me: Hello readers! Sorry about the long wait. I'm not even sure if this chapter is any good or not. Let me know though! This chapter takes place at the same time as Chapter 13. Enjoy!
May 21st… 2012… The Lair… 9:29pm…
Forget death by Kraang laser blasts, forget death by being cut to pieces by the Foot, forget mission failure, the only thing the turtles feared at this point was their Sensei's reaction (or lack thereof) to their latest mission and (maybe) accomplishment. All the turtles except for Donnie, were nervously awaiting what Master Splinter would do to them after now having learned why the newest arrival- Angel- was standing in their home with an injured Casey. He wasn't mad at Casey being in the Lair, they had known him well enough that he could trust Casey to keep them a secret. But Angel was a different matter. She was practically a stranger having only just learned about their existence tonight.
Leo had nervously explained the events that happened tonight, and nervously wondered why his Sensei looked so stoic. During his explanation, Raph and Angel lowered Casey onto the sofa where Donnie was patching him up. All those bruises and injuries would heal and Casey would be back on his feet after a day or two.
"My sons…" Splinter said stoically, which to all of his sons but Donnie, it was even worse than disapproval, "…you have done well in rescuing Casey." Relief filled each of their quivering souls at their Sensei's words. "I am also ready to learn about Donatello's and April's latest adventure. I believe you were about to start, my son." Leo, Raph and Mikey all visibly relaxed as their shoulders and heads slumped down and they let out a breath that they didn't even realise they were holding. Angel on the other hand, still felt a bit tense now that the decision to either be welcomed or not in the Lair was now up to Master Splinter and it was also what her actions from now on would decide on. All eyes were on Donnie and April now that things were no longer tense. It seemed as though Donnie and April were just about ready to start their end of the story when the others walked in and created a bit of tension, but now that it was gone, they had freedom to talk.
Donnie's POV…
May 20th… 9:18pm… The Lair…
Okay so… I've been thinking about this all day, and since evening training was over, I decided that I should do it. I had been working on my flowchart for fifteen minutes now and things were looking like they were coming together…
"What'cha up to up there, Donnie?" and then Leo and my other two brothers walked in on me working and I was a little surprised but I answered anyway,
"Just finishing the touches on my Master plan." I answered,
"Master plan?" Raph was confused as he would be with whatever it was I was doing,
"Yeah to get April to hang out with me." My reasoning was met with mocking laughter from my brothers and Leo decided to undermine my plan with some semblance of reasoning,
"Try this- 'April, do you want to hang out with me?'" Leo said but there was more to my Master plan than that.
"Eh, see see, it's not that simple. I have to prepare for every scenario to maximise my chances of success." I have no idea why Leo was grinning like that but at this point, I couldn't care less. After all, the only thing I was concentrating on was the girl of my dreams.
"Aaww! That's so romantic!" Mikey said and I agree. I bring my finished flowchart out and spread it across the work bench. I clear my throat,
"Yeah, so, for instance, if she says can't because she has homework, then I will suggest a formal study session and serve healthy brain stimulating snacks." That was one scenario,
"Well what if she says she can't because you're a total nerd?" Raph said bitingly but I was undeterred because I came prepared for that too,
"Ah, that's this thread here, I will list my many non-nerdy qualities and suggest activities that highlight my coolness, such as skateboarding or shark wrestling." I said,
"I'm betting that the shark will like Donnie-flavoured turtle soup." Raph said which him a few snickers from Leo and Mikey and a scowl from me.
"Hey, guys!" April's sudden announcement as she ran to us had me scrambling to hide his flowchart from her. I didn't need her to find out my master plan, I want her to think that I know how to deal with every case scenario.
"Hey, April." I said with about as much cool as a disorganised kid. Oh wait. That's not what I am! I am as cool as the best Hollywood star!
"Guys, check out this news story." April said as she flipped open her laptop and clicked on the news story in question.
"In local news, Dr Tyler Rockwell has been reported missing. I spoke with his colleague, Dr Victor Falco." The clip switches to a middle-aged man in a lab coat, "I hadn't heard from him in days, so I checked into his lab. But the place was a mess and he was gone. I… fear the worst." "Police say that- "but April stopped the video clip and though my brothers saw what she wanted them to see, Raph still didn't see what was up, however I began to see what see was meaning to tell us,
"So?" he asked and April explained,
"So, the Kraang have been kidnapping scientists from all over the city. Including my dad. Maybe that's what happened to this Rockwell guy." She said,
"Or they may not be related at all." Leo said trying to be reasonable but April was having none of it,
"There's only one way to find out, we should check out that lab." April said with determination and I supported her,
"April's right, we should investigate. What'sthat?Youguysarebusy?" I said quickly to make sure no-one butted in and did a mock gasp before saying, "Guess it's just the two of us, April." I said as April and myself set out to Rockwell's lab, leaving my three brothers behind in my dust. As we exited, I couldn't help but feel giddy at the thought of going to do something alone with April, like this could be a date!
9:32pm… Rockwell's Lab…
Any self-respecting scientist would never leave their workplace without some manner of security. I guess Rockwell thought the same thing too and installed an alarm on his door so that if anyone tried to enter without a key, the alarm would go off. Good thing I came prepared for a scenario like this, I brought a small electrical device and got to work.
