Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Mikey may have come across as somewhat overprotective toward his younger brothers, but as the eldest and the leader of the team, he took his role seriously. Despite the burden of responsibility sometimes feeling overwhelming, he couldn't simply disregard the fact that the well-being of his team and family often rested on his shoulders. Even if sometimes he wished for a vacation of the responsibility especially after the last mission against the foot. They had learned about a mission to recover a mysterious weapon at the docks that very night. Mikey had initially planned to take only Donnie with him, given that Leo and Raphie were considerably less experienced and much younger to face off against the Foot Clan. He couldn't bear the thought of them getting hurt. Bringing his younger brothers into the fight was out of the question.
"Come on, Mikey! You can't just leave us here!" Raphie argued.
"Master Splinter says we've improved a lot!" Leo chimed in.
"Sorry, little bros, but this mission is for me and Donnie. I promise you'll get your chance on the next one," Mikey reassured them, placing a comforting hand on Leo's and Raphie's shoulders.
Raphie's frustration was evident. "I don't want to wait for the next one! I want to help now!"
Donnie nodded in agreement. "Mikey's right. Bringing you to the surface would be too risky. Mikey and I didn't leave the sewers until we turned 15. Until you two reach that age, you'll have to stay behind for most of the missions."
"It's not fair!" Leo pouted.
"Come on, bro, we'll be back before you even notice," Mikey reassured him.
Donnie chimed in, "We should leave now, Mikey. It's almost time for the ship to arrive."
"You're right. Bye, dudes. Try to behave while we're gone," Mikey said as he and Donnie exited the sewers. Leo watched his older brothers leave, leaving him and Raphie behind. Raphie wasted no time venting his frustration on the punching bag, while Leo sought solace in watching Space Heroes to distract himself. It didn't seem fair – Mikey consistently treated him like a baby solely due to his age. Leo might not be the leader, but he had valuable ideas too. What would Captain Ryan do? As he sighed while absorbed in the episode, a sudden idea struck him.
"Raphie!" he exclaimed, rushing over to his brother who was still giving the punching bag a beating.
"What?" Raphie replied.
Feeling a rush of excitement, Leo shared his newfound idea with Raphie. "What if we prove to Mikey that we can handle a real mission? I'm tired of being treated like a kid. We're old enough to contribute."
Raphie's eyes lit up with a mix of determination and anticipation. "You know what, Leo? That's a great plan. Let's show them we're ready for action!"
The plan was simple: Master Splinter had just settled into his meditation, which meant he wouldn't notice that Raphie and Leo had slipped out for at least an hour. They had ventured to the surface a few times with their older brothers during previous patrols, so staying concealed in the shadows was a skill they already had. Armed with their weapons, they emerged from the sewers, and the fresh, exhilarating air greeted them as they leaped from rooftop to rooftop, navigating their way to the docks.
"Leo, this is the best idea you've ever had," Raphie exclaimed when they finally arrived outside the docks. Leo and Raphie's hearts raced with anticipation as they neared the docks, their determination unwavering. They had been trained well by Master Splinter and their older brothers, and their confidence grew with each silent step they took. The docks were bathed in moonlight, revealing the shadows where the mysterious weapon was rumored to be hidden.
As they cautiously approached a dimly lit area, Raphie noticed a group of Foot Clan members patrolling the perimeter. He signaled to Leo to stay low and out of sight. The two brothers watched and waited for the perfect moment to slip past the guards. Their stealthy training proved invaluable as they quietly moved through the shadows, careful not to make a sound. They remained concealed in the shadows until they spotted the ship they believed held the weapon. As they approached, Leo noticed a figure standing near the ship, awaiting its arrival. She had short black hair, striking red eyeshadow, and was clad in a peculiar metallic suit.
Raphie whispered softly, "That must be Karai..."
Leo nodded in agreement. Though he had never seen her in person before, Mikey had described Karai to him and Raphie. They knew she was Shredder's general and often battled Mikey when he ventured out alone.
"What are you guys doing here?" came an unexpected voice from behind Leo and Raphie. Leo's heart sank as he turned around to see his two older brothers, their eyes filled with anger.
"I told you never to leave the sewers without me or Donnie!" Mikey scolded.
Leo felt the weight of their disapproval, but he stood his ground.
"We wanted to help!" he insisted.
Mikey was on the verge of scolding them, but suddenly a shadow loomed overhead.
"Hey, Mikey, long time no see, huh?" the familiar voice of Karai greeted them.
"Karai!" Mikey exclaimed, his surprise evident.
"It seems you've brought the whole family with you," Karai observed.
Mikey quickly made a decision. "Donnie, take Leo and Raph back to the lair."
Leo started to protest, but Mikey cut him off. "No 'buts'—just go!"
