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“Um, whatcha got there?” April question while nudging Casey’s foot.
“A smoothie,” Mikey said; shaking his cup. “It’s from this new place that opened up! Got some awesome selections!”
April wants to question how a whole store would open up during this whole portal mess but that’s not the important thing at the moment. Namely, the tiny blue and black bug mutant. Only its head is visible from a makeshift sling; the giant green bug eyes and blue antennas that bounces every time Mikey moves.
“What’s up with the bug?” Casey asks; only throwing a glare at April when she knocks him in the leg.
“Huh?” Mikey glance down at the mutant. “Oh! Yeah, we were out on the streets fighting Bebop and Rocksteady when I was launched into that store I was talking about and found this little guy in a laundry basket.” He gently pats the mutant on the head; causing it to shut its eyes and purr softly. “Donnie wants Metalhead to do a full work up to make sure this little guy is okay.”
April did follow Mikey over to the makeshift lab where Metalhead has been researching on the portals since the turtles had left for a few rounds. They have been making it to the rooftops but always comes up short, though Casey has a theory that it amps up just before the end to force them to stop. Which seems believable with how upset Leo has been becoming with each fail run.
“Alright, let’s get a look at this little guy.” Metalhead gently takes the mutant from Mikey but freeze suddenly at the crying and frost that starts spreading over his arms and face; only flickering back on when Mikey quickly takes the bug mutant back. “Interesting, it appears the little one has some kind of cryokinesis ability; basically, creating ice and maybe the ability to control it though more testing is required.” Metalhead types something into the computer. “However, it appears the child has formed an attachment to Michelangelo.”
“How come?” April asks.
The kid had already found itself back inside of the sling; breathing slow and easy while already napping as if the kid wasn’t brawling its eyes out just seconds before. Mikey have completely forgot about his smoothie to focus on keeping the kid from crying again. It’s probably for the best to keep the mutant happy so it doesn’t freeze anyone.
“Most likely, Michelangelo was the first person its had seen.” There are a soft beep and a red flash on the computer after Metalhead scans the kid. “Interesting, the kid isn’t a mutant but there does appear to be some human DNA mixed; let me see if I can–” There’s another red pop up with the words ‘no match found’ flashing in big letters. “I’ll expand my search but in the mean time, I suggest you remain in the Dojo.”
“Fine by me,” Mikey said. “I wanted to get some dinner started anyways.”
April quickly jumps in to help but they found out quickly that the kid doesn’t want anyone save for Mikey. However, there is a loophole. Mikey talking about a thousand different things allow Casey to hold the kid long enough for them to make up a simple soup dish with cheesy garlic bread before Mikey had to take the kid back when Casey complains about frostbite.
“It seems the kid really likes when you talk, Mike.” Casey gives a dirty look at April, who had kick him under the table due to him eating and talking at the same time.
“Yeah, but it won’t work in the long haul if we can’t find the kid’s parents.” Mikey has been messaging his brothers – which they won’t get until they come back to the lair – while absentmindedly eating his soup; luckily, Splinter has some old baby items from when the turtles were that little since Casey had pulled out an old baby seat where the kid have been sleeping peacefully. “Specially before we figure out how to feed her since I don’t think she can have pizza, you know.”
“Her?” April questions.
Mikey just shrugs.
“Frankly, I wasn’t expecting Splinter to be the hoarder type.” Casey gestures to the other baby items that he had pull out of storage; mostly toys, blankets, and even a couple of old hoodies. “I didn’t think you guys need half of this stuff.”
April never really asks much about the turtles’ childhood but wish that she did. There’s been a few times that one of them would share something offhandedly – training, wandering from the lair, and a few other things that didn’t seem important at the time – but nothing that April would ask more on. She never found a good reason to, figuring that they’ll tell more when the time comes…whenever that would be.
That’s when they heard the familiar opening of a portal; Raph wince from where he was drop on the ground. It takes him a few seconds to get back to his feet before coming into the kitchen and grabbing himself a bowl of soup; completely ignoring the kid.
“Rooftops?” Casey asks; only getting a sharp glare in return.
A few seconds later, two more portals open. Donnie went straight to the lab – which cause Mikey to jump out of his chair to put together a plate and takes it to his brother – while Leo comes into the kitchen, though had stop to look over the kid for a moment.
“Figured anything out?” Leo asks while grabbing his own bowl before stealing Mikey’s spot.
“Well, she’s not a mutant but has human DNA,” April explains.
“Also, hates everyone that isn’t Mikey.” Casey takes Raph’s garlic bread when the turtle takes a seat next to him at the table. “Almost froze me and Metalhead.” He had pulled out a package of some kind of candy that he hands to Raph along with a picture that he hands to Leo. “Also, Splinter is such a mom, you have no idea.”
Leo’s soft smile at the picture – one of the turtles when they were first mutated with Splinter – before tucking it away. “I’m glad that Splinter had kept some of our old stuff but what do you mean froze you?”
“Metalhead believes that the kid has some kind of cryokinesis power,” April said before noticing that the kid is waking up and turns in her chair. “Mikey, kid awake!”
