Chapter 23

Farewell Jennifer

A woman's cry for help reached those in the dojo, stopping their training abruptly. At first they weren't entirely sure that they had heard right, but a second scream confirmed their fears. Worried, they all rushed to the kitchen. Once there, they saw Erica on her knees, holding an unconscious Jennifer close.

"She, she just fainted! I can't wake her!" Erica said alarmed. Donatello quickly knelt beside Jennifer and checked for a pulse, noticing a small trail of blood from her left nostril.

"Her pulse is erratic! We need to get her to the med-room! Tyroth, give me a hand! And someone call April, I need her help!" said Donatello. He then hurried to the med-room to prepare, while Tyroth carried his sister there.

"Hold on, Jen-Jen. Stay with us." he whispered.

Everyone sat quiet in the TV-area while they waited for any word on Jennifer's condition. It hadn't taken April and Casey ten minutes to make their way to the lair in a hast. That was one hour earlier.

Richard and Erica sat close together, their presence providing some comfort to each other, while Tyroth sat together with Sephie, who comforting stroked his arm.

Finally, Donatello and April came out of the med-room, giving the others some hope, but that faded quickly when they saw the sad faces Donatello and April had.

"How is she?" Richard asked. Donatello swallowed hard and forced himself to face their gaze.

"Not good, I'm afraid. I'm… I'm very sorry to say this, but… she's dying..."

"No! Why?! Why is this happening?!" Tyroth exclaimed.

"We think we know, and it doesn't bode well for her." said April.

"She's only partially mutated," said Donatello. "some parts are still human, some are fully mutated and some are half mutated, but they are all so different from each other..."

"...that they are now rejecting each other. Her body is littering tearing itself apart." April filled in.

"But, you can help her, right?" Erica asked.

"I really wished we could, but we don't even know why this is happening." said April.

"There has to be something we can do. Wait, when she told us what they did to her, she mentioned something about that Arden saying that the more time he had to work on her, the better odds of survival she would have." said Richard.

"That's right. And why he taunted us, he said that he had some adjustments to make to her." said Erica.

"But, that means that she wasn't completed, so why use her in that state?" said April.

"To fool me. They intended for her to look as human as possible, so I wouldn't suspect anything and so I would recognize her." said Tyroth.

"Yes, of course, now it starts to make sense. Arden must have kept her in this half mutated state for that purpose by some kind of procedure or serum, she must have been treated at a daily basis, and now it is loosing its effect, but rather than continuing to mutate, she has started to fall apart." said Donatello.

"Weren't you working on a way to make her human again? Can't you do anything with that?" asked Erica.

"I'm afraid not, I'll need much more time before it will even close to be of use, a month at least, and I doubt that Jennie will survive past the day after tomorrow."

"Then we get Arden! If he's behind this, then he know how to fix it!" said Tyroth with murderous intent.

"That won't be of any use." said Leonardo.

"Why not?" asked Sephie.

"Arden most likely knows what's happening to Jennie, and by now he has probably move or destroyed all data regarding this. We'll never find it in time, even if we were to find him."

"So we're just supposed to watch while our daughter dies?" said Richard.

"I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do. Without the right kind of treatment, we may just make it worse." said April.

"...there is one way, one thing that can save her." said Tyroth with a hint of hesitation in his sad voice. Sephie's eyes widened when she understood what he meant.

"The well!" she said and Tyroth nodded. "But that would-"

"I know, but I'd rather that she survive as a mutant than die as she is now. In the end though, it is her choice to make, if she is capable to do so."

"And if she isn't?" asked Monalisa.

"Then I would call for a vote on what we should do; save her life with the well or let her die. You already know what I vote for, so hands up anyone who agree that we should use the well."

Erica immediately raised her hand, she didn't want to loose another child, so if she could be save, then she supported it. Richard felt the same way and raised his hand at almost the same time as his wife. More hands followed and soon it was clear. The result was unanimous, all were in favour of saving Jennifer's life. Tyroth was a little surprised that no-one was against the idea, but he was also very happy.

"Young Jennifer is a sweet girl that does not deserve this kind of fate. Unless she decline the offer, we shall do everything we can for her." said Splinter.

"Thank you, guys." Tyroth said, touched by their kindness. "Is it possible to talk with her now, Donnie?"

"She's asleep right now, but I can wake her up."

"Good. Could I talk to her alone, break the news and all?"

"Of course, dear." said Erica. "You're her brother and you know what to say."

Following Donatello into the med-room, Tyroth sat down on a chair next to Jennifer's bed, while Donatello gave her a shot to wake her. Her eyes fluttered and slowly opened.

"B-big brother?" she said weakly.

"I'm here, sis. I'm here." Tyroth said, taking her hand in his own.

"I'll let the two of you be alone. We'll all be right outside if you need anything." said Donatello and left.

"How are you feeling?" Tyroth asked once they were alone.

"It hurts… everywhere…" she replied, looking at her brother's face. "Ray-Ray… look me in the eyes… and tell me the truth… I'm dying, ain't I?"

