Services...

Date: Nov 7th
Time: 5:am
Location: A Saki Inc Laboratories building. Tank Room.



______________________________________________________________________________________________________



She would awake quiet suddenly.

A small gasp and jerk, before blinking in the darkness about. If she had to guess it had been a long quiet night and it was still at least three and a half hours before she would be expected to start work.

And it should mean even with a change over of on guard in the tank room it was still and quiet and time to wake her snuggle turtle and get him to eat, to drink, try and give or help him with whatever pain he was still in, clean him and once back in this space, the dark den give him Slash blood this time.

His deep deep snores where soothing and she listened to them for a moment unsure how she had not noticed them in the hours of sleep?

But a chuckle and she shifts a hand still blind in the dark of the den along his plastron over collar bone and neck, so gently over the stitches and... finding his spot a light stroke around the spot -

She would wake him gently and slowly and aware she was now ovulating she was also stroking the spot as a precaution. Many years with LH having taught her this.

Baxter and alysson talked for a bit. He told her what was expected of her, and at her young age it wasn't much. Mostly some cleaning, maybe running paper work to other parts of the building. But nothing that she couldn't handle.

After their little talk he brought aly to the tank room.

This is the tank room and our final stop of the tour.

He switched on the lights that would illuminate the dully lit room.

Here I keep my pets. Erica has been working with them, though we did have a small incident with Sammy. he's fine though. Wake up everyone! Breakfast will be coming shortly.After wards, Purple. You will be joining me in the lab. You will serve as an educational tool for my young protege here.

Raphael was a little taken aback by the fact that Erica had stayed all night, but he should have known. It was the only reason he had been able to sleep in this shit-hole. She offered comfort and warmth, and a reminder that there was still good in this world.



Leaning into her touches and not feeling at all ridiculous, soft churrs tickling his sore throat. Food didn't sound at all appealing, but maybe a bath...


Then the room's light flicked on and thankfully he was spared by the darkness of the log, but unfortunately he could hear Baxter's booming voice. Oh, how he wanted to rip that asshole into a million pieces! But then something the scientist said caught his attention, urging him onto hands and knees and preparing to crawl out of their little hiding spot....


"Purple- FUCK. He's gonna do somethin' to Donnie...'

She could hear the 'noise' and decided out of politeness, she would keep her eyes closed a few seconds longer until she was certain that he was finished. Gah, she still couldn't believe this and if not for his warmth and the physical contact, she would have been positive that she was dreaming! Unfortunately the reality of their situation was given as a reminder as the lab's overhead light came on and the head scientist made an appearance with a young girl in tow.


The young female turtle's eyes opened and she pushed upright, sinking against Donnie for protection and security. But hearing that the scientist planned on taking her new mate to the lab sparked a fire inside of her. She would NOT allow that to happen!!

Don turned his attention towards the scientist, eyes narrowing. "My name is Donatello - not Purple." He wanted to establish that much with the man. But what he heard next made his blood run cold. Education...tool?? What could that mean? He looked straight at the man, holding onto Mei. He was not going anywhere now that he had Mei. He already agreed to do the whole mating thing with her. He was not going to be experimented on.

"What do you want...?"

And hope of having some time alone with the three big turtles in which she was awake and could work with them more consciously - especially Raph was ruined because Baxter was here far too early! what the heck?!

A frustrated soft sigh and she could hear what was being said and shifted in from of big red momentarily to block his exit from the log. Her voice low and worried - anxious for him. Though she was so small in comparison if he really wanted to get out she of course would not be much of a hinderance. Though she did not intend to be - just wanted him to know she was worried...

"Raph ... please... please whatever he says, don't batter yourself against the tank..."  She could not know her eyes had widened in fear and even sparkled in the little bit of light that now flooded across the entrance of the log, - not fear of him, but for him, and what the presence of Stockman and his words might spark Raphael to do. Her voice soft and low and a plea for his ears alone. " I... could not bare it... seeing you so angry and hurt..." - and it was clear in her voice, on her face that bearing witness to his emotional pain, it had hurt more than she could describe here in the dark log...  with words. "I don't think Stockman has anything but more sample collecting in mind for Donatello - I'm sure..." well... no she hoped.

Her hands - one of which found the trinkets on the dew rag and lightly brushed on them, hoping he recalled her words last night, all of them -Then dropped to the log and she shifts onto knees and begins to crawls backwards out to let him out.

Gathering her bag up from behind the bush as she does so. And pulling her hair up and the back pack on she stands to the side of the log waiting for Raphael. "Morning Dr. Stockman." And she knew she was a clean, well rested visage this time.

Alysson's eyes widened when she entered the tank room. Giant...turtles? At least, that was what they looked like. And they talked! She glanced over at Donatello with utmost curiosity.

