Chapter Text
Donnie chucked yet another crumpled up piece of paper over his shoulder and into the trash can across his lab. Turning around to see if he'd succeeded in 'hitting a sweet dunk', he realized his unsatisfactory idea lists had filled the bin and were now flowing out into the floor.
Ah, well. He was this much closer to killing enough trees to replace all of nature with mechanics.
His notebook seemed to stare back at him, taunting. He threw it in the direction of the trash and hit his fist against the desk.
He rubbed his eyes, careful not to smudge his perfectly drawn eyebrows. A break would likely improve his productivity by at least 30%, and coffee would increase that tenfold. Ish. In any case, it would keep him from crashing for another few hours.
Donnie locked his battle shell onto his shoulders (just in case.) and ducked out of the lab. Given that family dinner had been six to seven hours ago, there was no telling who was awake. He probably should've checked the time, but it was too late now.
He slid his goggles onto his face slowly and scanned the lair. Pops was asleep, thank Gram Gram, and Mikey was in his room. Raph and Junior were having their "training arc" at Mrs. O'Neil's farm, so he didn't have to worry about them, and Leo was nowhere to be seen, likely at Run Of The Mill working a late shift. Hopefully he wouldn't be arriving anytime soon.
'Twas a risk Donnie would have to take. He tiptoed across the floor, careful to avoid the creaky spots, until he'd arrived at his safe haven. The coffee corner.
He combed through the syrups and creamers, his hand shaking slightly from its impact with the desk.
French vanilla and caramel. Perfect.
The best part of making coffee alone was not having to pretend he took it black to aid his bad boy image.
He began to pour water in the machine, and felt some of the paranoia leave him when he filled it without alerting anyone. Now all he had to do was grab the coffee from the cabi-
"Heya, Donnie. Didn't know you were still awake!" His twin chirped at him from where he was sitting inside the cabinet like a weirdo.
"LEO?! Why are you sitting in the cabinet like a weirdo?!" He asked, completely calmly and reasonably.
Nardo laughed like Donnie had just asked him why turtles needed to breathe. He hopped down onto the counter casually, loading the instant coffee into the machine as he did. “Better question: why did you put coffee in my hangout spot?”
Donnie had never seen a faker grin in his life, and Leo's eye bags were so extreme they stuck out despite the darkness. Sigh of all sighs, he was going to have to initiate a Serious Talk Time.
He climbed onto the counter, close enough to see Leo’s facial expressions. He pushed START on the machine and asked: “Lee, what’s wrong?”
“Hey, hermano , isn't that a question I ask you? Elder brother duty?”
“Being five minutes my senior doesn't count and you know it.”
“Says the one who carbon-dated us so he could have eldest twin bragging rights. Remind me how that ended for you again?”
Donnie did his best intimidating scowl, “You know full well it's only because your incubation period is shorter.”
Leo opened his mouth to retort, but Donnie threw a flavor packet at him before he could speak. “Don't think I can't tell you're trying to change the subject.”
His brother shifted his eyes down and laughed, as hollow as his eyes and as haggard as the rest of him. “That easy to tell, huh? Guess I should've taken those acting classes with you.”
He inhaled. He exhaled.
“I dunno. I guess it's easy to ignore all the.. stuff . that happened, during the day. Night, though, she's a different beast. It's just me and my thoughts. And you, now! Thanks for the save, wanna play Mariokart?”
Sometimes Donnie forgot that Leo’s stubbornness outmatched even his. “Nardo. I am concerned with your health. Me. The turtle who told Mikey to, quote, 'just walk it off' when he broke his arm."
"To be fair, you couldn't actually look at it without passing out. Maybe you thought he was fine."
Donnie stared silently, raising his eyebrows in a look he hoped was exasperated with a hint of concern.
Leo met his gaze for a moment before sighing and letting his shoulders droop down in defeat. "Alright, fine. Feelings talk. Bleh."
"I guess I've just been.. guilty?" He started, scratching the back of his neck. "No, that's not right."
"I've been worried, I guess. I mean, I almost started the apocalypse , for crying out loud! If it weren't for Casey, I WOULD'VE started the apocalypse!"
