Shadow Mutation (Book Seven) [UNDER MAJOR EDITING]

Chapter 36: Losing Him

He blinks, his eyes starting to glaze over. "The fight...Beast Mode got me..." He coughs, the sound ragged. "Didn't think...it was...big deal..."

"Not a big deal?!" Raph exclaims. "How could you-"

"Raphael, think before you speak," Master Splinter interrupts as he appears with Leo at his side. The rat's russet eyes widen when he takes in Casey's wound. "Casey...what has happened to him?"

"The same thing that hurt Raph got him, except he didn't tell anyone about it," Sarina explains, her usually collected tone wavering. "With Raph, we got Zilla to heal him before the infection spread. Since Casey didn't tell us-"

"But Raph went way longer before it got infected, Sarina," Leo interrupts. "So how could Casey's get this bad this fast?"

"Theories are as follows," the cyborg says. "One, because with Raph the wounds were different, as though Beast Mode used a different sort of attack on him. Two, because we cleaned Raph's wound within an hour of infliction and he got a solid amount of rest afterwards that helped slow any infectious bodies from growing." She massages her temples as her eyes flash. "Casey not only stayed awake for long after the battle, but didn't get any help in cleaning his wound. There was also no blood to suggest that he was ever-"

"Okay! We get it, he's hurt! We've got to get him to the hospital!" Raph shouts. "Maybe they can help him!"

"I doubt it. This sort of wound is-" Donnie starts.

"Raphael is right. We must bring Casey to trained professionals while we search for other options," Splinter interrupts. "Donatello and Sarina, please retrieve human patches for all who need it and medical supplies to help slow whatever infection is currently spreading. Leonardo, call April and let her know what has happened. Annalise, you must contact Casey's sister. Raphael, you call Taylor." The rat's ears flatten as he looks to the remaining two children. "Destiny, Michelangelo, we will take Casey to the ShellRaiser and make him as comfortable as possible."

"Hai Sensei," everyone says, getting to their feet and scattering.

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"Look, Tay, I'm not saying come out here," Raphael says into his t-phone. "You've got school. Don't-"

"Hell no. If Casey is hurt this badly, I'm coming," Taylor interrupts. "You already made me stay put when it was you. I'll drive out as soon as I can."

Before he can argue, the phone line goes dead. He sighs and puts his phone away, looking up at his family. Donatello talks to one of the receptionists at the front desk, Destiny and Sarina sitting with Annalise, Casey cradled in their laps. Leonardo and Michelangelo stand side-by-side near their brother, once in a while fidgeting with their human clothes.

The receptionist nods and turns to call the nurses, causing Donnie to turn and move back to his worried family.

"They got him a room and are scheduling for the doctor to come see him," he announces, tousling his shaggy brown hair as he adjusts his glasses. "So...now there's one more thing to do."

"Which is?" Leo asks.

"We have to tell Zilla what happened," the disguised turtle continues.

"I'll do it," Mikey volunteers instantly. "I'll tell her whatever you need."

Annalise swallows the lump growing in her throat, standing up. "I'll go with you, Mikey. Two heads are better than one."

Donnie sighs. "Okay...but you have to tell her exactly what I tell you."

They both nod in response.

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"SHADOW! ZILLA!" Michelangelo hollers as both him and Annalise head down the streets. "ZIIILLLAAAA!"

"Mikey, please quiet down," Annalise begs softly. "You can't bring attention to yourself like this."

He frowns as he turns to her, his baby blue eyes drowned with sadness. "How else can we find her? Casey's gonna die if we don't!"

The blonde sighs, brushing her hair out of her eyes. "Well, it's the daytime. She's going to be hiding in alleyways."

His face goes blank. "Oh...right."

The pair slips into the nearest alley, continuing their search. It isn't until quite a bit later that their pleas are answered.

"Mikey? Annalise?" Zilla asks, slipping out from beneath a dumpster. "You're honestly the last people I expected to see." Her face flickers with confusion as she takes in the humanized Mikey. "Wait...but you look different."

"Human patches, but that's not important. Casey got shaded, bro!" Mikey says, his tone thick with anxiety. "Donnie thinks it's gotta be you who makes the big tough decisions."

Zilla's expression floods with fear. "Casey got shaded? But...that isn't..." She stops as she narrows her eyes. "Beast Mode..."

"Donnie said that there's three possible options," Annalise adds. "Either we can let him slip away, you can try and heal him, or..."

"You can mutate him into a shadow mutant like you!" Mikey pipes up. "Using that last little vial of retro-mutagen and stuff that we have in the lair!"

The shadow remains completely still, her arms pressed against her sides. "Mutate him...into someone like me?"

"Donnie and Sarina both said it was an option," Annalise whispers.

Zilla looks down, her shoulders slumping. "If this wound is infected, I can't heal him, and there's no way I'm letting him die." Her breath hitches as she hugs herself. "I'll go to the lair and get the mutagen. I'll come to the hospital as soon as I possibly can." She looks up at them with a serious glare. "Don't tell anyone else what I'm going to do. Got it?"

"Got it," the couple choruses.

They turn on their heels and head back to the hospital, leaving the shadow to mull over their words.