She then saw Erica and smiled meekly. She recognized her from when she got her new arm. She seemed nice enough. But, she couldn't fully determine her niceness just yet. She needed to get to know her a bit better first. There was no point throwing herself at Erica just yet. That didn't seem to work out too well with Mel. But maybe if Alyss made a good impression.

People were so nosy. Why couldn't he just say something and others obey? Hopefully Alysson would be more behaved or at least not have so many questions.

Does it matter? he finally answered Don. Fine, if you must know. We're going to have a look inside that brain of yours. As soon as Erica decides she wants to work and not play house with animals, I'll have her bring you to the lab.

Mei melted against Donnie when his hold became protective, and knowing that the scientist had nothing but cruel intent caused her blood to boil. She felt.... angry and protective! The scientist wanted to... look inside his brain?! That probably meant dissection! Were thy seriously going to kill him after pairing them up?? Had they failed to realized that no breeding had taken place? Surely they did not plan to kill Donatello and pair her up with the aggressive one!


She sent a warning glare at Baxter, silently conveying that if he so much as tried to enter this tank to remove him, he would see a side of her that he was oblivious to. Giving Donnie a reassuring squeeze, she nuzzled against him. "I won't let them hurt you..."

Despite the anger, worry and panic, Raphael registered Erica's words, but only just. Right now he could only think about his brother and what that asshole had planned for him. He could only give a nod, gaze trained in the direction of the voices, hearing without fully seeing just yet, muscles aching from the tension and injuries and cramped quarters.



She didn't want him to batter himself, but if something bad was about to happen to his brother, he had to stop it somehow!! His gaze equally pleading to her, wanting to ask her to stop it somehow, but knew he couldn't ask her to risk her life.


Finally, she was moving and he frantically crawled out behind her, his bloodshot angry eyes fixating on the dark-skinned scientist, conveying his promise that once he was out of this tank, he would die!!

Baxter Stockman wrote:

People were so nosy. Why couldn't he just say something and others obey? Hopefully Alysson would be more behaved or at least not have so many questions.

Does it matter? he finally answered Don. Fine, if you must know. We're going to have a look inside that brain of yours. As soon as Erica decides she wants to work and not play house with animals, I'll have her bring you to the lab.

And that wasn't worth knowing? Maybe it wouldn't matter because it didn't look like he had a choice, but - then again - he had some back up. They wouldn't let anything happen. If they could stop it from happening in the first place. Don wasn't so sure.

But he hated the idea of having tests done on his brain. What could it do to him? What kind of information would they take from him? Don didn't like those odds of them just being harmless tests. Especially with someone who was inexperienced with the procedure. Using him as a...tool.

Don held Mei tighter and nodded to her, giving her a grateful smile. Then he glared at the scientist. He would NOT go quietly for sure! Whatever tests they had in mind, he did not have a good feeling about them...or his well-being while they studied him.

Ignoring Baxter for that moment longer, knowing in fact she was exemplary for being here hours before her work day was to actually start, being so dedicated, his snark about her playing house mattered very little, though she did frown when he called them animals and wanted to scathingly retort... But held her tongue.

And her eyes raised to Raphael's as he joins her, hers taking in his face and expression, his eyes and unlike in the dark of the log where they had been moments ago, now she could see the it all and her expression hardened for a moment, he did not have to voice anything, she would risk herself for his brother... For him. 

Her hand, small, warm, drops to Raphs and she squeezes it bending the next moment to hide the gesture from Baxter and Alyss pretending to slip her feet into little green flats that where already on her feet. "I'll try to help him, Raphael, I'll be back."she whispers, straightening... heading to the bottom hatch wriggling out and heading out to Donatello and Venus's tank entering it in the same manner and approaching them. She wondered if Baxter knew Japanese, she doubted it though he did not speak it in the meeting with the Japanese men. Hmmm talking ... Could wait... She approaches Venus and Donatello again stopping feet away, she was not a threat. Waiting for the all clear to approach from Venus and Donatello, if she could coax him out and away with minimal injury to others and Donnie, and hopefully there fore Raphael - perhaps the whatever it was was not as intrusive as Baxter was making it out to be, and or she could be on hand to guide it away from overtly and rather senselessly violent - cruel or anything that could cause Donatello great harm.

Raphael wasn't sure if he should stop Erica or not. What if he did and something horrible happened to his brother?! But what if he didn't, and Erica was the one that suffered?? His head hurt, reaction too delayed to do anything and before he could make the internal decision to stop her or not, Erica was gone.


Heart pounding wildly within the confines of his chest, the injured beast of a Turtle made his way over to the glass, pressing his hands against the cold surface, sending death glares at Baxter. There was nothing he could do aside from bashing himself against the glass and hope that it gave before his shell, but that would be a last resort. If things got bad.. because he wouldn't just sit back and do nothing if his brother was in danger.


