This was SO. MUCH. FUN. Once I started I just couldn't stop. I should have been studying, but who even cares. My song of inspiration was a bunch of Skillet songs, most notably 'I Need a Hero'. I hope you enjoy it just as much as I enjoyed writing it. :)
"What are we doing out here Leo?" Raph sighs as he leans heavily back against a wall atop a roof. He drums his fingers against his crosses arms, his eyes narrowed at his older brother.
Leo looks hard at Raph, but he doesn't bother reprimanding him. "After yesterday, I realized something." He had been debating it for much longer really. Yesterday was simply the last straw. "We're in sore need of a teambuilding exercise."
Raph growls deep in his throat. His fingers curl around his arms, digging into the skin. "Teambuilding." He scoffs. He glares sidelong at the animal on the other side of the room. "If that's what this is, then why the hell is she here." She's not a part of any team of his.
Alopex sneers and glowers right back. She holds her tongue though. There's no point in biting back. It will only make her look like the bad guy. As it is, Raph is the fool.
Leo breathes out heavily. "Look, whether you like it or not she's a part of the team now too." He shoots Raph a sharp look. "And if we're ever going to be able to be like we were before then we need to start training." He nods firmly. "So that's what tonight is."
Raph rolls his eyes and glares heatedly at the concrete beneath his feet. "Whatever." It doesn't mean he'll go along with it. Besides, Leo probably won't stick them together. A flash of terror sweeps through his eyes. Right?
"So how are we doing this?" Donnie speaks through the uneasy silence. He raises a brow at Leo. "Are we splitting into groups of three or what?" he holds his breath that Leo won't be an idiot – a perfectly sane idiot – and group Raph and Alopex together. Especially without Donnie.
Leo meets Donnie's gaze. He can't lie; the thought did cross his mind. Forcing Raph to work with people in high stress situations tended to get positive results. Casey bonded with him within a day because they had to fight the Foot robot together. Still, "No." He shakes his head. "We're going to be sticking together. There have been reports of attacks around the city and after…"
Everyone averts their eyes. That's right. Nearly losing Raph is not something any of them have forgotten or could possibly forget anytime soon.
Leo grimaces. "Well, I think it's just safer to stay together." He looks at each of them in turn, trying to get them to meet his eyes. "What do you think?"
Raph scoffs. "I think it's stupid." Everyone looks at him, but he is in no way deterred. "We won't get anything done together. And besides," He gives them all cold looks in turn. "Nothing is gonna happen. I'm not gonna get hurt or die." They cringe, but still he goes on. "You all being so paranoid isn't helping anything. So just cut it out! Be like you were before."
Leo rounds on Raph. "Idiot!" He snaps. "We can never go back to the way it was before! Our enemies are growing stronger all around us and we can't ignore that. What happened to you…" He shakes his head. "It wasn't an accident. It will happen again and again if we aren't careful. So we're going to worry as much as we damn well please. Got it?" His hands clench into fists. "And we are doing this just as I say it. No matter what."
Raph seethes. His fists tremble at his sides and he is within inches from jumping Leo. Still, he reigns it in. He smothers the fury beneath layers of contempt for Alopex. All he can say is they better not let him get too close to her now. He can't say what he'll do.
Alopex's fur stands on end. She feels his emotions roll off of him in waves. She edges away, farther across the roof. It's good they aren't splitting up. She knows with startling certainty the punk would break away and come after her. As a group, there is minimal chance of it.
"Soooo," Mikey twiddles his fingers. "Is it just a general patrol of the city?" He looks with wide eyes at Leo. "Or…" He tilts his head.
Leo nods. "Yeah," He looks at Raph in particular. "We need to make sure we can even travel together before we do any real training – fighting or otherwise."
Raph scoffs. He turns away from Leo. He crosses his arms again, this time much more firmly. He acts as if the movement will hold in his emotions.
Leo sighs. "Well, alright." He moves to the edge of the roof.
"Hey, Leo." Donnie tentatively presses. It's stupid really. He shouldn't care, should be happy even. But he asks anyway. "What about Casey and April?"
Leo tenses. Of all of them he expected Donnie would be the last to ask. "It's too soon." He says softly. He doesn't look at Donnie. "It's going to be hard enough with all of us." He leaps fluidly to the next roof. He glances back. "Now let's go."
