Apprentice

The E.A.S

By: Demi4yah

Author's Note: 0mg! It's been forever, right? Hehe…I am so sorry about the late update. I know by the bunch of PMs in my email that you guys having been waiting on this. Unfortunately, I live in the FL Miami and we got hit with Tropical Storm Fay and Hurricane Ike. My house and community is completely flooded, but I was able to save a few things. (Check my profile for more details/info.) I am apologizing for future late update as hurricane season is not over until November.

Anyway, thanks for everyone who reviewed! It means a lot to me. I'm sooo happy that you liked the interlude. It was a nice change of scene to see what was going on from the brothers' point of view. But, now you want to see what going on with Mikey.

So, here we go! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not by any means own any characters of the TMNT.

Ugh…

Dude… I feel like I've been hit by a semi and then it purposefully backed up and ran me over again. I'm not sure if it's possible, but I swear there has to be an elephant sitting on my chest because it really hurts to breathe right now. Each time I try to take in some air, my chest feels like it wants to cave in on me.

The last thing I remember is falling asleep on a lab table. Something about the final piece…whatever that meant.

I hear a door on my left swing open. It's a woman. I can tell by the click of her shoes. I'm guessing heels. Someone else joins.

"What's the diagnostic, Laura?" Oh, it's Stockman. Can't miss his creepy voice anywhere.

Papers shuffle and the woman, Laura, answers, "He is in stable condition, Dr. Stockman. Although, I'm a little worried about his compatability with the E.A.S, sir." More paper shuffling, "The shockwaves it gives off and the genetic mutagen DNA fused with his human DNA do not mix one hundred percent, it could be fatal to his body organs after a certain lenght of time the E.A.S is left on, Doctor."

"Laura, you are an exceptional part of this team, but I advise you to leave the mathematics to me." he says. "Besides, his DNA can not match up no matter how many times I reaffirmed the numbers. I wonder if you even know how this baby works, Laura."

Finally, I can get some info! Just gotta ignore the pain for a lil' bit. Can't get myself caught, can I?

"Just a little, Dr. Stockman," she answers. I swear she sounds a little bit on the flirty side. Betcha a genius like Stockman can't figure out that he has an admirer. "You were a little vague on the details when the reports came in."

Stockman clears his throat. "Well, the E.A.S, as you well know, my dear, stands for Enhance Ability Suit. The needles that fuse with his skin send small shockwaves into the central and peripheral nervous systems, which control the nerves, limbs, organs and muscles." I listen to his footsteps move from my left and stop somewhere behind me. More papers shuffle. "Now, we've done research on the reptile by taking blood samples and performing extensive explorive surgery. If he were human, the suit would have had a much stronger effect on him, but since he is part turtle the effects of the E.A.S could have killed him the moment we ran the first test."

"Oh, right," Laura girl says, "Now I understand, but isn't that you want? The turtle dead?"

I'm laying down right here lady.

"Oh yes, more than anything do I want this turtle freak dead, but Master Saki's orders are to keep him alive for the time being." Stockman replies. Great to know how he really feels. "He wants to use the turtle as his next project. As the reptile is a natural athlete, he harnests more power within himself and Master wants me to bring that out with the E.A.S," I think they're hovering over me know, I can feel it. "Now, I designed it with this." he's probably holding up something I can't see. Perfect. The one time I actually decide to listen, I can't see either. Well, I can, I just don't wanna open my eyes and get caught. "Now, whoever holds this controller has full control over every inch of his body. If I want him to pack more power in a punch or jump off a ten foot building he will do it and he can't control it."

Ohh,h Diabolical. What will they come up with next?

"Is there a way to break out of the suit's grasp?"

I'm starting to like this Laura person. She's asking all the right questions. Brava, dudette!

Stockman is silent for awhile before he gives an answer, "There is only one way to escape the hold of this thing," his palm suddenly connects with my plated chest.

Bad move, Doc.

Pain flares up in my chest and I find myself gasping for breath. You know how snakes like to squeeze their pray to death? Well, that's pretty much close to what I'm feeling right now. One breath and I want to gag. I want to do something to stop the burning in my lungs. They're about to burst any second! My eyes automaticall open. I don't even know what I'm looking at, but the harsh bright lights sting my eyes badly.

