Family is Forever

Down with the Sickness: Part 3

Aria's POV:

We quarantine Leo in his room, a plastic wall zipping up the middle of the entryway to further lock him in.

Leo: "Hey, you need me to get to the Must Say Yes stage. We need to ask for the onesies."

He starts to sway lightheadedly, a hazy look on his face.

Leo: "Whoa, it is really hot. Is there a fire? There's a fire here, right? The floor is made of lava?"

A blue mist sprays him from the jets via a control panel Donnie & I installed into each room's entryway for an emergency of this exact type. Donnie handled the deep, technical details while I added my personal touch. Each mist contains the signature colors of the room's occupants.

Me: "Hang in there, Stripes. We'll take care of everything. You do what you can to relax and get some rest."

Donnie, Raph, Mikey, & I turn to one another with looks of seriousness.

Raph: "Down to four. Alright, guys, let's be careful so the rest of us can make sure we get what we want. Who's got eyes on the package?"

Mikey gasps as he looks behind him to see the practice dummy we set up for Splinter.

Mikey: "I lost him."

Suddenly, the dummy explodes in a purple flash of smoke. As it clears, we see Splinter in a black ninja suit carrying a sword. Time for Stage Four: Ninja Supreme. Splinter throws ninja stars at Raph & me, and Raph catches them on his tonfas, while I deflect them with my kunais. Splinter then charges at us with a battle cry.

Splinter: "Hot soup!"

The guys yelp as he runs past us, and their hazmat suits practically disintegrate from his slicing them to pieces with ninja-like speed.

Raph: "Where'd Splinter go?"

Suddenly, the lights go out, and we're left to feel around for a way around the lair. I can't see anyone, but I can hear their voices.

Mikey: "Guys, I think I felt him!"

Donnie: "Hey, that is my butt!"

I laugh as I hear multiple thumping before Donnie speaks up once more.

Donnie: "Ow! Would everyone please stop hitting me?"

I hear Raph grunt as one last thump occurs.

Mikey: "Now I've got him! Take that, itchy fuzzball!"

Donnie: "Oh, not my lab!"

Me: "Donnie, be careful."

I look around before my eyes lock onto the glow of Donnie's goggles.

Donnie: "I'll be fine, Love. Don't worry. I'll be back before you know it."

I see the goggles leap to the lab and disappear into the room. After a few minutes, the lights flash back on. I sigh in relief as Mikey & Raph cease fighting once they realize that neither is Splinter. Suddenly, a crashing sound comes from Donnie's lab.

Me: "Donnie! You ok?"

Donnie leaps down to stand before me as he leans down to give me a quick kiss.

Donnie: "I'm fine, Dove. I told you I'd be back, and I am. Raph, did you decide what we're gonna ask for?"

Raph: "Yeah, I got it. I'm gonna ask for-"

Suddenly, Splinter lands a few feet away, wearing his signature robe and holding a microphone. Now for my personal favorite, Stage Five: Karaoke Love Songs. This one always makes me laugh. Dad could be better, but he puts a lot of energy into his singing. As Splinter starts to sing, Raph & Mikey cover their ears.

Mikey: "I can't feel my ears! Nothing is worth this!"

Raph: "We're so close. Only two stages left."

I turn to Donnie as he speaks loudly, only to realize he looks terrible.

Donnie: "And four totally healthy ninjas left. Man, why is it so hot in here?"

As he collapses in exhaustion, I let out a fit of sneezes. Uh oh, I guess it's game over for both of us.

Stages Left: 2

Team Members Left: 2

Well, so much for that new electric guitar with the matching case.

TO BE CONTINUED