The katana plunged deep into his plastron. Leo slowly retracted his blade; dripping with his brother's blood. Raphael bit his lips to keep from screaming out as the metal sliced hot through his plastron. Breathing heavily, he gazed deep into Leonardo's eyes. He applied pressure to his wound with his uninjured hand. Blood freely flowed and pooled underneath Raphael. He gradually felt himself slip away. Thru barely open amber eyes, he watched as Leo poised his katana once more for the final, fatal blow. Closing his amber eyes, he mentally prepared himself. His body felt like it was on fire. The blow never came. Metal clinking off of concrete echoed throughout the lair. Master Splinter stood between his severely injured son and his mind controlled older brother. Splinter knocked the katana out of Leo's hands with his walking stick.
"What is the meaning of this Leonardo? Leading an attack with your brothers against Raphael; I have trained and raised you better than this." Leo stared blankly at his sensei. "It's not their fault Master Splinter. I think their minds are being controlled somehow." Raph weakly mumbled. "And why is that Raphael?"
"Earlier at the warehouse, I saw some mist coming out from an open window right before they came out. Didn't think anything of it till now." Raphael gasped for breath with his bruised lungs. Splinter turned his attention to badly injured son. "I will take care of your brothers later; right now you need medical treatment." Splinter gently hoisted Raphael up. "No take care of them first." Raphael tried pushing his sensei towards his brothers. Splinter understood Raphael always made sure his brothers came first but there are times when you have to put yourself first. "No my son, they can wait. You need help now." Too weak to argue, he allowed Splinter to carefully lead him into his room. Splinter carefully laid his son down on his bed. Raphael's breathing worsened. Splinter gathered several supplies from his closet. Carefully, he began wrapping and stitching the worst of the wounds. Splinter tightly wrapped several layers of gauze around the stab wound. He prayed nothing vital was hit. The gauze quickly turned blood red. He winced at the large bump on his son's forehead. "This will be cold but I have to bring the down the swelling." Splinter placed an instant cold pack Raph's head. He winced at the sudden coldness. Then he turned his attention to his arm. From what he can see; it is a clean break. "Please forgive me my son but I have to set your arm." Raph nodded in agreement and gritted his teeth in preparation of pain. Getting himself into position; Splinter tightly grabbed Raph's arm and with a quick pull, popped the bone back into place. Raphael screamed at the sudden sharp pain that filled his body. Tears poured from his eyes as he willed the pain to go away. Splinter then splinted the arm as carefully as he could and using a sling; kept the arm close to Raph's plastron. "Shh my son, it is done. I know you are in pain." He stroked his son's sweaty forehead. "He is developing a fever; infection maybe." Splinter grew concerned; without Donatello's expertise, he could only speculate what is going on. After a few intense moments, Raphael finally passed out from the pain and blood loss. Splinter sat vigil at his son's side.
Outside the bedroom; Leo, Mikey and Don heard Raphael's pained scream but didn't even flinch. They still had yet to realize they attacked their own brother and his blood stained their weapons. "I feel a bit dizzy." Mikey said grabbing his head. He promptly passed out on the ground followed suit by Leonardo and Donatello.
The next morning, the three brothers awoke to find themselves in the living room. "How did we get in here?" Donnie asked. "Don't know Don?" Leo replied. They all stood up and looked around. "What in the world happened in here, looks like there was a big fight or something." Mikey picked a flipped over chair when he noticed a dark stain his nun chucks. Looking closer, he realized it was blood. His eyes widened as he scanned the lair floor that was now streaked with pools of blood. "Uh guys someone's hurt real bad. I got blood on my nun chucks." Leo and Don each pulled out their own weapons and realized the same thing. Leo's heart stopped for a moment when he realized someone is missing. "Where is Raphael?" He searched around the lair but didn't see him. He only hoped this is not his brother's blood on the floor and their weapons. Mikey turned scared. "Do you think he left?" Don searched around, there is no sign that anyone left or entered the lair. "I don't think so, his stuff's still here. Mikey sighed in relief. "Guys, we have to figure out what happened; this is a lot of blood and we still don't know where Raph is at?" The brothers began searching the lair for any possible clues as to what happened the night before since they couldn't remember what happened. But why would you want to remember the brutal attack on your own brother?
Splinter heard his other sons awake and walking around. Checking Raphael one more he slowly opened his door. It had been a rough night; Raphael continued to slip in and out of consciousness before finally passing out again. "My sons; what are you doing?" The turtles turned their attention to Splinter. Leo stepped forward. "I believe there was an attack last night in the lair. There is blood everywhere and Raphael is missing." Splinter knew with a heavy heart what happened couldn't bear the thought of telling his sons they are the ones responsible. "My sons; yes there was an attack and Raphael defended the lair; however unfortunately, he has been severely wounded. Donatello, I need you to please look over his injuries." Donatello walked forward. "How bad are they Master Splinter?" Splinter lowered his head as they entered the room. "His injuries are severe. I will wait outside while you examine him. I did my best to care for the wounds." Splinter left his room allowing Don to do what he does best.
