Brain Box 3
This takes place in the 2003 series in season 4 during the Outbreak. In this story Mikey has powers from BrightLotusMoon's storyline (which she has given me permission to use and she's also given me her brilliant insight to this story too)
" " Means talking
' ' Means thinking
( ) Means telepathy
"" "" Means Mind-Link
''''''
When Leo woke up some hours later, he was met with silence. Normally Leo liked the peaceful silence of the early morning when he got up, however this time the silence was making him feel really uneasy.
Last night was one of the roughest nights sleep he'd ever had, among others. Though he wasn't surprised. With everything that's happened in the last 10 or so hours, he'd be surprised any of his family were able to sleep at all.
Nevertheless he stepped out of his room to check on Donnie. He was surprised to find that the Lair was quiet, he didn't hear the muffled roars of his imprisoned younger brother nor the hard thuds of his fists hitting the glass of the Containment Unit.
'Donnie must've worn himself out.' He thought.
However his anxiety rose to the roof when he saw that the Unit was open, yet… Donnie was still inside it? Even from where he was standing he could see the massive form of his younger mutated brother inside the unit.
When Leo stepped closer to make sure that his eyes weren't playing tricks on him, he confirmed that Donnie was still in the Containment Unit that he and Leatherhead designed, sleeping… peacefully inside.
'But then why is the Containment Unit ope…'
His question died in his mind when a soft snore caught his attention, that didn't sound anywhere close to the low rumbling sounds of sleep that Donnie was making.
Tilting his head over a bit he caught the sight of something bright orange. Leo then stepped to his right and he saw his baby brother, asleep, inside the Unit with Donnie. He had to clamp both hands over his mouth to keep from shouting, not wanting to wake Donnie.
'Mikey, what in the name of Bushido are you doing in there?!'
Mikey groaned softly but remained asleep. Though a soft rumbling growl came from Donnie, making Leo step back from the Unit. Luckily the massive turtle didn't wake up. Instead he gently pulled the sea green turtle closer to him without disturbing the youngest turtle from his slumber.
"Oh crap." Leo muttered softly.
"Yo Leo." A groggy Raph greeted, "What's go'in…" He paused when he noticed that the Unit was open as well as finding Mikey inside it with Donnie, "What the fummm muumph!"
"Shhhh!"
Both older turtles turned back to the Unit, both of them breathing a sigh of relief that Donnie didn't move nor did he wake up.
Raph pushed Leo's hand away from his mouth, "Leo, what the fuck is Mikey doing in there?!" He exclaimed quietly, well as 'quietly' as he could manage.
"I don't know, I found him in there with Donnie just before you got here." Leo whispered back.
"Wha… what the hell is that knucklehead thinking?!"
"Again Raph I don't know."
"We gotta get him outta there."
Leo shook his head, "We can't, not without waking up Donnie and I don't know about you but I don't want to be on the wrong end of a cranky Donnie for waking him up."
This made Raph freeze. Although Donnie is a pacifist turtle that didn't mean that he's not above getting angry when his sleep was disturbed. Having grown up with the genius turtle, they all knew better than to wake up Donnie especially after pulling one of his all nighters. And who knows how Donnie would react now now that he's… not himself.
"Of all the crazy… that he would… this is…" Raph was between angry and worried that he cursed loudly inside his own mind.
All of a sudden Mikey was jolted awake, clamping his hands over his ears slits, "Auggh! What the shell?!"
Seeing this Leo and Raph immediately felt their anger evaporate to nothing as they immediately rushed to Mikey's side. Carefully extracting from Donnie before they brought him out of the Containment Unit and tried to soothe him.
Donnie stirred in his sleep from Mikey's loud outburst before waking up. He looked up and noticed that Mikey was hunched over with his hands to his head, he also spotted the other two turtles hovering over Mikey. He didn't know what was going on but seeing his youngest kin in discomfort made him angry.
"Easy Mikey, it's okay." Leo soothed.
"Rrrrrrrooorr."
This made the oldest turtles stiffen.
"Please tell me that was you stomach."
"It wasn't."
