Raphael's P.O.V

I thought everything was going fine... I was kicking shell with my brothers and our space-buddies.. I spotted Y/n cutting down guys like they were blades of grass. She looked so strong, so confident. I knew she could finish this fight... I just thought she'd come out of the smoke without a single scratch..

Now I'm standing in this dark room.. staring up at her as she sleeps in the water...

I watched her fight her aunt.. every strike was solid like stone. Her face, from what I could see, was hard and cold, like a killer.

She looked amazing on that rock, fighting so fearlessly, with all the confidence in the world. I saw her in slow motion, admiring her every step, every attack. Excitement raced through my veins as I watched her back Diana up to the ledge of the cliff they battled on, sword against her neck.

Then it all when downhill.

It happened almost too fast for me to catch; Diana's arm thrust into Y/n's stomach. I saw her eyes widen and mouth fall open in a gasp. Her sword fell from her neck to her side, and with her last few breaths, stabbed her aunt in the side.

And they fell. I was running, scrambling across the battle field to reach Y/n, possibly catch her before she hit the ground.

THUD!

Too late..

"Y/n! Oh my God, Y/n!" I rushed over and knelt next to her crumpled body. Blood was pooling around her; a crimson red, like my mask.

"Ra.." she gasped, having a hard time dragging air into her lungs. "Ra.. Raph.." She coughs. I wrap my arms around her, praying that this wasn't real.. It was all a dream. I was in my bed, back on the ship.. or back at home.. I watched too much Space Heroes and had this crazy dream of being in space, with this beautiful girl..

"I.. I did it.." she giggles breathlessly, the color in her lips fading.. either she didn't know she was bleeding out in my arms, or she chose to ignore it.. she was focused on the fact that she saved her planet. Her eyes were loosing their sparkle..

"Don't.. don't close your eyes, sweetheart.." I plead, gripping her hand. I'm begging, so what.. I'll beg for her. I'd beg for my brothers lives, for my friends, I'll beg for hers too.

She closes her eyes, and I nearly loose it. I try to stop the bleeding. I call for Donnie, shell, I scream for him. I'm panicking now. I hear another scream, and it scares me, but I don't look. I can't look away from Y/n..

Then I'm blinded by this huge, white light, and fall limp.

3rd person P.O.V
-Raphael's room:

Raphael unexpectedly awakens from an abrupt sleep, sitting upright in a room, on a bed. Not his, though. This chamber is small, and bare in the sense of décor. There is some electronic stuff flashing on the wall, and the room is a bleak grey, with yellow markings on the floor. He looks around slowly, in a sort of daze. Wasn't he just cradling you in his arms as you bled out? And screaming for help?
He blinks and happens to look behind, seeing a sort of door-like shutter for a window. Very similar to a metal garage door you raise yourself. He rubs his eyes and decides to lift it, gasping at the sight.

"Holy shell.."

-Window View:

There are buildings. Everywhere. Stretching upward toward the sky, which is an icy, brilliant blue. And a little lower, there is an elevated stretch of land, with trees, dirt paths, flowers, overlooks, and people strolling about. A deep, vibrant green, and he can barely see some medium sized animals moving about. And there are even lower ones, and taller ones. Some with statues, holding a bright, glowing blue orb in their stone hands. There are ones with larger, greener trees and tall structures that look pretty important. Car-like things fly in the air above and below these 'elevated parks', and in the distance are more buildings, with smoke rising from some.

It's amazing. But it makes Raphael wonder..

"Where the shell am I?" He huffs, jumping up. It's then he realizes he's wearing a suit.
--Raphael's suit:

The black fabric clings to his skin, covering him from the top of his neck all the way down to his ankles. White 'armor' is over top of this, and covers everywhere except for the armpits, elbows, back of the knees, bottom of the hands, and the inside of the thighs. (It fits his shell too)

"What the f–"

"F– fre– freaking out here, dudes! Anyone around?? Bro's? Dudettes??" Mikey's voice comes through the electronics– now obviously a radio– on the wall. Raph runs to it and scans over the buttons before pressing the one that looks like a speaker.

"Mikey! Mikey, can you hear me?? It's Raph!"

Crackling and static reply before Mikey's voice returns.
"Raph! Bro, it's so good to hear your voice! I've been messing with this thing for hours!" He exclaims, sounding relieved.

"Where are you? What do you see?" Raph asks, frowning as he looks around his room more. He notices a hatch on the floor right next to him. Huh.. escape?

When Mikey speaks again, he describes the exact same room and the same view outside, throwing around a few 'awesome's and around three 'cool's.

Raph sighs.
"Yeah, I'm in the same looking place.."

"Were we abducted?" Mikey ponders out loud. He suddenly gasps. "Oh my gosh, aRE WE GONNA BE PROBED?!"

Raph winces as his ears ring from the volume of his voice.
"Mike, calm down. I don't think we're gonna be probed. Can you tell me the last thing you remember?"

"Uh... les'see.. fighting those nasty guys.. Y/n.. oh... Y/n getting hurt and falling. I remember you running. Then a scream.. Oh my gosh!"

"What?! What??!"