They each follow in turn. Raph is the slowest of all. He grumbles, curses leaving his lips with amazing speed. In the end he does follow though. He easily makes it too.
"Alright," Leo massages his forehead with his fingers. "We're going to make a path through the city. Our usual group patrol." His eyes flit to Alopex. "For those who don't know, just follow the person in front of you."
"Oh, please," Raph throws his hands in the air. "Just say it. If you're going to talk about her, say her name." He glares at his older brother.
Donnie scoffs. Beneath his breath he says, "Like you ever say her name either."
Raph swivels. His eyes burn as they lock on Donnie. "Excuse me?" His hands clench and tremble.
Donnie stands tall. His brother may want and be willing to tear Alopex apart, but he would never hurt him. "You heard me." He says low, with warning.
"Guys!" Leo looks hard at the both of them. "We've not even started yet. Do you realize how bad that is?" He shakes his head. "So please, at least leave it until we've gone for a little while." His stern look slips into pleading. "Please."
Donnie and Raph glare in the opposite direction of each other.
Leo lets minutes slip by in silence before he finally decides to ease them along. "Come on," He jumps to the next roof. "We're wasting time." There's no way they will be able to cover the whole city at this point. "And we have a lot of work to do." He shoots into a run – with or without them.
One after the other they take chase. Even Raph goes without thinking. It's instinct. And it's not about them. It's for the people of the city. They work to protect them. So he goes.
Hours pass after that without incidence. Alopex and Raph barely even look over each other, let alone open their mouths to badger each other. It heaps the weight off of Leo's shoulders and gives both him and Donnie hope for this dysfunctional team. Only a few more practices and the two might even learn to function together, at least in life or death situations. Hopefully…
They get halfway through their route and Leo comes to an abrupt stop. He turns hard on his heel to face the group. They all nearly pile into each other and different reactions flash across their faces – irritation, surprise, confusion, and pure rage. Various complaints pass their lips as well. Leo holds up a hand to silence them. "It's getting late." Thanks to the little squabble at the start. He can't say that though. It will only cause more problems. "We should turn around."
They shrug and nod. They're sick of this stupid exercise anyway. They could be doing anything and it would be more enjoyable and profitable – even sitting around and watching paint dry.
Alopex stiffens suddenly. Her ears prick and lips curl back in a snarl.
Donnie jerks around. He tenses, drawing his bo staff. "What?" His voice wavers. "What is it?"
The others jump to attention. They pull their weapons out without the slightest warning. They don't sense a presence. Still, Alopex obviously does. Raph may not trust her, but he does trust her senses. She's a fox after all. One sniff and she can identify anything…or anyone.
Alopex extends her claws. "They're here." The scent is painfully familiar. The disgusting smell hits her hard and brings back the memory of blood. "The dog and fish."
From over the side of the roof, a boney hand appears. It shoves the body up over the edge and the full form of Rahzar lands before them. He stands tall over them, his yellow eyes sharp in the darkness. "So," His voice is gravelly. "Looks like you made it red one."
In the next instant Fishface flies up from below. He lands out of a multitude of flips. "Unfortunately." A smirk curves his lips. "Then again, it just makes this all the more entertaining." He pounds one of his slimy hands into the other.
Raph snorts. He holds his sais up defensively. "Like you idiots could ever finish me." A shudder races up his spine regardless. Memories flash across his mind unbidden – the pain, the sickness, and most sharply the blood.
"Stand together guys." Leo steps forward, even with all the others of his team. "We can handle this." It won't be like the time with Raph. The odds are in their favor.
Rahzar surges forward. He swings his claws in a sharp circle, aiming for any and all of them.
They jump back in tandem. Leo's mind races. They haven't fought Rahzar enough to know how to handle him. It's why Raph took such a beating before. But they need a plan. He needs a plan.
Alopex charges in. She doesn't wait for a plan. There's no time.
"Wait!" Leo reaches after her. But it's not use.
Alopex leaps through the air, over Rahzar's head with a fluid flip. She raises her claws and strikes.
Fishface propels himself over Rahzar and slams his metal foot into Alopex's stomach.
Alopex gasps as the air is knocked out of her lungs. Her well placed strike does not reach it's mark. She goes spiraling across the roof, slamming into the concrete mere inches from the edge. She spasms, curling in on herself.