"Leonardo, Raphael, behind you!" Leatherhead's voice called out.
Both turtles turned to find Donnie looming menacingly over them, a low growl rumbling in his throat causing Leo and Raph to tense up.
"Ohh…"
"Shit."
"Rrrrrrrrr!"
"Donnie No!"
Everyone paused. All eyes turned to see Mikey pushing himself to sit up from the ground before Donnie reached out to steady him. The action made Leo and Raph tense.
Leatherhead wanted to go over and help in case Donnie decided to attack but Splinter stopped him.
Mikey looked up at his mutated older brother, "Leo and Raph weren't hurting me bro, they were helping me." The feral turtle did nothing but stare at the sea green turtle, "I know that you were protecting me, but so were Leo and Raph." Mikey explained gently.
The feral turtle turned to Leo and Raph then sniffed at them both. The action made both turtles stiffen. Donnie's red eyes widened as he stared at the turtles before he turned to his youngest kin.
Mikey nodded, "Leo and Raph are our brothers, our family, our kin. You know them Donnie."
A low rumble came from the feral mutant but it wasn't a growl. Donnie relaxed a little as he eyed the older turtles wearily. He did feel the same familiarity with them as he did with his youngest kin, but then… why was he having trouble trusting them? He didn't know but he trusted his youngest kin.
After what felt like a long time Donnie turned to Mikey, helping him up off the ground and steady him on his feet. He made a little noise that sounded like he was asking if he was okay.
"I'm alright, just a headache." Mikey soothed, "Leo and Raph were just checking on me, like big brothers always do." He smiled.
With that he gave Mikey a gentle nudge with his snout.
"Heh heh, I love you too Donnie." Mikey smiled at his mutated older brother before turning to his older brothers. He could sense their feelings, they were a mixture of worry and anger. He also saw that Leatherhead and Splinter were there too.
"So uhh… who wants breakfast?"
''''
Breakfast was… awkward, to put it bluntly. Not that anyone looking in could blame them.
Mikey prepared a big breakfast for his family, buttermilk pancakes with sweet strawberries. It was a little challenging with a 7 foot hulking brother hovering over him, but he didn't mind. He did have a hard time keeping Donnie away from the plate of finished pancakes but he managed.
While he could sense his family's growing worry about Donnie being 'out in the open' and being so close to him, he wasn't worried. He knew that Donnie wouldn't hurt him and he wouldn't let Donnie hurt them either.
Everyone ate their breakfast in silence, except for Donnie who loudly wolfed down the large stack of pan sized pancakes that Mikey gave him. It was… a little disturbing and a little gross watching the feral turtle devour his meal.
During the 'morning' meal Mikey was having a telepathic conversation with his family so as not to upset Donnie. And right off the bat…
(WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING MIKEY?! NOT ONLY DID ME AND LEO FIND THE CONTAINMENT UNIT OPEN BUT WE ALSO FIND YOU SLEEPING IN THE UNIT WITH DONNIE!)
Mikey groaned from the pain vibrating in his head from Raph's yell, it felt like his brain was pulsating inside his skull and the ringing wasn't helping either. He knew that his family wouldn't be happy with him for opening the Containment Unit but it's not like Donnie went on a rampage or anything. He was with Donnie the whole time.
Seeing this Splinter chimed in, (Raphael calm yourself.) He scolded, (Michelangelo why did you let Donatello out of the Containment Unit?)
(I didn't let him out, Donnie never came out of the Containment Unit while I was with him.) Mikey corrected.
(Mikey.)
Mikey sighed, (I opened it to calm him down because he was getting upset last night. He doesn't like being in there.)
This time Leo sighed, (Mikey, Donnie's in there because he's not himself. Believe me none of us like locking him up either but he's too dangerous right now.) Leo reasoned.
(But he hasn't done anything dangerous. At least not to me.)
(Did ya not see what he tried ta do ta me and Leo Mikey?) Raph exclaimed.
(He didn't do anything except growl at you guys. And he's just being protective of me is all.) His family gave him looks of 'huh?', (He thought that you and Leo were hurting me so he reacted. For some reason he's having a hard time understanding that we're 'all' his family.)
