Note: References to my fanfics 'Falling inside the Black' and 'United by Fate' appear in this Chapter, also Diablo the Raven belongs to me!
Chapter Sixteen
Resuming Normality?
Whilst James and Dahlia were bringing Donatello out of his coma, Tyroth was holding a meeting with the Chicago Knights in the Dojo.
Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo were there also.
Leonardo had been hesitant to leave Kemeko, but April said she would watch over Kemeko and would call him if there was a problem.
The Asian girl was still healing from her wound, and she was starting to get out of bed and walk a little bit, yet the stab wounds she suffered were still painful, yet her mental wounds hurt even more, due to flashbacks and nightmares she still suffered.
Tyroth looked at all present and when he was confident that everyone who was able too was in attendance, he began to speak.
"Okay, we all know why we're gathered here right?"
The Chicago Knights looked at each other, then back at Tyroth.
"To discuss our current situation?" Jack asked.
"That yes, and also about our routines." The Dragon answered.
Everyone looked up to Tyroth.
"Even though we are looking after our dear friends after we saved them from the Foot, we still need to do our role in patrolling the city." The Dragon said, "Crime is still happening, whether it be petty crime, or Underworld mafia wars."
The Chicago Knights agreed and muttered amongst themselves.
"Yet, we have some who are unable to fight, given their conditions." So saying he glanced at Michelangelo who touched his arm and the others sighed sadly as they thought of Monalisa and Donatello.
Kate noticed Michelangelo looking disappointed and placed her hand on his, and Percy offered comfort as well.
"Don't worry mate!" Percy said, "With Devina's healing, it is getting better quicker than normal right?"
Michelangelo shrugged.
"I suppose." He said "The last time I injured my arm and keep it in mind this is the same arm Diablo…" he gulped as he said the traitor's name and a couple of the Knights winced, especially Sarah and Sharky.
"Where Diablo shot me." He ended "But then it took longer to heal, here though, with Devina's magic, it's getting better quicker."
Devina gave a smile proud smile.
It was true, even though she couldn't heal it straight away given how long Michelangelo had the wound, it was healing faster than normal because of her magic.
But the Vampiress sighed as she thought of how Donatello and Monalisa were still suffering from the venoms and the fact Raphael was still unable to talk.
Her stomach twinged as she remembered the angry look Pandora had flashed at her because she hadn't healed Raphael nor the others but rather had gone after Tyroth to help him, and she felt more determined to try and heal Raphael.
She looked over to Raphael who was sitting and listening, the scars still showing on his throat.
"So far, Hugh hasn't been in touch with any serious concerns, but we should still go out and patrol when we can." Tyroth continued "All in favour?"
Everyone raised their hands saying 'Aye!' as they did.
Raphael of course didn't speak but he made the nodding of his fist as well as raised his other arm in agreement.
"Any questions?" Tyroth asked.
"Uncle T?" Sonia then spoke up and everyone looked at the chameleon.
"What of Pandora?" she asked.
Tyroth frowned.
"How come she wasn't here for the meeting?"
As the Chameleon asked that question, everyone looked at each other and agreed.
"Good point!" Sharky said.
"James and Dahlia did say she was fit to fight again as her wounds have healed quicker." Sarah said.
"That's true!" Heather agreed.
Tyroth frowned.
Since Pandora had left the sickbay after learning her father was unable to talk yesterday, she had been really upset and spent a lot of time in her room, not wanting to speak to anyone and just cry.
Even Sonia, the Geckolings, and Michelangelo had been unable to get through to her, and when the meeting was announced, Pandora didn't join in, despite Michelangelo knocking on her door to inform her.
"She has been very hurt, and she needs time to heal physically." The dragon said "But if you wish to inform her of what we've spoken about Sonia, you may."
Raphael looked worried as well as appalled and he clapped his hands making everyone look at him.
"Raph?" Leonardo asked looking at his mute brother who held up his hands and started to sign, yet he paused not sure what to say.
"Are you worried Raph?" Tyroth asked.
Raphael narrowed his eyes as he nodded and stood up waving his hands as he tried to sign, yet no-one understood what he was trying to say.
"Whoa! Whoa! Slow down Raph!" Michelangelo cried.
"Cool it!" Kate added.
Sephie shook her head and walked over to Raphael grabbing his hands.
"Calm down!" she said "Look, just look at me and mouth what you want to say, I can read your lips!"
Raphael took a deep breath; sweat was forming above his mask, and he was looking red in the face from frustration then he started to mouth to Sephie his feelings.
Sephie focused hard on his mouth as she read his lips.
As she watched Devina thought more about using her magic to help the turtle, and she became even more determined.
After a few seconds Sephie nodded then turned to the others.
"Raphael has his concerns about Pandora," she said, "He fears of Pandora's safety and of her well-being, he could see a lot of anger in her, especially towards the one who took his voice."
"Hanako." Michelangelo growled.
Leonardo also glared as he remembered the woman who stood by Arashi, and he clenched his fist.
Sephie coughed getting everyone's attention and they looked up.
"He is afraid of what Pandora may do, given her impulsiveness, and her anger, as he knows given his own emotions!"
