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When Mikey imagined himself returning to the lair, he thought he would be laughing out loud at the fact that he, Mikey,did what the whole team couldn’t. A pained whine to his side pushed that image away.
“Just hang on Donnie please, we are nearly there!” Mikey pleaded as he glanced at Donnie who was hanging over his shoulder, eyes squeezed shut in pain. The turtle sped up as lights of their home came to view.
If Donnie heard him or not it was anybody’s guess.
4 hours earlier it was fine, they were fine.
***
“Raph buddy, I know this is a lookout and all, but how long is this gonna take?!”
“Leo, will ya stop complaining! It’s only been 20 minutes!”
“More like 20 hours..”
Raph turned his head towards Leo with a frown.
“I heard that! Just because you turn your head away does not mean Raph can’t hear you.”
Leo muttered something else under his breath, and although Mikey didn’t hear it, it was clear Raph did, as his older brother gave the slider a sharp glare before continuing to watch the warehouse where the foot had arrived 20 minutes prior. Swinging his legs, Mikey took a glance at Donnie and not to his surprise, the soft shell was fiddling with the tech on their arm.
“What are you doing, Donnie?” As he said this, he scooted closer to his brother to have a quick glance at the screen and saw blueprints to be what looked like for a new upgrade to his battle shell.
Funny, I thought his shell could already fly.
As if Donnie read his thoughts, they showed the plans to Mikey with a small smile.
“The jet pack short-circuited last week, but never the matter my dear brother! With this new upgrade that old design would look as old as Papa’s decrepit chair!” He then stood up and shook his hands.
He must be excited! Can’t wait to see the final product!
“Sweet, bro!“ Mikey interrupted Donnie’s ramble. “Maybe you can do the pizza runs now, you know, as you can fly!”
“…I could before Michael” Donnie said as he raised a brow
“Yeah but you would be faster.” Mikey explained and gave Donnie a small shove.
“Yes but Leo is a litt-“
Whatever Donnie was about to say got drowned out by warehouse doors slamming open, which trigged them and Mikey to stand to their feet. Raph made a silence gesture with his hand and, when looking over at the scene below, Mikey immediately saw why.
The place was surrounded with members of the foot clan, each carrying small packing boxes and placing them in a van. As he looked closer, he could see that there were more clan members in the warehouse talking in hushed voices.
“Are those boxes glowing?” Leo whispered as more boxes were getting placed in the van.
“That can’t be good…” Raph muttered, then narrowed his eyes. “Ok team, on my signal we move in, and take those foot down!
“I don’t know Raph, there could be more inside…” Donnie hummed, pondering. “…but I have wanted to test out my new rocket launcher so lets beat these guys to the ground!”
“Since when did you have a rocket launcher?”
“Don’t worry about it, Nardo”
Aww I wanted to know…
As the foot were distracted, they jumped down from the roof. As Mikey looked around to see what he could spot on the roof, however, more voices could be heard from the warehouse than he originally thought.
More clan members.
As he looked towards his brothers, he saw Leo to his right, a smug grin appearing on his face. Typical Leo.
To his left stood Donnie, their body having little tension but on closer inspection he saw their grip tighten around their tech bō. They must have realised the same thing – there were more people than they initially thought. Even though he could not see Raph’s face, he saw the snapper’s shoulders tighten as Leo stepped forward.
“I’m no expert, but aren’t glowing boxes illegal?” The slider asked, not subtly pointing to the creates
The noise seemed to be a trigger, altering the clan members. Mikey was suddenly dodging attacks as more of the foot flooded from the warehouse. As he sidestepped to avoid another attack, he wrapped his chains around one of the attackers and flung him around to his back, where others were hoping to get the jump on him.
“That’s how we do it baby! Not it’s time fo- whoa!”
The fight seemed never ending, as he quickly found himself within a rhythm.
Attack.
Dodge.
Attack.
Dodge.
As he flung another against a wall, he took the time to find his brothers in the fray. A cry of “EAT SCIENCE” brought his attention to his left.
