Chapter Text
The young turtle sat silently on the branch, his beloved blue bandana tight tightly around his neck. He watched the Creature cautiously; they never hunted an adult beetle before,sure he wanted to prove that his group could handle bigger missions now but that didn't stop him from being nervous.
His eyes darted to his brother In purple, Don, who sat on Different tree, his goggles over his eyes and his revolver held with a tight grip ready to fire.
He couldn't see the the rest of his team clearly from where he was sitting but he trusted them to be in their positions by now, taking a deep breath he drew one of his sword and gave don a nod who immediately readied his revolver and fired the first shot the Signal for the Team to start the Hunt.
Leo launched forward mystic Energy surrounding him making it look like he almost Teleported to the creature slamming his Katana Easily in the gap between the hardened plates on the beatles back the Insect like creature roared and reared up on his hind legs.
In that moment in a blur of white and black his third team member ,Yuichi, rushed out of his position and slashed his Katana horizontally across the beast's soft belly. The beatle roared in pain and anger, its sharp claws rushing down on the bunny Yokai who swiftly doged to the side a precise shot hitting the creature in his small eye who holwerd in pain not noticing the large lizard Yokai coming up behind it.
Said yokai made swift work of that moment, her tail curling around one of its hinge legs as she dashed forward, that was the cue for Leo to remove his sword and jump as Mona Lisa threw the Beetle onto its back. Leo readied his position drawing his left foot back just how he's been thought and with one swift motion cut the head of the beast off.
“Whoo we did it!!” cheers Yuichi excitedly bouncing on his feet,
“ don't get too excited it was already wounded” said Don, as he walked to them throwing a disgusted look to the mess of blood and guts where the slain beetle laid the rabbit yokai pouted “ you know how to suck the fun out of everything don't you Don?”
Leo laughed hearing these two squabble as he ripped out some grass to clean his blade. Mona had a cocky smile on her face “Hurt or not we totally aced the test so now we're going to be Officially not trainees anymore! That should be celebrated”
“If we pass or not that's for the Leaders to decide” chimed leo in, He felt the arms of his Boyfriend sling around his shoulders “ we totally passed oh great leader~” said boyfriend said in a mockfull tone of respect, The red ear slider flashed fake offend look to the Rabbit
before his twin chimed in again “ well we did not damage the shell which is good, just Imagine the Armours and weapons i could make with this If i combine this with-”
“okay before the Nerd gets fully into his nerd out phase let's get the loot and get back or we will be here the entire week” Mona quickly Interrupted don which earned her a “Scoff” from don but he didn't say anything more as he stepped away, they all knew the sounds of breaking the shell off freaked Don out so they didn't mind him not helping with it, the rest of the team got to work.
It took them about an hour to clean everything up and tie the pieces of the shell and the Horn together, Mona threw them across her shoulder like it was nothing. Sometimes Leo wonders if she could bench press the entire team if she ever tried, the answer was most likely a strong yes.
Leo lead his team as they triumphantly returned to their small “Village”, it wasn't really a Village but they build small houses for they're group at the edge of the forest away from the bustle of the city and so they could could act fast if another feral yokai went berserk.
He heard the cheers from the older Hunters as he walked past them they never doubted him and his team well; they also were the ones who trained them from the day they were old enough to hold weapons, Leo stood up a bit straighter his chest swelling with pride Don slightly nodge his shoulder grinning.
The Leader of the Hunters group Adam, a Large wolf Yokai with plenty of scars, the crowd immediately falling silent and parting to let him through. He stood large before his students and they all went on one knee as a show of respect, Leo's pride was replaced with anxiety, his heart pounding in his chest, a tingling sensation in his chest, He could feel Adams sharp glare on him.
Adams eyes wandered from Leo to Don to Yuichi and lastly to Mona then with his deep voice rumbling like Thunder `` We all have gathered here today to see how our students would prevail in a Trial and I believe that I speak for everyone here today” He let his yellow eyes trail across the crowd, “When I say these young Yokais have more than enough proven they know how to use the knowledge we gave them and they show great promise to bring new knowledge and help our group grow in both skill and community and with that I would suggest we bring out the big bear Glasses because we are holding the Coming of age ceremony tonight till then we Celebrate our Children's success!” The crowd started Cheering again and Leo stood back up only to be almost knocked down again by Yuichi tackling into a bear (or more accurately a Bunny) hug
“We did it! We did it “ He excitedly yelled, Mona didn't hesitate long to join the hug and pull Don with her “ Hurray team” cheers Don drly as he tried and failed to escape the hug.
