Turtle Dove

Down with the Sickness

Ray and the turtles were gathered in the lair, their attention fixated on Raph as he skillfully played the dancing machine. Leo expressed his doubts about Raph's ability, but Mikey quickly jumped to his defense. Ray chimed in, teasing Leo about being jealous of Raph's potential high score. Raph remained focused, undeterred by their banter.

Donnie, ever the observant one, marveled at Raph's performance. "Oh, my peaches and cream, he just doubled!" he exclaimed in amazement. Raph, feeling the strain, called for some assistance. Mikey promptly handed him a rag to wipe off the sweat, while Ray offered him a refreshing drink of water through a straw.

Mikey couldn't help but interject with a playful comment. "Have I ever told you how big and beautiful you are?" he asked Raph, to which Raph replied with gratitude. Donnie, fully invested in the moment, could barely contain his excitement as Raph approached a potential new high score.

However, before Raph could finish his thought on big-time moments, their sensei, Splinter, unexpectedly interrupted with a loud yell. The teens turned their attention to Splinter, startled by his sudden appearance. Their reactions ranged from shock to disbelief as they took in his haggard appearance.

Donnie, always the voice of reason, tried to ease their fears. "No, he's not a zombie. Zombies are interested in other people's brains," he reassured them. Ray echoed Donnie's sentiment, providing a calming presence amidst the panic.

It was soon revealed that Splinter had contracted Rat Flu, a serious illness. Raph, being aware of the situation, directed the team to take Splinter to his room and make him comfortable. Leo fanned Splinter while Donnie examined him through his goggles.

Splinter, feeling unwell, sought their honest opinion about his appearance. The sight of his sickly state caused the teens to recoil in horror, with Ray expressing her dismay. Raph, attempting to provide comfort, pulled the curtain shut, acknowledging Splinter's grave condition.

Donnie explained the severity of the flu, highlighting the seven stages it would progress through before eventually healing. Raph, ever the optimist, found a silver lining. "You guys know what the full seven stages mean?" he exclaimed, wrapping his arms around Leo and Mikey. "Another chance to get whatever we want!" he cheered

They all erupted in cheers, thrilled at the prospect of another chance to ask for whatever they desired. Ray chuckled at their enthusiasm while acknowledging their poor father's condition. "Poor Dad must feel terrible. But lucky us, he'll say yes to whatever we ask for! Whoo-hoo!" Mikey exclaimed with excitement.

Donnie interjected, his frustration evident. "Only if we make it all the way to the end of the flu, the elusive stage seven. And we never get there." The previous year's disappointment lingered in his words. Ray shuddered, recalling her own experience with the rat flu but remained optimistic. "But I'm totally in if it means anything from Splinter," she happily declared.

Raph, determined to prevent anyone from getting bitten or infected, confidently stated, "This year's gonna be different. Nobody's getting bit. Nobody's getting infected." Ray couldn't help but remind him of his failed promise from the previous year, having been confined to the lair for almost five days.

"But when we do make it to the end, which I'm now calling the Must Say Yes stage, what are we gonna ask for?" Leo pondered. The group fell into contemplative silence, their eyes shifting towards Raph, hoping he had an idea. However, Raph chuckled nervously, struggling to come up with something.

"He's got nothing. We're dead," Leo groaned in response. Despite the uncertainty, Raph eventually gathered his thoughts and mustered an idea. "Hey, I got something, all right? Like a, uh...," he trailed off, unable to articulate his thoughts clearly.