TMNT: Beauty and Dangerous (TMNT 2k12 OC fanfic)

Chapter 10: The Healer

The time has come for him to continue growing his power. One step closer to his destiny.

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   Donnie and Alex began to make their way back to the cave. They kept a steady pace, keeping in mind not to attract any more enemies, but also knowing that the rest of their siblings are badly injured from their battle with the assassin. Upon re-entering the cave, the genius hollered out, "We're back!" There wasn't much of a response, as expected, but the two brothers were greeted by Karai. She gave out a faint smile, relieved to see Donnie and Alex return unharmed. "I see you guys are doing okay," the kunoichi started. "Did you guys stop that assassin?"

   "We did, but it wasn't an easy task..." Alex responded. As Karai solemnly nodded, Donnie noticed something was off on his adoptive sister. "Karai, you took off your bandage." he pointed out. "It could-." the purple masked turtle was cut off. "I'm fine, Don." Karai said. She then placed a hand on her cheek to feel for the scratch on her cheek. The kunoichi shut her golden-brown eyes and tightly clenched her fist. The human skin then began to flake, revealing her silver scales. To the two turtles' amazement, the scratch on Karai's cheek was no longer there. Shortly after opening her now jade green serpent eyes, Karai's complexion restored, as did her human eyes after blinking.

   Donnie and Alex both stared at Karai, now fully healed, and both brothers awestruck about what she did. "That is amazing! How did you do that?" Alex exclaimed almost excitedly. "You know how sometimes snakes shed their skin?" Karai began. "Yeah, and I think you do too, because we found some of your scales during our first search for you after returning to New York." Donnie recalled. "Exactly, but most of the time, I shed if any serious injury is inflicted on me." Karai continued. "I've learned it when I first shed shortly after the invasion began." "And I'm guessing that's the only solution to treating only your injuries, right?" Alex asked sadly.

   "Unfortunately, unless you want Leo, Raph and Mike to be mutant turtle-serpent hybrids, there's not much for us to do..." Karai responded, just as sadly. She then looked back at the two brothers, still having more to say. "But there's something else you guys need to know about their conditions." the dark brown-and-blonde-haired girl started. "Those daggers were somehow charged with my venom, and the others..." she paused, somewhat afraid how Donnie and Alex would react. Karai let out a heavy sigh after a moment, and said, "They've been poisoned."

   The reactions were just as Karai feared; Donnie wore a stunned face and Alex's face was of pure panic. Soon, the scarred turtle found himself trembling and hyperventilating. Donnie then looked at his older brother in concern. "Alex?" he asked. "I-It's my fault that they're poisoned..." Alex breathed shakily. The gap-toothed turtle recognized this pattern and rested his olive-green hands on his brother's shoulders. "Alex, listen to me," Donnie started. "We're gonna get to the bottom of all this, and we won't let our brothers die."

   Alex's anxiety induced breathing began to slow as he looked at Donnie, an emotional sensitivity in his eyes. "It's gonna be okay." the younger turtle reassured. Moments later, the black-and-blue masked turtle let out a deep sigh as he finally calmed down. "I guess you're right..." he said. "What just happened?" Karai asked, unsure of the situation that just unfolded. Donnie, keeping one hand on his brother's shoulder, turned to face the kunoichi. "Ever since he found out about the mind control serum, Alex has been getting a lot of nightmares and anxiety attacks." the genius recalled. "The night before he snuck out to rescue you, he ran off and the guys and I found him in the midst of an attack while out on patrol." he concluded.

   Karai solemnly nodded and kept the task at hand. "So, what's the plan? How are we gonna help the others?" she asked. Donnie began to think for a moment. "Well, since we're in the Spirit Realm, it's more than likely we'll find something, or someone, to help treat the poison and the wounds." he said. "What makes you think that?" the girl asked, raising an uncertain eyebrow. "From my understanding, there's some spirits who are rumored to be healers." the red-brown-eyed turtle claimed. "And if we find one, we can try to convince them to help the others!" Alex finished, almost in an excitable claim.