Ch 23

Mikey and Donnie stood outside the arena of the Battle Nexus searching the hallway for Raphael. Every now and then Mikey would look down at his phone with a worried expression while Donnie peeked inside the arena and watched as Leo and Usagi, along with several other competitors, practiced the martial art skills.

"Gee Donnie," Mikey again looked down at this phone, "I thought Leo said Raph would be here by noon," He looked at Donnie with a worried expression, "But it's almost twelve fifteen and he's still not here."

Donnie looked from Mikey back to Leo, watching as the blue clad turtle was helped off the floor by Usagi, "I'm sure Raph will be here Mikey," He attempted to assure the younger turtle but even Mikey could detect the slight amount of worry in his voice, "I can't imagine he'll disappoint Leo after he promised he would be here."

"What is the problem Leonardo?" Usagi asked as the two friends got into a fighting stance.

"I'm sorry Usagi," Leo told him, twirling his sword, "I keep looking over to the entrance hoping to see Raph," Leo shook his head, "He said he'd be here and I've got Mikey and Donnie keeping a lookout for him so they can make sure he sits with them in the seats for the coach and families but so far he has yet to show up."

"Let your brother and his husband keep a lookout for your boyfriend Leonardo," Usagi told him sternly as he swung his sword at him. Leo quickly blocked and looked at his friend in surprise as the two pushed each other away, "You need to stay focused so we can make it to the finals," He smiled mischievously as the two began to circle each other, "I want to put on a good show for the audience." With a loud shout, Usagi lifted his sword and ran toward Leo.

Donnie winced as the two swords hit hard and a resounding battle cry echoed throughout the arena causing everyone nearby to turn and watch the two friends battle fiercely.

"Hey Mikey," Donnie looked at him thoughtfully, "Maybe Raph's outside the building," He shrugged, "He may just not know where to go."

"It's possible," Mikey nodded and the two made their way toward the exit, "Let's go outside and see if we can find him."

They made their way out of the stadium and looked around. Almost immediately they saw the red clad turtle several feet away talking angrily to a couple of large muscular humans.

Raph looked around and noted Mikey and Donnie walking out of the arena. He looked back at the two men and snarled at them, "You two need to get out of here," He insisted, "Coming toward us are Leo's brothers and I don't need them getting suspicious so beat it."

"We're holding ya to your promise Raphie," They snarled back as they started walking away, "One way or another."

"Hey Raph," Donnie called out as they neared him, "How's it going?"

"And who were those guys?" Mikey looked at the two humans walking away from them.

"I'm fine and don't worry 'bout them," Raph quickly insisted as he took their arms and coaxed them toward the entrance, "They're just a couple of jerks trying to get me to buy some cheap crap."

Donnie and Mikey exchanged doubtful looks but with a shrug, escorted the larger turtle to where Master Splinter was currently sitting in the bleachers in an area reserved for family and coaches.

"Good afternoon Master Splinter," Raph said with a respectful nod.

"Good afternoon Raphael," Splinter responded as the three turtles took their assigned seats.

"How's he doing father?" Mikey asked with a wave toward Leo.

Splinter hummed thoughtfully as Leo looked over at them and smiled brightly, "Up until a moment ago, I would've said he was not performing at his best," He watched as Leo suddenly began to spar with Usagi vigorously, "But now I would say he is doing quite well."

Raph smiled as Leo and Usagi practiced hard for several more minutes before the head official called all contestants to their positions and at exactly one o'clock, a whistle sounded out and Raph watched eagerly as a variety of mutants and humans paired up and began to spar. Each one determined to win and make it to the next round.

"Wow, Leo's good," Raph complimented as Leo once again bested another contestant.

"He sure is," Mikey responded with a mouth full of popcorn, "But Usagi's just as good," He pointed to where the tall rabbit had just brought down his competitor.

It was almost two hours later when the head referee called the finalist to their corners to rest up for the final round.

"You have done well Leonardo," Usagi complimented as the two met up to walk to where their families and coaches were waiting for them.

"As have you Usagi," Leo gave him a wink, "May the best fighter win."

Usagi gave a slight nod as he walked toward a tall female rabbit with a slightly swollen belly who was smiling brightly at him while Leo walked to where Master Splinter was waiting for him.