Donnie.
They were surrounded by foot ninjas, and despite his well calculated knock out blows, more ninjas seemed to come from thin air. He saw Donnie pull out what seemed to be a thick tube out of his battle shell.
Funny, it almost looked like – that’s the rocket launcher! Oh they are so done now!
Mikey threw a foot ninja over his shoulder as he looked to right, and he immediately spotted Leo and Raph amongst the foot ninjas. Leo seemed to be fighting a three vs one fight, quickly moving from side to side to avoid any attacks. He pushed them back, and that was the quick second he needed to allow him to open a portal below them. The moment of relief was short lived as more ninjas came from behind. A ninja flying through the sky caught his attention to Raph who was, out of all of them, the one who was surrounded the most.
I guess they think they can take out the leader? Fat chance!
Mikey turned his attention back to the ninjas he was fighting, and he leaped out of the way just in time. He took note that despite their best efforts, more ninjas seemed to come. He quickly ducked as another ninja flew through the air. He supposed he should be feeling tired, but he was very aware of the adrenaline running through him, and most likely his brothers too.
We can do this!
When he looked back to his left he saw Raph’s familiar red glow fade as he threw some ninjas back.
“We need to retreat! There are too many of them!” The snapper cried in stern and worried voice.
What?
“For once I agree with Raph, we should go!” Leo’s voice wobbled as more ninjas appeared.
But we can do this!
“You heard them Mikey, time to go!” Donnie stated as he joined Leo and Raph back on the roof.
No!
“We can do this guys, come on!”
He wrapped another foot ninja in chains and throws them at others who are crowding him. As he looks behind him he sees Leo and Donnie following Raph towards another roof top, but he can’t understand why.
“Mikey, I said retreat!” Attack.
“No!” Another dodge.
“Mikey now!”
That last sentence was particularly a growl from his older brother, and it sounded closer than before. He ignored this for the fight at hand.
Why where they leaving, they had the upper hand, right? Mikey turned his head back again and saw Raph running towards him, using his ninpō to shove any ninjas away. He saw Donnie holding Leo back and pointing in the direction of the closest manhole cover. Donnie spoke, and then Leo followed him, but not before a final look at Mikey. A kick to the chest brought him away from the scene and agin back in the fight as he fell to the floor. He let out a growl as he forced himself backup again before another strike could keep him down.
“No! Guys come on, we ca – hey! Put me down!”
As Mikey was talking Raph was suddenly there, and with ease slung the box turtle over his shoulder and jumped to the next building with many foot ninjas following. As much as he kicked, squirmed and screamed Raph kept a strong hold. The warehouse got further away and the foot ninjas gave up on their pursuit after the two. It wasn’t until they reached the manhole cover that Mikey gave up.
Raph hesitantly lowered Mikey and pointed towards the cover. The fact that Raph wasn’t saying a word shook him.
He’s mad.
He then climbed down the ladder and waited for Raph to do the same. Raph slowly descended down and he gave Mikey such a look that his head sunk slightly into his shell.
He’s really mad.
The walk back to the lair was in silence. Mikey didn’t feel like talking either.
***
When Mikey found himself back at the lair, he was immediately greeted by a smiling Leo, however, he knew it was just a cover. Mikey knew his brother, and as Leo checked him for injuries, the turtle knew one thing for certain – he was worried. Leo’s tension dropped once he gave Mikey a good look over, and went back to Donnie.
Whilst one twin hides his worry with smiles, the hides their face in tech. When Mikey saw Donnie, he could see the soft shell fiddling with the blueprints showed to him prior. Their foot tapping the ground gently as they stood. Mikey was all ready to sneak away in his room when he felt a large presence behind him. Raph.
He almost forgot.
What Raph said next made him wish he ran to his room before anyone could greet him.
“Leo, Donnie, I want to talk to Michelangelo alone” He stated calmly.
Oh shit.