"Alopex!" Donnie cries. His body shakes and his fists curl tighter around his weapon. He narrows his eyes and his lips curve sharply downward. "You!" He charges at Fishface. He triggers the blade in his weapon and thrusts it at him.
Fishface grins wickedly. He spins on his legs and kicks out at Donnie.
Donnie leaps over the blow. He brings his blade down hard, cutting deep into flesh.
Fishface hisses and recoils. His eyes flash with fury and he lurches forward, his jaw opening wide as he tries to get his mouth around Donnie's arm.
Donnie smacks Fishface's jaw with his bo staff, clamping it shut. He rears his weapon back and strikes again.
Rahzar swings his fists and hooks Donnie in the stomach.
Donnie is thrown back. He grunts on impact and the clatter of his weapon across the concrete rings loudly in his head. He reaches blindly, finding nothing.
Screw it! Leo races forward. He makes a wide circle around Rahzar, aiming to get behind him and catch him off guard.
Raph smirks at his brother. Plans are for sissies anyway. He barrels in, heading straight for Fishface. It won't be like before. The punk's already injured.
Mikey follows Leo's lead. He goes the opposite direction, his nunchucks swinging wildly. The blades are extended in preparation.
Alopex drags herself to her feet. No time to be weak. She narrows her golden eyes at the two animals. The dog first. She jumps the fish and makes another leap for Rahzar.
Rahzar turns sharply. He swings his claws at her.
Leo makes his move. He leaps and drives his katana deep into Rahzar's back.
Mikey acts almost simultaneously. He flings his nunchucks, the blades slicing into the shoulder.
Rahzar roars. He jerks backward, swinging violently to reach the blades wedged in his back. He twists and turns like mad, doing anything to shake off the leeches.
Leo clings tight to his katana. He remains firmly connected to Rahzar.
Mikey yelps. He is jerked forward and thrown wildly about. He struggles to find traction on the roof. In a matter of seconds he is thrown over Rahzar's shoulder, his weapon tearing through more of Rahzar as it rips from his skin to follow Mikey. He goes skidding across the roof, tearing up skin.
Raph slams his sais against Fishface's raised legs. He grins, his eyes twinkling with bloodlust. "I'm gonna make you pay for last time." He hisses. He raises a sai and drives it at Fishface.
Fishface catches it again with his metal foot. "I doubt that." He snickers. He twists suddenly and slams his foot forward. He lands a hard blow to Raph's stomach. "In fact," He leaps over Raph and races across the roof. "I think I'm quite done as it is." He jumps.
"Hey!" Raph roars. His eyes burn fiercely. "Get back here!"
"Raph!" Leo tears his katana from Rahzar and leaps back just in time to avoid a blow. "A little help!" He looks sharply at his brother, a fleeting look that could easily be missed as he quickly jumps to the side.
Raph opens his mouth to protest. He looks after Fishface. That dirty coward.
"Don't worry." Donnie calls. He scoops up his bo staff and surges forward. "We've got this."
Mikey appears at Donnie's side. "Yeah!" They jump off the roof in one smooth movement, each the perfect mirror of the other.
Alopex freezes. Her eyes dart to the side, down below to the darkness of the alley. Her hair stands on end and her blood runs cold as a familiar scent invades her senses. Memories flash before her of blood – so much blood. And terror, complete and desperate.
"Alopex!" Leo snaps. "You too!" He leaps back from a swing by Rahzar. "Rahzar is impossible to beat alone!" Probably impossible with even three of them. He doesn't know how Alopex did it before. Those deep slashes aren't slowing him down at all. If anything they are only making him more vicious.
Alopex jerks her head around. She stares with wide eyes at the scene before her. Raph and Leo are jumping around like frogs, weaving in and out of blows. They haven't suffered any serious hits yet either. She inches away, back toward to edge of the roof.
Raph catches the movement. "Hey!" He whirls around. "Don't you even-" He is cut off as Rahzar strikes him, his claws digging deep into Raph's shoulder.
Alopex cringes, but she does not hesitate. She leaps over the edge and down to the fire escape. She ignores the petulant cries from Raph and the commanding ones from Leo. She forces them out until she can no longer hear them at all. She runs full speed, tracking the other two down by sound alone. Her nose is too overwhelmed by the other presence to do her any good. She shudders. She has to hurry. She can't let them get hurt. She just can't.