It took no less than a few second to crack the lock and simultaneously disarm the alarm, which did me proud that my inventions are once again working like I intended them to do.
"There isn't an electronic lock that my digital lock pick can't crack." I said as I opened the door to the lab.
"Smooth!" April said and I giggled a little at her praise which to me meant a lot. We enter the lab and Dr Falco from the news report was right. Although the lights were off and it was really dark inside, our flashlights helped us see the mess inside.
"Wow. This place is a wreck." I said as I saw the Dr Falco wasn't kidding. No self-respecting scientist would destroy their own lab, except for the mad scientist kind. April then pointed her flashlight to an animal cage at one side of the room and she grimaced,
"Uuggh. He must have been experimenting on animals." She said with disgust at which I agreed, and being a turtle, it made me feel more sick at Dr Rockwell at the moment. April then pointed her flashlight at the dentist lie chair that we were standing next to and the image of mad scientist flashed through my mind.
"Either someone was up to some secret research or they were renting space to one freaky dentist." I commented and given how the lab was arranged, it could very well have been both. We then turned our attention to the desk in the corner of the room, if there was going to be useful information, then a desk would be the best place. Besides a few scientific equations on some paper that I can understand, there was nothing on the desk that could proves useful, so then I started looking through the drawers. The first drawer had a few bottles and beakers full of chemicals but the second drawer caught my attention. It was empty but there was a glow behind a hidden panel. I opened it and April brought out the source of the glow. A familiar canister of Mutagen. Before our questions came to mind, our investigation was interrupted when April looked past me,
"Donnie, look out!" April shouted and in response, I held my new steel staff out to block an incoming attack. It worked and something hit the side of my staff with a metallic 'CLANG', after I blocked the attacked, I disarmed the attacker and simultaneously pinned him to the ground, face-up. The grunt that came from being slammed into the ground was a definite indicator that the attacker was a grown man. After that, rushed to turn the lights on and when she did, we recognised the attacker,
"Dr Falco!"
Dr Falco saw me as I pinned him to the ground and took on a look of surprise and temporary fear.
"Aaargh! What are you?" he said with nervousness all over,
"Relax, I'm not gonna hurt you." I said as I avoided his question and responded to his fear.
"You already hurt me." Dr Falco said in response. And then I stood up to let him up.
"I mean… anymore." I said as I offered a hand to help him up. And in that second, I saw that he was no longer surprised by my appearance. It was almost as though he seen something like me before.
"We're here to help." April said as she approached us.
9:35pm…
When there are not that many of a kind of person, like for instance, a scientist, you would expect that number of people to have at least heard of each other through a type of internet community. However, 'all the same types of people all know each other' is a phrase that should be an inaccurate stereotype. In this case, when April told Dr Falco why we were here, he didn't fit the stereotype that all scientists know each other,
"I'm sorry, April. I wish I knew something about your father. But I don't. However, myself and my colleague, Dr Rockwell have heard about scientists being kidnapped all over the country, including New York. It had us on edge for a while now." Dr Falco said and his words stuck to me. It would seem that it wasn't just New York City where scientists were disappearing, but all over the country. Which brought me to the question about the canister of mutagen in my hands.
"So, what can you tell us about this?" I asked as I referred to the canister.
"Some shady goon paid Rockwell a lot of money to experiment with it." Dr Falco answered.
"Is this the guy?" April asked as she brought up a picture of a Kraang Droid in a human suit on her phone.
"That's him." Dr Falco confirmed. The Kraang were involved after all. "But I wanted no part of that stuff. Who knows what kind of… monstrosities could result. No offense." He said as he looked at me.
"Some taken." I didn't like being referred to as a monstrosity. I am far from it! April then turned to the cage at the other side of the room.
"Is that what was in that cage other there? One of his… you know…" I was grateful for April for not using the word 'monstrosity', seeing as I had taken some offense it.
"That's where he kept the monkey he was experimenting on." Guess scientists do use the stereotypical monkey as a lab experiment. And judging by the state the room was in, it was safe to say the monkey- now probably a mutant- went on a rampage.
"Woah. It sure didn't look like it liked being locked up in there." I said.
"Rockwell didn't treat it very well." Falco's words had me questioning him now,
"You knew?" I said.
"Yes. Despite our differences, we were colleagues. I decided to give him a chance, otherwise I would've called the police about his wrongdoings. But I was too late it seems."
"Maybe the Kraang didn't take Rockwell. Maybe the monket broke out of that cage, went berserk and took off with him. Or worse." April came up with a reasonable conclusion.
"Alright. Thanks for talking with us Doctor." I said as I turned away with April with the mutagen in my hands.
"WAIT!" Dr Falco suddenly said. We turned to him.
"What is it?" April asked.
"Do you know what you're doing with that stuff?" it would appear the mutagen had him concerned.
"We've dealt with this stuff before. We know what it does. Believe me when I say touching it will have nasty consequences." I said. Dr Falco thought about this for a minute or so until he gave us the okay to take it away. Though something about the way that he stopped us made me think he wasn't concerned about us at all.