Raph followed Donnie and Mikey over to where Splinter was waiting for Leo. As he walked, he looked across the arena to where Usagi was walking to and frowned upon seeing the two large humans he had been talking with earlier walk past Usagi's corner and seemingly bump into the small table that held an open bottle of water.

Raph watched in concern as one of the men picked up the bottle and handed it to the female rabbit with a polite nod. She smiled back at them as she accepted the bottle then handed it to Usagi who took it gratefully and quickly began to drink the cool soothing liquid.

'Oh no,' Raph thought to himself as he watched the two large men walk away, 'What did they do?'

"Hey Raph," Leo's voice cut through Raph's thoughts, "How are you enjoying the tournament?"

"Uh," Raph looked from Usagi to the humans back to Leo, "It's great, you really know your stuff."

Leo smiled at him and took a long cold drink of water, "Maybe one day you and I can do some sparring?" He winked at him as he placed the now empty bottle on the small table by his corner, "I wouldn't mind getting you in the ring."

Raph chuckled nervously as Leo sat down in a folding chair and allowed Splinter to rub his neck and shoulders. He then looked over at Usagi who was currently getting his own rub down from his wife. 'He seems okay,' Raph told himself as the rabbit took his wife's hand and gave it a gentle kiss.

But Raph's relief quickly changed to worry when he saw Usagi stand then put a hand to his head while shaking it slightly. 'I wondered what Mac and his goon did to him?' He looked over at Leo who was also standing and preparing to get back into his position for the final round, 'I should tell Leo,' He looked back toward the humans who were now sitting in the bleachers with the rest of the audience and staring hard at him and it became clear to the turtle they knew he had seen them and their looks were clearly threatening him to keep his mouth shut. Raph looked back at Usagi and watched as he made his way to where he and Leo were to compete, 'Maybe it's nothing.' He attempted to reassure himself as he followed the others back to their seats.

Moments later a whistle sounded out and Leo and Usagi immediately began to battle. But after several long minutes, it became clear to Raph that something was clearly wrong with the white rabbit.

"What's the matter with you Usagi?" Leo asked harshly as the two locked swords.

"I am not sure Leonardo," Usagi told him as he panted hard, "I am suddenly feeling lightheaded."

"Do you want to call for a break?" Leo asked worriedly as they pushed away from each other.

Usagi took a breath and shook his head, "No," He insisted, "Let's give them a show they'll never forget."

The two battled heatedly for several seconds until Usagi started to bring his sword down. Leo quickly blocked and pushed his sword upward forcing Usagi back. The crowd yelled excitedly as Usagi stumbled backward but Leo was shocked to see the large rabbit stagger and look back at him with fear.

"Leonardo," Usagi gasps, "Something….is wrong."

Leo watched horrified as Usagi suddenly collapsed to the floor. He quickly made his way to him as the referee blew the whistle to declare Leo the winner. But Leo ignored him as he leaned over his friend.

"What's going on here?" Leo looks up as the official stands over them.

"I don't know," Leo tells him desperately as he attempts to revive Usagi, "But he needs help!"

Xxxxxx

Several moments later, two paramedics, followed by Usagi's wife Mariko, take Usagi out on a stretcher toward the locker room where a doctor is waiting. After the crowd settles, the referee again declares Leo the Battle Nexus Champion and hands him a trophy which Leo accepts but it's clear to everyone watching he is not feeling at all victorious.

"I don't understand what happened," Leo tells the others as they come down from the bleachers, "One moment Usagi was fine and the next he's collapsing." Leo hands Mikey his trophy and turns away from them, "I'm going to check on him."

As Raph watches Leo walk toward the locker room, he notices the two humans milling around in the crowd smirking at him.

"Hey, aren't those the two jerks who accosted you earlier Raph?" Donnie asks as the two men look away.

"Uh, yeah," Raph tells him as they walk toward the exit of the arena. "I need to use the John," He looks around, "Where is it?"

MIkey points to a small niche where two doors are situated inside, "We'll go see how Usagi's doing then meet you outside," He tells him as Raph walks away.

"Yeah okay," Raph responds and watches out of the corner of his eye as Splinter and the two turtles walk back into the arena and toward the locker room.

After making sure the others were gone, Raph angrily walks toward the two humans, "Whatcha do to that rabbit?" Raph demands as he puts a hand on Mac's shoulder and forces him to turn around.

