A quick note, the next series of chapters are meant to be short. That's how i have the story planned.
"Please Raphie boy, hang in there. I know ya can make it. I just know you can." Mikey pleaded. Leo held tightly onto his younger brother's hand. He had no words to speak. His own voiced failed him just as he failed his brother. Images of the nightmare replayed in his mind. Having yet to tell the others, he prayed he wouldn't have to.
As the days passed, each brother took their watching over their fallen brother. The worst part; having to keep vigil over their slowly dying brother and not being able to do more than keep him comfortable during his last days. Michelangelo currently sat next to Raphael while Leo and Donnie took a rest. He refused to believe that Raph is dying. Mikey's eyes slipped closed as he fell asleep. Raphael caught the nun chuck in his sai attempting to fling it out away. No luck, without warning the other nun chuck came crashing down on his arm. Sounds of bones breaking echoed in the lair. Raph instantly dropped his sai and cradled his arm. "Come on bro snap out of it!" Raphael tried to stand but slipped on his dripping blood. Another blow caught him on the legs. Raph bit his lip as pain ensued and filled his body. Using his dropped sai as leverage, he hoisted himself up off the ground. He didn't make it far before a bo-staff caught him on the side of the head. Raphael tumbled to the ground; clutching his head. Struggling to stand, Raphael limped as fast he could to the back of the lair. His brothers slowly advanced on him; each weapon drawn. Raphael fell as his ankle gave out; landing with a thud on his broken arm and ribs. A glint of metal caught his eye as he flipped over. A katana blade perfectly poised over his plastron. "I'm sorry," was all he muttered before the katana plunged deep into his plastron then slowly pulled out. Blood dripped from the blade. Raphael lay still on the ground. A dark laughter echoed throughout. "How do you like it Michelangelo? How do like seeing it was you and your brothers that have killed one of your own? Yes, your own nun chucks broke his bones." Michelangelo turned towards the voice. "Who's there?" A swift blur went past him. Suddenly he was face to face with the shadowy figure. "You already know who I am. Tell me Michelangelo? Did it feel good to hit your brother like all the times he has hit you? Isn't revenge sweet?" Hot breath slammed into his face like from the pits of hell. "No, I would never hurt my brother. Raph and me joke all the time. We don't intentionally hurt each other. I practical joke him and he chases me." The shadow figured moved aside just enough to allow Michelangelo full view of Raphael's lifeless body. "You say joking but you know in the back of your mind; all you want is revenge for all those times he has chased and fought with you. Now that you have it; how does it feel?" Michelangelo shook his head. No; this can't be happening; he didn't attack his older brother. He refused to believe what he is seeing is the truth. "Who are you?" The figure laughed. "I AM YOU!" Right in front of his eyes; stood himself with glowing red eyes. Dark Michelangelo chuckled at his other self's expression."Yes Michelangelo take it all in; memorize every injury of your brother's body and you know that you had a hand in killing him." Dark Mikey sneered. "No, I didn't do this and neither did Leo or Donnie." Dark Mikey moved closer. "Are you sure? In my hands I hold a red string that represent's Raphael's life force. As long as it remains in one piece then he lives but once it cut; he is gone." In a swirl of dark mist, Dark Michelangelo disappeared. Mikey bolted formed on his forehead. His breathing came in heavy gasps as he tried to catch his breath. "No, that can't be true. I didn't hurt my brother. I love you Raph and I would never do that you." Tears spilled from Mikey's eyes as he rested his hand on Raphael's forehead. His skin felt a bit cooler than before. "Please Raphie boy, don't go!" Mikey begged though his pleas fell on deaf ears. Raphael continued to slowly slip further away from his family. He laid down next to him; wrapping his arm around Raph's torso. Mikey cried into the pillow. His sobs echoed in the room.