"… yes…" he said, not able to hold back his tears. Jennifer also started crying.

"It's not fair… our family is finally whole again… and now it will broken again, because of me."

"It's not your fault, if anything it's mine. I should have been more careful, made sure that no-one could find you."

Tyroth lowered his head and squeezed Jennifer's hand, he really didn't want to do this, but he didn't want to loose his sister either. Swallowing hard, he gathered his courage.

"Jen-Jen, there is a way to save your life, but..." he hesitated. "The only way for you to survive, is to drink from the well in Mutopia."

"That would… make me a mutant too, just like you..."

"I know, but it's the only way, however it's your choice. We all want you to live, but if you don't want this, we will respect your wish."

"I'm already a mutant, more or less, what difference would it make? At least I'll be alive."

"Are you saying…?"

"Yes… 'cough'… I'm saying yes, I want to live, even if it is as a mutant… 'cough cough'… ngh, I don't feel so good..."

"Jennie! Jennie, stay with me! Donnie!"

Upon hearing Tyroth, Donatello and April came rushing in. They immediately checked Jennifer, who was sweating and coughing violently.

"She's deteriorating faster. I'm not sure if she'll make it to Mutopia." said Donatello.

"We have to get there quickly, she deserves to live, and she wants to." said Tyroth.

"But it's almost half a days drive there. How will you get there in time?" said April, after giving Jennifer something for the pain.

"There is a way." said Sephie, who stood in the doorway. "But I'll need to use your computer, Donnie."

"No problem. April, can you keep an eye on Jennie while I help Sephie?"

"You don't even have to ask, but please hurry, both of you."

A few minutes later, Donatello had set up his computer for Sephie and returned to the med-room.

"Come on, pick up." Sephie said while the call got connected. Seconds ticked by without anyone answering, but finally, someone answered.

"Y'allo, Rattletrap speaking."

"Ryan, it's Sephie."

"Hiya, gorgeous! How's it going?"

"Not good. Listen, we need help, and it's an emergency."

"An emergency? What's going on?"

"It's Jennie. She's… dying."

"What? No, not the little lady. What happened?"

"It's a long story. We need to get her to the well."

"Say no more, I'll start up the Ninjet an' be over in a jiffy. Just tell me where to go."

Little more than an hour later, everyone was gathered in a nearby scrapyard, even April and Casey were there. Tyroth carried Jennifer in his arms, having wrapped her in a blanket to keep her warm. She drifted in and out of unconsciousness constantly.

After another few minutes, they heard the soft hum of the Ninjet's silenced engines as the jet decloaked and descended. Landing in an open area, the hatch opened and the mutants and humans boarded the Blackbird-like vehicle.

"Alright, everyone buckle up, 'cause this will be a none-stop express flight." said the rat mutant Ryan from the cockpit when he prepared to take off again.

The trip to Chicago was agonising long, it felt like it would take forever. Jennifer continued to drift between consciousness and unconsciousness, occasionally coughing rather violently and sometimes even coughing up some blood. She didn't have much time left, anyone could see that, but the question that haunted everyone was; would she make it?

After landing the jet in the combined warehouse-hangar, they entered the sewers and walked at a high pace towards the entrance to Mutopia.

Once inside, Erica and Richard had to stop for a moment to admire the village that lay before them, but only for a very brief moment.

A humanoid wolf in a leather vest and jeans met the group as the continued over the plaza.

"Gramps' waiting at the temple, so are the Knights." said Jack the wolf as he accompanied the others, hurrying through the village and out into the cavesystems.

A few minutes later, they saw a tunnel with half a dozen mutants standing outside it. One of them, an elderly turtle with white beard, nodded to Tyroth, as the dragon carried Jennifer into the tunnel. But when Richard and Erica tried to follow their children, the old turtle stopped them by blocking their path with his cane.

"I am sorry, but I can not allow you into the temple." he said.

"Why not? It's our daughter, we should be with her." said Erica.

"After what happened to Sephie during Tyroth's mutation, only Mutopians are allowed in the temple, to avoid accidents. It is for your own sake."

"Please understand." said Sephie. "This is very difficult for Tyroth. He wanted you to live a normal life, if any of you were to be mutated by accident, it would devastate him."

Erica and Richard understood what Sephie meant, they wouldn't mind if they were mutated too if it meant that they could be together with their children, but they hadn't given a thought to how they might feel about it. Looking into the dark tunnel, all they could do now was to wait and pray.

Tyroth entered the temple and hurried to the well, when he felt Jennifer shift in his arms.

"Ray-Ray?"

"Hang in there, Jen-Jen. We're here now."

"Ray-Ray… I'm scared..."

"I know, I felt the same way."

"It's… so… cold..."

Tyroth knelt by the well and scooped up some water with his hand and brought it to Jennifer's face, but she didn't move.

"Jen-Jen? No… no no no no, stay with me!"

He brought his hand to her mouth and poured the water down her throat, making sure that she swallowed it.

"Come on, don't leave me!"