Still, he wanted nothing more than to relay just how much he loathed.. hated the fucking scientist! The burning in his bladder have him the perfect idea. A smirk eased across his once frantic features as he took a step back and allowed his enormous member to drop from his tail. Gripping it, he pissed a cursive "FUCK YOU!" onto the glass. The blood in his urine would make sure to leave the message stained until someone was brave enough to clean it up.....

Baxter was jotting down notes and listening to the tech people update him on how the tanks were fairing. it was important that the tanks were kept clean and well maintenanced. He watched Erica as she slipped into purple's and the female's tank.

Don't knock him out too much, Erica. I need him awake for the test. He told her as he glanced over at Red's tank in time to see his act of defiance.

After you have Purple secured, I'll need you to clean Red's tank. it seems he is unaware of how to use the bathroom, though his spelling of simple words is promising.

It was a darn good thing that Mei was too distracted to see 'the act' that happened in the other tank, otherwise she would have turned beat red, but as it was, her full attention was on Baxter, and on Erica as she entered the tank. She felt tense, her hold on Donnie tightening for reassurance and to also protect him. She was not comfortable with the woman coming so close, even though she could 'feel' she wasn't a horrible person....



..."...I...know you mean no harm. But he does..." She finally spoke and gave a nod in Baxter's direction, her accent strong.

Don was liking this less and less. He held on to Mei as Erica came in to their tank. "What are they going to do to me?" he asked only so Erica and Mei could hear him. He didn't want to ask the scientist any more questions because the man didn't seem to care for him except as a breeding partner for the female turtle.

Alysson was fascinated by the turtles, and how they were behaving. They seemed scared. We're they like Mel? Did they want freedom too?

"Mister Stockman!" she inquired, her voice soft. "How did they learn to talk? I didn't know that turtles could learn how to talk!"

Baxter was getting a bit annoyed by how long this was all taking. It was becoming more and more clear to him, that Erica had bonded too much with the mutants. She had developed feelings for what was basically lab rats. It wasn't unheard of that females working with all sorts of animals would feel an emotional connection with them, rats, monkeys, cats, the occasional dog and so on. It was natural for a female to bond, however. The female scientist that he was use to working with had always pushed those feelings aside and done their job. Erica was starting to seem more like a liability.

At Alysson's question he gave a nod. Yes. they were taught by a rat if you can believe such a thing. But still, that suggest that their brains are wired similar to humans, which had to occur after the mutation. This is one of the reasons I need to get inside their head. I chose Purple because I have been told by sources that he possesses an unusual level of intelligence.

However, I still need Purple for the mating project. But I can't use Red because the amount of drugs that have been put into him could give me false readings.

her now recharged phone was in hand to turn it on clipping the blue tooth but in place, stopping short of the two and nodding to Mei as she quietly voice commanded a call to Leatherhead. "Good, I need you to appear to at least come with me to the exit of the tank Donnie, I am not sure I can stop this but I am trying something ... just to keep Baxter happy for the moment though..." She was then whispering into the blue tooth watching Don and Mei waiting for their move and saying loudly to Baxter. "Donatello also has drugs in his system so anything gleaned from him will also be inaccurate."

---

Baxter watched Erica carefully. He no longer trusted the woman, and she knew too much about his operations. "Very well. Leave the turtle and come with me please. I have another job for you. Plus I want you to meet your new assistant. Come now. We've wasted too much time already. Food will be brought to the turtles shortly."

---

He was heading along a route towards the lab through sewers and laptop led in a dark tunnel off a larger one to listen to his voice messages, huh... Well suppose he could hang about .

---

Backing away now she had brought a window for Don and LH was on his way to the labs sewers to be around encase Erica slips out of the tank and heads towards Baxter chancing a glance at Raph here and then away blushing a bit. "Hi." She says to Alysson in a friendly manner.

---

Shaya was heading back home. The eerie quiet of the tunnels an lack of communication from any of the group was a bit alarming. Her gut told her something was up. It had been months since she came back from an extended In-Field research in New Jersey.

---

Don listened to Erica and nodded, preparing to get up after giving Mei another firm squeeze. But then Baxter came over and told Erica to come with him instead. Now Don was concerned about the girl's well-being. Surely Baxter knew about how close she was getting to both of them - especially Raph. He was worried about what Stockman's plans were for her. Don didn't like being experimented on anymore than the next test subject, but he didn't want Erica to suffer the same fate because he wouldn't go along with whatever this plan was.