I can see shadows of hazy figures moving around.

This is it…I'm a goner. I can feel the blackness taking over me. There's a soft light up ahead and I feel hands grab my arms. They aren't lifting me, but holding me down. Ugh… no… I wanna go. I'd rather die than be in the hands of the enemy.

A prick pierces my skin, but it's nothing in comparison to the tremendous burns of my lungs and crushing of my plastron that has me begging for oxygen. It had to be a needle… I can almost feel the liquid going through me and taking away the pain.

It's gone. I can't –

"Wake up!" Stockman yells and bangs on the table.

Ow! Turn down the volume! Talk about a wake up call…

I sigh.

As long as he doesn't make too much noise, I'll do whatever he says. So, I slowly open my eyes at his command. Thank God someone turned down those lights. One of these people has decent respect, but the ones I'm looking at aren't looking so nice.

I swallow, feeling the dryness in my mouth.

Yuck! Ergh – I could so go for some toothpaste or mouthwash right about now. Talk about bad breath...

The doctors very slowly and carefully unstrap me from the restraints holding me down. Heh. Guess I must've scared them the last time they tried to do this. I pulled a Raph and kicked one of the lab geeks upside the head. I think Raphie would've been proud.

Someone flicks me on the beak. Ow! I wrinkle my nose. Well, that's one way to get my attention.

The lady doctor is gone.

"Master Saki is informed of your awakening. He requests and audience with you in the Dojo the moment you were up." Stockman presses a button and the table I'm laying on moves from an up facing position until I'm nearly standing upright.

"What, I don't get any sick time?" I ask jokingly.

"You're not funny, turtle," Stockman says, "Now Go. Your suit is complete and Master Saki will be testing you under lab technician supervision," he marks something off on a clipboard, "We want to see how it works with you as it was not designed for…mutant individuals."

Hesitantly, I glance down at myself.

My feet are wrapped in black cloth for better balance and speed. The metal attachments that make me feel like tin man himself are surgically fused in my skin on my arms, legs and shoulders. I haven't figured out what they do, but it can't be good. They weigh a ton and hurt a lot. Stockman says it's part of the procedure, but I really don't think he cares. My hips are bare save for a black belt that holds my new steel nunchuku and my plastron has two black straps that crisscrosses over my chest showing off the prestige foot symbol.

I feel like the upgraded version of the tin man from the Wizard of Oz, but ten times more good looking and with better kick butt action than that hatchet he carries around.

Hmm... maybe I can play dumb and get out more info. "What're they for?" I find myself asking.

Stockman gives me this smug sort of look, "I'm afraid that information is strictly unavailable, but I am certain you will learn to…accommodate to the new you."

"Huh?"

"Seems I've given you too much information already," Stockman drones, "Anyway, I believe you are now late to your training session? So, get off my table." He pulls me forward and I stumble onto my knees.

Did someone turn the gravity way up or something because I suddenly feel real heavy and it's kinda hard to breath. It's like I'm holding the whole wide world on my shell. My muscles feel strained and worn out while my joints are like begging me to just collapse. I'm trembling and my eyes are like led, I wanna give in to exhaustion.

"You are making process," Stockman says as I painfully stand up form where I was kneeling on the floor, "Master will be impressed, but even more so when he sees the power we can bring from within you that you have been holding back." he marks something again on his clipboard and disappears behind the swinging doors.

Uh...

I look around. You really shouldn't leave a turtle unattended in a medical facility who's becoming a curious George. So, I probably have five minutes, but that gives me plenty of time to search through the drawers and desks. My eyes zoom in on a green folder stuffed with paper laying lonely on the counter. I slip across the lab and snatch it up.

Reptile: Michelangelo.

Aha! So Stockman does know my name! And here I thought he as just being rude.

Hypthosis: Enhance Ability Suit can be fused with mixed DNA

Dude, I really wish I had Donnie here right about now.

So, I'm gonna skip a few pages. Math...math...math...math...more math, oh wait! no, that's science. Don't these people ever get tired of doing mathematics? Talk about your alumni high school geeks. Haha, I crack myself up, I gotta remember that for Donne.