(What do you mean Michelangelo?) Splinter asked.
(From what I can sense from his mind, he knows that Leo and Raph are his bros but for some reason he's confused. His thoughts and emotions, they're all… muddled together. But for some reason Donnie knows that I'm 'his kin' and he feels protective towards me.)
(Primal instincts.) Leatherhead chimed in.
Everyone turned to Leatherhead, (Primal… instincts?)
Leatherhead nodded, (The mutation caused by the Outbreak has caused Donatello to turn into a… savage creature, and thus he is acting on basic primal behavior. Those instincts are to survive and attack anything that may pose as a threat to him.) He glanced up at the others, (I myself have experienced those same thoughts and feelings when I… would get carried away.) Leatherhead looked down looking shameful of his past rages. He then felt a gentle hand on his arm, it was Mikey, giving him a reassuring smile which he nodded his thanks, (Yet from Michelangelo's explanation and from what we have witnessed last night, it sounds like Donatello is still in there. Perhaps trying to reach out to us somehow and Michelangelo can sense it.)
Mikey nodded, (That's what it feels like to me. I can feel Donnie's presence inside this… thing, but something is blocking me from reaching him.)
(That still doesn't explain why he keeps snarling at me and Raph? And why he keeps coddling Mikey.)
(Perhaps he senses your fear of him.) Splinter answered, (Or perhaps last night's… argument didn't sit well with Donatello.)
Leatherhead nodded, (He is protecting his youngest kin.) He turned his gaze to Raphael, who looked down shamefully. He knew that Raph apologized to Mikey and that Mikey forgave him but even he found Raph's accusations to be uncalled for.
(But as Michelangelo and Leatherhead said, Donatello is still there. So we must not lose hope my sons.)
(So what do we do now?)
(We will continue to find a cure for Donatello and help Leatherhead and Miss O'Neil in anyway that we can) Splinter turned to Donnie who had just polished off his last pancake from his 'plate', (As for Donatello…) He turned to Mikey, (Michelangelo you will continue to keep watch over him.)
(WHAT?!)
"Oww." Mikey groaned quietly.
While the two older turtles made their protests known to their father, Leatherhead placed a gentle hand on Mikey's shell to help soothe his young friend. Mikey could feel his brother's fear at their father's decision and their objections were not helping his developing headache either.
Donnie was eyeing the mutant gator suspiciously but didn't do anything.
"Easy Donnie, it's okay. Leatherhead's part of our family too." Mikey said gently to his feral brother.
(Yami!) This made Leo and Raph stop, Mikey grunted softly before he felt the comforting warmth from his father, (Leonardo, Raphael, I understand that you are concerned for Michelangelo's safety but as you can see Donatello will not harm him. And if what Michelangelo says is true about Donatello then he might be able to reach his spirit.) Splinter turned to his youngest son who was gently stroking Donnie's head, which made the massive turtle purr softly. He couldn't help but smile, (You must have faith in your brother, as I do.)
(We do trust Mikey Sensei. It's just that… well… we're uh…)
(We're worried about him being with alone with Donnie in his… current state.)
(But I've been with Donnie all night in the Containment Unit and nothing happened.) Mikey argued.
(I know Mikey but we can't help but worry about you and Donnie. Not just about you being with Donnie but also for your well being.) Leo explained.
(I'm fine Leo, really.)
(Ya sure didn't look fine when you were making breakfast. You looked like you were about to keel over.)
Leo nodded. He had noticed while Mikey was making breakfast that something off with him. Apparently Raph noticed it too. Their baby brother looked tired and drained, even standing was a little challenging. At first he figured that it was probably because of the overwhelming distress of what's happened to Donnie and because Mikey had slept in the Unit with Don.
When breakfast was done, he watched as Mikey levitated all the dirty dishes off the table and towards the sink but when he stood up to wash them, he stumbled a bit.
Leo was a little concerned by that. That little bit of psionic energy shouldn't have drained Mikey that much. He'd have to consult with Leatherhead and his father some time later about this.
He didn't know what was wrong with his youngest brother but he and the others would keep an eye on him.