Donnie and Mikey gain on Fishface with every passing moment. That starts the swell of uncertainty in Donnie. This isn't right. Something is wrong. But they can't just let Fishface get away. Besides, the worst would be that Karai is waiting to ambush them. And they could handle that. He grimaces. Right…?
There is movement. From the corner of his eye Donnie notices it. It makes him start and he jerks to a stop. In the next instant a sharp crack splits the air and blinding pain shoots through him. Donnie gasps and lurches forward.
Mikey sucks in a sharp breath. "Donnie!" He stops and stares with widening eyes at his brother.
Donnie clenches his teeth. His hand shoots to his shoulder and his arm trembles fiercely. The blood chills him as it covers his hand and seeps through his fingers. He glares out into the darkness. It came from over there…it had to. But he sees nothing, not anymore.
Fishface stops and turns. Idiot! That was the lousiest shot ever! He shakes his head. But no matter. His displeasure evaporates, turning to sick pleasure. He crosses his arms and waits.
Donnie jerks his head around, his eyes lighting on Fishface. Why has he stopped? Donnie's eyes shoot open and his mouth gapes. No… They're surrounded. "Mikey," He urges. He grabs his young brother with his bloody hand, shaking him by the shoulder. "You have to run – now!"
From the roof the crack resonates clearly. All three freeze, momentarily stunned. "Leo…" Raph says through a tightened throat. He slowly shifts his gaze to his older brother. "Was that…?"
Rahzar grins from ear to ear. He is on his knees and bleeding profusely, but that does not dampen his feeling. He chuckles coldly. "Oh yes."
Leo glowers at Rahzar. He quickly looks around to Raph. "Raph, it's fine." He says evenly. He gives his brother a meaningful look. "It doesn't mean anything." He nods his head slowly, trying to draw Raph in. "They're fine."
Raph shakes his head, slowly at first. "No…" His heart beats double time. "No!"
Leo jumps at Raph. He latches onto his brother's wrist and holds him firmly. "Raph," He looks hard at Raph. "We have to finish this." His eyes flit to Rahzar. The dog is already getting back on his feet. He'll be on them in an instant. They must knock him down, at least unconscious.
Raph's eyes flit from Rahzar to Leo and then in the direction the crack came from. His hands tremble around his sais. Slowly, surely, he nods. It's nothing. Nothing! He repeats it in his head as he turns back to face Rahzar. It's the only way to keep himself from darting.
Mikey shakes his head. "No…not without you!"
"Mikey!" Donnie snaps. "I'll be fine. Just, just please go." Too late. He sees the movement, this one from the opposite alley. He stiffens and draws in a sharp breath. A pair of sea blue eyes shine out from the darkness. It chills Donnie. He knows only one person, one thing, to have that color.
From the shadows steps Slash.
Mikey squeaks and scampers back. He hides behind Donnie, feeling so foolish and cowardly for it. What can Donnie do anyway? He just got shot! Mikey should be out in front of him, protecting his injured brother. Still, he cowers behind Donnie.
Donnie forces himself into a straight position. His shoulder twitches and the pain is palpable, his face twisting in agony, but Donnie does not let himself sink forward. He shifts his bo staff and clenches his hands into fists. He won't let this monster touch his little brother.
Fishface grins wickedly. "He's missed you." He could not be happier that it was this pair that followed him. With Raph it would have caused problems. He knows their history thanks to Slash.
Slash lumbers forward. He hits his stride and his feet pound loudly against the concrete. He raises his clawed hand high above his hand, his eyes gleaming with eager hatred.
Donnie braces himself. He lifts his bo staff to fight.
"Donnie," Mikey whimpers. "Move." He tries to pull his brother back. He won't budge. "Donnie," He cry grows more desperate. "Donnie!"
Alopex soars overhead. She collides full force with Slash, tackling him to the ground. Her teeth glint in the darkness as she opens her jaws to tear into flesh.
"Don't!" Donnie cries. He reaches uselessly after her.
Alopex freezes. That's right.
Slash curls his hand into a fist and slams it into her jaw. The sharp crack that sounds pleases him.