ENHANCE ABILITY SUIT

Neat Sketch. Yup, looks just like the one I got on. Hmm... in-hib-a-tor chip. Question marks are all around it, but the word is scratched out now. I've heard it somewhere before... aw well, I'll skip that for now.

Okay, so next page. Nope. Next one. Nope. Next one. Now, I really wish Donnie was here or had Donnie's brain for like two minutes. These notes have gone into ginormous worded section. A section I really don't go diving nose first into. Man, whatever happened to using the simpler terms in life. I think If I knew what half of these words meant, I'd have a pretty good idea of what the notes are saying.

Freakin' genuises.

"What are you doing?"

Whoa! I've been caught red handed! I turn around to see a blonde lady wearing jeans and tshirt under a white labcoat. Her name tag says Laura Weinsfield. So this is the woman who was nice enough to help me get the 411 on this suit or should I say, E.A.S.

"Just...y'know, catching up on my...reading?" I put down the folder and start walking backwards towards the exit, "I think hear Saki - Master Saki - callin' me."

She just crosses her arms and quirks an eyebrow. I give a half hearted wave and slip into the hallway.

Whew! That was a close one. I thought for sure she was gonna call backup or something.

Where am I going again? Oh right, the Dojo. Just a little bit further. I know this place so well that I don't even have to look at the signs posted on the walls. I've walked these halls for the past three months with no glimpse of the world outside. Huh… I wonder when I am gonna get to go out and do something. He's probably thinking I'll try and escape or something. Why would I do that? That'd be putting my family in jeopardy. I'm not stupid. I know what I've gotten myself into. Don't worry though. I plan to voice these complaints to buckethead himself. It should give him something to do than sit on his butt and yell at everyone all day. He needs a change of routine.

I pass by a stray foot ninja ducking into another hallway. Man… I must stink or something because these foot ninja sure don't wanna make friends. Then again, I guess it's 'cause I kicked… oh… about half of their butts! Haha - they are so totally resenting me for it! It's okay, though. I'm not here to make friends anyway. I'm just doing as I'm told until I can come up with a plan to get outta here without Saki hurting my family. But he always has that stupid detonator thing with him all the freakin' time! It's impossible to separate it from him.

Even as I'm walking into the large Dojo, I can see it tucked away securely in his belt. He smirks at me when I enter and beckons me to him.

"So glad you made it, my apprentice," he says. "I see that Stockman has completed you're ensemble."

I stop to bow and straighten up. I'm not exactly proud right now. I don't think I could even face my family if I were to ever break outta this. Sometimes, I feel like I'm betraying them by joining into the foot league even if it isn't my fault.

I sigh and let my head drop so that I'm staring at my feet.

"Apprentice, stand straight!" he barks at me, "A ninja does not slouch nor look away from his Master. I will not have that here."

Slowly I pull back my shoulders and raise my head, reluctantly raising my eyes to meet his. His eyes are black and cold. It almost makes me want to twitch, but I steady my gaze and unwaveringly keep staring into his pupils. For a moment I imagine staring into Master Splinter's kind stare, but quickly blink that thought away. Saki over here has like mind reading powers or something and I think he might have eyes in the back of that head of his. When I say nothing gets past him – I mean nothing!

"Very good," he drones, "Stockman and my lab technicians want to test out your…suit," he gestures at me.

Oh yes, I'm jumping for joy.

"Hand to hand combat." He says. I see him glance sideways at some black mirrors.

Aha! A two way mirror! That's where the lab technicians are. Hmm…is that where Saki goes when he leaves us in the Dojo unsupervised. I'll be sure to give him a good show the next time he disappears. Maybe that's why I get so many extra training sessions added afterwards. I usually wear down the moment I notice he isn't around. He's one sneaky -

Owwww!

My shell just connected painfully to the wall. I rub the back of my head and slowly get to my knees. I think he must be a descendent of The Flash because I soooo did not see that that coming!

"Pathetic!" he shouts, "You're unfocused, I will not have that here!" he glares at me, "Let's go, stand up – now!" and reluctantly I do as I'm told.

He charges forward in a Raph like way and I smirk with remembrance, springing off the ground, over his head and land smoothly behind him. Raph never was one to wait for the first attack, much like Saki over here. He whirls around and drops into a defensive stance.

My turn.