With those words, the battle erupted. Mikey acted swiftly to separate Karai from his brothers, determined to buy them the time they needed to escape. Donnie, on the other hand, had no opportunity to lead Leo and Raphie back to the lair as the Foot Bots swarmed him. He wielded his bo staff to fend off the attackers, but Leo and Raphie were equally resolute in their desire to assist and quickly joined the fray. Amid the chaos, the fight escalated as Leo and Raphie, fueled by their determination, fought alongside Donnie. Their training had prepared them well but they still were struggling.
Meanwhile, Mikey continued to keep Karai occupied, deftly dodging her strikes and launching his own, all while trying to negotiate a temporary truce. He knew the situation was getting out of hand, and he didn't want to see his family members get hurt.
As the tide of the battle raged on, the combined efforts of the Turtles began to overwhelm the Foot Bots. They managed to fend off their mechanical adversaries and regroup for a brief moment.
With a newfound respect for his younger brothers' abilities, Mikey decided it was time to put an end to the fight. He called out to Donnie and his younger brothers, "We need to retreat now! Let's head back to the lair."
Just as Mikey attempted to make his exit, Karai swiftly intercepted him, delivering a powerful blow to his plastron. Mikey crumpled to the ground, and Karai seized the moment to press her sword against his neck.
"This will teach you not to mess with the Foot," Karai hissed, poised to deliver a lethal blow.
"Mikey, NO!" Leo's desperate cry rang out as he struggled to reach his fallen older brother. With a burst of determination, Mikey sprang to his feet and skillfully disarmed Karai with a whirlwind of nunchuk strikes, narrowly escaping a deadly fate. Tears streamed down Leo's cheeks as he bore witness to his brother's near-fatal encounter. He felt paralyzed, unable to take his eyes off the harrowing scene. Donnie, sensing Leo's shock and vulnerability, gently took his hand and guided both Leo and Raph out of the dangerous docks while Mikey bravely ventured deeper to eliminate the weapon and prevent further catastrophe.
Leo couldn't recall the details of their journey back to the sewers; he was so overwhelmed with shock that he remained mute the entire way home. Upon their return, they found Master Splinter already present, his expression a mixture of concern and sternness.
"Leonardo, Raphael, where were you?" he demanded, seeking an explanation.
Leo struggled to find his voice, tears continuing to stream down his face. Donatello stepped in to clarify the situation, saying, "They followed us to the docks."
Master Splinter's concern deepened, and he inquired, "Where's Michelangelo?"
Donnie responded, "He stayed behind. He needed to destroy the weapon."
With Donnie's explanation, Master Splinter quickly grasped the gravity of the situation. He could see the emotional toll it had taken on his three young students, especially Leo, who was still visibly shaken.
"Leonardo," Master Splinter spoke gently, "I know this was a difficult experience, but it's important that we learn from it but we must also prioritize your safety."
Leo nodded, finding some comfort in his sensei's words. "I understand, sensei."
Raphie chimed in, his voice solemn, "We didn't want to put ourselves or Mikey in danger, Sensei. We just wanted to help."
Master Splinter placed a comforting hand on Raphie's shoulder. "I appreciate your courage, Raphael. But remember that teamwork and communication are essential. We'll discuss this further once Michelanagelo finds his way back home"
"What if he can't? What if Karai hurt him? We need to go back!" Leo's voice trembled, his worry palpable.
Master Splinter sought to provide reassurance. "I'm sure Michelangelo is alright and will return home soon, my sons."
But Leo couldn't escape the burden of guilt that weighed on his heart. It was his idea to leave, his decision that had led Raphie and him to the docks, and it was his actions that had diverted Mikey's attention and allowed Karai to find them. The weight of responsibility for what had transpired bore heavily on his shoulders, and he couldn't help but feel responsible for the danger Mikey had faced.
As they continued their conversation, Mikey, who had successfully destroyed the weapon, returned to the sewers.
"Mikey!" They exclaimed in unison as their fearless leader made his way back into the lair.
Mikey grinned as he entered the lair, his bandanna and plastron showing signs of the recent battle. His brothers rushed to greet him, their faces filled with a mixture of relief and admiration.
"Mikey, you made it!" Leo exclaimed, his concern replaced by sheer joy at seeing his older brother safe and sound.
Raphie clapped Mikey on the back, exclaiming, "You totally rocked it, dude!"
Donnie, although more reserved in his response, couldn't hide the pride in his eyes. "Impressive work, Mikey."
Master Splinter, too, had a satisfied expression. "Well done, my son. Your bravery and determination have served us well."
Mikey chuckled, attempting to downplay his achievement, but before he could say anything, he crumpled to his knees, his body aching from the ordeal.
