Chapter Text
Mikey couldn't sleep.
And no it wasn't insomnia that's keeping him awake. No. He couldn't sleep. He can't! Every second he stood around doing nothing was like 10 years! He felt so restless. Like staying still was taking years off his life.
Mikey knew why he felt this way though.
Because Leo was still in the Prison Dimension.
It's been a few days since he went into the prison dimension. And all the family was hiding their grief. Tending to their wounds. Ignoring the very obvious, missing red eared slider in the family.
To Mikey, it felt like they all forgot about Leo. How?! How could they just act like he never existed?!
The whole thought of it made his blood boil.
Casey had told him he was a powerful mystic warrior. That he sent Casey back in time. So when Mikey felt like he was about to explode with frustration, (which was every waking moment) he spent his time practising, pushing his limits and opening a portal. If future Mikey could make a portal to the past then Mikey in the present could make a portal to bring his long lost brother out of another dimension.
It wouldn't be that hard. Right?
He was so wrong.
Every attempt he took at opening a portal only left him with painful, hot cracks in his skin that'd blister. It made his chest tighten and his limbs weaken.
Though Mikey would attempt it at any chance he got. Unfortunately, Raph would find him, telling Mikey to stop. That it was over. Leo was gone. Which didn't make sense at all! How could he say that? It wasn't over. Mikey could still feel Leo's mystic energy. He wasn't dead. He was alive! And Mikey had to save him.
Though it wasn't easy. Mikey might've gotten the least injured out if his brothers. Raph damaged his eye and shell from the Krang. His other brother Donnie also has damage on his shell on the ship and broke his arm during their last fight with the Krang.
Mikey only had a few scraps and some bruising. He was fine. Though he knew he could've done more to help. So that's what he was doing now. He was going to save Leo!
Mikey sat up, glancing around his room.
Everything was just how it was. His bed was pressed horizontally against the wall. His soft memory foam mattress slowly regained its shape as he got up. Beside his bed was his lamp. The stem starts off straight until about more than half way when it curves so it faces towards him. His ceiling was decorated in glow-and-the-dark stars. Making him feel like he was watching the real stars when he laid there. Sometimes he'd count them when he couldn't sleep.
In front of him was his desk, on top was plastered with drawings of his family. The most recent ones being torn and scribbled over with black sharpie. A small white fully saucer chair was knocked over in front of the desk. Showcasing most of his draws from his view. To his left was an orange bean bag, it was all squished and sagged lamely on the floor. Looking about as depressed as Mikey felt.
Beside that was his multitude of canvas. Majority hanging on the walls all around his room. Most being unfinished paintings. The one he was working on sitting patiently on his easel. On the floor laid his oval paint palette, several dried layers of paint was plastered all over it. Beside it were hundreds of paint bottles.
Mikey had any colour anybody could think of. And if he didn't, then he could make it.
Mikey stood up, his feet wobbled slightly, though he quickly fixed his stance and regained his balance. The constant attempts at creating a portal with no external help proves to be very exhausting. Making it so moving wasn't the most comfortable thing. His arms were tender, roasting in the hot inflammation burning inside.
His posture was terrible, hunched over like a shrimp. Though he didn't care, he couldn't care about himself right now. Not when Leo was out there, probably scared for his life. Being hunted by the Krang in that dimension.
He had never seen Leo scared for his life. (Except for when they hunted the Gumbus) His egotistical brother always smiled during bad times. Making poor jokes to lighten the mood and shove aside others worries for him. Though Mikey knew Leo could be the most emotional out of everyone. Even if he didn't show it.
Mikey stepped out of his room. Feet pressed against the cold concrete floor. He turned his head down the hall where Raph's room lay beside his. They slept in the same area of the lair. Whilst Donnie got the upper parts of the lair and Leo got the train cart.
He wordlessly passed Raph's room. Mikey knew his eldest brother wasn't there. Mostly because there was no roaring snore coming out of the room. Plus, he knew Raph was in the Medbay. Likely sleeping on the gurney with Donnie.