Leo couldn't help but laugh, He couldn't Imagine being anywhere else at this moment this is what he always dreamed of, He was home
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Raph was walking along the streets of New York, only the moon Illuminating the abandoned streets, the Snapper looked across his shoulder to see an Empty street. That wasn't right he went to the surface with someone else he was sure of it they had to be right behind him he turned fully around his alligator like tail thumping on the ground as he's consumed by sheer panic. Who were they and where were they? His breathing picked up as he ran down the street he just came from. He wanted to scream, cry, yell but everything got stuck in his throat. He lost them, he couldn't lose them, he had to protect them. How could he protect them if they weren't here? His mind was racing, he felt like he could throw up every second now, someone had to have taken them, his little ones. Raph turned the corner down an alleyway and stopped dead in his tracks, a gruesome display before him, of course his brothers, his little brothers that he loved more than anything, he fell to his knees the only sound he could hear was his blood rushing in his ears he could just stare, stare at the lifeless bodies of two of his beloved brothers.
Leo lay close to Raph blood, almost covering every ounce of his small body, his shell horribly cracked and missing pieces, his arms and legs were horribly mangled.
Donnie laid father away in the alley, his soft shell was ripped open blood pouring out of it.
Raph couldn't look away he felt sick, numb, until a voice forced him back “ This was your fault” he slowly turned around, tears streaming down his cheeks he looked at the cold eyes of his father “ I only allowed you to take them to the surface if you keep an eye on them and you failed to do that” Splinters eyes remind cold no emotion in them expect for pure burning hatred, Hatred for Raph, for the fact he was so careless, “ D-dad I didnt-” he tried unable to keep his voice steady but the small rat cut him off “ it was your Duty and you failed their blood is on your hands”
Raph looked down on his hands, his large clawed hands now tainted red with the blood of those he was supposed to protect. He couldn't stop his Shaking or the constant tears leaking out of his eyes.
A second voice rang out younger than his Fathers, Mikey “ Raph where are Donnie and Leo? You said you would come back with them” the Snapper slowly raised his head to look into the scared eyes of the younger Box Turtle “Why aren't they coming back? Why did you leave them? Are you gonna leave me behind too?” Mikeys voice was so small, so scared, scared of him.
“N-no of course I wouldn't!” he reached out to his baby brother only to stop dead in his tracks as Mikey flinched away from his touch “ your gonna kill me too arent you?” The young boy ask “ just like you killed our brothers”
“N-no I didnt- I w-wasnt- “
“ I hate you! Murder!”
With that Raph awoke with a Scream stuck in his throat tears running uncontrollably down his face.
Another nightmare, with a sigh the large snapper climbed out of bed he knew that he couldn't fall asleep again he never could. Making his way across the lair as quietly as he could, lifting the curtain to his youngest brother's room, he visibly relaxed as he saw the small box turtle sleeping peacefully in his hammock.
Letting the curtain fall back to place Raph made his way to his next destination, The shrine they built for Leo and Donnie, he stopped when he arrived in front of the wooden shrine the Pictures of his baby brothers happy smiles looking up at him. It's been years yet Raph couldn't seem to move on maybe because it was his fault they were dead.
Raph got on his knees in front of the shrine, he knew it was just a dream but dad must really hate him. He lost two of his sons in one night, he was the oldest he was supposed to protect them.
He could feel more tears burning in his eyes, he was so pathetic he couldn't even stop crying.
Quiet sobs echoing through the hallway as Raph just let his tears fall, he didn't know how long he sat there quietly crying as he felt a small hand stroking his shell. Looking over his shoulder he saw his Father sitting quietly next to him softly patting his shell, Raph choked a bit and the tears continuing “ I'm so sorry” he mumbled through his sobs.
“You shouldn't apologize, it wasn't your fault, I never blamed you Raphael,” His Father spoke in a soft tone. Raph could just continue to softly sob they sat there like this even after Raph lost the energy to cry.
After a while Raph stood up, Mikey was gonna wake up soon and he didnt wanna worry his brother if he found him hee, he looked at his Father who seemed to be lost in thought so without a word Raph headed for the bathroom.
Splashing Cold water in his Face managed to clear Raph’s mind, he always tended to get too emotional after one of these nightmares, he looked in the mirror and sighed despite washing his face it was still really obvious he had cried, he could only hope Mikey wouldn't bring it up.