Back outside thee tunnel, everyone was waiting impatiently and quietly, there was nothing else they could do at the moment, but it didn't sit right with the Mutopians that it was so quiet in the tunnel as well. They all knew that the mutation was extremely painful and they had all screamed during it, so the fact that they hadn't heard even a faint echo made them fear that the worst had come to pass.

Looking down the tunnel, Sephie was deeply worried for Jennifer, but also for her mate. They had both been very sad when they couldn't see their families again, and Tyroth had been so happy after they had run into Jennifer, loosing her like this would destroy him.

Continuing to look into the darkness, movement caught her eyes.

"Hey, I think someone's coming." she said, her heart beating faster. The others reacted the same way when they turned their attention towards the tunnel.

They all saw the movement in the dark, and after a short while, they could see that it was Tyroth walking towards them. Alone and his eyes wet from tears.

Sorrow started to fill their hearts as it become clear what had happened. They were too late.

As Tyroth came closer, he stopped and looked back into the tunnel. Then, a second figure walked into view, and the spectator's hearts skipped a beat. She was alive.

Soon, the siblings were at the end of the tunnel and were met by a joyful group. Erica couldn't contain herself and pulled her daughter into a big hug, tears of happiness running down her cheeks. Richard was too stunned to move, taking in Jennifer's new appearance.

Her eyes were still dark-brown and she still had her blond hair that reached her shoulder, but that was pretty much the only real similarities she had with her human form. Now she was a mutant lizard, much like Monalisa and Sephie, but still different. Having four fingers and three toes, all with claw-like nails, and a flat tail with spike-like frills along the ridge, her scales were a darker greyish green colour.

"She's a lizard too? If this keeps up, the lizard girls will outnumber us turtle guys." said Michelangelo.

"From the looks of her, I'd say that she is a marine iguana, she has the laterally flat tail, colour and claws of that specie." said Donatello.

"Just keep your hands to yourself, she's still my sister." said Tyroth.

"Oh, my sweet little girl. I was afraid that you were gone."

"I'm sorry that I scared you, Mom. The tail threw me off my balance, so I lagged behind a bit."

"As long as you're alive and well, we're happy." said Richard.

"It is a very terrible series of events that you have been through, and it pains my heart that you had to come here to survive." said George. "But the fact that we were able to give you a second chance, warms within. And, as is tradition, you are allowed to take a new name to go along with your ner life."

"New name? What do you mean?" Richard asked.

"As a symbol of our 'rebirth', we leave our old life behind and start a new with a new identity. But we never forget who we were or where we came from. Tyroth and Sephie did the same, not just to protect you from harm, but to begin anew." George explained.

"Hm, well I've actually thought about this for quite a while, just in case something would happen to me." said Jennifer.

"I see, and what might you have chosen then?"

"I want my new name to be… Amber."

"Then that is what you shall be called from now on, child. Welcome to our family, Amber."

"Thank you, George. There is one thing that I'd like to talk with you all about though."

"What's on your mind?" Sephie asked.

"Well, I'm not sure all of you will agree with this, but… I want to join the Chicago Knights!"

"Hold on! Now, I'm all in favour of having another member, but I'm not sure that this is such a good idea." said Sarah the cheetah.

"Are you really sure about this, Jen- ehm, Amber?" Erica asked.

"I am, just as I was when I helped Tyroth. And I still got all the skills I was given, not to mention the swords, and I want to put them all to good use, just like the rest of you."

"As long as you're careful, I don't see anything that could stop you." said Tyroth. "I know that you can take care of yourself, and that you'll have our backs just as we'll have yours."

"Does that mean...?"

"It does. I'll let you join us as crimefighters."

"I would like to object, but you're a big girl, and if this is what you want to do, I won't stop you." said Richard, hugging his daughter. Erica nodded in agreement.

"Thank you, for everything, Dad, Mom."

"Hell yeah! More girl-power to the team!" the viper called Kate yelled.

"Welcome to the team!" said Percy the grasshopper.

"Now then, if there is nothing else, how about a tour for all of those that have not been here before." said George and led the group back to the village.

With the Foot out of commission for a while, the turtles, Monalisa, Splinter, April and Casey decided to stay a few days and have some fun with their friends, they had all earned it.

Richard and Erica had their lives completely changed, with both their children alive as mutants not being what they had hoped for, if was far better than the alternative. Once Tyroth had gotten in contact with Hugh, his parents were given new identities, while Amber's old one had to be declared dead for all terms and purposes. Still, the family was reunited, and the siblings were happy that their parents would come and visit from time to time.

And so ends A Sister's Plight. How many of you thought that Jennifer actually died in this chapter? I sure would have if I didn't know the outcome.

I really hope that you've enjoyed this story, it has been in the works for over a year, and even if it was shorter than Mutants Misplaced, I'm proud over what it became.

Also, I really hope that you liked this, Bloodrayne666, after you writing A Dangerous Captive as a gift to me, I wanted to return the favor. So, here, I dedicate this to you.

With that, I'll see you in my coming stories, should have one up in about a week of writing this, so keep your eyes open. :D