"Farję and Sewce–!" Mikey's cut off suddenly, and Raph starts to panic.

"Mikey? Mikey?? Mikey! Th-this isn't funny!" He shouts into the microphone. Static and silence answer him, and he breathes heavily, slumping down on the floor with his head in his hands. "A dream.. all a dream... wake up, Raph." He breathes faster and heavier, staring down at the floor.

He hears whirring and clicking directly behind him, and glances over his shoulder. It continues until the 'wall' he was leaning on shoots up, and he falls flat on his back. He grunts and looks up, locking eyes with Donnie, who is wearing the same suit he had on.

"Hey Raph." He smiles.

"Donnie!" Raph scrambles up and hugs his taller brother, breathing a sigh of relief. "Do you know where the shell we–" He stops, looking past Donatello and out the window in front of him. He sees, in the center of the city, a statue of two people. He recognizes them from a picture, as your parents.

"We are in Lumina Stellar's finest hospitals!" The Fugitoid exclaims, walking up behind Raphael and placing his hand on his shoulder.

"H-Hospital.. we're in... where's Y/n??" Raph asks, turning around and finding all his brothers, Casey and April standing there. Casey has a glowing blue tinge around his left leg, from his ankle to his knee, like a cast.

"Raph.." Leo speaks up, his voice soft. Raphael's eyes widen with fear. He can tell in Leo's tone of voice, something is wrong. He clenches his fists, and his eyes turn stone cold.

"WHERE'S Y/N?! TAKE ME TO HER!" He shouts, angry and scared for the one girl that could make his tough-guy act melt like butter. He couldn't lose her.. she had become everything to him.

April gently takes his hand and leads him down the halls. If Raph took notice, he would see that the walls of the corridors were glass. Looking left or right, you would see Lumina Stellar. The statue of your parents. A celebration taking place on the ground, with dancing and music and decorations and fireworks of many colors. But Raphael's mind was focused on you. What state were you in? Unconscious, on a bed, covered from head to toe in bandages? Would your face hold color again?

April leads him up to a large, white door. The group follows behind, nervously waiting for him to enter. Before Raph does, however, April stops him.

"Please... don't lose your cool."

Raph huffs and bursts through the doors, and his eyes are assaulted with the sight of large, circular tube-like chambers, filled to the brim with water. There are five in total, and three in use. Two are unknown to Raph, but the third... is you.

-Y/n's Hydro-Therapy Isolation Tank:
{You have no idea how long it took me to find the name for that!}

Tubes are attached to your body; in your arms, one connected to a face mask on your mouth and nose, one on either side of your waist. You are submerged, in the tank. You seem so peaceful, yet.. so pale.

Raph takes in a shaky gasp. Seeing you like this.. he didn't expect it.
"Y/n... oh my God..."

"We offer our sincerest apologies to you all." A new voice speaks up, unaccustomed to Raph's ears. He turns around sluggishly, and looks up to see a Royal Guard standing next to Leo.

-Royal Guard:

The guard is tall, with a rounded helmet that kinda makes one think he/she is bald. The armor is solely white, with a red cape over the shoulders. He wears a white belt around his waist, and a sword with a silver hilt is in his sheath.

"Is Y/n ok?" Raphael asks softly.

"The King and Queen will speak to you on behalf of Princess Y/n's state of health. Please follow me." The Guard replies, marching down the hallway with his armor clattering slightly. Raph looks back at you, then walks with his brothers and friends down the corridor.

They enter a throne room, with tall ceilings and archways, leading to other hallways. Windows with delicate patters and designs give the room light. The group walks on the gentle blue carpet, and look to where two seats lie, with tall backs and a statue of an angel holding a torch on either side. Up ten steps, seated in front of the window, are your parents.

-Throne Room:

Your mother sits tall, with a white flowing gown that pools at her feet. Her hair is loose, and cascades off her shoulders like a silvery waterfall. At the sight of her, Raphael almost blurts out Y/n, but catches himself.

Your father sits beside her, holding her hand. He wears a loose, crisp white shirt and a robe with silver patters that comes down to his thighs. His pants are also white, and fall to his ankles. His hair is cut short, with a few curls brushing against his forehead.

The group bows low, and the Fugitoid steps forward.

"Your Majesties, we are honored to be in your presence. May I present to you, Earth's heroes: Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, Michelangelo Hamato, April O'Neil and Casey Jones." Everyone takes a second bow when their name is spoken. Your mother perks up.

"Raphael.." her voice is startling; smooth, soft and gentle, yet commanding and demanding ears to be opened and eyes to lock with hers. "Step forward."

Raph gulps and walks up to the bottom step.

"My daughter, the princess, uttered your name before she fell out of consciousness again. May I ask why?"

Raphael looks up and finds your father staring down at him with an impenetrable gaze.

"Yes ma'am.. um.. Y/n, uh, princess Y/n and I had a sort of.. we.. well, we cared for each other." Raph's cheeks start to burn as he looks up at them.

"You were friends?" Your father inquires, his voice strong like steel, and just as cold.

"No, sir.. more than that."

"Partners in battle?"

Raphael shakes his head once again, frowning as he hears his brothers chuckling.

"... Lovers?"