Leaving the bathroom and heading towards the Kitchen he could hear Mikey Humming a tune as the box Turtle prepared breakfast, he turned his head as Raph Entered the Kitchen “ Oh good morning Raph!” he squeak excited “ Morning” Raph greeted back with a small smile on his face Mikey's sunshine mood was contagious.
He went over to the kitchen counter to start brewing himself a cup of coffee. He normally didn't drink coffee but crying so early in the morning already had him beat so Coffee was just the thing he needed to give him a boost of energy.
“Are you excited for today?” Mikeys voice ripped him out of his thoughts. The Snapper looked at his younger brother across the room slightly confused. “ Was today something special” Mikey gasped “ you forgot?!” the box turtle began to pout “ you promised me we go to the festival in the hidden city today together with Sunita and April”
Raph blinked slowly that was today “ you forgot I knew it! You promised me we would go”
“hey hey just because i didn't remember immediately didn't mean i forgot! Of Course we are gonna go! A promise is a promise after all” He said quickly
Mikey eyed him suspiciously but then his expression brightened again “ good!” He chirped as he went back to cooking.
April had Convinced Raph to go to the Festival. He didn't think it was a good Idea but she was right, Mikey should get out more.
Raph, April and Sunita where there as well so nothing bad would happen to Mikey it would be a Fun day, He kept telling himself but that did Little to quell his anxieties.
The day passed by Raph just doing small task here and there to keep his mind from Wandering, the thought of something happening to the only Brother he had left keep coming no matter how hard he tried to push it down, it was like trying to keep a beach ball underwater it always slipped back to the surface.
"Boys, we're here!" April's Voice snapped him out of thoughts. Was it that late already? He quickly rose to his feet and walked out of his room, Mikey was already exengily chatting with Sunita about the festival " You ready big guy?" His eyes dart over to the older teen who asked the question In her gaze lied concern, she knew to well how much Raph was not a fan of this Idea but he had to get through it he couldn't coop himself and Mikey up forever Raph new that " I think so " he mutter which caused april to gently place a hand on his shoulder " hey ts going to be okay, me and Sunita are gonna be with you" she smiled reassuringly.
Raph smiled but it wasn't entirely sincere, his worry kept rising with each passing minute, still having April there was quelling the worst of his fears.
They turned into the alleyway that had one of the entrances to the hidden city, Raph's eyes kept darting to Mikey the entire way as if his little brother could disappear the moment he took his eyes off him for too long.
Stepping through the portal feels surreal as if they stepped into a whole different world, the plants glowed in an eerie blue and there were weird things flying through the air, Mikey was bouncing for excitement he always wanted to explore the hidden city.
The lights of the festival already shone so brightly even when they were not in the city yet entering the city the air was filled with the drunken laughter of adults and the excited giggles of children everywhere they looked there were there stands with games or selling things mikey never seen before, Mikey didn't know where he should look first he excitedly bounced up and down it all look so fun he wanted to try it all.
He turned around to grab is Older brother’s hand “Come come look at this!” he chirped excitedly guiding the Snapping turtle to stand with Weird looking sweets.
Raph smiled softly as he let himself be dragged from stand to stand where Mikey would either try some games or buy sweets for them to try, seeing his little brother so happy made the trip worth it.
Mikey stopped in front of a game stall next, it was one of those games where you have to shoot the moving targets “Are the young men interested in a round? only 2 bucks for 5 shots.” came the deep voice from the stand salesman, a Bird looking Yokai with 3 long tails, a Sharp beak and dark green eyes, Mikey's tail begins to wag exited as he looks at the prices “ I will try” he said as he gave the Yokai the money.
Taking the fake gun he aimed at the little moving creatures and fired, a Miss, Mikey huffed disappointed and tried again, and again, and again until all his shots were fired he didn't hit once, “This is Rigged!” he whined.
someone laughed behind him “ Well with that form you wouldn't hit a non moving target as well” Mikey turned around to see a Turtle Yokai wearing a Purple bandana over his face and Thick glasses rimmed his eyes, he was wearing a Purple Hoodie and gray sweatpants, He didn't look like someone anyone would take seriously but at the sight of the yokai Mikey's stomach twisted, he Knew this turtle but it couldn't be could it?
Before he had a chance to open his beak to say something Raphs shaky voice spoke up
“Donnie?”