"Oh, shell! Mikey, let's get you to the nursery to check you out," Donnie suggested with concern.
Mikey nodded, and with his brothers' assistance, he slowly made his way to the infirmary. These were the moments when Mikey keenly felt the weight of leadership on his shoulders. Bearing the pain and responsibility alone to protect his brothers was undoubtedly challenging, but he knew it was a crucial part of his role. The weapon was destroyed, he had escaped, and his brothers were safe. While Donnie checked up on him, Mikey couldn't help but notice the concern etched on his younger brother's face.
"It's okay, Leo. I'm fine," he tried to reassure him.
Leo, however, couldn't shake the guilt that weighed on him. "I'm sorry, Mikey. It's my fault you got hurt," he confessed, his gaze fixed downward.
Mikey's heart went out to his younger brother as he saw the pain in Leo's eyes. He knew that Leo was carrying an immense burden of guilt, and it was essential to put his mind at ease.
Gently, Mikey reached out and lifted Leo's chin, forcing him to meet his gaze. "Leo, it's ok we all make mistakes, the important thing is that we learned from them."
Leo nodded slowly, his expression starting to lighten. "I just... I don't want any of you to get hurt because of me."
"Hey, little dude, I'm alright. There's nothing your older bro can't handle," Mikey assured Leo while Donnie completed the check-up.
"Well, apart from having a few scratches and a couple of bruises on your arm, you look fine. But you still need to rest, big guy. You're going to stay in my lab tonight so I can keep an eye on you," Donnie insisted.
"Okay, thanks, Donnie," Mikey acknowledged with gratitude. He then turned to his younger brother, Leo, and said, "Can you leave me alone with Leo for a moment?"
Donnie and Raphie nodded, exiting the nursery and leaving the two of them in private.
Mikey began, "Leo, I understand how hard it is for you to stay home while Donnie and I go out. But you have to trust me; it's all for your safety."
Leo, still concerned for Mikey's well-being, replied, "But what about your safety? I don't want you to be in danger."
Mikey reassured him, "I'm big enough to take care of myself and all of us, but please, promise me you'll listen when I give you an order, okay?"
Leo hesitated for a moment and then said, "Okay, but can you promise me something too?"
Mikey leaned in, curious. "What is it?"
"Promise me that until you're better, you won't go out alone," Leo requested.
Mikey nodded solemnly, understanding Leo's concerns and the importance of their mutual promise. "You got it, Leo. I promise not to go out alone for a while."
A sense of relief washed over Leo as he saw his brother's commitment. "Thank you, Mikey. I just worry about all of you, and I don't want to see anyone get hurt."
Mikey placed a reassuring hand on Leo's shoulder. "I know, and that's a testament to what an awesome leader you'll be someday, always looking out for us. But remember, we're a team, and we'll always have each other's backs."
Leo nodded and wrapped his arms around Mikey, grateful for the embrace. Being a leader like Mikey and Captain Ryan had always been his aspiration, so hearing those words of approval meant the world to him.
Mikey gave Leo a warm smile and said, "Now it's getting late. You should get some rest."
Leo nodded and left Mikey in the nursery. As Mikey watched his younger brother exit, he couldn't help but feel a wave of exhaustion washing over him. In that moment, all he longed for was a respite from the constant action and responsibility, even if it seemed somewhat selfish. There were times when he pondered why Master Splinter had selected him as the leader, and the burden sometimes weighed heavily on his shoulders.
Seeking solace and a moment of rest, Mikey made his way to Donnie's lab, where his brother was already engrossed in a project. In one corner of the room, there was a cozy couch, and without a word, Mikey settled down on it, allowing the weariness to overtake him as he drifted into slumber.
The next day, Mikey woke up to the sounds of Donnie tinkering with some gadget. He already felt significantly better than the night before.
"Morning, Dee," he greeted with a stretch.
Donnie looked up from his work, pleasantly surprised. "Oh, good morning! You're awake."
"Yup," Mikey confirmed with a yawn.
"How did you sleep?" Donnie inquired.
Mikey was about to respond when suddenly, it felt as though the ground had vanished beneath him. Dizziness overwhelmed him, and before he could react, he fainted. Darkness closed in around him.

Chapter Text

Mikey blinked a couple of times, struggling to make sense of his surroundings. Had he fainted? As his vision cleared, he found himself lying on the floor, surrounded by shattered glass scattered everywhere. The bright light in Donnie's lab suddenly felt too intense.
"Oh my God, Mikey, are you okay?" he recognized Donnie's voice. Donnie offered a hand, and Mikey, still feeling a bit disoriented, accepted the help and got to his feet. He couldn't quite understand what had happened.
"Mikey?" came an unfamiliar voice.