"M/n!" Your father bellows, appalled.

"Just a tad lower, ma'am.." Raph murmurs.

"You dared brush lips with my daughter?!" Your father snaps, leaping up to his feet. Raph stumbles back and gulps.

"Well after being kidnapped twice by pirates, we kinda got this bond.. I-it was just a few lip brushes, though!" Raph exclaims as your father marches toward him.

He falters, staring down at him. Your mother stands and strides to your father, looping her arms around his.

"Love of my life.. be calm. This young man helped Y/n through dark times. We owe him everything." She whispers softly, stroking his arm.

"Excuse me, but is Y/n alright?" Mikey speaks up, just before Raph could ask.

Your parents sigh softly.
"I am afraid to inform you that.." You mother begins, clutching your father's sleeve.

"Y/n is dying.." he finishes, placing a light kiss on her head to sooth her. "We are trying almost everything.. her body doesn't respond."

Raph frowns, looking up at them.
"What do you mean, almost?"

Your mother stares at him, slightly perplexed.
"Pardon?"

"You said 'almost everything', implying there are one or more untouched methods that could save her." Donatello speaks up, crossing his arms after.

"There.. is one, a last resort.." The king looks down at the queen. "We dare not consider it without consulting the people."

"Well, here's some people. Consult us." April remarks, glancing at everyone else.

Your mother sighs deeply.
"If one is desperate, a child of Lumina Stellar may touch their star, and lose the favor of the heavens. Thus, reverting to the closest race they are related to. It hasn't been spoken of in thousands of cycles."

"Would it work?" Leo asks, raising a brow.

"If not.. her soul will depart. You saw her, barely hanging on.. that chamber is keeping her alive." Your father embraces your mother, his chin on her head.

Raph lets out a gruff puff of air.
"So our choices are: take a chance to save her, or give up and let her die?" He rolls his eyes. "Like that's a choice."

"How do we get her star?" Casey asks, standing on his good leg and leaning on April for balance.

"The top of the castle, her star is in the banks.. it will be glowing dimly.." Your mother replies, standing straighter and leaving the king's embrace. "Follow me."

She leads the group through the maze of hallways to a set of stairs. Looking up, a bright blue light shines at the top. The queen, with all her courage and motherly love, hikes up her skirt and climbs the steps, demanding that only Raphael joins her. The stairs are tall, and winding, and Raph grows dizzy after a long time of climbing. The light steadily grows brighter, and brighter, until he must squint as he stumbles up the steps. Finally, they reach the top. M/n's dress drags across the floor as her bare feet pad across the stone floor. Raphael looks around with wide eyes, once accustomed to the light. Hundreds of crystals, the size of your thumb, hanging from the ceiling like stars. As they walk toward the center of the room, the crystals grow bigger and bigger. Some sparkle like the sun, others are dimmer, like faint stars that disappear if stared at for too long.

And in the center of the room, on a tall pedestal, rests your crystal. Shards of it lay on the floor, dull and light-less. In fact, Raphael notices shards and little pieces of crystals all over the floors, all dull and pale.

"You ponder the chips." Your mother speaks up, staring at your crystal as it pulses and flutters faintly. "When a child is born, their crystal is bright and round. As it hangs, with every year, a shard will fall. But Y/n.. hers fell faster from the adventure with you. And her life is nearing it's end.."

Raph walks up and stands next to her.
"I did everything I could to protect her.. honest." He utters in a shushed tone, staring at your gem flutters with your heartbeat.

"I must ask.. why do you not let her go?"

"Because... I saw Diana stab her.. saw her fall.. I held her while the life left her eyes. I was so close to losing her, and I won't lose her again." He states firmly, looking up at her. "That makes sense, doesn't it?"

She nods.
"Yes. You passed that test brilliantly." Her face falls, turning solemn as she speaks again. "Now, you must take the stone. Grab a hold of it, tightly. With no hesitation." She speaks firmly, tears in her eyes as she holds Raphael's shoulders. "Save my child, and take care of her."

Raph's green eyes are wide as he nods slowly, and looks at your crystal. He takes a deep breath and snatches it, holding tight and pulling it to his chest.

"Quickly, down the steps! We haven't long!" The queen ushers him, running down the stairs as her shirt flies behind her. He quickly follows down, the descent faster than the climb. Your mother rushes with him through the hallways, and he clutches your crystal tightly. M/n stops and lets Raphael through, watching him walk in to see you being carried out of your chamber. He takes your hands and places the crystal in between them.

It glows instantly, the light escaping through the spaces amid your fingers and hands.

Your eyes shoot open, and you gasp loudly. Your e/c eyes are bright and lively as you see Raphael grin. Every strand of hair on your head turns from silver to h/c, and your skin changes from ghostly pale to s/c.

"Raph! Ow!" You whine as you sit up suddenly and pain shoots up your side.

"Easy, sweetheart. You're ok.." He sighs in relief as he hugs you tightly. "I've got you back.."

-The Royal Castle:

First chapter with 3,000 words! Sorry if it's too long, or has to many pictures. I can split the chapter in half if you guys want, and make it a two-part. Well, anyways, enjoy the chapter!)