicated by other means, then one on one."

"I know we agree upon that... Karai… I'm sorry... sort of," Leo's demeanor changed suddenly when he reached inches away from Karai.

Without warning Leo lashed at her unexpectedly, jabbing a syringe into the ninja's neck as she screamed in surprise and pain, kicking the turtle away from her as she placed much distance between her and him.

(What the hell!)

Raph gasped as his fist trembled did he just attack Karai out of the blue with no reason! She wasn't even armed or had any ill attentions towards the leader; Leo would never do such an act before.

(He is replaced... Damn… Why can't this be a damn harmless nightmare!)

Karai in a mist of confusion and pain of this betrayal, grabbed her neck that throb, as she drew her sword towards Leo, who only tisk tisk her for such a response.

"There is no need for that Karai," Leo crossed his arms showing no sign that he was going to bother equipping himself with his own weapons.

"What was in that syringe?!" the human demanded receiving a crackle from Leo.

"A poison."

(Poison!)

"Poison, what is the meaning of this?!" Karai swiftly attacked Leo, while the turtle only dodged her assault with ease.

"The meaning is this Karai! Your foot clan isn't welcome here anymore! I want you and your foot soldiers to leave New York's borders and leave my fair city free from your so called control! If you do what I demand, I will reward you with the cure."

Appalled by Leo's rash behavior and the notion he thinks he could order her around; the female ninja stood tall, showing she wasn't one he should have backstabbed, "You will end these games Leonardo and give me the cure now, or our treaty will fall! You and your brothers will be hunted once again, and the foot will not show mercy this time around!"

"I'm truly sorry Karai, that would defeat the purpose, and you're not the only one with leverage here, since I didn't just poison you with this deadly virus. Every foot soldier you have been infected as we speak with a more potent strain than I injected you with. In 24hrs, you and the rest of your clan will die a slow, painful death choking in your own bodily fluids!" Leo laughed at the expression on the female ninja's face.

"This... How could you do this Leo! Of all the years, I have known you, you would never stoop so low!" Karai clenched her sword reframing herself in attacking the turtle, knowing that will not solve this horrifying dilemma.

"Well then you never knew the real me did you now Karai. Twenty four hours and if there is one foot soldier left in my city you will all die!" Leo turned around making his leave.

Standing there Karai was in shock, what took like hours that were really only seconds the female soldier moved on, not attempting to follow Leo.

Once again, alone, Raph was too, trying to process the event that just played before him.

Did Leo truly just set the foot clan up? Would he seriously poison them all?

(This isn't right, sure I hate them just like the next turtle but to do this? This is too dishonorable of a fate even for the foot!)

Bursting down the sewers Raph sprinted his dead run without a sign of stopping; he had to get to Donnie's lab right away and find this cure that Leo was speaking of.

It was proven that Leo was not acting himself, the eldest brother would never do anything to harm Karai; his feelings for the human were extremely deep to do so.

As horrifying it was witnessing his brother lost like his other brother Donnie, Raph felt some spark of comfort from this betrayal.

It proved to him that Karai was still herself, and if he could aid the female ninja, he could convince her that the Leo that poisoned her wasn't the real one. This act of mercy might achieve to restore trust with the foot to help him get back his brothers.

Would the foot even humor the idea of helping him out? He wasn't sure, but what little choice did he have? Leo doing this must have demonstrated to Karai that this Leo was a threat and getting back the real Leo would dispel that threat.

It was a long shot sure, yet how Raph saw it everyone else he could come up with could be replaced already, and Karai was now the only one he could go to...

Taking one of his short cuts, hoping it would be fruitful to get him home before Leo beat him; suddenly ahead of him voices could be heard.

Recognizing them to be of Leo's and Donnie's, Raph didn't steer off his path instead approached the sounds with caution.

"Did she buy it?" Donnie gleamed happily.

"Yes of course, she did; you should have seen her face when I told her that I poisoned her," Leo answered back crossing his arms letting out a laugh.

"Good, I curse the foot clan and placed a small hex on her to make her believe she was poisoned. Even with their advanced technology they will succumb to our demands, unable to find a remedy that would work. Believing their only hope is that we have a cure for this so call disease."

Tilting his head, Leo nodded, "Are we going to kill the little pretty one like the rest of her clan? I would love to keep her as a pet."

"No, we will not kill her, nor shall you touch her! She is too important for your disturbing taste; we will claim her body for our brethren as well. Her position in the foot would be quite an asset. However, the rest would make fine soldiers to use for the upcoming tide," Donnie rubbed his fingers greedily.