"Mikey, say something!" urged a now more familiar voice, which sounded like Raphie, but it was much deeper. Mikey slowly lifted his eyes from the floor and searched for the source of the voice. He froze in place when he saw two turtles in front of him, but there was something undeniably wrong with them.
Raphie and Leo stood there, their appearances altered in a disconcerting way that left Mikey baffled and alarmed. It was undeniably his brothers, but something was profoundly amiss. They appeared older – Raphie was now taller than him, just like Leo. Both of them seemed stronger and more mature. Mikey was bewildered; it couldn't be possible. Just the night before, they had been 14 and 13, respectively. He tried to speak, but the words failed to escape his mouth. Raphie rushed over to him, shaking him by the shoulders urgently.
"Fuck Mikey, say something!"
Startled, Mikey snapped out of his daze when he heard Raphie swear.
"What... what happened? Why are you so big?" he stammered, his confusion evident.
Leo and Donnie exchanged puzzled looks.
"What do you mean?" Leo inquired, unsure of what Mikey was talking about.
"Why are you so old?!" Suddenly, panic gripped Mikey, and his voice quivered with fear.
"Mikey, calm down!" Donnie urged, trying to soothe his distressed brother.
In a fit of anger and confusion, Mikey pointed an accusing finger at Donnie. "Donnie, what did you do to them?" He demanded, his voice laced with anger and worry.
"What? I didn't do anything!" Donnie replied, his confusion mirroring Mikey's.
"It's okay, Mikey. I think you might be a little confused," Leo reassured him, concern evident in his voice.
Despite the reassuring words from his brothers, Mikey couldn't shake off the feeling of disorientation and unease. He struggled to make sense of the situation as he observed his now older siblings. The world around him seemed to have shifted, leaving him bewildered and uncertain.
"Mikey, we're still the same age as we were," Leo tried to explain.
Donnie chimed in, "It's possible that you're experiencing some sort of disorientation. Let's take it one step at a time."
"Is this what that crystal ball did?" Raphie asked, his voice filled with concern.
"Crystal ball? What crystal ball?" Mikey queried, his confusion deepening.
Raphie gestured towards the shattered glass on the floor and replied,
"The one you just broke?"
Mikey was utterly perplexed, unable to grasp what his brothers were talking about. The notion of a crystal ball only added to his confusion.
"Alright, everyone, let's calm down," Donnie suggested. "Mikey, sit down. I'm going to ask you some questions."
Mikey nodded and took a seat on Donnie's couch, his gaze still fixed on his older-looking brothers who appeared deeply concerned.
"Alright, Mikey, what's the last thing you remember?" Donnie asked.
"Uhh, I had just woken up, and I was talking to you, and suddenly I fainted," Mikey replied.
Donnie continued,
"Okay, why are you saying Leo and Raph are older?"
"Because they are! Leo was 13 and Raphie 14 last night!" Mikey insisted.
Raphie interjected, "Who are you calling 'Raphie'?" His confusion mirrored Mikey's.
"Mikey, we've always been the same age," Leo tried to explain gently.
Mikey's brows furrowed in confusion. "No, I am the oldest."
Donnie stepped in, attempting to clarify the situation. "Mikey, how old do you think you are?"
"Sixteen," Mikey replied with certainty.
"So are we, and I am the eldest" Leo chimed in, realizing that his younger brother was truly disoriented and believing himself to be the eldest.
"WHAT?" Mikey's world felt like it was spiraling out of control. If he hadn't fainted before, he was on the brink of doing so now.
"Donnie, what's wrong with him?" Leo asked, deeply concerned for their brother.
Donnie took a deep breath before explaining, "Okay, okay, I think I know what happened."
"Then explain, nerd!" Raph exclaimed impatiently.
Donnie continued, "The crystal ball Mikey was holding before he fainted... it was some kind of parallel universe gate, and Mikey must have activated it by accident."
Raph's eyes widened as he tried to grasp the implications. "Meaning that...?"
Donnie concluded, "This is not our Mikey."

The room fell into a heavy silence as Donnie's words sank in. No one could quite grasp the enormity of what had just been revealed. Mikey, in particular, was lost in a whirlwind of confusion. Had he really traveled to an alternate universe?
"Mikey, take a deep breath; it's going to be okay," Donnie reassured him as he held his bewildered brother.
Leo stepped forward, his concern evident. "Let's get you to bed, okay?"
Donnie guided Mikey to his room, the shock still apparent on Mikey's face. Lying in bed, Mikey remained too stunned to speak, eventually succumbing to sleep as he grappled with the bizarre turn of events.
As Donnie and Leo returned to the lab, they found Raph waiting for them, his face a mixture of anger and confusion.