And Donnie too.
'''''
Throughout the day everyone went about their business as best and as… normally as they could.
Leatherhead continued working with his and Donnie's notes on the alien outbreak virus in hopes on finding something that would lead to finding a cure to this horrible nightmare. April was combing through the notes, looking for something that could help.
Raph would either disappear into the garage with Casey or start pounding on his punching bag. Just to… keep his mind occupied on… something. He was also trying to avoid Donnie cause he didn't want to upset him again.
Leo would either tend to his katanas or check on his family, but mostly check on Mikey to make sure that he was okay with Donnie. Even though the sea green turtle assured him and the others that Donnie won't hurt him, Leo still wanted to keep an eye on them.
He did inform Leatherhead and Splinter about his concerns about Mikey. Not just him being around Donnie in his… current form, but also what he noticed before and after breakfast.
Leatherhead also voiced his concerns about that and told the blue clad turtle to keep an eye on Mikey, which Leo didn't argue with.
As for Mikey, he spent most of his time with Donnie. The whole time he was trying to reach Donnie's spirit or any part of his brother through talking to him and even showing him family photos. That was a slow going process.
He made sure to stay close to Donnie, or rather Donnie stuck close to him. Basically everywhere he went, Donnie followed him like a puppy… a really BIG puppy.
The only exemption (thankfully) was when the orange masked ninja had to use the bathroom, to which the feral turtle patiently waited outside the door for him.
It was really challenging for Mikey to not only keep Donnie calm and tame but also to keep himself from being overwhelmed by the heavy weight of emotions of anger, worry, and sadness that were hovering in the Lair. It was nearly suffocating him like he was being crushed by a heavy weight while drowning at the same time.
Everyone was suffering from this horrific outcome but for him… it felt ten times worse.
To make matters worse he was feeling… exhausted and achy. He couldn't understand it. He just had lunch and he did his meditation with Leo. What could be wrong?
Mikey heard a soft chirp from his big brother, "I'm okay Donnie, I'm just thinking is all." He smiled when his brother tilted his head.
As though sensing his struggles, Donnie leaned forward and gently nudged Mikey's face with his beak which the youngest turtle returned.
"Thanks big bro." He smiled and just as he felt his brother pull away Mikey suddenly felt his mask tails being pulled upward and his mask being lifted off of his head, "Wha… hey!"
His hands flew up to his face and sure enough his mask was gone. He looked to see that his beloved orange ninja was hanging in Donnie's teeth. He was crouched on all fours, his tail slowly swaying behind him.
"What the heck Donnie?" He reached for his mask only for his massive brother to step back away from him, "Donnie gimme back my mask."
Donnie growled but it wasn't an aggressive growl, no this was more… playful like. Like how a dog growls when they're playing.
"You wanna play?" Donnie growled again in response. Mikey chuckled, "Okay big bro, let's play." He grinned
,,,,,,,
Leo couldn't believe that this was happening. He kept praying that this was all some sick nightmare that he was having, one that he'll wake up from any second now… but he didn't because it wasn't a dream.
After talking to Leatherhead and April about Donatello's condition, he'd learned that the news was not good. The mutant gator gave him and his father the unfortunate news that Donatello's body was being slowly being destroyed from the inside and even with Donnie's notes on what he'd learned about the Outbreak Virus, the chances of finding and obtaining a cure were vastly dwindling down. April confirmed what Leatherhead had said.
Splinter had asked if Mikey's healing powers combined with the Healing Hands could possibly help Donnie. Leatherhead told them that it could possibly slow down the Outbreak Virus's destructive breakdown but not cure him. The amount of energy needed would be too much for Mikey, even fatal.
Both Splinter and Leo agreed that that was an automatic 'No'. But now they were stuck again on how to fix this and cure Donnie.
There had to be something that they could…
"LEO! LEATHERHEAD! MASTER SPLINTER!"
Raph's shout had the three mutants and April rushing out of Donnie's lab. When they got to the labs entrance they saw Donnie chasing after Mikey around the living room.
The sea green ninja was darting left and right with Donnie right on his heels. His orange ninja mask clutched tightly in his right hand as he ran from his mutated older brother.