---

"great lets head out of here. I have a new project for you, Erica." Baxter then reached into his coat pocket and dug around a bit. He felt for the single shot of drugs that he carried with him to the tanks in case things got out of hand and he needed to put a turtle down. Though he didn't plan on using it on Erica, he simply couldn't stand by while she got close to the turtles and then turned on him. He popped the cap that covered the sharp hollow needle and swiftly pulled it out of his pocket, he took aim at Erica's neck, hoping that her reflexes were slower then his. The drug, if he managed to inject her, would quickly put her out. then, perhaps he could do some mutation expirements on the girl.

---

Shaya Taking out her phone to call LeatherHead. She dialed his number. As much as she hated to bother anyone, her gut was telling her something was off. Unusually off. "pick up... Just be busy, not on mission." She whispered to herself as she let it ring.

---

Mei was also confuse, though relieved that Donatello would not be taken to the lab. Unlike the others, she had no reason to suspect anything bad would happen to Erica, though Baxter gave her all sorts of bad feelings. She stood and followed Donatello, gaze drifting out the opposite tank. It seemed that Raphael was uneasy with this, and she finally saw the message on the glass, but fortunately his 'tool' had already been put away. Not the large turtle was trying to dismantle his decor, pulling at the rocks and after realizing they were painted foam, throwing a tantrum and uprooting plants. One of the palm trees came up with little fuss, and the trunk was used to repeatedly smash against the glass. Mei gave Don a concerned look, knowing that he was also probably concerned about his brother.

---

blinking LH takes up his phone pushing the answer button. "Hello?" Keeping his deep growling voice low listening and smelling the air about him from time to time encase there be humans about. "Shaya?"

---

"Hey. Are you okay? I was by your place, you weren't there." She asked adding, "Are the guys on patrol too? It's quiet down here." She kept walking her route home, small even pace.

---

Hearing Raph throwing a tantrum both made Don roll his eyes and also feel extreme worry for him. Erica was the only one to keep Raph calm and now that she was out of his brother's sight, this was not good at all. Don tried to reach Raph through his brother's fury, speaking calmly but firmly to try calming him down.

---

"sorry I was ... Doing a errand - " the large gator mumbles - no he was hiding that brain thing Love had found. "Still in some distance from the lair - where are you now?" He asks her softly concerned she should not be left lurking about his lair encase Slash or Love was there

---

unfortunately for Baxter Erica was well rested, she was not the exhausted klutzy she had been - and lightly stepped back in a graceful half hop out of range - "hey! What!?-" she backed away from him eyes going from his to his hand ...

---

"I was going home. I'm about another 5 mins until I get to the man hole. I wanted you to see you soon as I got in from New Jersey. It was a trip. " She chatted happy to hear him again. "I'll let you go. You sound like I interrupted you. Call me."

---

Hearing Raph throwing a tantrum both made Don roll his eyes and also feel extreme worry for him. Erica was the only one to keep Raph calm and now that she was out of his brother's sight, this was not good at all. Don tried to reach Raph through his brother's fury, speaking calmly but firmly to try calming him down. Then the unthinkable happened. Baxter had a surprise and Don could see it. He cried out to the man to stop but luckily Erica saw it coming and moved out of the way quickly enough to avoid the needle to her neck. "Don't do it, Stockman. She's the only one that can keep him sane!" He nodded in his brother's direction, hoping Baxter would let her go back in Raph's tank. If not, he feared for Raphael's safety...and sanity.

---

"I am able to talk, just have to keep senses out for passing humans, just hanging about encase my buddy needed me..." The gator explains smiling to himself, the leggy blond was a kind person, "if I can would it be alright if I come visit you at your place?"

---

A tantrum that turned into an enraged storm when he saw Baxter pull the needle and make an attempt against Erica! A loud roar cut through the atmosphere and the tree was quickly tossed aside. He dropped to the bottom hatch and shoved his arm out of the opening, making aggressive attempts to grab Stockman....

---

having missed the girl he motioned for the other, now very very scared men in the room, grab Erica. However, Baxter was confident in his tanks that Raph could not get out. The others not so much. With the help of the others, he grabbed Erica and faced her to Raph's tank, staying out of reach of the enraged turtle. He held her close to him and grinned at the turtle. "So what I'm hearing from you, Red. Is you would rather your girlfriend not be mutated into a honey badger? Well we can always talk about what creature Erica would look best as. Or maybe we can take out her brain, place it in an AI. So many options! What do you think?"

---

Ben and Jerry were reluctant to hold Erica when after a serious of side stepping and quiet agility she avoided them - but three men was too many for an untrained girl to keep her eyes on and soon Erica was held against Stockman, she tilts her head back and glares at him I afraid. " mutate me - I never felt very human any ways." She snarls ceasing her struggle not afraid.