It was then everyone realised, and they agreed.
"True that!" Devina said.
"She's a great fighter, fearless and strong, but impulsive!"
"Raph's right!" Leonardo sighed.
"Like father, like daughter!" Michelangelo chimed in and Raphael nodded closing his eyes in sadness.
Normally Raphael would whack Michelangelo for such a quip but this time, he agreed and in fact he had no desire to whack his brother due to his feelings and given he couldn't talk or quip back.
Sephie looked at Raphael again.
"Look Raph." She said "If it makes you feel any better? Do you want me to talk to Pandora?"
Raphael looked up at the gecko.
"Remember, I did studies and training to be a counsellor." Sephie reminded him.
"Yeah!" The other Knights said.
'And you have helped others when they first came to Mutopia!" Percy quipped.
"Including the traitor!" Heather added.
Sharky and Sarah winced again and glared at Heather who looked guilty.
Sarah had been traumatised a couple of times by Diablo because he had carried her high above the city and threatened to drop her, as well as threaten to shoot her brains out at their next meeting when Lamia was mutated, and Sharky rubbed his neck remembering how the Raven had injected him with meth during an attack.
Tyroth looked at his wife.
"If you think you can help Pandora, then I say go ahead love." He spoke.
"I will talk to her." Sephie promised "See if I can help her in her darkest hour, if she wants to join us, I don't want to deny her, but she has to be in the right state of mind to join us."
"Indeed yes!" Tyroth agreed.
Sephie nodded at her husband, then felt Raphael's hand on her arm.
Turning to the turtle, Sephie placed a hand on his.
"Don't worry Raph." She said, "I'll do my best, I can't promise anything, but I will do all I can."
Raphael gave a small smile and gave the sign language for thank you.
Tyroth then looked at everyone.
"Meeting adjourned." He said and everyone stood up and left the dojo.
In her bedroom, Pandora was sitting on her bed, her hands on her knees and she was staring at the floor.
Since leaving the sickbay, she hadn't left her room for no other purpose other than when she was hungry, even though she could only manage a few small bites, to use the showers on the bathroom, or to sneak into the dojo.
Her anger was so strong, she didn't want to speak to anyone or do anything else, even though the Geckolings, Sonia and even her favourite uncle Michelangelo had tried to talk to her, or even invite her to activities, she had turned them all down.
Her mind was filled with the thoughts of her parents and Uncles conditions and of how Kemeko was suffering because of learning the truth.
She couldn't get the faces of the evil monsters who had hurt her loved ones out of her head, they were circling in her mind, Shredder, Arashi, Dr Arden, Hanako, and the Venomous Five, and she wanted nothing more than to make them pay, make them suffer!
Pandora looked up and she caught sight of her reflection in her dressing table mirror.
Her eyes were bloodshot and there were dark rings under them, both due to lack of sleep and the tears she had cried.
Her hair also fell in a messy tangle in front of her face and almost covered her so she could barely see her features.
She bared her teeth as she looked at herself, and as she did, she noticed a dark shade over her eyes and a more feral look about her.
"Hunt…. Hunt…" she muttered to herself without thinking.
Pandora looked up, then stood up and walked to the mirror, reaching her hand to the glass, and clawing it at the same time.
As she did, she could feel some desires within her soul, almost like something wanting to break free.
"Hunt…. Hunt…" she whispered again "Hunt…them…Hunt them…"
She got closer to the mirror, still looking at her reflection that glared back at her, that feral primal look, then she placed her hand on the glass.
Yet as she did, a knocking was heard at her door, and she jumped back.
"Pandora? Pandora?"
The hybrid jumped away from the mirror and pushed her hair away from her face.
"WHAT!?" she barked.
"It's Sephie!" she heard Sephie's voice from outside.
Pandora shook her head and blinked before quickly going back to the bed and laying down facing the wall.
"May I come in?" Sephie called "I just want to make sure you're alright?"
Pandora glared, but she looked over her shoulder.
"Come in!" she called over before turning back to the wall.
The door opened and Sephie stepped into the room, and she saw her honoured niece laying on her bed with her back to the door.
"Hey!" Sephie called gently yet Pandora didn't answer.
"How are you feeling?" yet the gecko cursed within as that was a silly question, as she knew full well how Pandora was feeling.
Sephie walked over to the dressing table chair and sat down.
"Look, Geisha." She said, "I'm sorry to barge in on your space, but…I just want to check in on you, your father is worried, along with your grandfather and uncles Leo and Mikey."
Pandora looked over her shoulder.
"I know you're feeling hurt and angry," Sephie said "And as I believe, you along with Kemeko are suffering nightmares?"
Pandora frowned.
"Doesn't take a genius!" she said as she rolled over to face Sephie.
Sephie sighed.
"I won't force you to do anything or say anything Pandora." The gecko said fervently "But if you want to talk, I'm here to listen? Alright?"
So Tyroth has said that despite all that's happening, the Knights have to remember their duties, and Sephie has offered to talk to Pandora.
Meanwhile the hybrid might be experiencing some darkness within her...but will anyone notice this? Even Sephie?
Well you'll just have to keep checking in to find out!