Donnie suddenly dropped to all fours while keeping up with his youngest kin. Soon he was gaining on the fleeing turtle before leaping up and grabbing Mikey. Whilst in the air Donnie twisted his body around so that his shell landed and skidded on the ground, with Mikey still in his arms, before stopping.
Leo was about to run and grab his tranquilizer gun when he heard… laughing?
"Ha ha ha ha ha! Okay… okay Donnie! You caught me! You win!" Mikey laughed.
Donnie pushed himself up with one arm whilst still holding his baby brother before setting the smaller turtle down. He let out a deep chirp.
"You totally cheated bro." Mikey gripped playfully.
Donnie let out another few grunted chirps. As though to say 'I did not'.
"You did so. Running on all fours is against the rules."
Donnie grunted again, like he was arguing 'It is not'.
They were soon interrupted by a loud voice shouting, "What The Shell Is Going On Here!"
Mikey was nearly knocked back from the strong wave of anger coming from his two elder brothers as they approached him and Donnie. Thankfully Donnie was there to steady him, his red eyes focused on the other two turtles.
"Hey bros." Mikey greeted.
"Don't 'hey bros' us Mikey. What the shell were you doing?!"
"Raph chill, me and Donnie were just playing ninja tag."
"Playing… Ninja Tag…"
Seeing that his brother was about to lose control of his temper Leo chimed in before Raph could say anything, "Mikey why would you coax Donnie into playing Ninja Tag?"
"I didn't, Donnie started it. See Donnie took my ninja mask and when I tried to get it back from him, he wouldn't give it back. He was doing that crouch thing that Klunk does when she's playing with her toys. So that told me that Donnie wanted to play. So we started playing Ninja Tag. I managed to get my mask back, then Donnie chased me and then he caught me." He grinned
Unfortunately it didn't help ease his brother's frustrations.
"Mikey, why would play Ninja Tag with Donnie when he's not himself? You could've been hurt!"
"Donnie wouldn't hurt me! And he was trying to help me."
"Help You?! How? By tackling you when he coulda crushed you!?"
"Donnie wouldn't…"
Donnie watched with rising anger as the two elder turtle berated his youngest kin. This… was familiar to him but he didn't understand why the blue and red clad turtles were verbally attacking his youngest kin and he didn't like it. Donnie heard a groan come from Mikey as he rubbed the sides of his head. To Donnie that meant that his youngest was hurting and 'nobody' hurts his youngest kin.
Donnie let out a deep throat growl as he eyed the two turtles, which made them step back in fright. Before either brother could even think Donnie grabbed both of the frightened turtles and lifted them off the ground.
This alerted everyone else in the Lair. Leatherhead rushed over to help with Splinter right beside him.
"Donatello stop!" Splinter yelled, his command made the massive turtle stop. He started to calmly but cautiously walk towards Donnie, "Donatello please, be calm my son."
Donatello hissed and growled at the rat master, this made Splinter stop in his tracks. The feral turtle began tightening his grip on Leo and Raph.
"Donatello let them go!" Leatherhead yelled but the feral mutant roared at him.
"Donnie No!" Mikey yelled then without hesitation he leapt onto Donnie's shell, "Donnie please calm down! They're our family remember?"
He pleaded placing a hand on Donnie's head to focus his energy, hopefully to calm him down, then everything went dark and silent.
''''''
Mikey opened his eyes and found himself lying in the middle of the Lair… but there was no one around. He looked around and to his shock and confusion nobody was around.
What the hell was going on?!
Taking some deep breaths to calm himself from panicking, as being left alone was one of his worst fears, and to focus on locating his family. Even though he could feel everyone's energy close by he couldn't see or hear anyone.
"What the… where is everyone?" He looked around the empty Lair, "Leo?" He called but no answer came, he tried again, "Raph? Donnie? Sensei? Leatherhead? Are you guys here?"
Again he was met with no response. Only the sound of his own voice echoing in the room.
Then he felt a strong wave of sadness and despair coming from… Donnie's lab?