---

color=red]Everything seemed to be playing in slow motion. Horror, right in front of him, and he was powerless. Growling like a crazed animal, he continued to lash out, hoping to grab something, someone.. and fortunately one man was too stupid enough to realize his range of reach. The one known as Ben. Raph's massive hand gripped his ankle and pulled him violently through the hatch. It sucked that it was only big enough for a person to go through, and barely big enough for this guy, so he was skinned up pretty badly. Holding the man firmly against him, hands in place to snap his neck.... "You let 'er go, or all of Humpty Dumpty's men ain't gonna be able to put this rotten egg back together again...."[/color]

---

"Which Bubby is that handsome?" She asked before smiling into the call, "You can come over any time. Spare room window is open. Do you want me to wait for you down here before going up?" She stopped walking to hear him past her echoing footsteps.

---

"Erica - she's called me for a hand - but if I didn't hear from her to just be on call back encase... I can head your way now" Leatherhead fills Shaya in bulk filling the tunnel he was hiding in.

---

Mei watched on nervously, not sure of what she could do to help, and wishing she could calm Donatello. She could... but it would come with consequences for her. But now it seemed Raphael had a hostage. First she would wait and see how this all went down and if need be, she would make an attempt....

---

Baxter watched yet another idiot get attacked by Red. This turtle was more trouble then he was worth. But seeing the beast so angry, that was amusing. "You know. never once in that rhyme did they say he was actually an egg. In fact is widely speculated that it was about a king that had a head injury. Ben is no use to me. If he's not smart enough to know not to get close to monsters, then he derserves to be terminated. Have your way, take out your aggression if you must. But know that you'll have to live in that tank with a rotting corpse. Your choice. as for Erica here. It was a delight working with her, Now she will serve another purpose. You heard her. she doesn't mind giving up her human form. Maybe this will bring you two closer together."

---

Ben: "pllleeease?" A whimper his skin stinging his shoulders shaking, he was a tall lean man. He listens in horror to Baxter.

---

Donatello had had enough. His eyes narrowed at his brother after glaring at Stockman. "Raph! Put him down. It's not worth it!" Yes, Don was getting further upset by the whole scene and had nothing but his voice to make his point. Other than that, he felt helpless.

---

[colorpink] Erica ignored Baxter and looks over at Raphael, "it's okay Raph - let Ben go... I'll be okay." She tries to sooth Raph, she was not scared of mutation she was not afraid of Baxter, but worried how hurt Red would be, his worried brother, how this was affecting Nei having to watch...[/color]

---

...and Baxter made his choice. His own men's lives meant nothing to him. She did not know Raphael, but felt his energy and knew he was not in a healthy frame of mind. He could easily kill the human and possibly regret it later. It was now or never. The female Turtle took a step back, eyes sliding closed as she focused on the energy within her and around her. Her palms began to glow bright blue, exposing her capabilities, but no sooner than the energy ball was formed in her palms, a high voltage of electricity sparked from her collar, zapping her. A pained cry and she crumbled to her knees.. but she wasn't finished.. fighting back the tears, she tried again... this had to work!

---

[color=purple] Mei's cry drew Don's attention to her, immediately moving to her side. "Venus!" He held onto her, not sure what was happening. He had no idea about this power she had. "What's wrong?"/color]

---

Raphael could hear his brother, could hear Erica. What the fuck.. Stockman cared nothing for this man, not that it should be any surprise to him. He didn't put a value on life. And the man's pleas. Yeah, it woulda been easy to kill him, to not give a shit in that moment, and being pushed to the point of no return... never caring again. But maybe this fucktard could see how twisted Stockman was now. "You fuckin' remember this.. how quickly he would excuse your life... how expandable any life is to him. I may be a freak to you.. nothin' but a lab rat to die for yer amusement... but he'd kill you... an' her..." And he was tearing up, looking at Erica, not sure what would happen to her. And this was all because of him.. because she cared about his life. He only caught a glimpse of the female Turtle's unworldly attempt from the corner of his eye as he released the man from his deathgrip...

---

"there. No harm done. Come on then, lets get you to a lab. Alysson! You too." He called the young girl over to him and started to drag Erica away. "When she comes back, she'll be like a new person, red!" He called out as he walked off with the two girls.

---

Ben: He pulled forward and looked up at Raph. "Your not a freak - one of you's saved Jerry once outside a night club from being beaten for being a 'fag' - " the man was shaking but he nods. "Thanks," he whispers squeezing out the hatch.

---

Erica pulled free of Baxter - a little bit of defiance. "I can walk!" She does that following Baxter.

---

Mei Pieh Chi Mei couldn't respond at the moment, fighting through the pain as she tried once again to collect the energy in her palms. Once again glowing aqua-blue as it collected, and again she was met with the excruciating pain as the collar detected the energy and treated her to another bout of electricity. A thin line of blood trickled from her snout and she struggled to catch her breath, giving Donatello an apologetic look. "I.. am sorry. I wanted to stop it.. to stop him, for your friend.. for your brother..."