Now, when it comes to speed, I'm the best there is. Agility and acrobatics have always been my strongest points in Ninjitsu. It's probably because of my height and weight since I'm the youngest and smallest out of the rest of my brothers. My quick reflexes has been my pride for the past several years, but right now as I'm facing Master Saki my pride is starting to crumble. He's dodging every swing without so much as a retaliation of his own.

Something weird is happening here.

I can feel my muscles constricting and as much as I try to loosen up, I still feel myself holding back. I know I can be faster, but the more I try to gain momentum the more power I lose. Eventually, I fall into a slow motion state and before I can blink, I'm soaring across the room by a high side kick.

What the shell is going on?

"Uh…" I stand up, "Can I call a time out?"

Saki glances at the black mirrors and nods half an inch as if I wasn't meant to see that motion. The moment he fixes his eyes on me, I feel a shot of energy go through me like a bolt of lightning. My nerves start tingling, my heart begins pounding, my blood is pumping and my muscles are screaming with newly charged power. A warmness wraps around me and the surged burst of power - It feels…good.

My limbs come to life on their own.

Dragon Kick… Right hook... High block... Jab... Jumping Roundhouse kick... Somersault…

Each hit makes its mark. My movements are like wind, they're so fast that you can barely see the attacks coming. In less than three seconds, Saki is sprawled over the ground.

Heh. I could get used to this.

There's a jolt of warning in my head and in a flash I duck out the way of an incoming foot ninja that came charging at me from behind.

Hey… Since when did this become a tag team spar match?

Saki looks up at me as he climbs to his feet, "Perfect," it comes out almost like a purr, "Your senses are finally kicking in."

Oookaay, now I'm lost.

"What do you mean senses?" I ask.

He smirks, "The sense of oncoming danger, Apprentice."

"You mean like Spiderman because that would be – wah!"

A strong force impacts me from the side and we both land hard on the floor. Something flows inside of me and in one strong, swift kick; I send the ninja clear across the room. He collides into the wall.

My eyes widen.

"Whoa…"

As Steve Urkel would say – Did I do that?

I turn to Saki.

"Excellent…" a creepy sort of smile slides onto his face, "Now, we're getting somewhere."

Dude... this E.A.S thing is really starting to worry me.

I duck another attack.

Here we go again.

Six hours!

Six, long, gruesome hours of training and we're still at it. I haven't eaten and my water bottle is all dried out. There's also a thing called a biological need and at this moment, it needs to be relieved. But, bucket head over here is like completely inhumane. You'd think he was a robot with the way he trains. I swear, he's just like another Leonardo gone rogue.

I'm thinking this would be one easy shell of a workout. Nope! Shredhead is proving me wrong! Turns out he's even tougher than Fearless Leader.

No Complaining.

No Breaks.

No Mistakes.

I've proudly broken each one and let's just say I don't get candy as a treat. Is it me or am I the only one getting tasered when I do something wrong? This must be where the prejudice comes in. Yep, nothing like beating the crap out of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle because it can't possibly have any feelings.

"Stand," he barks at me, "You will finish until I say! Now fight!"

I stand up wearily from where I'm sprawled across the mats. A quick, small bow to him is the ready signal and as soon as I straighten up, he's already charging at me. My instincts kick in and I jump over him, using his back as an extra step. I vault into the air, whipping out my new, steel nunchucks and land gracefully onto my feet.

"NO!" he throws me across the room, "AGAIN!"

I know I shouldn't, "But…"

A hard, swift kick makes contact on the side of my plastron. "Stop complaining!" he shouts at me, "Now, stand up!"

You know, Leo's hard core training sessions are nothing when I compare it to this, I swear I'm about to drop dead right here from complete exhaustion.

Struggling against the protest of my limbs, I shakily get to my feet and lean heavily against one of the wooden posts. I look towards where Shredhead is staring expectantly. Man, if wasn't for that stupid nano tech he put in my bros, I'd so knock that bucket clean off his head. It would make one shell of a homecoming present for Master Splinter.

"Master Saki," one of the lab technicians enter. Hey, it's that Laura Weinsfield chick! "Please, pardon my interruption, but the reptile needs to rest and Dr. Stockman wants to run a few more tests to improve the quality of the suit."

The Lord is good. I smile lightly.