"Please don't hurt them… They're my family…" Came a familiar voice
"Donnie?"
Mikey made his way towards Donnie's lab, as he got closer to the feeling of despair got stronger. He was almost brought to his knees with each approaching step, he focused his concentration to push the feeling back. When he reached the Lab he stopped in his tracks when he saw a familiar shape hunched over Donnie's desk.
It was Donnie. The real Donnie.
Mikey smiled at the sight of his immediate older brother but his smile quickly vanished when his heard sniffing and saw his brother in distraught.
"Donnie?"
"I'm sorry… father… my brothers… everyone…" Donnie sobbed, "Whatever happens… please forgive me. I can't stop it… I've tried but it's too strong for me…"
Mikey slowly approached his brother, "Donnie?"
Donnie lifted his head from his arms, then he turned and gasped when he saw Mikey standing behind him.
"Mikey…? Is it… is it really you?"
Mikey smiled at his older brother, "Yeah it's me Donnie-boy."
Hearing that nickname was all that was needed for Donatello to immediately get up from his desk chair and pull his baby brother into a sobbing shell crushing bear hug. The two turtle brothers hugged each other tightly, their faces wet with their tears.
"Easy Donnie." Mikey soothed.
"I can't believe you're really here." He, reluctantly, pulled away from the embrace but didn't break physical contact with his brother, "How are you here?"
"I… have no idea. Last thing I remember was my head hurting and then jumping onto your shell to stop you from attacking Sensei and crushing Leo and Raph and then… I wound up here..."
"Mikey?"
"Uh-ha, sorry if this sounds a little Star Treky Donnie but I think… I think my powers made me do a mind meld thing, when I put my hand on your head."
Donnie's eyes widened at Mikey's explanation. Their father and Leo had been helping Mikey with his spiritual connections with his powers and trying to get them under control through meditation. Leo had mentioned that they had met in the spirit world a few times.
Was this one of them? Or did Mikey unknowingly connect his spirit with his in desperation?
"Your powers must've somehow stunned the monster before letting you find your way here."
Mikey just nodded cause that was the best and only explanation that made sense.
"How long do you think… it will stay knocked out?"
"I have no idea." Then a horrible realization struck the brainy turtle, "I was about to attack our family… wasn't I?" His voice quivered.
Mikey hesitated but he knew that he couldn't lie to Donnie, "Well… kinda. You were actually defending me from Leo and Raph cause they were yelling at me."
Donnie was horrified by what he'd just heard, it also confirmed his worst fears.
"It's getting stronger. The mutation's hold on me is getting stronger and I feeling weaker. I can feel it draining the energy from me and no matter what I do… I can't stop it." Donnie said dejectedly as tears filled his eyes.
Mikey felt his heart break when he heard those words. Finally he pulled his immediate older brother into his arms and hugged him with all his might. Donnie's arms wrapped around Mikey and the two brother held each other for who knows how long. Hugging and crying and Donnie wishing that he could talk to their family… at least one more time…
Hearing that made Mikey's heart hurt even more but then something sparked in his mind. Maybe, just maybe, Donnie could talk to their family. It was a risk because he'd never tried it before but maybe… it could work.
''''''
In the Lair…
Leo, Raph, Splinter, Leatherhead and April didn't know what to make of… what was happening at the moment. One minute Donnie was about to crush Leo and Raph in his massive mutated hands, then the next Mikey jumps on his shell to stop him and then… he stops. He was still holding Leo and Raph in his grip but he wasn't squeezing the life out of them. For the moment at least.
Mikey seemed to have paused too. He wasn't moving or speaking but he still held onto Donnie where the mutated turtle stood.
In the midst of the confusion, Leatherhead cautiously approached Donnie and very gently and carefully extracted Leo and Raph from Donnie's grip. He didn't remove Mikey because he could sense that something was happening with the youngest turtle. He maybe a mutant of science but having been brought up by the Utroms since his mutation he learned quite a few things about psychic and psionic powers.
Leatherhead strongly urged the others not to disturb whatever was happening with Mikey and Donnie, that it could cause harm to them both.
"Do you think Mikey's okay?" April asked.