Donatello grimaced as he examined his older brother's injuries. Pulling back the blanket; Raphael's body was covered in several blood soaked bandages. Starting at his head, he worked his way down. Don didn't like the look of the bump on the back of his brother's head. "Definitely a concussion and a high fever." Raphael's skin was coated in beads of sweat and his skin paler than usual. Don moved down to his broken arm and gashes. "Sensei did a good job of splinting his arm. It looks like he was hit with something hard enough to break the bone. I will just have to cast it. Master Splinter must have set the bone." Don grimaced at the thought of Splinter having to set Raph's arm. He knows it's painful. Blankly starring forward, a faint scream hit his ears. Looking down at his brother's still form, he fought to remember what happened. A vague flashback hit his mind of his bo staff swinging at something hard. Rubbing his eyes, he would have to figure it out later. Gently, he peeled away the blood ladened bandages. He inspected the stitches on the gashes on his side, arm and thigh. The last wound he inspected was the stab wound in the center of his stomach. He couldn't tell if anything vital had been hit. It was a miracle that Raphael even survived the night. "I will just need to apply some antibiotic cream and change the dressing. I don't like his fever; it's too high. I'll be right back Raph, I'm gonna get some stuff to help you feel better." Although he knows Raph can't hear him, it made him feel better saying it. All Donatello really wanted to know is what kind of fight took place that has his brother so severely injured. And why were none of them injured?
Meanwhile outside, Leo and Mikey waited with Master Splinter. "Do you think Raphie boy is going to be ok Master Splinter?" Mikey asked with concern. "Your brother is with him now, he will be." Splinter wanted nothing more than for his son to survive. He knows that if Raphael dies and his brothers remember they were the ones that attacked him; they would never forgive themselves. "We still need to figure out who did this and how did they get into the lair without setting off any alarms?" Splinter placed a hand on Leonardo's arm. "My son let us focus our attention on your brother first then we can investigate the cause. Raphael is in grave condition and needs support." Leo nodded in agreement. His last words to his younger brother still rung in his head; now he may not get the chance to apologize. Could fate really be this cruel as to take his brother from him? "Yes Sensei." Normally he would fight against Splinter's order but this time, Splinter had a point. Whoever did this is going to pay but he needs to be there for his brother. Mikey watched with concerned filled eyes for Donnie to reappear. He just wanted reassurance that his big brother is going to be all right. After all, they have faced far worse and survived.
After several intense filled moments; Donatello stepped out from Splinter's room. "I am gathering some supplies from my lab. Master Splinter, if you do not mind; it is best for Raph to stay in your room. I don't want to risk moving him." Splinter nodded in agreement.
"Don what are his injuries, not that I'm sure I really want to know." Don took a deep breath. "For starters, he has a severe concussion, broken arm and ribs, three deep gashes, one to the arm, another to his side and the third to his upper thigh; numerous bruises and he also has a high fever which maybe the result of an infection. He also has a stab wound to his plastron. It doesn't appear nothing vital was hit but he still bled heavily." Leo and Mikey cringed at Don's explanation. At that; Don headed to his lab where he grabbed his medical bag. Tears slid down his cheeks; he hated seeing his brother in this state. "I'm not gonna let you die Raph, that's a promise." While waiting for Don; Leo and Mikey entered Splinter's room.
Michelangelo immediately turned his head away at the sight of his strong brother lying motionless the mat. His chest rose and fell unevenly with staggered breaths. Leo gently held his hand. "You're gonna be ok little bro, just hang in there for us. I'll find out who did this." Mikey walked up to the other side and placed a gentle touch on his shoulder; avoiding his broken arm. "Please Raphie boy; get better ok." Leo tried not to stare at the wounds but something about them seemed familiar; maybe the type of weapon that caused them. He still had yet to explain the blood on his katana. Don reentered the room to which the two turtles moved to the side so he could work. Don quickly casted Raph's arm then moved on to the deep cuts. Once done; he placed an oxygen mask on his mouth to help him breathe. "We're going to need to keep a close eye on him until he wakes up." Before Don could say anymore; "I'll take first watch." Leo moved into position next to Raphael. Don nodded and left the room followed by Michelangelo and Splinter.
Once alone; Leonardo gently stroked Raph's forehead. His heart pounded in his chest. Who could do this to his little brother and leave them unharmed? Realizing now, the blood on the floor belonged to his brother. Thoughts raced in his mind, all he wanted right now is for his brother to live then they can work together to find out who or what did this. But would Leo really want to know who attacked his brother; if he found out that it was him. "Please wake up lil bro. I'm so sorry, please Raph. We need..I need you. This is my entire fault, why is that you always have to get hurt protecting our family? I don't remember what happened but whatever it is, I'll get to the bottom of it. I am leader of this family and you are my brother. I should be the one keeping all of you safe; not the other way around. Please Raph, come back to us; I don't hate you never could." Leo pleaded although his pleas fell on deaf ears. Raphael remained still and would for several days.
