Chapter nine:
Casey closes his eyes as he lays in bed. He swears something feels different a few moments later. He opens his eyes to see a place he's seen before with Splinter standing waiting.
"Welcome Casey." Splinter greets as Casey dips his head in a respectful greeting. "You have been doing very well in leading the rebellion so far. I am very proud of you." His words do fill Casey with warmth and pride at hearing that. "However your biggest test to your leadership skills will be coming up."
Casey is well aware that Splinter is talking about when he will be leading them against Shredder. "Sensei. When this is over I am worried about them wanting to lead the city. Even if we manage to get Leo and Raph back the city might be too scared to let Leo try to lead. So I'm worried they'll look to me instead. It's not really something I want to be doing. However I know that if there is no leader after Shredder the city will fall apart." He stops talking as a hand rests on his shoulder.
"You are thinking much too far ahead. You're worrying yourself over something that hasn't happened yet." Splinter points out to Casey. "When the time comes I know that you'll know what to do. Even if you have to be leader until someone else can be found to take your place. I will help you as much as I can though you should really trust yourself. Things will be figured out, one way or another. For now just put your focus on those looking for your guidance in this rebellion, and making sure you can stop Shredder."
Casey does feel a little better and he nods his head. "Okay Sensei." He agrees to this letting go of those worrying thoughts for now.
"Now then. There are a few new moves I wish to teach you before the big battle." Splinter shifts as does Casey to start a training session.
Casey focuses on the new fighting moves, while just putting his faith in Splinter that everything will figure itself out.
...
Tomorrow is the day of the plan to commence.
Donnie would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous. He raises a hand to touch the scar on his neck. He also has a scar left over on his nose which he was indeed lucky it didn't hit his eyes. He remembers Mikey's new scars with one by his shoulder and one on his jaw and cheek area. He knows that they got lucky to get away with only such injuries. He wonders if they should lie to Leo and Raph about where they got them... Unless the two remember everything. He mentally shakes it off for now deciding that they'll deal with it when that time comes.
First things first they need to take down Shredder freeing Leo and Raph; Plus the city as well.
Donnie glances to Mikey who managed to fall asleep.
Mikey was up a little late the other night helping with one of the rebellion members training. So he was able to fall asleep pretty easily.
Donnie on the other hand isn't as lucky. He carefully gets out of bed, not that it matters as Mikey tends to sleep like the dead, and sneaks out of the room not taking any chances of waking Mikey. He goes for a walk glancing around the mini town the rebellion has built for themselves.
Casey already decided that they'll turn it into a new lair for the turtles once Shredder is gone. He has even been talking with Donnie about new ways to keep people out, since others will know its location. He just thinks that it'll be the best place as the sewers likely don't hold any other good place for it. He is open to new locations if any of them find one for a new lair.
Donnie knows it'll be extra work to shift this whole place around. He however believes that they'll have plenty of time while the city above recovers from Shredders reign. He pauses his thoughts spotting someone sneaking out. He heads to follow this person and as he sneaks closer he notices it to be Casey. He wonders what the other is doing and continues to follow.
Once on the surface Casey goes to a field sitting down to stare up at the sky.
Donnie has a gut feeling that something is bothering the human. He heads over sitting next to him which does surprise Casey. "Hey."
"Hey." Casey turns back to the sky as Donnie does so too after seeing Casey do it. "Do you think the sky will return to normal after Shredder is taken down?" Casey inquires as Donnie blinks at the sky.
"If I had to guess. More than likely. The sky changed due to Shredder's new magic. So with him gone it should react the same way as it would with Leo and Raph. Erasing what he's done with this magic he has." Donnie does notice from the corner of his eye that Casey does relax a little at this.
"That's good." Casey breathes out. "I don't think I could live with the idea of this being the sky forever."
"It'd be a big change." Donnie agrees slightly turning to Casey. "Is that all that's bugging you?"
Casey lets out a breath closing his eyes. His face serious yet concerned. "I know we found out that once we take out Shredder it'll erase his magic and what he's done with it. What if Leo and Raph never turn back to normal?" He opens his eyes halfway truly worried.
Donnie slightly glances away as he can understand why Casey is concerned about this. He hadn't thought of that and now it is worrying him. He doesn't want to end up losing his brothers even after all the effort to save them. He does his best to mentally shake off the thoughts. He needs to respond before Casey realizes that he made Donnie worry too. He doesn't want to put that pressure on the human. He knows that Casey has enough on his shoulders already. "We will just have to trust the process kind of thing. We won't know if it will work until we try. So it is at least worth a shot. Even if it doesn't work then we can figure out something from there. If we worry about every possible outcome then we won't get anywhere. Especially when we need to get some rest." He even finds comfort in his own words making him feel better.
Casey turns to look into Donnies eyes for a moment before closing them taking a breath. "Yeah. I suppose you are right on that." He chuckles softly. "The insomniac of the group reminding me to not think about every possible outcome has some irony to it." He chuckles more as Donnie playfully hits the back of his head.
Donnie is also smiling though.
Casey calms down from his laughter and shares the smile with Donnie. "Guess we better go get some rest then."