"This has to be a joke, right, Donnie? He's Mikey, he's probably making all this shit up," Raph grumbled.
Leo shook his head, still struggling to comprehend. "It doesn't make any sense..."
Donnie took a moment to explain, "Guys, I'm very certain that he's Mikey, just not the Mikey from this dimension."
Raph's frustration was evident as he demanded, "Then where is he?"
Donnie continued, "He must be in this Mikey's dimension. I think they swapped places."
Leo furrowed his brows, seeking clarity. "How?"
Donnie surmised, "Before he broke the Crystal ball, he said he wished he wasn't the youngest. That must have activated the crystal ball, leading to this dimension swap."
"How do we get him back?" Raph questioned, his frustration and worry evident.
Donnie sighed "I don't know. I didn't have much time to study the crystal ball before Mikey broke it."
Raph's anxiety was mounting. "Then what do we do?!"
Leo stepped in, trying to calm Raph down. "Raph, take a breath. We will find a way to bring our Mikey back. But for now, we need to rest. Tomorrow, we'll investigate the Kraang lair where the crystal ball was."
Raph was near a panic, his concern for his brother evident in his voice. "How can you be so calm about this? Mikey could be in danger!"
Donnie tried to reassure him, "If he's in that Mikey's dimension, he's probably with an alternate version of ourselves. He's going to be all right."
Yeah, and maybe this Mikey can help us," Leo suggested optimistically.
Raph, still skeptical, mumbled, "If he's Mikey, I don't think he's going to be of much help."
"Very well, we'll find out tomorrow. For now, let's get some rest," Leo ordered.
Raph and Donnie nodded and headed to their respective rooms. After explaining the situation to Master Splinter, Leo prepared to go to bed, but he found himself standing in front of Mikey's room. He couldn't help but hope that wherever their Mikey was, he was safe and that they would soon find a way to reunite with him.

Mikey woke up early as usual, still slightly bewildered by the craziest dream he'd had the previous night. He glanced around his room; as always, it was a chaotic mess with pizza boxes stacked everywhere. It had to be just a dream, right? The idea of being in another universe where his brothers were all 16 seemed too absurd.
However, curiosity got the best of him. As he made his way to the kitchen to make breakfast like any other day, he noticed that the sewer was strangely more organized than usual. Mikey arrived in the kitchen and headed straight for the freezer to grab some ingredients, but he let out a startled scream when he discovered a mutant ice cream cat lurking inside.
"Mikey!" an unfamiliar voice called out.
Mikey turned to see a grown-up Leo, confirming that it hadn't been a dream; he was indeed in a different universe. Leo extended a hand to help him up, and as Mikey accepted the assistance, he couldn't quite wrap his mind around the concept of his baby brother being older than him in this alternate reality.
"Are you okay? What happened?" the older Leo inquired, showing concern for his bewildered brother.
Mikey, still grappling with confusion, could only manage to mumble something like "ice cream cat."
"Oh, you mean Ice Cream Kitty?" Leo asked, realizing Mikey's confusion.
"Ice Cream Kitty?" Mikey questioned, realizing he had never seen her before.
Leo offered an explanation, "She was April's cat, but she got mutated a while ago."
Mikey shook his head in disbelief.
"I imagine you don't have her in your universe," Leo remarked.
"Nope, she's called Mittens, and she's definitely not made of ice cream," Mikey responded, still trying to process the differences.
Curiosity piqued, Leo asked, "What were you doing up so early?"
Mikey explained, "Uh, making breakfast. I'm sorry, your Mikey probably didn't make breakfast, did he?"
Leo chuckled and replied,
"Oh, he does, but that doesn't mean it tastes good."
Mikey couldn't help but smile, knowing that in his own universe, his younger brother appreciated his culinary skills, especially Leo.
"This is so weird," Mikey managed to say.
Leo nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it must be quite confusing."
Mikey chuckled, still trying to wrap his head around the situation.
"Yeah, dude, just yesterday, you were watching Space Heroes, and now you're 16."
Leo grinned and defended his choice, "Hey, I'm still watching Space Heroes!"
Mikey couldn't resist a teasing comment. "Aren't you a little old for that?"
Leo shrugged with a smirk. "What can I say, it's a good show!"
Mikey was relieved to see that at least not everything was different in this universe.
"Anyways, I already told Master Splinter about this whole situation, and he wants to speak with you later," Leo informed.
Mikey nodded, understanding that Splinter's desire to talk to him was normal. After all, he was the leader, and their sensei likely wanted to provide guidance or advice. Mikey was about to return to preparing breakfast, realizing that, universe aside, these guys were still his brothers. However, just as he was getting back to his cooking, Donnie entered the kitchen.
Oh, great, you're awake," Donnie said as he searched for his coffee mug.