---

Daichi, stepping freely held the door open watching as Baxter marched a defiant intern and a small cyborg girl away. He Shin and Hiroto exchanged looks then shrug, they'd talk to the intern later, now they entered the tank room.

---

The moment the group disappeared from sight, it felt like Raphael's heart completely constricted, along with his lungs.It was so hard to breathe! Anxiety took over and he rushed in the direction they had gone, bashing against the glass with no care of himself. "GODDAMMIT!! YOU STUPID MOTHERFUCKER!!"

---

Don smiled softly down at Mei. He was touched she wanted to stop Raph from hurting himself, but she was hurting herself while trying to do it. He still didn't know exactly how she was trying to stop it, but he knew the shock collar was causing her pain. Don caressed her cheek lightly with his fingertips. "How are you doing that?" Then no sooner had he asked that question when Raph started beating himself against the glass again. "Oh, no..." Don gave Mei an apologetic look then got to his feet, pounding on the glass with his fist to get his brother's attention. "Raph! Please...STOP IT!!"

---

Shin, Hiroto and Daichi watch the big turtle - lclip boards out jotting notes. Daichi stepping closer to study their female and the one in with her.



hr]





There would be no time to answer Donatello before his brother started bashing himself against the glass again. She cringed every time his shell made contact with the unforgiving glass, the unmistakable sound of shell shattering and breaking meeting her hearing. It seriously turned her stomach, and she wished there was something more she could do. She managed to find her feet and made her way over to Donnie, wishing she could spare him of this. And then the scientist she was most familiar with entered, taking notes instead of trying to defuse the situation. Mei had rarely tried to communicate with them before, but now she was desperate enough to try anything. "You have to stop Baxter from harming Erica. She is the only one that can control him. She needs to be brought back, within his sight, or he will kill himself. We may be all of our kind... you cannot afford to lose him..."

---

His brother's voice was unfortunately only background noise, drown out by his racing heart and the deafening sounds of his shell shattering against the glass, leaving blood splatters. And there seemed to be no sign of slowing down.. until his legs buckled and he stumbled backwards, a complete bloody and broken mess, only allowing himself a moment, body shaking uncontrollably.... twitching, stress becoming too much. His eyes fluttered as anxiety completely took hold, nictating eyelids sliding over his eyes.. anything that may have seemed human.. completely gone and he found his feet and rushed at the glass in t he direction of the scientists, a loud roar as he smashed against the glass again.../color]

---

Daichi looks at Mei coldly glaring, how dare the product talk to him. "She is useful to his plans here, he won't kill her..." He looks at the larger aggressive male, "she his mate?" He asks looking to Shin and Hiroto they nod and pull free a stun grenade from their kit - knock out the big turtle and keep him quiet until Baxter brought the girl back. "Dis good was worried this self destructive aggression would be passed on to pure offspring, hybrid okay..." He grins



Shin and Hiroto prepare the grenade and Shin dashes to the lower hatch to shove it inside and wait for it to knock the great beast out. Then they would repair the damage to her work and keep him down til her return.

---

Don watched in absolute horror as Raph renewed his efforts of damaging himself as he smashed against the glass. He felt completely helpless, trying to get through to his brother but it was no use. With a last pound of his own against the glass he slumped to the ground with his head leaning against the glass, panting. He closed his eyes to hold back his tears of frustration. It was pretty much certain not all of them would make it out alive this time.

---

When the hatch opened to toss in the grenade, Raph made an attempt to grab an arm, to pull them in. Fortunately for the assholes, they were out of reach. As the gas emitted into the tank, he held his breath.. and could do so for a very extensive amount of time. Still, his crazed mind was racing. His worst nightmare had come true. It had all been smoothed over thanks to Erica and her effect on him, but she was gone and despite her reassurances that it would be okay.. she would die.. because of him. Donnie would die, and he would be forced to watch it. No...no..no.... this couldn't happen.. he couldn't live with this, and to be cut into a million pieces while still breathing. His haunting gaze shifted to the scientists, a smirk crossing his lips as he broke a jagged edge-piece off of his bloody plastron. "You won't.. control me..." He hissed and jabbed the sharp segment of shell into his wrist, slicing it open...

---

Mei's heart broke for Donatello, and the brother in the opposite tank. the Red one was not handling this well. And it wasn't healthy for Donnie to have to watch, being so powerless in this situation. Se tried to wedge herself between him and the glass, unaware of what sight she was sparing him to, her arms wrapping around his neck..