Mac turns and lears down at Raph, "What's it to ya?" He says, almost laughing, "Ya should be happy we did what we did; that way your bet became a sure one."

"Leo was going to win," Raph insisted, "You didn't have to do what ya did!"

"Just like the Dark Turtles were going ta win over the Super Turtles?" Mac sneered, "Ya couldn't guarantee that one so we didn't wanna take that chance." Mac stepped back and looked down at Raph threateningly while his hired help slowly cracked his knuckles, "Unless ya actually enjoy getting roughed up you should be thanking us. You paid off not only your debt to Spuds but Sid's as well," He shrugged nonchalantly, "Besides we only slipped the guy a sleeping drug so he'll wake up in a few hours with nothing more than a headache," He laughed evilly, "A really bad headache."

"You did what?" The surprised voice coming from behind them had Raph gasping in fear, "Raphael?" Leo slowly walked over to him, "You bet on me?"

"I…" Raph looked at Leo with fear. He was completely speechless and looked helplessly at the other turtles and the large rat standing behind Leo, staring at him with disbelieving eyes.

"How could you?!" Leo yelled, "Why would you do that to me?" He pointed toward the locker rooms, "To Usagi!?"

"Leo, please," Raph attempted as he started to walk closer to Leo. But as he took a step, Leo's hand suddenly struck out and slapped him hard across the face, "Stay away from me!" Leo screamed as he turned away, "And don't ever call me again!"

Raph placed a shaking hand to his cheek and watched in dismay as Leo, followed by Splinter and Donnie, ran back toward the locker room.

The loud laughter sounding behind Raph had him clenching his jaw angrily. "Looks like we saved ya from that one too, Raphie boy!" Mac said as he doubled over in laughter and placed a hand on Raph's shoulder.

Mikey gasped in shock as he watched Raph suddenly turn and with an uppercut movement, smash his fist hard into Mac's jaw sending the thug falling backward to the ground. He winced and placed his hands over his ears as he heard the sound of breaking bone and a loud pained yell escaped Mac's mouth.

Mikey slowly lowered his arms and watched in fear as Raph stood over Mac, his fist clenching hard while the crook rolled on the ground, moaning and groaning in pain. Raph's entire body shook angrily as the second human attempted to make his way toward the red-clad turtle.

"Try it Gus!" Raph yelled out as he put his fist up, "Just try it cause I'm ready to start breaking more bones and I'll do a lot worse to you or any of your gang if you come near me or my family and friends ever again." He gave a swift kick to Mac's groin causing the human to let out another loud yell of pain, "Do you hear me Mac!"

Gus bent down to help his boss, "You'll be back Raph," Gus told him as Raph turned away from them, "We know you can't help yourself and when you come back, you'll be the one on the floor!" But Raph continued to walk away without a glance back, "Do you hear me!?"

Mikey watched Gus help Mac to his feet and the two staggered out of the stadium. He then turned to see Raph heading toward the locker room and quickly took off after him.

"What are you doing Raph?" He demanded as he stepped in front of him, blocking his path to the door.

"I've gotta talk ta him Mikey," Raph told him as he attempted to get around Mikey, "I've got to explain…"

"Explain what Raph?" Mikey shook his head, "Explain how you used him? How you looked the other way when those jerks drugged his friend, how you didn't have a choice?!"

"I didn't have a choice Mikey," Raph stated loudly, "I owed this guy Spuds money and needed to find a way to…"

"You did have a choice Raph," Mikey told him just as loudly and just as angrily, "You always have a choice." Mikey took a breath and looked away from him, "You could've chosen not to gamble; you could've come to Leo and asked him or one of us for help."

"No I couldn't Mikey," Raph insisted, "Believe me, I wish I could turn back time and stop myself from getting involved with them but I can't and now I just want to talk to Leo so please," He again attempted to get around Mikey, "Let me go see him."

But Mikey only shook his head at him, "No Raph," He told him, "You need to give Leo some space so just go away and get yourself straightened out." With a trembling jaw, he started toward the locker room door, " Then after a while, if you still think Leo needs to hear your lame excuses then maybe Leo will hear you out but until then," Mikey sniffed and made his way toward the door, "Just go away."

Raph watched Mikey open the door and step into the room. As the door closed, Raph took a deep breath and slowly made his way out of the building.