9:44pm… New York City Alleys…
One good thing about wondering around in the darkness of alleys is that no-one will be able to clearly see a mutant turtle going into the sewers with a teenage girl. As April and I walked into the alley, April raised a question,
"So, how do you suppose we're going to find Rockwell without any leads?" she asked.
"Well, we might find out more once we take a look at his flash drive." She then turned her head to me as we walked to the manhole cover.
"What flash drive?"
"The one I swiped off his desk. As I wrestled Dr Falco to the ground earlier." In truth, it was actually just before Falco's surprise attack.
"Nice." I'm really starting to like it when compliments me.
"Yeah. Well, keeping cool under pressure is the hallmark of a- "but then we were suddenly interrupted when a giant monkey ambushed us from the rafters above. We were caught off guard by its sudden appearance and when it roared at us threateningly and stepped in front of April in a protective manner and drew out my new toy, my steel extension staff.
"Careful Donnie! That's a dangerous mutant!" she said as a warning.
"That makes two of us!" and it was true. I can be dangerous when I want to be or need to be. I span my staff around and then jumped up to swing it onto its head. But the mutant monkey was faster than I thought as it slammed a punch into my stomach. The attack caught me off guard as it disarmed me. My steel staff clattering to the ground. The monkey picked up the staff and half expected it to use it against me, but instead it slammed my staff against the ground and against the walls repeatedly until it was bent completely out of shape.
"Donnie?! Are you okay/" April was starting to get a bit concerned.
"I'm good." I said as I tried to sound reassuring but instead, because the wind was temporarily knocked out of my sails, I ended up sounding like a kicked puppy. I charged at the monkey unarmed with the intention of launching as many kicks and punches as possible.
*BANG*, *CRASH*, *SMASH*, *CRUNCH*, *BASH*
That could've gone better. I took a beating. Nothing I did seemed to be working. I thought that fighting a mindless monkey would be easy. And April was getting more and more concerned about me.
"Donnie?"
I stood up as I answered her, still trying to sound reassuring.
"I was just figuring out his timing. He is going to regret- "but I was interrupted when the mutant monkey slammed a punch into my gut. And from there the beating continued,
*SMACK*, "That one- ", *BASH*, "That too- ", *CRUNCH*, "And that!" *BASH*, "Argh, a lot of regrets, monkey!" I could barely stand after that brutality and it continued when the monkey hopped onto my head and launched me back onto the ground. I didn't end there as the next thing a knew, the monkey leaped onto me as I was on my back and continued to brutally punch my head in as I tried to block each attack (uselessly). The beating ended when it picked me up and threw me across the alley. I tumbled to a stop lying next to a very worried April. April crouched next to me and looked me over. Concern all over her face. I had bruises and marks all over my body, blood was running down both of my nostrils, I had a black eye behind my mask and my discarded staff was heavily damaged. As she looked me over, the mutant monkey approached us, most likely intent on either finishing me itself or it would go after April. To my horror, it was after April. She backed away as much as she could, but the mutant monkey kept approaching, it then launched itself at her and grabbed her by the arms and roared in her face. It roared and growled, but as it did, April wondered if it was really as dangerous as she first thought it was. She and the monkey locked eyes, and when they did, April's tone of voice changed and body language changed.
"It's okay, everything's going to be alright." She said in a calm and soothing voice. To my surprise it worked. The monkey went from uncontrolled attack to calm and collected. April looked into its eyes again as she began feel there was more to the monkey than meets the eye. But that couldn't be, right?
"What? What is it?" she said as calmly as possible but the result was the monkey simply and acrobatically leaping against the walls until it raced across the rooftops and out of sight. Once it was, April wasted no time in coming back to my battered side.
"Donnie. Are you hurt?" she asked as she tried to sit me up, but I was in so much pain that it hurt to try and sit up,
"Just my pride… and my internal organs." I say truthfully.
The Lair… Present time… May 21st… 9:41pm…
(Normal POV)
Suddenly, a roar of laughter echoed throughout the entire Lair, interrupting Donnie's story. And the laughter was directed at Donnie courtesy of his three brothers and Casey,
"Hahaha… you-you got beaten up? By a monkey? In front of your girlfriend?" Raph said as he tried to keep himself from laughing at Donnie, who was getting more and more annoyed by the second.
"She's not my girlfriend! And that monkey was a very strong mutant!" Donnie said in his defence but the mocking laughter continued,
"Yeah, I'm sure he went bananas!" Leo punned and even more laughter followed,
"Oh, nonono, he went ape!" more puns from Leo and more laughter followed. Luckily, a strong defence came to Donnie's rescue in the form a tall and annoyed ninja master.
*SMACK* *SMACK* *SMACK*
"It is very much frowned upon to laugh at someone else's misfortune. Especially if it resulted in many bruises. Donatello, please continue." Master Splinter scolded, and Casey was stopped from laughing as well when April and Angel swatted his head and got a satisfying 'OW' from him, even though it was weak.