---

Ben: no!" He called out - He and Jerry hurrying forward - followed by Shin and Hiroto. They had to sedate him and fast! Faces covered so they could breath out came the small hand held dart guns - three shot for his shoulder at once. Daichi watches on - he sighs and heads to wall phone. "Baxter Stockman please." He announces down the line waiting as the drama unfolds.

---

...and the dam broke. Don dissolved into sobs as tears soaked his mask, clinging to Mei. Thankfully she hid Raph's latest stunt from him, but Don couldn't even look at his brother anymore, anyway. It pained him so much to see Raph suffer like this and he couldn't do anything about it but just watch it unfold. Now he just wanted it to end.

---

Back turned to Raphael and the scene, she could feel his life-force become weak, but would not dare to turn around, to draw Donatello's attention to whatever happened. She just held him, her own heart breaking but forbidding tears, needing to be strong for him. How could she tell him it would all be okay when she herself had doubts? "They will sedate him, for his own good. He will be okay.." Words spoken for his own good, because he couldn't afford to hear anything else. She knew he was already aware this his brother could not adapt to captivity. She held him for as long as he needed, squeezing and caressing the back of his neck, hoping that she was offering at least a little comfort. Hopefully the scientist would have Raph sedated soon...





Blood pouring from the severed arteries and staining the sand around him, Raph managed another twisted sort of smirk at the scientists as he stumbled back, but tried to get to his knees, to make it to the 'den' and hopefully out of reach, to die without them reaching him Unfortunately he was losing blood too fast for that and only made it a few inches before collapsing, the darts hitting their mark..

---

Daichi left a message and as the big turtle went down he joins the others and with more of them they patched him quickly giving him a dose to keep him down and finding the blood baggies meant for him left by the girl set about ensuring he got it. Daichi left them too it and went to Mei and Don. "He will live she will be back - and hopefully as useful to us as she is to Baxter." He grins darkly his men still working behind him on Raphael, cleaning, patching, making sure he got blood and fluids and iv vitamins.

---

Don was shaking. He could hear what was going on and the sounds just seemed more amplified as things went on. He shut his eyes tighter against the noises, trying to block them out. Whatever they did to Raph, Don was afraid it was too late to save him. There was just...no way Raph could survive. Then, despite his heart breaking and beating fast from his own adrenaline, he felt slightly calmer. The reason? Mei had found his secret spot that would calm him in nearly ever situation. At least to a point. The tears slowed but didn't completely stop. And...when things went quiet in the other tank, Don couldn't even look that direction, afraid of what he might see. If he saw the extra blood from Raph slitting his wrist, he probably would have lost it right then. At least Mei had spared him of that much. He still held onto her, craving that touch and not wanting her to stop. But Don had no voice anymore. His throat was raw from his shouting and anything that would come out now would be broken, anyway. Only when the scientists addressed him, did he look up, pulling his glasses and mask off and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. He only nodded in response.



hr]



Mei was unaware that she had found his spot until she felt his energy become calmer. Though there was still so much heartbreak there, she could feel it and it effected her. Finally a tear slid past her attempts and she let it go, not wanting to remove herself from Donnie, knowing she was his only form of comfort right now. She continued to stroke his spot, nuzzling a kiss against his temple and assisting with wiping away his tears, practically straddling his lap. If not for the heavy situation, she could fully appreciate how nice the closeness felt, but right now her entire efforts were focused on helping him through this. "He will be okay.." She echoed the scientists words, but not daring to look at them. "You will be okay. We will get out of here.." And the sooner, the better. Otherwise Raphael may not survive himself.

---

Donatello Don nodded again, this time to Mei. If Raph died, there would be hell to pay. Don wasn't one to condone violence but things went far beyond personal in this situation. He could very well lose a brother. There was no going back from that. Even if they did make it out, he doubted Raph, if he was still alive, would even have the strength to escape. Don also hadn't noticed their position otherwise he would have blushed. He very much appreciated her closeness, though. Even if it was to keep him calm.

---

color=aqua] Mei wished there was something she could do.. something she could say to ease his pain. To put his mind at ease. She new no such words existed and he would worry about his brother, and rightfully so. She only wished that Raphael could have found some form of peace.. knowing that it was a possibility that he would survive this and make it out, but it seemed that knowing that something could happen to his human friend had set him off. She had picked up on his crippling fear of this place.. it must have been hell come true for him. She was fortunate to cope as well as she had, but unlike these boys, she had never had brothers or family on the outside waiting for her. She had nothing, until now. And now seeing her reason and hope that things could be better so broken and sad hurt her. holding him closely as she continued to rub his spot, she nuzzled his cheek gently, pressing a kiss there. "Perhaps we should move away from here...you do not need to torment yourself. Your brother will be okay." She tried to reassure again, hoping she was right. Slowly making it to her feet and keeping herself between him and the glass to block his view, she offered down a hand.