Alopex skids across the ground. Her jaw pulses with pain and she tastes metal. A small stream of blood trickles from the corner of her mouth. She wipes her hand over it and leaps back to her feet.
Donnie stares in shock. For a moment he can't move. Then he snaps out of it. "Come on!" Their odds aren't much better with her, but if she's going to fight for them then they sure as hell are going to fight right alongside her.
Mikey swallows hard. He grips his nunchucks tighter. "Alright," He whispers. He follows at Donnie's heel. He gasps, a flash of movement catching his eye. "Get down!" He tackles Donnie, pressing them both flat to the ground.
A split second after Mikey leaps, a shot rings out. It flies just past them. Mikey swears he could feel the wind behind it. He trembles fiercely. He looks wildly around. Someone's shooting at them! Who's freaking shooting at them!? His heart races.
"Idiot!" Fishface roars. He can't hold his tongue this time. "You shoot blind as a bat!" He growls loudly. He throws his hands into the air.
Back on the rooftop Rahzar lies in a heap. He is covered in his and their blood alike, but he is not dead. His chest moves slowly. "There." Raph barks. "Now-" Another shot rings out. It paralyzes Raph. He turns sharp eyes on Leo. "There's no way that's a coincidence."
Leo bites his lip. Fear swims in his eyes. Still… "Raph, we have to-" He motions at Rahzar.
"No!" Raph snaps. "No more! I'm not waiting any longer! I'm going – and now!" He turns without another word and barrels off the roof. He drops straight to the bottom, ignoring the pain from falling so far, especially with his injuries. He has to get to them. He has to get to his little brothers.
Leo watches helplessly. "Raph…" He glances back at Rahzar. A smug smile still plasters the dog's face. He sighs. "You get off this time." He says begrudgingly. He points his katana at Rahzar. "But next time, you won't be so lucky."
Rahzar snorts. Even this tiny movement pains him. "Sure, sure."
Leo shakes his head as his face twists in disgust. But Raph could be right. Mikey and Donnie could be in trouble. So he follows quickly after Raph. He only wonders which direction Mikey and Donnie could have possibly gone.
Slash leaps at Donnie and Mikey. He kicks out, connecting his foot with Donnie's jaw.
Donnie's teeth smash together and searing pain races through him. His vision erupts white and he doesn't know where he is for a moment.
Alopex snarls. She jumps at Slash, her claws raised. She takes him down again and this time does not freeze up. She slashes her claws vigorously across his skin.
Donnie shakes off the daze and stumbles to his feet. He reorients himself and makes a beeline for Slash and Alopex.
Slash roars. He slams his elbow into Alopex's face. It is enough to stun her and he throws her off in the next moment. He rolls over and pushes himself to his feet, his eyes narrowing on Donnie.
Donnie sucks in a sharp breath. It shouldn't be a question. He should charge headstrong. But he falters nonetheless.
Slash meets him halfway. He drives his claws into Donnie's uninjured shoulder and then his other across Donnie's opposite arm.
Donnie screams. He loses his hold on his weapon and he crumples.
"Donnie!" Mikey and Alopex cry unison. Both charge in, oblivious to their fears.
Slash wrenches his claws from Donnie and shoves him away. He leaves the turtle in a heap on the ground and whirls around to face Mikey.
Alopex jumps on Slash's back as he turns it to her. She latches on, burying her claws deep in Slash's shoulders.
Slash growls. He spins and lurches backward, into a wall.
Alopex's limbs cry out as they are crushed between unmoving wall and solid shell. The spikes on the shell stick hard in her flesh. The pain makes colors explode across her vision. Everything tilts and blurs.
Slash snickers. He tears himself off of her and stomps toward the only one left.
Mikey bends down at Donnie's side. He tries to help his brother up, leaning him against a wall. "Come on Donnie," He urges. "You've gotta get up. You have to." He jerks his head up at the sound of pounding footsteps. He draws his nunchucks and stands defiantly in front of Donnie.
Slash grins from ear to ear. "Oh little Mikey." He towers over the youngest. "Always so weak, always so annoying, and always. In. The way."
Mikey cringes with each listing, knowing that on some level they all stem from Raph's own feelings. But he does not back down. "I-I'm not afraid of you." He trembles as he says it.
Slash snorts. "Well you should be."