"I just." - His hands hit his legs with a sharp crack - "I need to be better. I need to be stronger . I've been training as much as I can, but.. what if it isn't enough? What happens if I can't take care of you guys?"
Donnie hated himself for the anger that bubbled up in his chest at Leo's last comment.
"Hey, we can take care of ourselves, too. I know Raph infected you with the eldest daughter gene, or whatever, but Angelo and I are perfectly capable of keeping ourselves together."
Leo looked him dead in the face, dark circles and all. "Donnie, if I - You guys.." He seemed to reconsider his statement, shifting away again.
"We need to round ourselves out. Mikey relies too much on his ninpo and you rely too much on your tech," He stated methodically, in the voice he only used to relay new strategies.
"Are you seriously trying to say we aren't good enough?" Donnie asked, before he could stop himself.
"YES!" Leo cried, "We were one wrong move from losing to the Kraang. One . We have to be better."
Donnie felt his claws dig into his thighs. "We would've figured something out! We always figure something out!"
"IF THE KRAANG HAD WON, WE ALL WOULD'VE DIED, DONNIE!" Leo shouted, throwing his now shaking hands into the air.
Donnie had no retort. Leo looked horrified, like he'd said something he shouldn't've. He took a breath before proceeding.
"The only reason Casey is here is because they had no other options. They lost the war. Everybody died. Raph died. Mikey died. You. Died." Tears were dripping down Leo's face now, but his voice remained steady and assertive.
"Huh," He chuckled humorlessly, "I guess I do feel a little guilty."
BEEP!
"The coffee is done." Donnie stated. "Move."
Leo slid to the side, furiously wiping the tears away.
Donnie picked up the pot, dropped off the counter, and walked back into his lab. He didn't bring a mug. It was okay.
It was okay.
He could fix this. He could.
He picked up his notepad from its place on the floor and began to write.
'Ideas for how to increase my power level:' He scribbled, before taking a moment to ponder.
The 'bad timeline' version of himself had died. He had failed.
So, all Donnie had to do was be better than that guy. Easier said than done.
His tech would likely continue to advance despite the apocalypse, so the most logical solution would be using something outside of it. Ninpo? No, if the Kraang could take it away, there was no point.
Tragically, his only option seemed to be using something mystical.
He would go to Draxum's tomorrow, and he'd figure it out. He'd be better. Leo would finally calm down, they could be more prepared for future attacks, and..
Maybe, just maybe, he could be more of an asset to the team. contribute something other than being a nuisance. Be better. Make his family proud.
He dropped his pen and hopped into bed. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.
—
Knock, knock, knock. Donnie's hand made a hollow thumping sound against the cheap hardboard door that led into the Baron's equally cheap apartment.
He had yet to answer after several minutes, and the numerous half-crumbled papers Donnie had with him were seconds away from spilling all over the floor.
"IF ONLY BARRY DRAXUM WOULD ANSWER HIS EXPLETIVING DOOR!" He called, annoyed and not particularly concerned with hiding it.
Several loud thumps and alarmed whispers sounded out from inside, but he couldn't make out exactly what was being said. Curse his lack of sonic hearing.
Finally, the door unlocked and Barry emerged. There were bags under his eyes and his robe was stained. A phone was in his hand, and his thumb was frantically mashing the end call button. Mysterious. Donnie wondered for a split second who he may have been talking to, before deciding that he didn't care in the least.
"What do you want, child," Barry grumbled, making no effort to move out of the doorway. Offended gasp! His hospitality skills were horrendous. Donnie shoved past anyway, wasting no time before perching on his table.
He growled as he shut the door, but Donnie paid him no mind, responding: "I need more power." He paused for emphasis.
"My tech, despite it's general efficiency, is practically worthless in most battles. I need an edge. I assumed, given my Witch Town ban, that it would be best to go to you for advice."
"An 'edge'? Is your ninpo not enough?" Barry scowled.
Donnie glared, slamming a hand down on the table as he did, "Against world ending threats like the Kraang? No, it literally is not. Leo and Angelo both almost perished, and I would like to know about anything mystical you can get me to stop that from happening again."