"I guess so." Donnie agrees so the two head off with Donnie feeling more ready for bed.
The next day...
Donnie, Casey and Mikey are all crouched together in the same spot. They are hiding to wait for an opening to sneak in.
The other members of the rebellion are going to distract the guards. They are also ready to even possibly have to face Leo or Raph, with the idea of having someone distract them which is a volunteer type thing, though the hope is that Raph and Leo will protect Shredder so the other three can deal with them.
Donnie can still feel his heart pounding in his chest even with this thought out plan. He knows it'll be a difficult fight with a high chance of death. He snaps himself away from his thoughts as the other members of the rebellion attack the guards out front do the mayors building. He watches as others even rush in to distract the guards inside to draw them away. He made sure those going inside knew the layout by heart to lead the guards away from Shredders room. He starts to count down the seconds as they wait the five minutes for the others to do their distraction work. His countdown ends in his head and as if on cue Casey starts moving. He follows with Mikey right behind him.
The three get in through a window careful to not make themselves known. They carefully sneak through the hall ducking against a wall, instead of turning left, as some rebellion members run past with Footclan soldiers chasing them with all of them heading past the turn to where the three are currently. They go in the direction that the group just came from finding that their path is indeed pretty clear.
So far so good with that then.
Donnie almost swears to himself when their luck runs out as they peek around the corner.
There by the entryway to Shredders room are Raph and Leo. They are clearly ready to fight and kill any intruders.
Donnie pulls out his bo staff.
Mikey gets his nunchucks.
Casey ducks further back to let them go ahead them wait for an opening. He needs to get to Shredder without being spotted for the best chance of winning.
Donnie glances to Mikey meeting his eyes briefly. He can tell that they both know that it is now or never; After all they only need to distract Raph and Leo long enough for Shredder to be killed. He shares a nod with the other then they head to go confront Raph and Leo.
The two mind controlled turtles spot them almost immediately and charge for them.
Donnie tackles himself into Leo while Mikey goes for Raph. He feels one of Leo's sword managing to get a cut on his arm. He still tries to shove Leo down. He needs any sort of upper hand he can get. He manages to use his staff to knock away the next swings of Leo's katana. He can feel Leo shifting his weight to throw him to the floor. He tries to get away not standing a chance to resist it.
Leo grabs him and manages to throw Donnie to the floor.
Donnie quickly rolls away just in time as Leo lands where he just was. He moves away to redo his strategy. He for a moment gets to spot Mikey fighting.
Mikey swings his nunchucks managing to knock away Raphs sais. He has to jump back soon after as Raph charges forward. He clearly knows that in strength he's outmatched. He is going to need more slippery tactics if he is going to win.
Raph charges at Mikey with a snarl of anger. He slams one sai down to try to knock away the nunchucks. He uses the other in a swipe upward to hit Mikey.
Mikey barely manages to dodge the other sai. His arm is hit by the first sai leaving a scratch. He barely managed to pull his arm back enough in time so it may not scar.
Donnie has to focus on Leo again and dodges to the side as the other charges. He has to move even further back when Leo tries to strike him with his katanas. He noticed Leo use it in two directions making it much harder to block both with the staff in time. He then spots Casey sneaking towards Shredders room. He charges Leo feeling like he needs to trust his instincts in order to let Casey get to Shredder. He swings his Bo staff at the back of Leo's head who lowers his head to dodge it.
Leo's swing of his katana manages to hit Donnies shell which does hurt just not as bad. His swing leaves a new scratch across his torso.
Donnie almost wonders if it's Shredder trying something when he notices something.
Leo's other katana is quickly coming his way!
Donnie barely manages to block the katana with his staff. He barely has time to register the sound of a katana being dropped. He is grabbed by his throat making him gasp. He is about to swing his staff to try to knock Leo away.
Leo sees this and tosses him away making Donnie hit a door which slams open.
Donnie lands on his back in this emptied out room. He is about to get up when he notices Mikey landing next to him. He shifts up just in time to see Raph and Leo stalk into the room. He knows that it is just the mind control though he swears there is a murderous gleam in their eyes. He quickly gets to his feet as does Mikey. He starts to reach for his gadgets hoping for any sort of help. He turns to his waist pouch with wide eyes realizing his gadgets are gone! He looks to Leo who shifts a katana to show one of the gadgets.
Leo must of remembered where he kept them, thus giving the information to Shredder, and stolen the gadgets before Donnie can use them.
Donnie swallows a little harshly. He hopes that they can manage this until the two are free from Shredders control. He then quickly checks his phone when Casey sends a text.
He's not here! Shredder made his escape before I even got to the room!
"Fuck!" Donnie puts his phone away focusing on the two mind controlled turtles. "Shredder got away!" He barely finishes telling that to Mikey when Leo and Raph charge at them. He knows that now they just need to escape and just hope that the next time they'll manage it. He just knows that without his gadgets that is easier said than done. He uses his Bo staff to block Leo's attempt to use both katanas together in a single downward swing. He takes a brief second to glance at the room.
No windows and no vents that can be easily or quickly reached. The only way out alive is through the door.