The twins have each over a glance as they scurried off to their rooms, though Mikey suspected that they would be listening in. Splinter was gone, April was at home, so that just left him and one angry brother.
“Mikey…you didn’t listen to me! I can’t believe you would just – did you want to get hurt? Is that it? Did you want us to get hurt?!” Raph’s voices went from a silent rumble to shout within the time the twins left the room.
“But Raph I-“
“Your so childish you know that?! I’m the leader, and you should listen Micky! What if Leo got hurt? Or donnie? We had to leave and yo-and you could have gotten us or yourself hurt! I’m the older brother and ther –“
“No.” The box turtles voice raised slightly
“What?!”
“I said no! I can make my own decisions!” As he said this, he looked up to Raph. “We could have taken them! You just pulled out too early! We could hav-“
“THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU MIKEY!” The snapper yelled. As Raph said this, his tail hit the wall, causing an echo down the silent room. After a second, Mikey replied calmly.
“I’m not a child Raph”
“Yes. You. Are. You are the youngest and therefore have no decision on what happens out there! You think this I’m going to let you keep fighting just so you can prove something?! TO PROVE WHAT MICHELANGELO?! THAT YOU YOU DON’T CARE IF YOU GET HURT?!”
“No…” he muttered.
“So tell me why Mikey?! Tell me why YOU PUT US ALL IN DANGER?!” Raph’s voice echoed along the lair as his yelling got louder.
“WE COULD TAKE THEM RAPH! I WAS FINE WITHOUT YOU BEING OVERBEARING!”
He has had enough; it’s not fair. He may be younger but he’s not a baby. The box turtle could feel his voice rising as frustrated tears pricked his eyes. In the corner of his eye he could see Leo and Donnie looking around the corner, both of them shoulder to shoulder.
When did they get there?
Raph stood closer to Mikey as his voice raised, and Mikey could see that his brother was angry. Not the regular angry, no. This was different. If felt as if he was about so smash the floor and anything near him.
“If Raph has to be overbearing for you to stop being childish then so be it.” His voice was lower now.
“You don’t tell me what to do!” As he yelled he slammed his fist against the wall, the other clenched by the turtles side. “This just an excuse to for you to be controlling! You don’t actually care for-“
“That’s enough Mikey.” Leo swiftly interrupted as he stood next to Raph. A frown was on the usually smiling face. Mikey then looked to the side to see that Donnie was just stood at a distance looking at the brothers in the center of the room.
“Forget this…” Micky mumbled. He let out a growl as he started to walk away.
“Mikey -“
Mikey took once last look at Leo, and then to Raph who hadn’t spoke since Leo interrupted. He then pushed passed Donnie and made his way towards his room.
***
Micky found that maybe storming into your room with no food and little entertainment wasn’t the best idea, but he didn’t want to leave.
He didn’t want to see Raph.
The box turtle sighed as he turned towards the clock at the side of his bed. It was late.
Why couldn’t they just listen to me?! For once?! Would it hurt?!
He didn’t need them. Right? They could do it, if he just had more time…
Micky sighed again before standing up.
If only I could show them that I was right…wait!
It was a stupid idea. He would expect this from Leo maybe but him? It’s not as if Raph hasn’t snuck out before. The turtle gathered his gear before quietly opening the door. As he looked around, he saw no lights shining through the rooms. Well, all the rooms but one. The lab. He quickly went over before sliding the door open, his eyes squinting at the sudden light. If Donnie noticed him enter, he didn’t show it as they sipped coffee out of a purple mug. Mikey cleared his throat as Donnie turned towards him.
“Hello, my dear brother.” Donnie placed his mug down as he swivelled his chair to face the box turtle.”If this is about the pizza oven then you know the answer is no-“
“You wanna sneak out?” He cut off the soft shell abruptly as he shuffled closer to them.
“What time is it? Why are you dressed in yo-“ they hummed before talking again. “This is about tonight isn’t it? You know I’m not the best person to talk about this sort of th-“
“I’m not asking you to talk, I’m asking if you want to finish the job.”