"Anyway…"
(Continue Flashback)
Donnie's POV
The Lair… May 20th… 10:43pm…
The walk back to the Lair was very slow, as April made sure to be extra careful in helping me along the many tunnels and leading to home. We decided against taking the easy way home via either rooftop running for obvious reasons or darting through the shadows because I couldn't in this state. So, we ducked into the nearest manhole cover, and from there, we slowly made our way home. When we arrived, we were greeted by a very concerned Master Splinter.
"Donatello! April! What has happened?" Master Splinter asked as he helped April carry me to the sofa.
"Donnie got beat up by a mutant." April answered as she and Sensei lowered me onto the comfort of the sofa. From there, Master Splinter examined all of the bruises and marks on my body and the blood that was coming out of my nostrils. He then left me with April to get the medical supplies. Master Splinter had always had some old methods ready but thanks to April getting us food supplies every so often, there was also medical supplies with them.
"April, care to explain to me exactly what happened while I start with Donatello's recovery." Master Splinter requested and April heeded it. She went into detail of what happened before and during the mutant monkey attack while Sensei applied a healing ointment to my bruises and marks. "Donatello, my healing methods and the ointments will help the bruises and injuries heal over a night's rest. Including the one inside your nostrils. Though you will still feel aches all over your body." Master Splinter explained.
"Oh… okay… I'm fine with that." I really was fine with it, and then Master Splinter picked me up and draped my arm over his shoulder as he began to carry me slowly to my room upstairs.
"You will recover faster if you go to bed now. April, feel free to let yourself out." Master Splinter said as he walked me slowly to my room.
"Okay. Donnie, get better soon." And with that, April exited the Lair via the elevator. When we entered my room, sleeping now sounded like the best idea ever. Master Splinter lowered me onto my head and though the aches slowed me down a bit, I eventually wiggled my way into a comfortable position and sleep overtook me within moments.
8:12am…
Master Splinter was right, his healing methods and the ointments that he applied worked wonders for my body. Of course, I knew the scientific reasons for why and the know-how on how his methods worked. And it was as he said, the marks and bruises were gone though I felt achy everywhere. After getting showered and cleaned up and having breakfast, it was morning training. Knowing that I would be sluggish for this session, Master Splinter went easy on me. He may be strict when it comes to our training, but he knows our limitations and whenever and injury or otherwise would hinder us, he would ease up. Though for my brothers, it was business as usual.
9:44am….
After training, and I was still feeling ever so sluggish. I noticed that during training, Leo saw that my performance during morning training was not at my usual standards. And I waiting for him to come over to where I was at the bridge to hear what he had to say. But I wasn't that surprised when instead of Leo. It was Master Splinter who appeared by my side.
"I just don't get it, Sensei. I mean, I'm highly trained martial artist, how can I lose to something so… mindless?" I asked mostly to myself and Master Splinter seemed to know what was stopping me from having a clear answer,
"If I am correct, Donatello, you used your mind to play out a fight that hadn't even begun yet. You are very intelligent, my son, there is no denying. But in a fight, you cannot be… up here." Master Splinter explained as he pointed to his head in reference. But at the time, I just didn't understand.
"But Sensei, my brain is everything to me. I'm not sure what I am without it. I just… I can't understand how to not think at all." To me, there was no other way I could word it.
"Do not fret, my son. This is a worry that many an intelligent being such as yourself have in their lives. What is an intelligent person when he or she doesn't rely on their minds? The answer is simple, Donatello." When Sensei said it was simple, I caught my interest. "There is more to a person than just their mind. You can be surprised by just how much a person can do when they rely on their instincts. Often times, instinct can help overcome even the mightiest of obstacles." Instinct. I have studied how humans and other animals have them and I have studied how often they are used. But I have never seen it in person. "Donatello, if you recall what happened to you last night, I can assure you that the monkey was relying on instinct to attack you. Monkeys are often renowned for following their instincts and are often good learners." All true. But I still needed proof. It was then that Mikey walked across the Lair with his headphones on listening to some music. An idea then popped into Master Splinter's mind. "Observe." And I did as Master Splinter approached Mikey. Mikey looked oblivious to his approach as he had his eyes closed while listening to his music.
Mikey kept walking towards Master Splinter and for a second, I thought he was going to walk straight into him, but then something happened next that helped something click with my mind. Master Splinter threw a punch at Mikey, who just reacted by swaying back and slipped behind Master Splinter, he then flipped over his head as Sensei sent another punch to his head and when Mikey landed again, Master Splinter threw another punch at Mikey, who caught it whilst still with his eyes closed. I was stunned at the display.
"You see, Michelangelo does not think." Master Splinter said to me and Mikey seemed to hear him through the music.
"Thank you!" Mikey thanked him, though he seemed to disregard that double meaning behind Sensei's words. But that's my point of view anyway.
"Your welcome." Sensei said and as Mikey began to walk away past Master Splinter, he- for whatever reason- used his long tail to trip up Mikey, who couldn't regain his balance and he toppled over into the centre pool. He then turned his head to me,
"You must find the space between your thoughts and learn to live there. That's what Michelangelo does." Splinter said but I couldn't help but point out the tiny flaw in his words,
"True, but, Mikey's got a lot more space between his thoughts than I do." I said and cue Mikey climbing out of the pool as if Sensei didn't trip him into it.