"Then I am afraid there is not much I can do for you, purple one." Draxum responded, suspiciously dismissive. There was an 89.98% chance he was hiding something.
"You can't seriously expect me to believe you don't know of anything at all," Donnie hopped off his place on the table and stabbed a finger into his creator's chest accusingly. "What are you hiding, Draxum? Are we secretly robots? Did you make one of us evil? Blink twice if it's Leo."
Barry did not blink twice. "I'm not hiding anything at all. Honestly, you children and your imaginations. Now, I have important matters to attend to. Run along and maybe I'll find you a mystic ring or something of the sort."
Donnie could smell the lie from a mile of New York traffic away. He pressed again, "Whatever it is you're trying to keep secret, just let it out. I promise it can't be worse than when you wanted to annihilate all of humanity."
Barry pointed his head up, trying to avoid looking at him. Apparently the ex-tyrant thing was a touchy subject. "I will tell you when you're older," he mumbled. The audacity!
"SCOFF! What is it with people and doubting my capabilities? I can handle whatever you have to throw at me with EASE." Donnie smirked, trying to keep his eyebrow from twitching.
"I will have you know, youngling, that waiting until one's maturity level is equipped to handle potentially upsetting information makes processing it significantly easier. As much as I do not doubt your capabilities in science or in battle, I do not want you to bear this burden until you are ready."
"Great Galileo. Those Mom Squad meets Ms. O'Neil makes you go to have really taken a toll."
"The activities Carol and I attend in our free time are not of your concern."
"We're getting off topic," Donnie redirected, gesturing a bit frantically. "I'm clearly onto something here, so why can't you just admit it? I'm ready. Whatever it is, I'm ready."
Draxum's eyes darkened a bit. "Why do you even desire more power? The Kraang have been defeated, and you and your brothers are already much stronger than any of the adversaries you face."
"We both know that isn't true. There's still one Kraang unaccounted for, and there have to be more out there. We need whatever tools we can get to keep the city safe," He glanced up, forcing himself to look Draxum in the eye. "I need whatever tools I can get to keep my brothers safe. Also to stick it to Leo, but that's besides the point."
All was silent for a moment, before Draxum slammed a hand against the counter, an anguished look on his face. He yelled out a frustrated sound, and looked back to the turtle in front of him, letting out a resigned sigh.
"You are right, child, and I wish I could help you. Truly, I do. However, the abilities that I gave to you.. Let's just say that it's impossible for you to activate them."
"ABILITIES?! Like the ones some of our mutated adversaries are equipped with? Oh, this is perfect! I'd been hoping for a weapon or a potion, but this is so much better!"
Draxum had a grave look on his face, and cut Donnie's celebrations off by summoning a mystic vine to cover his mouth. "Donatello. You are not listening to me. You have an ability within you, yes, but it is not one which you will ever be able to access," He clutched the fabric of his sleeve, knuckles turning white from the pressure.
He was clearly reaching his limit with the conversation, but Donnie had never been one to leave any stone unturned. He yanked the vine off and continued.
"What do you mean I'll never be able to access it? I have no problem using my ninpo, and I can only assume any other abilities would draw from the same source."
"Different mystic abilities come from different places. Your ninpo draws on your family's spirit nonsense, but your abilities.. they draw from the air around you, but they are written into your DNA."
Donnie was shocked, and found himself staring at his wrist as if he would be able to see the power within if he looked hard enough. After tearing his eyes away, he began to prod Barry once again.
"If they're written into my DNA, there should be no reason not to jumpstart them! I'll take a blood sample, we find the alterations necessary, then one extremely dangerous surgery later I'm a whole new turtle!"
Barry jerked his head back and forth slightly, still distressed, "An artificial DNA alteration that drastic would be incredibly risky on its own, and there would be.. other concerns. Unfortunately, the only surefire way to 'jumpstart' them would be meeting the criteria I created for them to activate."
"Criteria?!" Donnie questioned, fascinated by the concept.
Draxum heaved out a breath, shoulders tense. "Yes. However, they're impossible to meet at this point," Donnie opened his mouth to fill the pause with more questions, but he was shushed with a wave of Barry's claw.
"They're impossible to meet, because.. they require the presence of your sister."