Donnie manages to nod to the door, as Mikey glances at him after barely dodging an attempted pin to the floor by Raph, telling Mikey that they have to try to make it out the door. He doesn't have to tell Mikey that their chances of survival are very low. He just has to hope that they'll be able to get away. He manages to shove Leo's katanas with his staff. His eyes slightly widen when he realizes that gadget Leo has is the last resort grenade like bomb.
Leo jumps back tossing the bomb at the same time.
Mikey seems to have realized and tries to hurry towards him to try to help.
Raph moves back to try to not be hit by the blast.
Donnie tries to hit it away only for it to explode upon impact. His is thrown backwards with his staff being knocked from his hands. He can also feel the sting of the burn from the blast; glad that he didn't make it powerful enough to kill. He lands on his back hard managing to spot Mikey hit the floor more towards the other side of the room. His ears are ringing and it takes him a moment to realize that the pieces on the floor are his Bo staff. He had shattered his own weapon with that blast! He gasps as Leo leaps onto him with a snarl, which Donnie can tell by the exposed teeth in an angry expression. His ringing in his ears are starting to calm down a little slowly. He doesn't care if it's because it's getting better or from adrenaline. He desperately reaches for one of the pieces of his staff.
Leo raising a katana ready to deliver the final blow.
Donnie's hand bumps against one piece that might be big enough to help. He has no choice but to do what he has to in order to survive. He tries to shift a little more over to be able to grab the jagged spike like piece. He almost swears things start to go in slow motion as Leo's katana starts to head towards him. He almost has it... Just a little more... He shifts just slightly more over now being as far over as he can be. He gasps as Leo's katana stabs into the floor right by his head. His heart pounding in his chest even replacing the ringing in his ears. He glances away from the katana to the piece of his staff that he's trying to grab. He manages to use the tip of his finger to roll it close enough to grab it. He looks to Leo a little tearfully.
Leo has started to raise the katana again to try to kill Donnie.
"I'm sorry." Donnie manages to get out knowing that he has no choice. He has to pick his own survival in this situation. He almost swears that there feels like some ghostly presence nearby. He swears he feels a familiar fatherly like assuring hand on his shoulder. He swings the piece of his staff at Leo closing his eyes not wanting to see the impact. He feels it hit something solid sliding in with some resistance before being stopped. He also feels something wet, no doubt blood, fall down onto his body. He finally opens one eye, soon followed by the other, as he hears a slight gasping sound.
Leo is hovering there with the broken piece of Bo staff stabbed into his throat. His throat soaking itself with blood dripping from the wound; a scene which Donnie can almost physically feel burning itself into his mind. He drops the katana that was halfway towards Donnie. His mind controlled eyes fade away showing his normal self. He looks to be relieved before the life starts to fade from his eyes. His eyes close and as Donnie lets go of the spike like piece of wood, his lifeless body slumps down on top of Donnie's.
Donnie lays there for a few moments with his thoughts whirling over what just happened.
Meanwhile...
Mikey gasps as Raph shoves him down against the floor. His nunchucks having been knocked away by Raph when Mikey was still recovering from the blast. He looks up to a raged Raph. His one hand reaching for a hidden sharp ninja star in his weapon holding belt. He blinks up at Raph silently pleading with him with teary eyes to not make him do this. He hopes that maybe just maybe he can get through to the other. He doesn't see any sign that he reached past Shredders mind control.
Raph brings a sai up ready to kill Mikey.
Mikey's instincts to survive kick in as he quickly uses the ninja star to slash Raph. He hits the others throat slicing it open. He sits there as blood falls onto him, with his eyes wide in shock at what he had just done. His mind forever taking in the image before him.
Raph's mind controlled eyes fade away revealing his own eyes. He gives a look of peace as if after so long peace has finally reached him. His eyes turn lifeless with his eyelids closing. He collapses onto Mikey limp without any life left in him.
Mikey shoves Raph off of him, the body of his brother falling to lay on his right side, and scrambles back. His heart and mind racing as he tries to calm down from his shocked slight panic to process fully what he did. He almost swears his heart is going to leap out of his body. He takes a few gulping breaths when a ghostly yet fatherly hand is placed upon his shoulder. He manages to calm down a little and glances around for Donnie. He spots Donnie who manages to wiggle out from under Leo's lifeless body.
Leo's body flopping down onto its front with his head tilted so the left side is on the floor.
Donnies eyes flicker to Mikey and the two let their eyes lock for a moment.
Both of them having tears in their eyes. Which only worsen as they fully realize their brothers are gone forever! Their hearts so heavy they swear that they fell into a dark depressing void. They turn when someone hurries into the room only to freeze just past the doorway.
Casey slows to a stop with wide eyes as he takes in the scene before him. His mouth open as if he either was about to say something, or as another sign of his shock. He falls to his knees with tears filling his working eye. He can tell that Leo and Raph are truly no longer with them.
The three let tears fall down their cheeks as they mourn the loss of Leo and Raph. They don't know it at the time though they all share the same thought in that moment.
Shredder will pay for causing this to happen.