---

Not knowing what else he could do at the moment, he reached for her hand and stood up, letting her lead the way. He never once looked in Raph's tank, though. He couldn't afford to. If Raph's end was here, Don didn't want the last sight of his brother to be a broken, bloody body with no life in it.

---

Mei was mindful to stay between Donnie and the glass, blocking his view of the tank where his brother was being worked on. The silence alone probably clued him in that things were not good, but he did not need the added visual to go along with it. Raphael's will was gone, but he was strong. She had sensed that the moment she had come within his presence. Hopefully Erica would be okay and could return to him before it was too late. She hoped that for Raphael, and for Donatello's sake. She did not want him to have to go through the devastating loss of a brother. And if something did happen to Erica, perhaps having Donatello be near and within hearing distance would be enough to pull him back. She would have suggested that to the scientists, but they did not listen to her before. Gently taking his hand, she led him away from the scene and towards the cave. They had yet to go into the den, but perhaps the solitude and quietness would ease his pain. "I am sorry that you have to go through this, Donatello. It is not right. But you are strong.. and your brother is strong.. perhaps if they will allow you close to him.. to talk to him. He is protective of you... I felt that."

---

Don didn't know how he was even staying on his feet. His legs were fine but with his emotions threatening to swallow him whole, he didn't feel like he had that control. He was clinging to her hand as they approached the cave. Her words comforted him as much as he would allow it, but things still didn't look good. Very slowly he crawled inside the opening of the log and then held her hand again as she entered behind him. "I'm...sorry," he croaked out, taking her in his arms again after he settled inside.

Mei supported him as best she could and after he crawled into their little sanctuary away from the graphic sight of a very bloodied Turtle, she moved into his lap, melting into his arms. Her own slipping around and holding him, squeezing tightly as he apologized, trying her best to comfort him....


"You have nothing to be sorry for, Donatello." She told him, sliding up his glasses and wiping his tears with the tail of her braided bandana. How her heart broke for him. She had only loved one person before this. Her father. And imagining seeing him so hurt and will to live completely lost.. it was suffocating. She gave him another tight squeeze and nuzzled a soft kiss against his cheek. "You love your brother and worry for him. You should not be sorry for your emotions"


"....he is still alive. I feel his energy." She told him, but would leave out how faint that was. He did not need to know that, but where there was life.. there was hope. They just needed to get through to Raph somehow, try and curve his dangerous anxiety somehow. Reassure him they would make it out of this hell... he just had to hold on.

Baxter had made it to one of the labs with Erica and Alysson. He honestly had no real plan for Erica, other then to make sure she couldn't screw him over. Once inside the lab he got the call from one of the Japanese men. With an annoyed sigh he picked up the phone.

What is it? He asked a bit of snippyness in his tone.

Once in the lab, Alyss slipped onto the nearest chair. Exhaustion had overtaken her once more, and the scene that had unfolded before her eyes had been very confusing.

She'd viewed it all with a vacant expression.

At this point, she didn't even quite understand what the sides of that fight was. Everyone was yelling, threatening each other, inflicting harm or at least attempting to. Alyss didn't care about the sides. She knew that she wasn't on any of them and so she didn't feel the need to care. She was not even on Baxter's side, even though she seemed to be pretending to be. She wasn't a part of this at all. And she didn't want to be a part of it.

Maybe the turtle people would hate her for this. And Erica too. Just like Mel. But what did Alyss know? She was only a dumb, little child.

Smirking cause he knew the presence of them in his lab annoyed Baxter, but they had the female and where not goin to just give her to him. Daichi kept his voice though smooth and blunt, this was more of a curtesy call about the medical and clean up they did for the big turtle. And once said he had informed Baxter he hung up with a cheery nice day encase the pair did not run across each other and was joined by Shin and Hiroto, Ben and Jerry heading back to their own labs to work two more replaing them on watch and assistant duties.

The three Japanese men watched their female and the lean taller more placid male head away into the den... the three of them sitting on the floor to exchange notes they made watching events here unfold on the side lines...

~~~


Meanwhile Erica walked with Baxter and Alyss - her fearless composure broken, she had wanted nothing more than turn around and return to Raphael. In fact she even slowed - to the point she had to be dragged once more.

She could imagine what he was doing to himself in there, her own anxiety crept up, it rose and when they reached a lab she paces, unable to sit or stand still looking at Alyss. "how have your Cybornetic enhancements settling in? Are you feeling pain that should not be there?" recalling the horror she had felt watching the girls being hacked up, and done her best to patch them up.

And as much as she meant the question and her gaze was one of concern for the young girl, her attempt to not worry for the turtle she left was not working, she was pacing. Glancing at Baxter then back to Alyss.