"You know, I've got the sudden craving for pizza!" Mikey said.
"Yes well, Michelangelo has his challenges too."
6:55pm…
It wasn't until the early hours of the evening that April arrived at our home. By that time, I had already fixed my broken and bent steel staff. I made it and it was easy to repair, took me only a couple of hours. I decided that since April was technically involved in the situation with the mutant monkey, I would wait until she arrived so we could go over the flash drive's files that I stole from Dr Falco. She was grateful that I waited for her, and then we began going through the files on April's laptop. It wasn't until a few moments later that we began to piece things together and began discussing it with each other,
"Well, these notes aren't very difficult to follow, and it looked as though, for whatever reason, Dr Rockwell was able to modify the mutagen." I said to April,
"Why would he do that?" she said,
"He thought he could use it to create a neurochemical that could give someone psychic abilities. I'm guessing that the mutant monkey we encountered had these psychic abilities." But my statement just made April frown slightly,
"What is it, April?"
"I don't think that monkey was psychic. I get the feeling that it was just relying purely on instinct." April said.
"So… if the monkey wasn't really psychic and just relying on pure instinct, what was the instinct? Primal violent urges?" I said but April had another reason,
"Actually, I get the feeling it was just scared. Whatever Dr Rockwell did to it must have been horrific. And when it saw us leaving the lab, it probably thought we were worked with him. Especially since you and it fought."
"Okay… but then why did it stop when you and it made eye-contact?" I asked,
"Well… eye-contact is a very powerful thing. When we locked eyes, it must've instinctively knew that we weren't a threat." It took me a moment to fully process the words but when I did, I turned my head back to the laptop.
"So… modifying the mutagen to create a neurochemical to give someone psychic abilities… why?" my question then raised another, "That was a whole canister of mutagen that we found…" I then turned my head to my workbench where the still full canister of mutagen was kept. I made sure no-one else but me got close to it. "Dr Rockwell must've been in contact with the Kraang… somehow. And he willingly cooperated, instead of being kidnapped… what changed? Why is he missing now?"
"Maybe, he had a change of heart? Found out how much damage the mutagen can really do when his lab monkey mutated. Then tried to hide from the Kraang. He's either hiding or the Kraang already have him?" April speculated. All speculation, so I continued reading the notes. Then just a few pages down, something unsettling caught my eye.
"Oh."
"What is it, Donnie?"
"These notes… Dr Rockwell's files don't have him listed as the owner of any lab animal. In fact, these notes are saying that he was using samples of monkey DNA for another experiment that didn't involve the mutagen." I said but even though it took a few seconds to process what I said, April eventually caught on to what I was implying,
"Wait… monkey DNA but no actual monkey…" April said and as she probably said the words in her head, I felt the need to voice them,
"Dr Falco said that Rockwell was experimenting on a monkey. But these notes say that there was no monkey. So, if he never had a monkey, what broke out of that cage?" my words rang out like part of a horror film.
"Falco must have lied about the non-existent monkey. And what was that monkey that attacked us?" April said and when she did, one thing became clear to us: we needed to find that monkey before someone else does.
"We need to find that monkey." I said. But…
"Okay… how?" April said.
"Well, when you and the monkey locked eyes, it calmed down. We will then gently coax it to the warehouse above and make sure it stays out of harm's way." That was my answer on what to do IF we found the monkey but April saw that I kind of avoided her question,
"Okay good, we have a plan on what to do IF we find it. But HOW are we going to find it in a city as big as New York?" this was a very tough question to answer. We sat at the workbench, staring into space as we tried to think of a method to find one monkey in the biggest city in America. Scouring the rooftops and just hoping for something to appear was grasping at straws. Driving in a vehicle might've helped us scour the city a lot quicker. Note to self: build drivable vehicles. I then before I knew it, I stopped thinking about the monkey and started thinking about what vehicles I could build.
7:32pm…
"RAPHAEL! RAPHAEL!"
The sound of a young girl calling out to Raph had interrupted our train of thoughts on the monkey. Those speakers I had installed in the warehouse above to let us know who was inside worked nicely. Though I was surprised that a young girl that we didn't know was calling for Raph. And it worried us.
"Sounds like trouble, Raph. Someone you know?" Leo asked almost demanding,
"How should I know?" Raph said with just as much confusion,
"We should find out what's going on." Leo said,
"Leo, as much as I would like to help. I can't. There's a mutant out there that needs to be stopped." I said suddenly, which didn't sit well with Leo,
"But Donnie, we may need you." Leo ordered but fortunately for me, Splinter overheard us and intervened,
"Leonardo. As much as I would prefer that all four of you confront a mission, it is as I said before; you cannot tackle a puzzle in which you do not have all the pieces to. And this time, two puzzles have arisen tonight, and I feel as though that Donatello and April can resolve their issue as well as you, Raphael and Michelangelo can resolve yours. Now go, you cannot linger any more than you have to." With Splinter's reasoning and order, the five of us exited the Lair in different directions. Leo, Raph and Mikey exited through the elevator whilst April and myself exited via the tunnels. As we ran through the tunnels however, it dawned on us that we didn't have a plan to find the monkey and we stopped mid run.