“Behind Raph’s back? Oh I’m so proud of you!” Donnie shuffled over on their chair to allow a robotic arm to pat the turtle on the head. “Let me just grab my bō, Michael!”
***
“Sooo…where did you last see them?” The soft shell said as they walked closer to Mikey. They stood on top of the rooftop they once were as they looked at the warehouse, which now seemed empty.
“Come to think of it, they did chase Raph and me further down the city…” Mikey hummed as he suddenly pointed in the direction they fled earlier. “So they should be there!”
Donnie glanced over on tang direction before grinning evilly at Mikey.
“Last one there does papa’s laundry for a week!” They shouted as they sped off, jumping from the building they were standing to another. Mikey laughed as he ran.
“Oh yeah! How can you expect to beat me if you just a sit in a lab all day slowpoke!” As Mikey yelled he passed the soft shell who then screamed with laughter as they fought to keep up.
“Oh you will regret the day you cross Othello Von Ryan, Micheal!”
Soon all that could be heard was screams of laughter as the two jumped from building to building, no longer looking for the foot ninjas they were once looking for. Mikey saw a purple and green blur as his brother picked up speed and gained a significant distance away from him. The box turtle laughed again as he picked up speed.
He didn’t notice the shadows move.
He didn’t notice the foot ninjas moving closer to his brother as he stood at the end of the roof, letting out a cheer and a cry of “I win dear brother now you ha-“
He was too slow .
Too cocky.
He cried out as Donatello was pushed from the roof by a foot ninja in the shadows.
“DONNIE!”
Foot ninjas surrounded him.
No!
He used his chains to throw them in the opposite direction to where his brother fell
Please.
“DON!”
No reply came as he flung more ninjas away.
“the jet pack short circuited last week”
“DONNIE!” He wailed as tears fell down his face.
The ninjas seemed to disappear out of thin air as Mikey ran towards the edge of the building.
He can’t fly.
The box turtle chocked on his sobs as he saw Donnie chest first on the ground, still.
“Oh nonononono please...DONNIE”He wailed again as he climbed the ladder down toward his brother.
The turtle ran towards the still form as he slid to the ground. Gentle hands touched the soft shell’s face as Mikey held shook them gently.
“Donnie please, please..” his voice cracked at the end as there was no response. As he shuffled closer his leg met something wet and warm. Mikey’s eyes widened as he looked down. Blood. With care, the box turtle turned the soft shell over, who let out a whine due to the action. What Mikey saw made his blood turn cold.
No….
In the center of Donnie’s plastron was a large crack, with blood spilling out. Mikey’s breaths quickened as Donnie let out another pained whine.
I did this…this is my fault…
“Ok, ok keep calm Mikey, you just need to get back home.” The turtle thought for a moment before pulling his brother up so they were propped on his shoulders. The soft shell let out a loud whine as their eyes scrunched up in pain.
“Oh shit – I’m so sorry, I’m sorry..” he took a deep breath before looking around. He knew where the nearest manhole cover was from here, and luckily it wasn’t too far.
“Ok I’ve got this, it’s simple right? Just waking, yeah!” A sob escaped the box turtle as he started to move. “Just right foot, left foot! Right Don?”
No reply.
Mikey started to walk as Donnie whined behind him-but he couldn’t focus on the at right now, he needed to get home.
Just keep walking, Mikey.
He soon found himself at the manhole cover and gently lowered him and Donnie down with himself.
Just a little longer…
He didn’t know how long left he could do this; Donnie was getting heavy, but he couldn’t stop, not after it was his fault.
“Just hang on Donnie please, we are nearly there!” Mikey pleaded as he glanced at Donnie who was hanging over his shoulder, eyes squeezed shut in pain. Blood was dripping to the floor, and Mikey found the soft shell was starting to drag more and more across the floor. He could feel his limbs aching. The familiar lights of his home came to view as started to cry.
They know! They know we snuck out! Just hang on Donnie!