Alopex struggles to her knees. She looks about in a daze, her vision sharpening and focusing as she lays eyes on Mikey, miniscule in the face of Slash. A growl bubbles in her throat and she finds the strength to get to her feet. She won't let her family be hurt anymore.
Mikey swallows hard. He scowls up at Slash. "I'm not." He swings his nunchucks at Slash.
Slash takes ahold of the blade, ignoring the sharp pain as it cuts through his palm. "You should have been." He jerks the nunchucks from Mikey's grasp and turns it on him. He slashes it across Mikey's plastron before the turtle has a chance to move.
Mikey yelps. The pain is searing. He stumbles back against the wall. His arms tremble as he presses them on the wall. His breathing hitches and his fear skyrockets. Everything spins. "Raph…" He finds himself begging.
Slash laughs in his face. "Big brother isn't here to save you. Neither of them." He smacks Mikey to the side.
Mikey stumbles and nearly trips over Donnie. He barely catches himself on the wall. He grips at the gaping wound on his plastron, soft whimpers easing out of him. He turns himself around, backing up and pushing himself off the wall as best he can. His legs tremble beneath him.
Slash chuckles. "Poor baby." He backs up, swinging the nunchucks teasingly.
Alopex tenses, prepared to go for Slash before he can strike Mikey again. Then she sees it. Slash is suddenly very lax, very smug. Her eyes widen and she jerks her head around. There! Just at the edge of an alley is a foot ninja. And he holds a gun in his hands.
Donnie sees the gunman through half lidded eyes. He reaches up with a shaking hand, reaching for Mikey. A soft sound escapes his lips, but it is not loud enough.
"No…" Alopex gasps. Mikey doesn't see it. Alopex can't let him get hurt. She sprints. Through the agonizing pain she closes the distance. Then she throws herself at Mikey.
The shot splits the air and the heavy thud of bodies hitting the ground follows after.
Raph screams his brothers' names. The crack of the third shot shatters all semblance of control he had. He bursts onto the scene, nothing of the enemy left, nothing but blood strewn across the ground and three fallen figures.
His heart seizes. His breath comes short. "Donnie!" He sees this brother first. He skids to his knees before Donnie, looking frantically over him. He sees many wounds, but only one from a gun. And it's only the shoulder. His panic eases, but only slightly. "You'll be ok." He says more for his own comfort than Donnie's.
"Mikey!" He leaps up and sprints to his other brother.
Mikey slowly sits up. He rubs his head as he struggles to steady his world. "R-Raph…?" He can scarcely believe it. He smiles painfully.
Raph slides to his knees. "Mikey," He scans his brother's body. It makes him cringe, but there isn't even one bullet wound. "You're ok." He envelopes Mikey in a tight embrace. "You're ok." He half laughs. He squeezes his eyes shut tight and nearly chokes on his words. "You're ok…"
Mikey grimaces at the strength behind Raph's hug. "Yeah," He pats Raph lightly. "It's alright, bro. You don't have to cry."
Raph sniffles. "I'm not crying." He grumbles.
Mikey snaps to attention then. "But…" He squirms in Raph's hold. He wrenches Raph's arms from around him and looks with suddenly wild, fearful eyes around his brother. "Alopex…!"
Raph tilts his head. He gapes at the sight before him.
Alopex is curled inward, twitching terribly. Her face twists in pain and choked sounds escape her lips. She clutches her hands around her chest, blood spilling through her hands and coating them crimson. The concrete around her quickly turns the same color as the blood pools around her.
"My God…" Raph croaks. "What…?"
Mikey whines softly. "She saved me." His lip trembles. "I…It was gonna be me. But she…she…"
Raph's brows knit together and his eyes swim with confusion. But… He can't find it in him to move, not even blink. "She…" took a bullet for my baby brother.
Leo crouches down by Donnie. He carefully touches Donnie's shoulder. "Donnie," He holds his breath. He watches with slowly widening eyes.
Donnie's eyes flutter open. "Le…o…" He hisses and pitches forward. Pain surges through every limb. "Slash, he…" He sucks in a sharp breath. He remembers the sound of gunfire. "Mikey! Alopex!"
"Shh, easy." Leo coaxes him down. "Mikey's fine."