"Very well," he growls, "He was starting to piss me off anyway," he narrows his eyes when he looks in my direction, "I would wipe that grin off your face, Michelangelo. We will be using those good moves of yours to work tomorrow."

"You mean…outside?"

He must sense my excitement because then he turns, "I assure you, Michelangelo that you will not be feeling such high spirits tomorrow. Until then, Apprentice," he smirks and exits.

Laura starts to come forward with a liquid filled needle. The other lab technicians grab my arms and shoulders while foot ninja stand nearby as further enforcements. Kinda makes me feel like a criminal. She grabs my arm, tests the needles before piercing it into my skin. Slowly, things start to turn fuzzy and all I see is her white coat and frissy yellow hair before I black out.

Mikey where are you?

Michelangelo! Please, bro!

Those voices…where am I?

My eyes open expecting to see Stockman drugging me up. I even dare to hope that my brothers were surrounding me with love and concern.

But noooo... Instead, I'm standing in the middle of… okay well, I don't even know where the shell I am. It's a forest full of heavy fog. And I'm not going to lie, but I'm slightly freaking out now. Now, I love to watch all those crazy killer monster movies, but I don't want to be in one!

Mikey!

I can feel him… he's close…

That sounds like Leo. I'm guessing I must be in the unconscious meditative state. I bet you Don and Raph are close by too. You would think after three months that they would have given up looking for me. I didn't think I was that important after that verbal bashing they put me through.

Man, this is so not good. The last thing I want is to have them find me. I really don't feel like explaining myself to them. Can you imagine the look on their faces if I told them I'm a foot?

I stand up from where I was laying on the ground and look around for a place to hide out. Fog…trees… fog…more fog…oh, this is just lovely, there's nowhere to hide. How do I get outta here? Oh! I know! I can wake myself up! I'll just close my eyes and when I open them I'll be right back where I was…

1…2…3!

Aw to shell with it! I'm still right where I was! Now I have to hurt myself someway. I can do this… just raise your fist Mikey and – OWWWW! Beak... hurts really bad…. Note to self: leave the beating myself up to guilt.

I hear footsteps… they're getting closer.

"Mikey?"

I let out a shout and turn around to see Raph standing there. I simply stare at him. My heart is swells, my stomach is churns and I can feel myself shaking like a leaf. It's been three months. That's the longest I've ever gone without seeing any of my brothers. Seeing Raph just sparks a new found pride for what I'm doing to keep him and the others safe.

From behind, I feel a touch on my shoulder. It's Leo. I shrug him off and a take a few steps back to look between them. I wanna smile, I wanna run up and tackle them and tell them I wanna go home, but as much as I love a good ol' family reunion, I can't break down. That will just totally ruin things.

This is great, but it also sucks. If I wasn't knocked out right now, I wouldn't be in this situation. I better wake up soon. Out of all times, I don't have anything to say. I don't even know what the shell I'm gonna tell them! If Saki finds out…I'll be in a load of doo doo.

Oh jeez… I feel like hyperventilating! This was just not supposed to happen! I let out a sigh. Breathe, Mikey, breathe…All I gotta do is stay calm and lie. Just lie to them… heh... too bad it's never been one of my strong points.

"Mikey?"

My name is kinda wearing thin. Ever heard of 'That's my name, don't wear it out?'

"You can't be here." I tell them.

Raph looks a little angry, "Damnit Mikey," a curse word as a sign of greeting for the long lost brother? Oh yes, he's very mad. "We've been tryin' to reach you for months an' all of us been workin' 'round the clock to-"

"Raph, stop it. We don't know what he's been through…Don said to be gentle, remember? And right now you aren't helping." Leo's chewing out Raph. As if I can't hear what they're saying. Huh, where is Donnie anyway?

Uh oh, Leo is giving me look number four. I see a lecture coming in about…3..2..1 - okay, so maybe he's not gonna say anything. He just looks frozen. Diddo Raph. Both are looking at me, probably inspecting for any…wait a minute! I look down at myself and finally see that I'm wearing the metal enhanced suit thingy.

Oh Shell! I forgot I was wearing this stupid thing! Okay, so much for lying. I mean, who can miss the big foot insignia?

"What are you wearing? Is that…" Leo is speechless for the first time in his life.