"Very well brother what is our next step? I fear to inform that the idiot Casey lost sight of Raphael. To be truthful, he is becoming a nuisance, wouldn't it be wise just to end him now before he messes up your plans?" Leo narrowed his eyes grumbling about the fact he had no clue where Raph was.

Sighing Donnie shook his head, "We can't give up on him just yet, Sitras wants his body and will not settle for less. You can't believe that I will neglect such a request from our youngest brother can you? You too demanded Leo's body, and I deliver did I not?"

Biting his lip, Leo growled in defeat, "Fine then… This turtle will not be so simple to submit to us. He has already challenged you and refuses to offer his blood, without the consent we can never give his body to our little brother."

"I am fully aware of that Leonardo! I am the one that has the power to transfer their pathetic souls and replace them with our brothers. He will be a tricky one for sure, but without his voice, I believe that simple hex on him will bring him to his knees sooner than later. Don't worry little brother, I have a plan; I always do. Now let's head back home, we need to prepare for Karai."

Making their leave, Raph suddenly realized he was holding his breath, feeling like his head swimming he let it trembled out slowly, inhaling deeply trying not to trigger his body to start hyperventilating.

(Where is a fucken paper bag when you need one?)

The turtle feeling weak, letting his shell slide down the brick wall, landing with his butt on the cold ground as his world spin out of control around him.

He was screwed; his brothers were gone all he knew, there was nothing left of them…

Unless the doll he saw is some kind of vassal that holds the original host's soul, giving room for this demonic spirit to take over the host's body.

(Leo is in that doll, shit… The blood… it has to do with something about giving them blood. If it was a matter of them just taking it, they would have snatched mine already. Not that it wasn't hard for them to do, so they had more than enough chances. So they need permission or it will not work? A sacrifice?)

Leaning forward Raph wrapped his arms around his legs feeling the pending doom closing in, even a tear started to flow as he broke down.

(What if I lost them forever… What am I to do? I'm no expert on this shit… The only thing I was ever good at was busting heads... Like that would help me… I can't solve anything with that type of approach; I will be merely damaging my brother's bodies…)

Slamming his fist into the wall Raph wanted to scream his frustration out.

(DAMN IT! Why is this happening!)

Closing his eyes, Raph took deep long breaths, he had to remain calm and focus, he wasn't defeated yet, they haven't replaced him and there was still some hope even if it was just a sliver.

(I need to go see Karai; she is my last resort to end this hellish nightmare!)

Charming in the air, the dinging to a rhythm was the buoy which swayed in the water near the pier.

The cool, refreshing air swept across the water entering Raph's nostrils, for hours he tracked down Karai finally coming to this place.

To the turtle's relief his search was over as he cast his gaze upon the unexpected ninja who appeared to be alone.

Slowly, Raph approached her not bothering to stay in the shadows; he wanted her to notice him, for surprising her would not bold so well for him achieving to gain her trust.

The ninja a bit agitated in seeing the red clad turtle placed her hand firmly onto her blade, watching his every movement he made to come closer towards her.

(Here goes nothing, I will either get her to believe, me or die before anything else.)

"What do you want?!" Karai narrowed her eyes coldly towards Raph.

Placing his hand on his sia, Raph casually took them out of his belt, using his free hand into the air to show he wasn't there to fight.

Gently the turtle placed them down to the ground kicking his only weapons to the side.

"That would be your second mistake!" Karai flashed forward drawing her blade pressing it against Raph's throat.

Raph knowing it was best he played this cool, calmly stood there avoiding to show any signs that would make him lose his head.

"So why are you here? Do you intend to mock me as your brother did?!"

Shaking his head, Raph tried not to do it too much fearing the blade would cut him.

"Then why!"

Sighing Raph stood there wondering how long it would take her to notice the pad and paper on his belt with the scribble's saying. I have no voice.

Frustrated by his silence Karai growled, then stop seeing Raph pointing to his belt.

Taking the pad of paper her eyes widen, "What form of trickery is this? Do you think of me naive to believe you lost your voice?"

Rolling his eye, Raph waited seeing the ninja analyzing his body language, finally, what felt like eternity, she removed her blade giving Raph back his note pad.

Listen, I'm not here to mock u or any of that shit.

"So you can't speak…"

Nope…

"Why are you here? To tell me you will not give me the cure."

Letting his body sink, the ninja became wary of his posture.

Karai there is no cure, for Leo never poisoned u.

"How could that be! My clan is falling apart, what else could be happening to them if it wasn't poisoned?" Karai placed her blade away yet still kept her hand on it for safe measures.

They have been cursed.

Shock to hear such a nonsense, the ninja was about to say something in return only to hold her tongue when Raph passed her a piece of paper.