Mikey had come running into the kitchen and easily scoops up the kid before she even opens her eyes. It’s a bit hard to know what the kid is feeling due to her mouth always frowning but the way her eyes light up gives something away in how she’s feeling. It’s taking a couple of tries to get the kid back into the sling before he takes a seat next to Leo while Donnie – having followed at some point – have been typing something away on his tablet.
“If the kid only happy with Mikey than we’ll be down a person,” Leo states.
“Does it matter?” Raph asks; clearly, poking at the bear. “A parent is missing their child and you’re worried about us being down some man power? We can easily pick up the slack, even Metalhead can take a few runs if we need it which we don’t.”
“Guys, we don’t need–”
“That’s not the point, Raph.” Leo quickly cuts Mikey off while keeping his focus solely on Raph. “With Mikey stuck here means less chances of getting to Shedder!” It’s startling to see Leo get actually angry instead of the normal quietness that he carries; giving a sharp contrast to Raph. “We can’t afford it right now.”
April reaches out to stop Mikey from leaving but Casey stops her instead.
…
Casey had jump to his feet but stops at the sight of April, who only lifts a blanket and a plate with a sandwich on it. “Sorry, I know everyone basically went to bed but I wasn’t…” He cuts himself off and takes the offer items before going back to his car. He thought about shutting the backdoor where anyone can see his makeshift bed but decided against it; they want him to be more open about things but today just proves why he shouldn’t.
But he going to try anyways…
April had taken a seat at the makeshift table – one of those giant wooden spools and a couple of smaller crates as chairs. Casey throws the blanket into the backseat before taking a seat across from her; though making sure they can both keep an eye on Mikey, who had claimed the back seating area with the kid and Donnie, who was forced to get some sleep by everyone.
Leo and Raph had already left for another round which isn’t going to end well.
“We’ll be okay,” April states – as if the words alone will make it true. “You'll be okay, too.”
“Me? You worried about me, Red?”
“I’m worried about everyone.” April sighs; she lays her head onto her arms. “We have done so much, especially the guys, but all of this has been breaking them apart.”
Casey wanted to argue against it but there’s nothing he can say that wouldn’t be true. Everyone is scared and the endless runs aren’t helping. Each time they come close to getting to the end of the Rooftops, something stronger comes down and push them back to the start. Casey refuses to tell any of the guys that he started ending his runs after completing the Junkyard, not that he doesn’t care but he’s to tired to keep going beyond.
“You think this kid is the breaking point?” Casey asks quietly.
“All I’m saying is that I hope we find the kid’s parents quickly.” April force herself to stand from the table. “I’m going to get some sleep before something else happens. Good night, Casey.”
“Yeah, good night…”
…
“Alright, kid, come to your uncle Casey.”
Mikey watch the kid closely for any signs of distress but please to find that there isn’t any. “You sure you got this, Casey?” His hands keep moving between his belt and nunchakus to keep them from taking the kid back; having gotten use to having the kid attached to his hip for the past few days. “I mean, I can stay behind and–”
“Nah, I got this plus April and Metalhead are here if anything goes wrong.” Casey ignores the layers he has been forced to wear and even that’s not keeping the frostbite at bay. At least the kid isn’t screaming her head off like the first few times any one even attempts to hold her. “You have to help your brothers with Bebop and Rocksteady.”
Mikey wants to protest but goes quiet when Casey spins him around and push him towards the exit where his brothers are waiting; none of them looks bothered with the wait however Mikey knows they should get going. The sooner they start the run than the sooner Mikey can get back to the lair after defeating Bebop and Rocksteady, who have been giving them a hard time for some reason.
“Fine, but come get me if you need me.”
“We will, Mike.” Casey shoos him. “Now, get going before Raph comes get ya.”
Mikey gives a wave to the kid – who he really needs to give a name to – before jogging over to his brothers for another round.
…
Landing back in the lair hurts so much worse than any time before. Mikey lays on the floor and rest his head against the rough rugs; waiting for his ears to stop ringing and his limbs to start listening to him again. This round had been tough since the beginning – even though they have gotten quite strong since the start thanks to the Dragon and Dream Coins – but it’s like nothing was in their favours this time.
Leo and Raph had kept fighting the whole time while Donnie haven’t had a wink of sleep due to researching the kid at all hours that he was allowed. Mikey have also been off his game since his mind keeps going back to the kid and wondering if she’s okay, if she had actually given Casey or April frostbite. It’s probably why he was taken out first by the three Assassins on the Rooftops.
He really hopes his brothers aren’t killing one another.
Mikey turns his head since tiny hands pat him on the arm; the kid’s wings are laying out on either side of her but it’s her eyes that light up at the sight of him. He chuckles when she copies him but ends up smacking him in the face with her wing. Mikey did have to scoop her up and roll them out of the way when the portal opens and Donnie got spit out.
“I guess Uncle Tello have more important things to do than asks his favourite brother if he’s okay,” Mikey said but Donnie had already headed to the makeshift lab despite the slight limp in his gait. “And we need to have a talk about taking care of one self again, yes we do.”