"Donnie, we don't have a plan." April said and although she probably wasn't going to like what I said for a plan, I said it anyway,
"Actually, I do. We stay in contact with our phones. You said that the monkey is scared. A scared mutant can be dangerous but it will also make poor decisions. One of which would be to get accidently spotted by a random person. You're going to ask around or eavesdrop on anything relating to the monkey, while I search from the rooftops." I knew my plan was vague, and April didn't hesitate to point that out,
"That's grasping at straws." She said,
"I know… but it's better than grasping at smoke." Definitely better than grasping at smoke. This was a long shot, but at least we had a shot to go by.
7:46pm… The Surface…
When grasping at straws, expect no results. But occasionally, grasping at straws does work and April didn't have to ask around for a missing monkey. The moment I left her to search from the rooftops, she overheard two police officers talk about a strange looking 'ape' roaming around on Bleaker Street, but decided to not check it out as they thought it was absurd.
"Donnie, the monkey was sighted on Bleaker." April said to her phone, knowing that I was on the other end of it.
"I'm on it, April." I responded and then headed towards Bleaker. Though as I neared Bleaker, I spotted the monkey myself, it was moving fast across the street away from Bleaker,
"April, I just spotted him. He' headed south on Delancey." I said to my T-Phone.
"Drat! We won't be able to catch him!" April said on her phone. But we still gave chase. We saw the monkey, so we felt as though we couldn't give up now. As I ran on the rooftops, I spotted the monkey changing direction at Delancey, and I used the ladders and stairs on the building I was on to safely scale down to the ground. As I did, the monkey was now running away from me as I gave chase. It raced across the walls and he streets with me chasing after it.
"April, I'm on his trail, I'm right behind him. We're just entering Houston, we can catch him with a classic pincer movement." I say to April over the phone.
"Alright." She responded. I had just entered Houston as I chased the monkey when it suddenly changed direction again into an alleyway. I turned into the same alleyway, but when I did, the monkey seemingly disappeared. At that moment, April appeared at the other end of the alleyway, expecting me and the monkey to be there, but there was no monkey. We approached each other as we seemingly lost sight of the monkey.
"April? Where did the monkey go?"
"I thought you said it was right behind you?"
"I was…"
As turned and headed to where April appeared at the other end of the alleyway to see if she could've missed it, April stayed behind in the alley. Unbeknownst to me, April felt compelled to search the dumpster in the alley. She opened the dumpster and it was empty of rubbish but it did have the monkey inside. It was huddled in itself, hands on its head with its head on his knees. It was very much scared. When it realised that the bin had been opened, it nervously looked up and saw April, no malice or fright, but gentle and calm eyes. She reached in with her hand as if to gently help it out. The monkey instinctively felt that it was in no immediate danger and let itself out. I saw the monkey and April, they locked eyes again and as I approached, I did so making sure not to let the monkey feel as if I was dangerous to it. Lucky for me that the monkey, when it saw me, it didn't attack me.
"Okay, so we found the monkey. But we still don't know what happened to Dr Rockwell for sure." As I mentioned Rockwell, the monkey turned to me and grabbed my shoulders as it hopped up and down and let out a series of monkey sounds. I was confused, but something seemed to click in April's mind.
"Actually, I think we do." She said and as she did, the monkey quieted down and stopped bouncing, and it looked at April and looking… hopeful?
"What? How?" I asked.
"I think this IS Dr Rockwell."
8:01pm… Abandoned Warehouse… Eastman Land…
Getting the monkey… Dr Rockwell… into the warehouse was surprisingly easy enough. Though I was curious as to how April seemingly knew that the monkey was Dr Rockwell. As we entered the warehouse, I decided to let Master Splinter know about our new warehouse guest. The three of us stood in the warehouse as the monkey took in its surroundings.
"I am curious, April. How did you know that this monkey was really a human?" Master Splinter asked, which caught my attention as well.
"I don't know. Sometimes I just… get a feeling about things." As a scientist, I needed more than that but for now, it seems like that was the most that April could answer. Master Splinter however, seemed intrigued,
"A feeling? Hm… interesting…." But when I turned my attention back to the monkey, I realised something horrible,
"Donatello?" Master Splinter seemed to recognise the look on my face,
"Master Splinter, we need to confront Dr Falco." Master Splinter nodded in agreement.
"Donnie, I think you're thinking the same thing that I am." April said.
"Yeah. Dr Falco lied about Rockwell experimenting on a monkey. He must've also lied about not knowing about the mutagen. He's probably lied about everything else. I'm also thinking that it was Rockwell who broke out of that cage." I concluded. It was a dangerous conclusion but then I realised something else, "This isn't good."
"Why? What else are you thinking, Donnie?" April asked and she wasn't going to like my next assumption,
"Why? Because whatever it was that Falco used Rockwell for, he got. What if he does something like this to someone else to get what he wants next?" my assumption made April gasp as a look of worry painted her face.