He could do this.
Right foot .
Donnie slipped some more as the box turtle nearly slipped.
Left foot.
Mikey cried for his brothers as he came closer.
Right foot.
Donnie had stopped whining.
Left foot.
His brothers came running, Raph stopping in shock as Leo pushed forwards. The slider took Donnie away from him as Mikey clutched his throat. Since when is it so hard to breathe? Tears continued to run down his face as Raph picked him up bridal style and placed him on a chair in the kitchen.
“It’s ok, Mikey…Leo’s gonna fix him, ya hear me? He’s with us now.” Raph calmly said as he placed his large hands on Mikey’s shoulders. Despite his tone, he knew Raph was nervous. His shoulders were shaking and his eyes filled with fear. You did this, it’s your fault.
***
It seemed like days before Leo exited the med bay, looking tired and more to wear. He turned towards the two brothers in the kitchen before taking a deep breath.
“He’s gonna be ok…” their postures relaxed before the slider continued. “Sure he’s gonna be a asleep for a bit, but…he’s ok.”
“Can I?”
Leo gestured with his hand toward the med bay and Raph immediately rushed towards the area. Micky however was glued in place.
It’s your fault.
Leo walked toward him as Mikey felt something wet run down his face. He was crying again. As his brother came closer, he could see dried tear stains on his blue mask and bloodshot eyes. He then pulled Mikey up form the seat he was in into a hug. He could feel Leo’s grip tightening as he stood still.
“It’s not your fault you know…all of this, it was an accident.” The usual upbeat voice his brother held was replaced with soft comforting voice that reminded him of Raph when Mikey got hurt when he was younger.
“You don’t know that…yo-“ he sniffed.
“I do Mikey…I do…”
He slept in Leo’s room that night.
***
Soon the morning came and no one ate breakfast. Leo drank some juice and then mentioned something about phoning April. Mikey couldn’t bring himself to go near the med bay so he settled in the TV room.
It’s your fault.
He was so lost in thought he didn’t hear Raph come in and sit beside him. The snapper pulled Mikey into a hug before talking.
“I was angry Mikey, I never – I never meant those thing I said.” he paused as he held the box turtle closer. “You know that right?”
“Yeah, I did before but now..” he trailed off as he got lost in thought. Because Raph was right, he was childish and this caused Donnie to get hurt.
“It’s not your fault Mikey.”
“What?”
Raph placed his chin on Mikey’s head as the box turtle curled in on himself.
“It’s not your fault.”
***
Mikey made his way into his bedroom after that conversation, and the time was now passing midday. As he stepped out he walked to the kitchen to grab something to eat. He was greeted by April who was sipping a glass of water. He saw Leo next to her eating a sandwich whilst jiggling his leg.
“It’s not your fault Mikey, baby.” she said as she looked towards him. The box turtle turned and left.
***
He couldn’t do this.
He. Could. Not. Do. This.
Micky found himself stood beside the medbay doors early in the morning, he could see the lights were on but on one was inside. No one but Donnie. He took a deep breath and entered, with last nights events in his mind.
It’s my fault.
He looked over toward where the soft shell lay. White bandages covered his brothers chest, and steady breaths raised their chest up and down. As Micky came closer, he could see his brother looked tired even though they had been asleep for the whole day. The box turtle went to turn away as a soft whisper filled the silent room.
“Mikey?”
That’s all it took for Mikey to break down. A loud wail filled the air as tears ran down his face. The box turtle ran over to Donnie and pulled them into a tight hug. His mind screamed to stop as he knows that the first rule with Donnie is to let them initiate physical contact, but the need for comfort overpowers this thought. He snuggled his face into the crook of his brother’s neck as his legs lay beside the soft shell. Sobs were muffled as Mikey pressed his face against donnie as if he were a comfort blanket. He felt Donnie’s strong arms tighten around him as they hugged him close. A small whisper came out from the soft shell as Mikey’s sobs quietened.
“It’s not your fault.”
And Mikey believed them.