Figuring she would demand an explanation and the fact writing on the spot would be long and annoying, Raph prepared a paper with all the information to prove his claim.

Besides his hand was cramped as it was for all the writing, he has done so far, and a break was in order.

Karai remaining silent reading the note blinking wildly at the accusations, "This is not some ploy is it?"

Shaking his head, Raph went back for his weapons only to stop seeing a foot soldier in his way.

"Raphael I might be willing to look into this, but I believe it would be wise you're not armed," Karai pointed out handing the note to another foot ninja to look over it as well.

Fine if that is what it takes for u to listen…

"So your brothers were taken over by some entity and the Leo I met wasn't the real Leo?"

No it was the fake.

"I'm no fake…" Leo's voice came from the darkness as the turtle came into sight.

(Shit, he is here why!)

Instantly Karai armed herself again as the other two soldiers joined her.

"What I have read from your brother, it seems very plausible to me your not the Leonardo I knew," Karai moved away from Raph, in case he set her up.

Letting out a sigh shaking his head, Leo's eyes became saddenly full of worry, "My dear brother is ill Karai and has been delusional for days now. Anything that comes from him is a figment of his imagination."

"Oh and what you did hours ago was mine?" Karai answered back.

"No… but it wasn't supposed to come to this," Leo sadly admitted not going for his blades, "We just wanted the foot to leave New York; I never meant to harm you, but we had no other way to get our point across without spilling blood."

"So poisoning me was your way in doing so! My men are getting sicker by the second Leo."

"I know, and I'm sorry."

"Sorry? Sorry! Leo how could you do this? Why are you confessing this any ways, what are you up to?" Karai moved forward.

"We made a mistake," Leo shuddered on his confession.

"Of course, you did, for betraying our trust Leonardo!" Karai went forward, slamming Leo into a pillar pressing her blade firmly on his throat.

"No, Donnie didn't realize the poison we made had a nasty side effect; it was only meant to weaken the foot so you believe you're dying. It was never intended to kill!" Leo spat out in defense.

"What?"

"Something horrible is happening to your foot clan, and I came to you to help you!" Leo cried out seriously.

"Help us?! Why should I believe in your gimmicks, you purposely poisoned my clan and me and think I would believe you want to help us?"

(Damn, I can't let Leo deceive her!)

Taking his note pad though the turtle wasn't sure what use it would be for a voice would be more dominating than some stupid letters on paper, Raph was about to scribble something down only to stop by the shrieks commencing around him.

The horrifying dying screams polluted the air as the two foot ninjas grabbed their head in agony.

Their bodies vibrated as they both collapse onto the ground.

Karai turned around trying to aid her fallen comrades, was just to be stopped by Leo, "No Karai don't go near them!"

The ninjas crawling on the ground, digging their nails into the wooden dock, their heads snapped back unnaturally, while their bodies flopped around like a fish out of water.

Burn marks appeared in their uniforms, revealing their burnt flesh that was incinerating before Raph's eyes in horror.

Instantly their bodies burst into flames consuming what remained, leaving a black pool of sludge behind.

"What happened to them! What have you done Leonardo!" Karai freed herself from his clutches.

"Something I regret Karai. I know you can't believe me, but I didn't mean any of this! Please you have to come with me to the lair so Donnie can run some test in order for us to save you and who else is left from our mistake." Leo offered, even mentioning the lair to show her he trusted her still and wanted to make amends for his crime.

"The lair… Leo you do feel guilty…" Karai became surprised, he was willing to bring her there for their home has been so secretive that Leo never revealed its location.

"Yes I am… Oh Karai please, even if you will not forgive me, let me save you… I will be in your mercy afterwards; I will not blind fold you… I will bring you to my home without hesitation."

NO don't listen to him! Raph bud in flashing the paper in Karai's face.

(You can't fall for his tricks, he planned this, can't you see that. You can't be that blind!)

Leo taking this as an opportunity to catch Raph off guard, Leo grabbed the hothead's arms, forcing them to the back to restrain the brother before he caused any more trouble getting himself hurt in the process.

"Raph don't fight me! Your sick and need to see Donnie before you hurt someone or yourself. Sorry Karai I need to make sure my brother isn't a threat to anyone."

Closing her eyes Karai put her blade away, "I see. Is his illness due to what you have done to my clan?"

Shaking his head in horror Leo's eyes widen, "No, of course not… We don't know what has gotten into him. Please can I require a hand in escorting him to the lair?"

"Very well, but Leo let me make myself clear, if you do anything that I believe is threatening towards me, I will not hesitate in defending myself," the female ninja said coldly.

Nodding Leo smiled lightly that only Raph could see, "Of course I wouldn't dream of it," the turtle whispered more towards Raph.