Mikey simply replied with a "Yup." He couldn't help but notice that this Donnie was pretty much the same as the one in his universe, except for the fact that he was one whole year older.
Donnie continued, "Is it okay if, after breakfast, I perform some blood tests and ask a bunch of questions about your universe?"
Mikey chuckled but Leo answered before he could.
"Donnie, give him some space. This is already confusing enough without you starting some weird tests on him," Leo scolded his older brother.
Mikey appreciated the support and reassured Leo, "Don't worry, Leo, it's okay. My Donnie would've done the exact same thing."
Donnie nodded and added, "About that, we actually wanted to ask you how we are in your universe, given that it seems like our Mikey has swapped places with you."
"Oh, yeah, sure," Mikey replied as he gathered the ingredients for some delicious blueberry pancakes.
Leo and Donnie took their seats at the table, observing in anticipation as Mikey worked his culinary magic. Ten minutes later, he proudly served a plate of pancakes to Donnie and Leo, and left a plate for Raphie for when he woke up.
With his mouth full, Donnie exclaimed,
"Oh shell, these are the best pancakes I've ever tried!"
Leo quickly reminded him, "Don't speak with your mouth full, Dee, but he's right; these are awesome."
Mikey beamed at the praise. As he glanced around the room, he noticed something red in the corner of his eye and greeted Raph, who had just joined them, with a cheerful "Morning, Raphie," as if it were a usual day in their universe.
Raph frowned as he observed the scene. "What's he doing in the kitchen?" he questioned, pointing at Mikey.
Mikey, feeling a bit put off by Raphie's reaction, explained, "Oh, I just made some breakfast." Raph remained seated in silence, carefully analyzing the pancakes.
He eventually declared, "Yeah, I'm not eating anything that Mikey makes, whether you're from my dimension or not."
Mikey couldn't help but feel a little disheartened that Raphie didn't want to try his pancakes, but he tried to brush it off. "Come on, Raph, these are really good," Leo chimed in, offering Raph a fork to encourage him to give them a try.
Raph pushed the fork away dismissively. "Anyways, shouldn't you be training or something, fearless leader?" he said with a touch of sarcasm.
Before Leo could respond, Mikey interrupted, baffled. "Leader?" he asked, confusion evident in his tone.
Leo affirmed, "Yeah, I'm the leader."
"WHAT?" Mikey exclaimed, his world suddenly thrown into disarray. This Leo might be older and more experienced, but he never would have imagined a reality where he wasn't the leader of the team.
"Wait, I'm not the leader in your world?" Leo asked, his confusion apparent.
"No way, you barely even left the sewer alone," Mikey explained.
Raph chimed in, "Oh, sweet, that means I'm the leader!" He said it with pride.
"But you're also too young to be the leader," Mikey pointed out.
Donnie, feeling left out, asked, "Then am I the leader?"
Mikey decided to have some fun with this, asserting, "Nah, I'm the leader."
Silence fell upon the room before the three turtles burst into laughter. "You? You're the leader?" Raph said while holding his stomach. "No way, that's not true," Donnie added in disbelief.
Mikey felt a little hurt by their reaction. He wondered what was so strange about him being the leader, especially since they were all supposed to be the same age in this universe.
"Yeah, I'm the leader... What's so crazy about it?" Mikey defended.
Leo tried to clarify, "No offense, Mikey, it's just that, at least in our world, our Mikey isn't exactly leader material."
Curious, Mikey probed further, "Why?"
Donnie explained, "He's just too childish and distracted to actually take care of the team."
Raphie chimed in, "Yeah, he can barely focus during training."
Mikey experienced mixed feelings. He knew he wasn't the same Mikey they were referring to, but he couldn't help but wonder if he was that different from him. He often had trouble focusing and sometimes found himself not as serious as he should be. The idea of not being the leader left him contemplating if he would have been more laid-back, like his counterpart, if he had not been the oldest.
Just as Mikey was about to inquire more about his counterpart, he heard Master Splinter calling his name from the dojo. He excused himself from the table and made his way inside.

Chapter Text

"Good Morning, my son," Master Splinter greeted Mikey as he entered the dojo. The room felt familiar, reminiscent of the one in his universe, albeit a bit cleaner and more organized. "Leonardo has already informed me of the current situation you are in."
Mikey nodded, a sense of relief washing over him as he spoke. "Hai, Sensei."
"Tell me, Michelangelo," Master Splinter began, his wise eyes fixed on Mikey, "How do you feel about this unusual situation?"
Mikey hesitated for a moment, considering the question. "It's pretty mind-blowing, Sensei. Everything is just...different here. Leo's the leader and the oldest, Raph doesn't want to eat my cooking, and Donnie is all about conducting experiments on me."