"But Donnie, even if you're right and we should confront Falco… I can't. I'm not a fighter… I can't help you like your brothers can." April confessed.
"Do not worry, April. I will be there with Donatello. We will confront him together. Though I feel as though I may not be needed for this confrontation." Master Splinter said and with that, we left the warehouse with April and Rockwell inside. But not before a gave a glancing look behind me and I saw April looking worried for me. It made the blood rush to my head and my green face showed a very unmistakable pink blush.
8:10pm… Dr Rockwell's Lab…
I didn't take us long to reach the lab. Though when we entered, the lab was still a mess, but there was no sign of Falco. The room was a little too quiet and neither us liked it.
"OOF!"
Suddenly, there he was. Falco had tried to club Master Splinter on the back of the head with a golf club, but Sensei saw it coming and without looking, he caught the golf club with one hand and elbowed Falco in his gut, he then threw him past me and Falco landed on the floor in the middle of the room. He got up, though he was dazed and a little confused,
"There was no way you knew that I was there." Falco said as he glared at Master Splinter,
"You're right. I didn't think at all. Though my body knew and I just reacted instinctively." Master Splinter said.
"It's over, Falco. We know it was you who mutated Rockwell." I accused him and he didn't deny as he grinned,
"So you figured me out? No worries. Hehe… I used him as my guinea pig." The way revelled in what he did had sickened me and I'm pretty sure it did the same to Master Splinter.
"But why?" I wasn't going to like whatever answer Falco had, but I had to know why,
"Simple. I am on the winning side. The Kraang gave me an offer, and I was excited and eager to take it up." It worried me that he confessed to working with the Kraang willingly.
"Why on earth would you think that the Kraang would let you work with them? How do you know they won't just turn on you once you gave them whatever it is that they wanted?" it was his next answer that made him cross the line.
"That's what Rockwell was for. You know about the psychic neurochemical that he was working on? When the Kraang approached me, I knew they would dispose of me when I accepted their offer. So, I would do something that would forever ensure that they do not. I didn't JUST mutate Rockwell, I also perfected his psychic neurochemical by injecting it into his brain. I found that the neurochemical can only fully develop inside a living brain. I made sure he didn't get out of course…" that was why he caged Rockwell, "…and once the neurochemical finished developing, I extracted it and injected it into my veins. And it worked! Although… the extraction took its toll on Rockwell. Made him more animal than human. When you first arrived here, I knew I couldn't let you catch on to what I had done. So I let you believe I knew nothing about everything."
"Then why did you let me walk away with a full canister of mutagen?"
"HA! You think that was my only supply? I've a lot more where that came from. I knew you would have grown suspicious if I refused to let you have that canister. This one injection of the neurochemical has unlocked part of my brains potential. I am going to need more… and seeing as two test subjects have willingly walked in, I might as well use your mutated brains as well." Now it was on. I brought out my steel baton and extended it into its staff mode. I charged at Falco and swung my staff down onto his head. He merely sidesteps away and avoided it like he knew it was coming.
"What?"
"So you noticed? Hehe… the psychic neurochemical has given me the ability to read minds! I can know everything you think! Though, I like to know how that didn't work on you…" he turned to Splinter as he said this, "…perhaps you will be a more fascinating subject to study more than your SONS!" he read my mind again. This time he knows about my brothers. But I wasn't going to let him have his way, I swung at him with my steel staff repeatedly but his mind reading abilities allowed him to effortlessly read my attacks before they happened and he was almost like a practised and experienced ninja master as he sidestepped and evaded all of my attacks. And then, I stumbled forward as my last attack- a forward lunge jab with the staff- missed its mark and in response, Dr Falco sidestepped again and grabbed one end of my staff and threw me to the side. I was unable to keep a hold of my staff and I was smashed into the wall. As I hit the ground, Falco threw my staff to one side.
"I really must admire that complex brain of yours! You come up with so many ideas. Too bad I can see them all coming! By the way, do you really think you have a chance with April?" he read my mind again. I got up, and started thinking… no wait… that isn't working. I turned my head to Master Splinter and when we locked eyes, I remembered.
"You are very intelligent, my son, there is no denying. But in a fight, you cannot be… up here." Master Splinter's words echoed in my head at that moment and I also remembered how Mikey was able to fight without thinking at all.
"I can do this. I just have to fight without thinking. No thinking." I pictured in my head how I was going to do that but as I did, Dr Falco laughed as he saw what my next attacks were. "Don't think. Just do." I stopped thinking and charged at Falco. I could see him looking at me as tried to read my attacks but gasped in surprised when he found nothing. I kicked his stomach and then landed a spin kick into his chest. He had no answer and he stumbled back and hit wall behind him. He then launched himself at me but I merely stepped to one side and tripped him, I then punched him jaw up with an uppercut and then stepped behind him and kicked his back. He had no answer again as he stumbled into the side counter. He turned around and once again uselessly tried to attack with a punch, but in response I just jumped and backflipped over his head, I then bounced off the wall with my two feet and launched myself at Falco, he was unable to defend as I pummelled him with punch after consecutive punches to his abdomen. The last punch hit Falco so hard that he was launched into the very cage he had locked Rockwell into. He was out cold at that point.