The kid giggles when Mikey bops her on the forehead.
“You know, we can’t keep calling you kid all the time.” Mikey hums. “Though, we could actually.”
It wouldn’t be the most outlandish name around but he doubts April would be happy with it. However, Mikey haven’t found anything at the Laundry Mat/Smoothie Shop (which is such an odd combo even for him) to give him even a hint of who the kid is; not even who her human parent could have been. For all Mikey knows, she could be an alien from outer space that got standard here.
“Hey, do you think she could be an alien?” Mikey calls out.
“It’s possible but I’ll have to run a few tests first,” Metalhead answers back.
Mikey sighs and rest his head on the ground at the thought of even more tests; his sighs deepen when the portal opens again and Leo comes tumbling out. His brother just drops his katanas onto the ground – surprising everyone – and turns to head to his meditation area before stopping and coming to sit on the ground next to Mikey. There’s a look of hesitation before Leo carefully scoops up the kid off Mikey; she struggles for a second before settling in his lap.
“I’m sorry,” Leo said. “For pushing you guys so hard.”
Mikey sits up and copies Leo; easily crisscrossing his legs compared to Leo’s own discomfort.
His mouth snap shuts because he wanted to say that it’s fine, that they’ll get over it, and it’s important to save Father. But that’s not completely true anymore, is it? Mikey is tired all the time and can barely even find the energy to make a meal half the time, Raph’s anger had gotten worst, and Donnie haven’t spoken to any of them in a while that wasn’t about the portals. Leo is the only one still remotely the same but…Mikey narrow his eyes causing Leo to look at him in confusion. There’s start of eye bags and he’s barely keeping his eyes open half the time. It’s starting to be clear that Leo isn’t doing as well as everyone thought he was.
“We need rest, Leo.” Mikey make sure to keep a strong gaze on Leo, wanting to make sure his brother understand what he’s trying to say. “All of us. A sleepover like when we were younger.” During the last few days, Mikey had gone through the Lair and managed to find their movie collection. “And I’m not taking no for an answer.”
Leo’s gaze falters; flickering down to the kid sleeping soundlessly in his lap. A soft sigh slips out and he gives a sharp nod; “okay, we can have a sleepover.”
Mikey carefully lunge himself at Leo – giving a tight hug – before jumping to his feet to get everything set up; only to freeze at the sight of the kid flying in front of him.
“I guess those wings aren’t just decoration,” Leo said while standing up.
“No, I guess not.” Mikey takes a few steps around her and she easily follow after him. “I’m glad we learned about this; it’ll make things a bit easier.” It’ll give him some breathing room at least but there’s this amuse look on Leo’s face that he doesn’t understand what it could mean. “Anyways, I’m going to get set up.”
“Alright, I’m going to wait for Raph.”
…
A false sense of peace had settled around the lair that everyone refuse to acknowledge.
Mikey have taken over the floor where Kit have been sleeping; his own eyes are heavy with sleep but he refuses to close them in case things go wrong. Raph and Leo had taken up different ends of the couch while Donnie had taken the arm chair for himself. Some action movie is playing on the TV with some martial artist that keeps yelling about hot soup – Donnie believes that due to the portals they now have access to other medias from different realities.
“You asleep, Mikey?” Raph gently knocks Mikey’s shell. “Can’t tell if he’s faking or not.”
Mikey keeps himself from moving to much, even though he wants to see his brothers’ reactions.
“Knowing the day we had, I hope everyone is getting some sleep.” There’s a shift on Leo’s side of the couch. “Actually, I wanted to apologize for how I have been acting…” Leo had turn to face Raph from the sounds of him moving around. “I shouldn’t have been pushing everyone like I have; I just want to get Father back.”
“We all do, Leo.”
“I know that…” A heavy sigh. “I guess I forgot that we are all aiming for the same goal.”
Mikey decided to tune his brothers out after they start moving into a more personal conversation; nothing that he needs to be concern with at the moment. Specially when Kit suddenly smacks him in the face with her wing when she rolls over.
He blinks when a blanket suddenly lays over his head.
Leo and Raph look amuse when Mikey pulls the blanket off.
“Alright, I’m heading off for bed;” Raph pats Mikey on the head while heading off to his room with twin ‘goodnights’ following after him.
Luckily, their rooms weren’t caught up in the portals like Donnie’s lab.
“Mind helping me with Donnie?” Leo asks. “We should all sleep in our own beds tonight.”
Mikey had to set up the sling for Kit before helping Leo take Donnie to the elevator where Raph has been waiting for them. Earning a few pokes and a couple ‘aw, you do care’ which Raph only rolls his eyes but nothing more. It takes them up to the main lair where everyone – save for Casey – have already went to bed. They easily drop Donnie onto his bed in his room before Raph went off to his own next door.
Leo looks like he’s going to offer something but Mikey already gives a quick good night before heading off to his own room next door. He doesn’t really want to deal with Leo anymore tonight, even though there are many conversations that they need to have that has been put onto the backburner. They still have lots to do tomorrow but right now, Mikey really just want to get some sleep.