Master Splinter smiled gently, understanding the turmoil in Mikey's mind. "Change can be disorienting, but it can also be an opportunity for growth. Embrace this experience, learn from it, and perhaps, you will find a unique perspective to contribute to your family when you get back home."
Mikey pondered his sensei's words and, with a renewed sense of purpose, nodded. "I'll do my best, Sensei."
Master Splinter patted Mikey on the back and encouraged him, "That's all I ask of you, my son. I can sense some major differences between you and our Mikey. You appear older and wiser despite being the same age."
Mikey explained, "From where I come from, I am both the leader and the oldest, Sensei."
"I see," Master Splinter acknowledged, "perhaps you could offer some assistance to Leonardo while you are here. I would also like to test your abilities."
"Hai, Sensei," Mikey responded politely.
Master Splinter found himself somewhat taken aback by this Michelangelo's seriousness. It was unusual to see his typically carefree younger son behaving more like Leonardo.
“You may go back with the rest, tell them that despite the strange situation i will not postponed training”
Mikey nodded, left the dojo and rejoined his brothers at the table.
Leo looked at Mikey as he re-entered the room and asked, "How was your talk with Sensei, Mikey?"
Mikey smiled, "It was good. Sensei gave me some guidance and suggested I help you guys out while I'm here."
Raphie, who had softened a bit during the breakfast, chimed in, "Well, I guess we could use an extra hand. You did say you're the leader in your world, right?"
Mikey nodded, "Yeah, that's right. So, what's on the agenda today?"
Donnie, who had been jotting down notes, explained, "Well, I was hoping you could assist with some tests. It'll be fascinating to compare your blood to our Mikey's blood."
Raphie chimed in, "Donnie, that's borderline creepy."
"Nah, it's okay. Let's get this test done, bro. Oh, I almost forgot, Sensei says training is not postponed," Mikey mentioned.
"Okay, then don't take too long," Leo said as he washed the dishes.
"Yeah, yeah, okay," Donnie replied, leading Mikey to his lab, which, by the way, was remarkably similar to the one in his own universe.
Donnie began with a series of blood tests, followed by measuring blood pressure, and then moved on to radiography, and so on. Mikey couldn't help but notice a framed picture of his family on Donnie's desk. As Donnie continued to compare some results or something, Mikey picked up the frame and studied the photograph. In the picture, Raph and Leo stood back to back, with Leo looking serious and Raph, a bit shorter, appearing slightly annoyed. To Leo's right was Donnie, the tallest among them, leaning on his bo staff and sporting a wide, gapped-tooth smile. However, what captured Mikey's attention the most was not himself, but rather the Mikey from this universe. He was noticeably shorter than all his brothers, wearing a cheerful expression as he flashed a peace sign at the camera. Mikey couldn't help but wonder about his family in his own universe. Had they noticed his absence, or the fact that he wasn't quite the same as always?
Donnie joined him and remarked, "Well, there's no significant difference between you and our Mikey, maybe just some new scars and bruises, but genetically, you're the same." Donnie soon noticed that Mikey was fixated on the family photo.
“What's on your mind?” Donnie asked him.
"Just wondering... was it fun growing up with all four of you being the same age and all?" Mikey asked.
"Well, it had its ups and downs. For starters, we were always fighting, especially Raph and Leo," Donnie explained.
"Really?" Mikey asked, his curiosity growing.
"Oh yeah, especially ever since Leo became the leader," Donnie replied. "Does your Raph and Leo not fight?"
"Not much, really, although Leo always wanted to be a leader, just like that one character from his TV show," Mikey explained.
"That sounds like Leo," Donnie shrugged.
As they wrapped up the last tests, Leo entered the room.
"Are you guys ready?" Leo asked, leaning in the door frame.
"Yup, let's go," said Donnie.
The three turtles entered the dojo, where Raph and Master Splinter were already waiting.
"Today I was planning a friendly spar to compare your abilities to Michelangelos," Master Splinter explained.
"Alright, I love kicking Mikey's shell, doesn't matter in which universe," said Raphie, excitedly.
"Oh, I wanna see you try, Raphie," Mikey said, patting Raph's head.
"Quit calling me Raphie!" Raph said, annoyed.
"Oh yeah, sorry," Mikey said, a little bit embarrassed.
"I assume you also use nunchucks in your universe, right?" Donnie asked.
Mikey grinned. "Oh yeah, bro, I'm a pro at those."
Raph volunteered for the first spar. "Then I'll take the first round."
"Good by me," said Mikey, grabbing a pair of nunchucks from the dojo's rack. Raph and Mikey assumed their attack positions, ready to begin the friendly sparring match.