I retrieved my staff and put it back into its sheath on my back. Master Splinter approached me,
"I am proud of you, Donatello. You have learnt to think less in a fight, and used it to best your foe." I smiled at Master Splinter's praise, but only for a second,
"There's only one thing left to do now. Now that we know Falco is involved with the Kraang, let's see what else he knows about them." But when I turned to see what I assumed to be an unconscious Dr Falco, instead I see he is just regaining consciousness. I picked him off the cage/wall by the collar of his lab coat and shoved him into the wall. "Tell us what you know of the Kraang!" but he responded with only a slight smirk.
"I do not believe he is going to tell us anything. But do not fret, my son. We have already learned more than you think." Master Splinter said, and going by the look on Falco's face, I'd say he was right.
"Well then… I think we should still do something about him."
(Normal POV)
(Present Time)
10:02pm… The Lair…
"Come on, Donnie! Don't leave us hangin'! What did you guys do with Falco afterwards?" Mikey was practically begging for Donnie to finish the story and Donnie complied,
"Well, we… I actually tied him to a lamppost on the street with a sheet of paper labelling him 'Mad Scientist' and then just left him there for the police to collect." Donnie said this almost nonchalantly. Only the slight smirk confirmed him to be telling the truth. After a few seconds of thinking over what Donnie just said, all the teenagers in the room started chuckling and giggling at the scene in their heads. Even Donnie and April chuckled at this. Master Splinter just face-palmed, knowing he allowed it to happen. He still chuckled inwardly, not letting anyone know of his amusement.
10:12pm…
After the laughter had died down, it became time to disperse for the night. It was decided that Casey would spent the night on the couch until he recovered from the beating he got from Hun. Raph had told Angel that she can stay with Casey or spend the night in the warehouse above, seeing as she had nowhere else to go. She opted to stay with Casey, and would sleep on the armchair. Before she left the Lair however, April was called to the side of the Lair by Master Splinter. Master Splinter had set up a pair of cushions for them to kneel on.
"April, when you explained to me earlier that you had 'feelings' about things. It became clear that you have a rare gift. A sensitivity that I myself have trained my entire life to develop." Splinter said but April seemed to misunderstand this,
"Don't worry, you'll get it."
"I did! It just took me a long time!" Splinter said,
"That's nothing to be ashamed of." April said still smiling and Splinter just let out a sigh and then continued,
"What I am trying to say, is that I would like to train you to be a kunoichi. A female ninja." Master Splinter offered,
"Wow, that's quite an honour. If I do this, does that mean I can kick everybody's butt?!" she said,
"We don't believe in using our abilities that way." At his words, April quickly changed her tune,
"Oh! Right… me neither. But I could, right?"
"Yes… but I warn you; it will be the hardest thing you have ever done. It will drain mentally, physically and spiritually." Master Splinter's warning didn't seem to do its job,
"Well, can't be worse than high school. I accept your offer, Sensei." April agreed to be trained and although Master Splinter thought she didn't think this through, he would still uphold his part of his offer. He will train her.
10:13pm… Foot Tower HQ… New York City…
One would think that one of the dojo training areas at Foot HQ was a breeding ground for learning how to mercilessly beat your opponents to the ground. In one such area, Chris Bradford, in his full ninja garb, had just finished his late-night training. Which involved beating every low-ranking Foot Soldiers to the ground. It was then that the dojo door opened to reveal an ebony skinned Mexican man entering the dojo. His clothes were slightly torn in places, and the punkish style and the Purple Dragon tattoo on his right arm was proof enough that this man was a Purple Dragon. Chris knew this person and he wasn't pleased to see him.
"Xever. Why are you here?" Chris said, none too pleased.
"Orders are orders. Master Shredder called me here."
"That I did." The Shredders voice sounded behind one of the walls of the dojo. A hidden door in the wall opened up to reveal The Shredder himself.
"I have a mission for you both." Though the Shredder began, he couldn't help but notice Chris' glare towards Xever, but ignored it. "You two are to work together and use whatever means necessary to find Hamato Yoshi and his disciples. Or at least find information that can be used. Since Hamato Yoshi is here in this city, as well as the artefact that was found in the river, I have no doubt that my enemies are here. And you two will play your parts in finding them." The Shredder ordered but Chris felt the need to voice his objection about the mission.
"Master Shredder, I am more than capable of completing this mission alone. I don't need to work with anyone. Especially with this… street rat." Chris said,
"Are you sure, lapdog?" Xever bit back,
"Anytime you wanna test me- "but Chris' challenge was interrupted by Shredder,
"I am not interested in your petty rivalry. You two are familiar with the different parts of this city's dark underbelly. You will work together." The Shredder said with a more threatening tone. And Chris and Xever knew not to push it in their Master's presence.
"Understood, Master Shredder." They both said at the same time as they both also bowed to him. One thing they could agree on; even showing incompetence in front of the Shredder would most likely cost you your head. And so they agreed to work together, if only to keep their lives.
me: hey there! Hope it was good! And, you might have guessed at the last few sentences that Xever will make his debut. Preview: Casey will want to kick his butt just because! Until then!