Though Mikey knew his soft-shelled brother was probably wide awake.
He didn't have to guess. He knew.
Mikey turned down to the end of the hall, going up a few steps that led into the kitchen.
In the centre was an island. Toppled with dirty pots and pans. The counters near the sink were overflowing with plates, forks, spoons, and bowls. The actual sink wasn't any better. Splinter had been stress-eating since they got back, and someone needed to clean the kitchen. But nobody had the energy, nor the time to do that.
Mikey turned down to the left, walking into the atrium, with their skateboarding ramp. (One of Leo's favourite places to hang out) Mikey could see up-above Donnie's violent purple lights glow in his lab. The faint sounds of several fans, like Donnie's PC. The saturated colours of violet reflected off of any near surface. creating a cool hue in the surrounding area.
Several hallways branched off, going all around the lair. One going to Leo's train cart and the other going up stairs to Donnie's room. The tunnel right in front of him led to the Medway. The one to his right, behind the ramp led to Donnie's garage.
Mikey wanted to see if his brothers were okay but he couldn't look at Raph anymore, not after what he said. Mikey was so stupidly frustrated with that dumb sentence. Raph was an idiot for saying or even thinking that.
Now Mikey was going to show him wrong. He had too.
He shifted to his right. Heading down the tunnel to the garage. It was late at night so it was long and dark. Occasionally a light would appear overhead but they were so dim it hardly lit his path.
Eventually he saw the garage door. a row of cold purple lights near the bottom, it complimented the bluish grey metal of the door. Beside it was a lock pad. Containing buttons that went from 0 to 9.
Mikey groaned slightly, scratching at his head. Searching for any possible memory that would tell him what it was.
He really didn't have time for this.
Mikey just needed some room to focus. Just needed to save Leo.
Knowing his genius brother Donnie, the code could be anything. But, Mikey had an idea.
He brought his hand out. Hovering it over the number 9. Taking a moment to reconsider. An incorrect answer would likely trigger an alarm. Sending his brothers to him. He ignored the thought, shoving it down his list of concerns. Then continuing forward, typing out 9-0-0-0.
"Password Correct"
A 8-bit robotic sounding Donnie answered. The garage door lifted upwards slowly, almost painfully. Though once it was open enough underneath he slid through like a snake. Turning around, there was another lock pad. He put in the code again.
"Password Correct"
It responded again. Now slowly closing the door. Giving Mikey a moment to breathe.
As long as he was alone he could do this.
Donnie's Turtle Tank stood right in the middle of the room. Taking up a lot of space. Though the amount he had was good enough.
Mikey sprinted to the other side of the room staring at the brick wall in front of him. The whole room was sound proofed so his brothers couldn't hear him. Nor the portal opening which is just what Mikey needed.
He stood there, lifting his hands out and channelling his mystic energy into his hands. Though, like always, he needed help.
The best help he could get was emotional fuel.
🟠
He remembers Raph holding him close as they were falling from hundreds of meters in the sky. Flying past several floating chunks of rumble, the Technodrome looming over him. Mikey was way too dazed to be scared of what was happening. They were all together, as long as they were then nothing could stop them. The Krang was beatable.
Raph had called something out to Donnie but Mikey didn't hear it. His older brother curled his body towards his younger siblings. Powering up his mystic energy, coating them all in it to help brace the imminent impact they'd face.
Then they crashed against the concrete ground of Staten Island. The heavy impact combined with Raph's wincing snapped Mikey into reality, he sat up, glancing around the island. It was all destroyed, His older brother had left a large depression in the concrete. Yet Mikey still believed everybody was there. Completely oblivious to the lack of blue.
Donnie had flushed out his weird data collecting coping mechanism before hitting the ground. Grunting loudly. Clearly overstimulated and slightly out of it.
"Donnie- Leo's still up there..." His eldest brother's gaze fixated on the Technodrome high in the sky. The top of it being inside the portal dimension. Whilst the majority on their side. Mikey still wasn't sure if he was hearing properly anymore. Leo was still in the Technodrome? Fighting the Krang? Alone?
