Chapter Text
*It was cold and damp in the darkened hallway. The only sound to be heard was the steady drip of water from a small hole in the ceiling to the sodden ground. To the young turtle wandering the hall, it looked as if from a hidden corridor from medieval times.
Michelangelo, a turtle clad in an orange bandana and various ninja memorabilia, traveled down the forbidding hall that appeared to have no end.
Finally a bright light shone in the turtle’s eyes and momentarily blinded him as loud clanking resounded around him. Then a none-too-friendly cackle filled the practically empty space.
“Wh-Who’s there?” The young, sea green turtle jumped as a demonic shriek whistled through his mind. Heavy breathing became louder as a giant figure ventured closer to its target. The light reflected off its armor and baby blue eyes rested on a horrid enemy. “Shredder.”
“Very good Michelangelo. You remember my name. Now I hope you remember my power!” A flash as images of Mikey’s brothers trapped and in pain swirled around his head.
Each cried out in pain and looked him in the eyes for help. “Stop! Let them go please! I’ll do anything you want!” Again the Shredder laughed and whispered in Mikey’s ear. “I will make you writhe in pain and beg for mercy.”
Just then Shredder pinned Mikey to the ground and raised his bladed gauntlet. “Say farewell turtle!” He brought it down and Michelangelo screamed closing his eyes tight. *
His eyes snapped open and stared up at a shadowed figure shaking him. At the sight, Mikey screamed and felt a calming hand on his shoulder. “Shh Mike it’s me, Raph. You’re safe now. It was just a nightmare. You understand what I’m saying?”
Mikey nodded and shook. Seeing his discomfort, Raphael lay on the small bed with Mikey and pulled him close to soothe him. It had been this way almost every night for a month and it began to worry Raph, as with each passing dream, they just got worse.
Mikey whimpered and buried his face in the older, emerald green turtle’s neck like he did when they were children. Raph slowly rubbed Mikey’s shell in order to soothe his unease and this action registered soft hums from the younger.
Raph noticed that Mikey always hummed when he was scared and usually after a nightmare occurred. It bothered Raph at first to be woken every night by the sounds of whimpers and screams from the room next to his but he became accustomed to it and expected it every night.
It turned into Raph’s responsibility to look after the baby of the family when in distress and having nightmares every night was a big part of Mikey’s distress.
“You know I won’t let anyone hurt you, right?” “Mhmm. That’s what you’ve always told me.” Raph absentmindedly stroked the younger’s arm as he went on. “Have I broken that promise?” Mikey shook his head and looked up into leaf green eyes. “You always come through for me.”
“Then there’s nothin’ to fear ‘scept fear itself. Got me?” Again the younger nodded. “M’sorry.” “No don’t be. It ain’t your fault for the ‘mares. Shell it’s your psyche messin’ with ya. I ain’t never gonna blame ya for freakin’ out each night. I kinda enjoy it ‘cause we can hang out without fightin’ for our lives.”
Mikey smiled as his older brother rambled on and listened intently as his chest rumbled with each word he uttered. The young and naïve turtle closed his eyes and drifted to sleep once again but without a nightmare in sight.
Raph looked down and smiled as the seemingly fragile creature in his arms fell asleep. “Sweet dreams little bro.”