Donnie's breathing becomes erratic. "But…but…Alopex…" He reaches past Leo, out toward her limp form. "Alopex…"
Leo follows his gaze and a grimace spreads across his face. Even from this angle he can see the blood. That's more than bad, that's bone chilling. "It's alright Donnie." He motions his hands downward. "She's fine." He hurries to his feet and rushes to Alopex. He can't hide the crippling fear despite his efforts. There's so much blood.
Leo bites hard into his lip as he looks over her thoroughly. A bullet to the chest. Extremely close to the heart. "We'll save you." He says more for his own comfort than hers. He isn't even sure she's conscious anymore. He moves his arms awkwardly, trying to figure out a way to best pick her up.
"Leo," Raph stands slowly, moving toward the two. For a moment it sets Leo on edge, until he sees his brother's expression. Raph's face twists in guilt, pain, and misery. "I've got this." His tone is stiff, almost mechanical. He bends down and easily picks her up. He is surprisingly careful with her and he situates her.
Leo watches in awe at both his brother's strength and sudden shift in demeanor. He slowly stands. "Are you sure you…" He doesn't bother finishing the sentence.
Raph nods. He doesn't say a word. He simply sets off in a run down the street, to the nearest manhole.
Leo stares after him a moment. Then he shifts into gear. He collects his other two brothers and helps them to their feet. He is careful of their wounds, especially Donnie's, as he helps them down the street after Raph. It's a long day ahead of them. They all suffered dearly. He can only hope everyone recovers…that Alopex even makes it to see the lair.
…
Hours later everyone is deep in sleep, everyone but Raph. He sits stone like on the floor before the couch. His hands rest in his lap and his eyes set firmly on the form resting there – on Alopex. He can't fathom it. He just can't understand why she would do a thing like that. She didn't have to. What's the use of it? If she was using them, then it was overkill to the extreme. If.
But…what if she wasn't…isn't. His brows knit together. Could it be…? Is she really on their side? Does she really love them like family? Is that her only motive – pure and simple? Raph's face creases. His fingers curl inward slightly. "Was I really…wrong?" He breathes.
She remains as silent as ever. Her eyes don't open and the only sign of life is the steady up and down of her chest. So much of her body is bandaged, the pure white of her fur hidden beneath grey. Those few splotches of color are more disconcerting though. It's the remnants of blood, not completely washed from her fur.
Raph jumps as he sees movement from the corner of his eye. He swivels, his heart leaping into his throat. He lets out a heavy breath as he realizes it is only Mikey. A worn smile graces his lips. "What are you doing up? You should be asleep, letting your wounds heal."
Mikey shrugs weakly. "I couldn't sleep." He lightly touches the bandage across his chest. "What about you?" He tilts his head slightly. "You got hurt too." His eyes rove over Raph's shoulder in particular. Rahzar's mark is covered, but still undeniably there.
Raph scoffs. "It's nothing." He looks back at Alopex. "I was just…" He lets the truth hang in the air. He sighs softly.
Mikey smiles sadly. He walks slowly over to Raph and sinks down to his brother's side. There's so much he wants to say, but in this moment he can't recall any of it. All he can do is stare straight ahead – at the person who saved his life.
Raph's clenched hands tremble faintly. "She…saved your life." He squeezes out.
Mikey blinks. "Huh?" He turns his head slightly.
Raph bites his lip, forcing his emotions back beneath the surface. "She saved your life." And my world. Raph reaches over and wraps his arm around Mikey's shoulder. He pulls his baby brother close, wrapping him in a tight but careful hold. He relishes in how real his brother feels under his fingertips.
Mikey feels Raph's erratic breath against his skin and knows his brother is just barely holding it all in. "Yeah," He murmurs. There's no need to say how much she really does care. Raph sees it now – in this self-sacrificing act. He wraps his arm around Raph, patting him on the shoulder.
Raph leans heavily on Mikey. All the while he stares at Alopex from the corner of his eyes. You really do mean well. He knows it now with certainty. Even if he can't stand her, he can't condemn her either. Like Leo said, she is family. Now and forever.
Aww...what a good end. But we all know that can't last. trololol. I thought about leaving it on a cliffhanger too lol but that seemed really mean plus the next chapter would have been choppy, sooo...yeah. So what are your thoughts? Like it? Love it? Want some more of it? I'd love to hear everything. Please review!