I can't really tell what's going on with Raph's mind right now, but he's looking at me as if he doesn't know who I am. "Mikey, you didn't-"

"Look, just – just leave me alone," I sound like a five year old.

"What do yah mean, leave yah alone?" Raph pushes pass Leo and steps so close to me I thought I was gag from his Raph stench. I smirk at my own joke. "I ain't playin wit yah Mikey. What the shell is going on? I know you couldn't have joined the foot willingly. So you better start talking." He jabs his finger at my metal plated chest. Ow…it's still sore that I let out a painful groan. You'd think he just stabbed me with a sai, it stung so bad, "Mikey, what did they do to yah, bro?" his question comes out in a low tone.

"That doesn't matter," I try to shrug them off, "You guys just gotta go. Metalhead has like mind sensing powers or something." I force out a cheery laugh.

"We don't care if-"

This was getting old real fast. "I care, okay!" I push them away, "If you don't leave, I'll get in trouble and then you'll be in trouble and it'll be my fault! now just –"

"How would it be your fault, Mikey?" Leo asks. "What's going on that you aren't telling us?"

Oh no, he's giving me that look. Do you know how impossible it is to lie to here? The day pigs fly is the day I'll learn how to lie to big bro.

I tense up when he comes closer. He senses it and stops. Then, he sighs. I bet he's beating himself over with guilt.

"Mikey, none of this is your fault."

I glance down, "It will be,"

"What do you mean?"

Leo is very persistent. I swear, he could pump information out of anything on this planet with a simple narrow of his eyes. It still stumps me as to why he needs his swords to begin with.

"Bro?" Raph prompts.

Oops. I must've been quiet for too long. I take a deep breath. "I'm with the foot. I pledged myself to them."

"Yes, but you didn't-"

"I did, bro." I reply. "I'm sorry, but... you might as well forget about me. We're not...you're not my family anymore." I sigh. "I get the feeling the next time we do see eachother that it will be on opposite sides of the field."

I won't cry... I'm not going cry... Don't do it. Suck it up. Just suck it up!

Leo is staring at me in a thoughtful way, I can tell by the way his eyebrows are arched and Raph... well, he just looks pissed.

I'm starting to wake up. There are voices. I can hear them outside – loud and demanding.

"You're lying," Leo says, "It doesn't matter what you're hiding. I don't care if you're with the foot. We're not giving up on you, little brother."

I really hope not. I give a small nod that I understand.

Leo and Raph roughly grab me into a tight hug as if trying to keep me from leaving. I could feel the tears in my eyes. This moment is too perfect and I will never forget it. My brothers love me, they want me back. They didn't have to tell me, I just knew it. They need me at home with them to put everything back to the way it was.

"Bye…" they slip through my arms as I fade out.

"So nice of you to join us, Michelangelo. Did you have a nice little reunion?"

I gaze at Saki through heavy eyes. He's all dressed up as his menacing bucketheaded self. Before I could even open my mouth, he grabs me by the neck, drags me from the lab table and slams me against the wall. I cry out from the pain shooting up from all directions.

"You see this, reptile?" he thrusts the detonator in my face,

I'm choking from the tight grip and my legs are flailing. Where's the ground when you need it?

"Look at me!" he shouts, "Do you see it?"

I nod my head. I'm praying he won't push it. See, I told my bros it would be my fault if I was ever in trouble.

"One push and kaboom – you're family is dead." He growls, "Three less turtles for me to worry about. I have no problem killing them off." His red eyes are piercing into mine.

"Don't," I gasp out after he loosens his hold.

He lowers me to the ground, "Then I suggest you cut mental ties or I will be forced to do some immediate surgery to block them out myself."

He can do that?

Heh... I thought he would have just said something along the lines of 'I will be forced to kill your family.' I must be more vital to his plans than I thought.

"I suggest you prepare yourself for tomorrow, Apprentice," he says, releasing my neck. I drop to the ground, gagging for a breath of air, "It's your first mission as part of the foot clan and you had better not fail or there will be consequences."

He waits for my reply, "Yes Master," and he exits the lab.

I'm sorry bros… I really am.

I don't know how I get myself into these situations.

Not my best chapter. I'm a little rusty, but I'll start on the next chapter. It will be much better, I promise.

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