"Hmm, he do not appear to be in any discomfort or distress. So that is a good sign." Leatherhead observed, "But who knows what is dwelling in Donatello's mind in his current state."
"I don't like this." Raph grunted.
"We know Raph. None of us like it, but what have to wait until something happens."
Raph gave his big brother his 'I know that but I still hate it' look but chose, for once, not to argue cause… well there was no point and he was too worried about Mikey to argue right now.
""Guys….""
All eyes turned back to Mikey and Donnie. That sounded like… Donnie. But… but it couldn't be… it just couldn't…
""Father… L… Leo… Raph…""
Everyone stood in stunned silence. It really was Donnie's voice that they all heard! But it was coming from… Mikey. Suddenly the sea green turtle opened his eyes, they were glowing bright blue.
""Guys? Can you hear me?""
Everyone's eyes widened in shock.
Leo stepped forward, "Donnie? I… is that really you?"
Mikey's lips curled into a smile, ""In a way… yeah it's me.""
Everyone couldn't believe it. Somehow Mikey was able to reach Donnie and now he's talking to them! In a sense. But wait, what about Mikey?
"Heh heh don't worry guys I'm right here too." Mikey's spoke. This made everyone sigh with relief.
Splinter stepped towards his sons, "Donatello are you alright my son?"
Mikey nodded, ""I'm okay father. Well as okay as I can be in this situation…"" Mikey's smile turned into a sad frown.
"Donnie, what's wrong?"
""I'm… I'm also afraid. I'm afraid that I won't make it."" Donnie said somberly, ""Like I told Mikey, I can feel myself growing weaker as time progresses.""
Everyone was horrified by what they just heard, though for Leatherhead and April the news was even more heartbreaking because they also knew that Donnie was on borrowed time.
"Hey don't talk like that Don." Raph spoke, "We'll find a way ta help ya."
""Raph, Leatherhead and I have been studying the Outbreak virus for weeks now and we're nowhere close to finding a cure. We don't have the chemicals nor the equipment to counteract the virus, and the only one who does… is the one who created the virus in the first place.""
The Lair was dead silent, but before anyone could say anything a low growl escaped from Donnie's mouth.
"Guys…" Mikey's voice came out, "I… can't… hang on much longer…"
""Leo, if you have a plan to stop this… please hurry…"" He looked at his family, ""But in case I don't make it… know that… I love you all…""
"Ahhh!"
"DONNIE! MIKEY!"
Mikey let go of Donnie and slip off his brother's shell. Raph, being the closet, jumped into action and caught his baby brother before he hit the ground. Right as he did, Mikey started convulsing badly. He carefully laid the young turtle on the ground, turning him on his side.
"Miss O'Neil grab a pillow! Leatherhead please check on Donatello."
"I'm on it." She nodded racing to grab a pillow from the couch.
Donnie was unconscious on the ground. Leatherhead went over to check on his mutated friend, breathing a sigh of relief when he saw that Donnie was breathing and his pulse was steady.
Leo turned to their gator friend, "Leatherhead, is Donnie okay?"
Leatherhead nodded, "He is unconscious but he is alive. I will take him back to the Containment Unit for scanning to make extra sure." He carefully lifted Donnie up draping one arm over his shoulder before heading to the Unit.
Leo was at a loss. As his father younger brother and April were tending to his baby brother while Leatherhead was taking Donnie back to the Containment Unit, Leo was contemplating about everything he had heard from Donnie and what he'd learned from Leatherhead earlier.
This was an utter disaster, like a tornado mixed with an earthquake disaster! Donnie is slowly dying, Mikey is on the verge of spiritually collapsing, and his family was falling apart right before his eyes.
At that moment, Leo knew what they had to do. He did have a plan, but he didn't like it… no scratch that, he hated it but after learning what Leatherhead said and hearing from Donnie himself, there really was no other option. If there was a chance in finding a cure and ending this nightmare… then they would have to go right to the source for it.
Even if it means making a deal with the very devil himself.
''''''
Sorry for not updating this story in a long time but I'm back and I'm working on it cause I wanna finish this. Hope you guys like it.
