Chapter 32: Answers and Questions
Splinter held Donatello on his lap, watching his children as they knelt in front of him. "My children, have you thought about the cure?"
Leonardo sighed and sat up straighter. "Yes, Father."
"I want each of you to tell me what you have discovered," Splinter stated.
Karai started, "I think we should use it. Even if the cure doesn't work completely, we can help. What kind of future does he have as a regular turtle?"
"But at what cost?" Leo asked, looking at his hands. "If he's not himself, then…"
"I understand, Leo, but how can you just let him stay a little turtle?" Karai asked.
"He knows us," Leo tried to argue.
Karai sighed, turning away. "Even if he does, Donatello is just a turtle."
"I just miss my little brother," Raphael breathed, not meeting any eyes in the room. His fists were tight and his eyes shiny.
Michelangelo nodded and cuddled up to Raph's side. "I want what is best for Donnie."
"We all want what is best for Donnie," Leo stated.
"We would help him," Karai whispered.
Splinter sighed, stroking the shell again. "We will always be here for Donatello. I do have to say, we have been waiting for this cure for a long time. Even if the results aren't going to be what we think they will, we will still have Donatello back."
Leo sighed and slowly rose to his feet. "I'll call Rockwell."
"Are you sure about this?" Rockwell asked, holding the vial of light purple liquid.
"Yes. Even if it doesn't work completely, we will still have Donatello back," Splinter said, watching his children gathered around the little turtle. He had given them a chance to say good bye. It wasn't really good bye, just waiting for the cure to be given.
"Are you ready?"
Splinter nodded and walked over to his sons. Raphael clutched Donatello close for a second before handing the small turtle over to their father. Splinter tucked the small turtle into his chest and turned into the dojo. "I will call you when everything is finished."
"Thank you, Father," Leonardo spoke softly, as Michelangelo tucked himself into his side.
Splinter nodded as he and Rockwell disappeared into the dojo. Splinter knelt down on the ground and placed Donatello on the mats. Rockwell knelt down next to the small turtle, holding the needle. "I'm going to need you to hold out his leg. We don't want him tucking back into his shell."
Splinter nodded, taking hold of the tiny leg. His throat closed up as he watched the needle sink into the leg. The purple liquid disappeared into the little turtle's body and Splinter let go of the leg. The little turtle tucked into his shell and nothing happened for a moment.
The small turtle began to shake and began to grow. The two could only watch as the limbs began to grow, the shell cracked and reformed, growing in size. Splinter and Rockwell watched with wide eyes as Donatello lay in front of them, gasping for air, his eyes clenched shut.
"My son…"
"I'll leave you two alone for a moment."
"Thank you, Doctor Rockwell. Would you ask my children to go on a pizza run?" Splinter whispered, tearing stinging his eyes at the sight of his lost son. The sound of the door shutting was lost on Splinter as he slowly reached toward his son.
"Oh, Donatello." Splinter slowly touched his son's cheek, brushing away the strand of sweat running down his face. "Please, open your eyes my son." Donatello groaned and slowly opened his eyes. Splinter's breath hitched as the familiar brown eyes scanned the room before settling on Splinter. "There you go, my son. How about you sit up?"
Donatello blinked and slowly pushed his hands under him. He groaned and his arms gave from under him. Splinter immediately rushed to his son's side and helped him up. "Easy, my son. You must be feeling weak. That's it, my son." Splinter smiled as he helped his son into a sitting position. "How do you feel, my son?"
"I…..I…. I feel fine," Donatello spoke softly, his voice gravely from disuse. Splinter's eyes stung with tears as he finally heard his son's voice. After so long, he finally heard his beloved son's voice.
"I'm glad you are feeling better, my son," Splinter smiled, keeping a strong hold on Donatello. He didn't like the fact that his son was swaying from side to side, unable to keep himself up.
Donatello shook his head and brought one hand to his face, rubbing it as the other remained on the floor. "What…. What happened?"
"We were forced to remutate you, my son," Splinter answered calmly, rubbing the large shell. "You must be tired. It was a traumatic experience for all of us. Tell me, my son, what do you remember?"
Donatello paused for a moment, giving Splinter a strange look before answering, "Not much."
"You do not remember being captured by the Shredder and being mutated?" Donatello shook his head, his brown eyes wide and had a hint of nervousness in them. "You were captured and thrown into a vat of mutagen. It changed you to the point of almost being unable to recognize your family. Then we found out your cells were breaking down and were forced to use your own retromutagen to buy us some time. Doctor Rockwell was able to replicate the original mutation and here we are."
"I see."
Splinter's ears flicked back. Something wasn't right. That tone. He remembered it from when his boys were small children. Donatello would use that exact tone whenever he didn't get a kata but didn't want to appear weak in front of his brothers. Splinter took a good look at his boy. Donatello looked….. lost. He sighed, "My son, you must be feeling tired. Everything will be alright now that you're back."
Donatello blinked and removed the hand from his face. He stared him straight in the eyes and said, "That's great and all but I have a question, who are you?"
Author's Note: I couldn't wait to post this. If you can't tell, this is just continuing the angst for the family. Special thanks to Bipper Cipher3, Juanite27, Fever To Write, Pilyartquitect, Andraia452, and Agentcocacola for their reviews! Hope you liked the new chapter.