Donnie was now sitting up, shuffling his gaze up in the sky. His face was speechless and confused. For the first time, Donnie looked like he didn't know what to do.
Raph was in the same boat. His mouth opened, worry painted all over his face. Their fears and tension spread onto Mikey. His heart dropped into a fuzzy endless pit in his chest. Eating aware of his negative emotions.
Kssshh!!
It was on Raph's communication device, Their head all snapped towards its direction. Staring it down with hope and fear. Mikey's heart was fluttering, bouncing around in his chest.
"Casey- Casey come in!" Leo called through the device. Mikey felt relief wash over him like the ocean. His brother was okay! He sounded perfectly fine, to be honest. Just slightly more serious sounding.
"Sensei, I'm here. And I've got eyes on the key!" Casey's voice pitched through next, the young boy sounding slightly out of breath but hopeful and happy. "Just tell me when you're home free and I'll pull the plug!" He adds a moment later.
There was silence. For a few moments. Though it felt like ages.
"Casey, listen to me! When I make it to the other side, you close that door!" Leo finally said. He still sounded so normal. Like nothing was happening. The words tugging at Mikey's heart, feeling like it was being ripped out of his chest.
Why did he sound like this was a normal conversation?!
The tension in the air rose to unbearable levels. Mikey could see Raph tense up. Looking stiff like a rock. Mikey's already sinking heart dropped even further. Tears threatened to spill out of his eyes, yet he resisted. He wasn't a child. He couldn't cry right here. Maybe Leo had a plan? Maybe he had an idea he didn't know about. That's all Mikey could hope for.
"What?! Sensei No!" Casey's call, a small crack in his voice peaked out on his last word.
"Casey, it's the only way, he's too strong. He's not going to stay on the other side unless I keep him there." His older brother's voice finally broke slightly. Anxiety barely filled in his tone. It hurt Mikey to hear it. He wished he had his brother's sword so he could teleport him out of danger.
"There has to be another way!" Casey yelled.
"We've tried everything, Case, this is the only way." Leo answered back quickly. Trying to end the conversation. Raph turned over to look at his brothers. Looking completely lost, several emotions flashing all over the snapping turtle face.
"Leo, please don't do this! Leo!" Raph cried. Desperation filling his voice. Mikey sat up, staring at the snapping turtle. The fear boiling in his chest.
Leo chuckled slightly, crushing the tense atmosphere for a few moments. "You're one to talk, big bro. Hero moves are totally your style" Raph's eyes widened, it looked like tears were about to spill out of them but Raph turned away. Staring up at the Technodrome once again.
Then there was silence again. There was nothing they could do, the lack of control on the situation was driving Mikey crazy. Yet he couldn't lose his cool. Not now. Leo was still there. He was fine. Mikey just needed to wait for him to end the fight. Even though Mikey couldn't wait much longer.
"Leo, please! I can't lose you again!" Casey cried again. Breaking the silence like a sledgehammer to thin glass.
"Hey, future me would be really proud of you. I'm proud of you." Leo answered back, calmess masking his tone. Though Mikey couldn't help but notice the hiss of something in the background.
"Weak words! Weak actions!" The Krang growled back. A loud cracking noise of a shell snapping across the communication device. Raph looked at his brothers for a moment, a mix of worry and borderline bursting into tears flashed all over his face. Then they heard the sounds of fingers fumbling against the microphone before everything went silent. Mikey nearly wanted to start crying. He wanted to reach for Raph's device and cry to his brother.
That could be the last thing he heard the slider say.
After a long moment Mikey could hear Leo wince then he spoke frantically. "Casey, close the portal now!"
"What?!" The Krang roared in the background.
Mikey immediately got up and ran to Raph. Wanting to speak to his brother Leo before it was too late. His legs gave out of him though. He quickly hit the floor, scraping his elbows and knees on the asphalt and small shattered bits of rock. He let out a weeping cry, tears cascading down his face. Nearly expecting Raph or Donnie to come comfort him but they didn't. They were all too shocked to move.
