Chapter Text
— Mikey, we need a time gateway. — Leo's words echoed in his head. They talked about this before, right after Donnie died.
— It will take everything I have. — He said. It was the right thing to do, but he was still scared. Deep inside, Michelangelo didn't want to die.
— I know. But this is our last chance. It's our only chance. — He could see the fear in his big brother’s eyes. Leo knew the risk, and he surely didn't want to lose the only brother he had left. But this time it wasn't about the ninja turtles anymore. Mikey could see in Leo's eyes this was to give Casey a better future.
Mikey nodded and hovered away somewhere nearby. As his feet touch the ground, he spins in a circle, creating an orange energy ring, then thrusts his arms out in front of himself, feeling the nimpo coming from the back of his soul and manifesting into his hands.
As the gateway begins to open, something cracks. First he felt it inside his own soul, then he could see golden cracks consuming his arms and increasing.
— Find the key. Stop the Krang. — He could hear Casey repeating Leo's instructions nearby. Focus, Michelangelo.
Leonardo looked at his younger brother for a second. If he had let Raph take that damn key decades ago he wouldn't be standing there, injured, only being able to watch as his baby brother sacrificed himself.
But was that it? He was only going to watch as Mikey did all the heavy work? Leo's heart began to burn like never before. It was unfair. Raph always tried to make things easier for his little brothers, and now Leo was going against it, putting everything on the youngest.
— Casey, help me get up. — He said, firmly.
Junior didn't want to move the older turtle due to his injury, but what his sensei said was law, so he did.
They staggered towards Mikey as fast as they could, and Leo put a hand on his right shoulder. The mystic turtle looked beyond surprised.
— You're not alone, little brother. We do this together. — Leo said, holding his brother’s shoulder tight. Mikey smiled, feeling like half the burden was gone. He looked back to the gateway, trying harder to open it. They didn't have much time, Krang was near.
Leo felt his arm — the one left — burning. His skin cracking in the same golden light that was about to consume his baby brother, but not anymore. Not anymore because he was there for him.
As soon as the gateway was open, Mikey collapsed into Leo’s arms. He was going to be okay, Leo thought.
Then a red lighting hung over their heads, the Krang had found them.
Leo grabbed Casey's arms and without a word, threw him into the portal, jumping with Mikey in his arms right after.
Since when was New York this loud? Since when have there been this many people? Wait a second.
It worked. IT WORKED! Leo didn't care that people were looking at him as some sort of freak. He was back to when things were better! To when— Mickey and Casey. Where were they?
He looked at his arms. Mikey was still blacked out, now getting dirty with blood that Leo’s injury insisted on pouring. And Casey? Oh, he was trying to get him back to earth.
— Sensei, we need to get you medical help! — He said while trying to drag the turtles to an empty alley.
— Good thing I know exactly who could help us. — Leo was really trying not to pass out as he drew his sword and made a portal with only one place in mind. Home.
The tension in the lair was still over the charts. Leo and Raph haven't spoken to each other and that got the other two brothers at a loss of what to do.
Mikey had tried playing the doctor feelings persona, only to be shut down by both leaders, and Donnie was trying not to think of the big fight from earlier. He was mad at Leo, of course. Overconfidence, what a stupid hill to die on.
He was trying to change his attention from the crippling feeling of uselessness when his alarm ticked off. Someone not registered had entered the lair.
— Oh sweet Galileo, let it not be the foot clan. — He murmured as he ran towards his brothers. — Fam, someone just broke in!
— What? Who? — Raph almost shouted as Donnie started checking his arm gear.
— I don't know, it was just one person. Wait, no, three. But- but two of them are registered. This doesn't make any sense. — He started typing at a frantic speed trying to figure out where they were and who they were.
— It says they're.. — Donnie looked at the door, and from the shadows three figures emerged, leaving him and the rest of his brothers speechless.
An older Leo fell on his knees, blood all over his stomach, a very older Mikey, unconscious on his arms, and a boy worried out of his mind screaming “sensei”.
Raphael could see only one expression on that Leo’s face before he completely passed out. A sincere smile.