Seated beside Master Splinter, Leo and Donnie observed with curiosity, eager to see how the match would unfold.
"Hajime!" said Master Splinter, signaling the start of the spar.
The spar began with a series of quick and precise strikes. Raph and Mikey moved gracefully, each one trying to anticipate the other's moves. Raph was impressed by Mikey's skill with the nunchucks, and Mikey was equally impressed by Raph's speed and agility.
In his universe Raphies atack were less focused and way more predictable.
As they exchanged blows, it became clear that this Mikey from the alternate universe was no pushover. He held his own against Raph, blocking and countering Raph's attacks with finesse. The other turtles and Master Splinter watched in awe as the two combatants showcased their respective strengths and techniques.
Mikey's chuckle was followed by a quick and unexpected move. In a swift motion, he managed to land a blow on Raph's knee, causing him to lose his balance and stagger. With that move, Mikey won the spar.
"Yame! Good job, Michelangelo," Master Splinter praised with a smile.
Leo chimed in, "Wow, that was quick."
Mikey offered a hand to Raph, teasing him playfully, "Not as easy as you thought, huh?"
Raph couldn't help but smirk, conceding, "Yeah, yeah, I get it, you win."
Master Splinter addressed the group, "Who's next? Donatello?"
Donnie hesitated for a moment, then replied, "I think I'll pass this time, sensei," a bit intimidated by the agility and skills Mikey had just displayed.
“Then I guess it's my turn,” Leo said, getting up to face Mikey.
“Hajime!”
As the spar continued, Leo found himself struggling to keep up with Mikey's remarkable agility and lightning-fast moves. Mikey had always been the quickest among the four of them, but his speed sometimes resulted in failed attacks. Leo knew better than to underestimate Mikey. Sensei had once mentioned that Mikey had the most untapped potential among his brothers, and the Mikey from this universe was a clear demonstration of that potential. However, it was apparent to Leo that Mikey was holding back during their sparring session. He wasn't landing any forceful blows; instead, he was primarily on the defensive. This realization left Leo feeling a bit disappointed, as he yearned for a genuine challenge.
Leo was growing weary quickly, while Mikey still appeared to have plenty of energy to spare.
"Don't go easy on me, Mikey," Leo said, determined, as he fought with both of his katanas.
Mikey was acutely aware that he was, in fact, holding back during the spar with Leo. Not because he believed Leo was weak or anything of the sort, but because it felt peculiar to witness Leo fighting so fiercely. In his universe, Leo was the youngest and had always strived to catch up with his older brothers, which resulted in him undergoing rigorous training to improve. But even with all that effort, Mikey had never pushed himself to go all out on him. His Leo was only 13, still a kid, and while he knew that the Leo he was facing now was 16 and way more experienced, he couldn't help but see the similarities.
But when he heard Leo's words, he realized that he needed to adjust his approach. He couldn't rely on his assumptions about this universe's Leo. Mikey decided to give it his all, showcasing the skills he had honed over years of training. His strikes became faster and more precise, forcing Leo to step up his game.
Leo, taken aback by the sudden change in Mikey's intensity, was forced to shift from a defensive stance to a more offensive one. He blocked and countered Mikey's attacks with speed and grace, but he was clearly struggling to keep up.
The spar continued, and the two of them fought with all their might. It was a thrilling exchange.
Master Splinter, Donnie, and Raph watched the spar in amazement, realizing that both of the leaders were formidable fighters. As the spar drew to a close, both Mikey and Leo were panting and covered in sweat. The match ended in a draw, and the two brothers exchanged respectful nods, each acknowledging the other's skills.
“Are you fearless?” Raph mocked.
"Excellent, my sons," Master Splinter praised them. "It seems that you both have much to learn from each other."
"Good fight, Leo," Mikey congratulated his older brother.
Leo smiled despite his exhaustion.
"You too, Mikey."
"That's all for today, my sons. Go rest," ordered Master Splinter.
The four of them left the dojo, each of them feeling tired after the intense sparring session. Donnie, however, had been busy analyzing Mikey's movements and strategies during the spar. Mikey was about to grab something to drink when Leo approached him.
"Are you feeling up to a patrol in a while? We're going to investigate the Kraang Lair where we found the Crystal Ball that caused this whole situation," Leo asked.
"Of course, dude," Mikey replied as he poured some water into a glass.
As Mikey watched Leo joining his brothers on the couch, he couldn't help but wish that his own brothers were as safe as he was in this universe. He hoped that the counterpart of himself in this world was taking good care of them and keeping them out of danger. Mikey took a moment to collect his thoughts. He had a mission here, in this unfamiliar-familiar dimension, and that was to find a way back to his own world and help his family. With renewed determination, he joined Leo, Raph, and Donnie on the couch.