The portal was still open though. Leo could still escape if he wanted to.
"No! Let go of me!" The Krang yelled again.
Then one loud bone crunching blow could be heard from the device. Leo winced loudly. "Casey!-" another blow. "Please!-"
Then, within moments. The portal closed, severing off the small bit of Technodrome that was inside the prison dimension. The rest, remaining in their dimension. The portal closed completely, crushed it, making it explode. All the zero gravity vanished as thousands of floating cars, trees, rocks all came falling down like a meteor shower. With the Technodrome following.
Mikey thought that was it. He thought Leo was gone forever. No way of getting home. Now he would be lying if he said he didn't start crying right then and there. Because he really did.
Donnies jaw dropped further, and Raph. He didn't know. He looked as stunned as ever, a slight shake in his eldest brother's shoulders was hardly noticeable.
"You've been portal-chopped!" Leo called triumphantly. Using his newest catch phrase.The slight sound of the explosion could barely be heard in the background of the device.
Did he know his microphone was still on? Either way Mikey was thankful.
Then a shockwave hit, a loud wind blowing through the microphone. Then 4 painful hits cracked into the mic. And 4 winces from his brother could be heard following. Then a loud crashing noise, though there wasn't a wince this time.
Every pained cry hurt his soul more and more, but Mikey needed to constantly hear his brother. He needed to be sure he was alive and the fact that he didn't make a sound on that last hit broke him. The bone crushing paranoia finally taking hold.
"You... You've ruined everything!" The Krang roared. Anger erupting any silence. Mikey's arms were shaking. No. His whole body was shaking. His face was wet with tears. "And now-" there was a noticeable chuckle in the Krang's voice "my wrath will be reserved for you alone!"
A hit. "You've think you've-" another hit. "Won-" another hit. "You-" hit "wretched-" hit "little Pest!" Then another. Leo winced loudly, letting out a choked cry in pain. Then the sounds of stone crumbling, followed with a slam onto a hard surface with Leo grunting.
It seems his brother realized his device was on as the sounds of it being muted for the last time.
There was silence. For a long, long time. They stood there and waited for ages. But Leo never came back. It was all just static, along with the sounds of Leo's family mourning him.
Raph had eventually given up the next day. Saying it's over. Leo was gone, that there was no way to get him back. But Mikey knew he was wrong.
Mikey fought his way to stay and wait for his brother but Raph just picked him up. Dragging him back home against his will. They all cried on their way home.
Mikey cries himself asleep, he cries when he rats, he cries when he's trying to save Leo.
🟠
Mikey opened his eyes.
Now back in the garage. His eyes overflowing in tears but he couldn't care less. The memories of his loving Red-Eared brother fueling him to push forward. Encouraging him to keep going. He had been able to slightly create some sort of portal but the pain and fear of what he was doing had stopped him before.
Now Mikey was prepared. He was going to save Leo. At all costs.
He groaned loudly. Pushing aside all the searing hot pain growing in his limbs. A loud crackling noise and a flash of orange electricity appeared in front of him. Flickering light all around him. Mikey focused on his hopes for Leo. His desire to save his brother. Ignoring everything else.
The orange portal began to form. Glowing orange cracks began to chip away at his arm. The pain burrowing into his thoughts like a parasite. His arms burned like fire but he continued. Pushing further, fueling himself more.
"Come on Leo!" Mikey yelled. Groaning louder, the portal growing, so were the cracks on his arms.
It grew and grew and grew.
Until finally, Mikey could see through it, seeing the portal dimension.
A crumpled figure was curled in front of Mikey. Their body was clearly tortured. Healing old scars that plastered their body. They clung onto a piece of paper, shrouding it in their arms.
He saw the familiar red slash markings on their eyes, the trademark yellow markings on their arms and legs. And even their blue mask.
Mikey's heart shrunk, yet bounced joyfully around his body. He was so delighted yet so scared to see the figure.
To see Leo.