Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Donatello is at peace.

Seeing his siblings all on the rooftop shouting encouragements or insults to Raph as he tries to beat Leo’s record from months prior makes him think nothing happen to them at all. That the world hadn’t tried to kill them all in some horrific invasion and that all of them were just young(er) teens again. 

What feels like eons ago where Raph didn’t have that pinkish hue in his right eye, where Leo didn’t have lightening cracks down his shell, where Mikey’s hands didn’t shake every time he put them to use—

Point is, seeing them smile and joke around is something he can admit he misses. 

The winds gentle breeze hits them, nearly causing Raph to lose his footing on the metal wiring, which in turn earned teasing remarks from the rest of the family. The pizza at the very top smelt heavenly, so if Raph did fail— and according to the wind velocity and dew point which indicated the probability pointing more towards yes—Donnie was going to try his hardest to save it. 

Right as he decided to activate his battle shell to meet with the rest his brothers, the oldest slung her arm over his shoulder and started talking.

“Can you believe it Donnie?” April asked him, clicking a button on the side of his battle shell to activate the “Donnie-mobile” setting. Donnie chuckled at the memory of that name and let a small smile grace his face.

“About what exactly? My dear Raphael actually getting close to beating the record, or about how for the first time in months we let ourselves act are age?” 

Solemn air filled that last remark as memories flashed behind his eyes, but Donnie kept the small smile on his face, especially since they started to fly closer to his now screaming brothers as they reached closer and closer to the top of the tower. Who could be sad when joy made its way into his brothers’ voices in Pizza Supreme knows how long? April seemed to share the sentiment as she too brightened in her little brothers’ vicinity. 

She laughs a bit before answering, “Well I already know you think big ol' Raphie’s gunna lose,” she says without an ill intent, “but yeah I’m more so talkin’ about your overall wellbeing. Less thoughts more feelings ya’know?”

While Donnie can’t see her face, he’s grown up with that safeguard tone of hers. They all have. The one that protected them when Splinter or Raph couldn't, the one that stayed with them the entirety of their recovery process, the one that is still going so strong even after months since the Invasion.

It pained him that it was still there, but it comforted him no less.

“Well, not much can’t be said without repetition of words said weeks prior.”

“So no new things I should know? Nothing that can be helped?” 

Donnie sighed, “No, I’m pretty sure everything that needs to be covered has been covered.” That he allowed to be covered anyway.

Thankfully, Mikey’s screech of terror— that was caused by the sudden onslaught of pigeons that seemed to materialize out of nowhere — saved him from the rest of this sudden interrogation and granted him an escape as the form of laughing at his little brother’s expense. Not like he was the only one, as both his twin and sister laughed at the unforeseen attack on the box turtle; Raph being too focused on the challenge to leave any comment on the chaos. A few feathers even seemed to fly out of the youngest’s mouth as he vocalized his discontent at the gibing. 

Donnie is oh most definitely going to make sure the he takes a long shower before Angelo even comes near him tonight.

Donnie was right in the end. Raph failed the challenge (pizza being saved by yours truly) and promptly fell to the streets below.

At least, would’ve if it weren’t for Leo, who in a panic, ended up rapidly portaling Raph back to the Lair. 

Though the action was fair and understandable, if a bit overboard, everyone jumped on Leo’s case. While they are grateful for the quick reflexes, Raph voiced his displeasure openly as, ya’know, Leo shouldn’t be straining his just now healed body and powers on the first day back outside. 

But in the end, family and love won out and they all got dragged into another movie night for the 7th day in a row, making them hit a week streak on family get togethers. Though the group therapy has its downsides, they’re communicating, which according to Doctor Feelings means they’re on the right track.

Healing is never easy, but at least they’ve got each other to figure this shit out.

He probably would’ve grilled his twin more but Hell, Raph was already giving it to him so he truly didn’t need to anymore. While Leo did get a few words in on Ralph’s hypocrisy, movie night ended in a sleepy cuddle against one another with Moncrief’s voice becoming background ambience in their smaller home.

That’s why Donnie is currently going through one of the most mind melting decisions of his life; either accept his fate and go crazy or leave and possibly give his family a heart attack.

Listen, Donnie isn’t ungrateful for family’s love and affection, especially at everything they’ve been through, but he needs to do something other than this. He can deal with the physical affection and mother-henning if it means his family is happy and safe—which is all he wants! He wants he family to be happy and not feel like their endanger constantly by a threat they may or may not need to prepare for. 

Donnie’s got that covered, he’s family doesn’t need to worry about that. Though, because he’s got that covered, he just wants them to stop worrying and preferable stop asking him if his okay. He is! He just— needs some space. He can’t even stay in his lab for more than a few hours before somebody comes knocking it down and treating him like tempered glass.

It was frankly getting exhausting, but like hell he was going to voice it out loud.

In the dimness of the lair, Donnie lies contemplating everything in his life that has led him to this act of impulsiveness. Where he applies a small sticky note to the back of Raph’s shell and moves Leo’s body to more hug against Mikey’s body instead of him.

He knows this is one stupid idea, but he’s already accepted the fate he caused for his future self when he gets back home.

By his logic though, it won’t even get to that! He’s even got a timer to make sure!

It’s only 12:30 when Donnie finally reaches topside with hoodie in tow, trying to decide how he wants spend the next hour or so. The smell of trash and overall weed is something he can find familiarity with when he lies on a rooftop a few blocks over, staring at the polluted sky. His hands making a pillow for his head and ground rough enough that he didn’t feel like ripping off his exposed shell. 

Another stupid, dum-dum impulsive decision on his part, leaving the house without his battleshell, but he already fucked up the moment he stepped foot outside, so why not add one more to the pile?

Besides, if it was truly such a bad decision, then why hasn’t his future self come to stop him?

Screaming suddenly invaded his not-ears, with cruses galore and metal-on-body whacking noises that following it right after. A large something seemed to crash into the trash cans below him, with this time more frantic yelling that he actually understood now that the initial panic wore off.

”I was tryin’ to do business here! What are you, the cops?!”

”Bruh, you know damn well they ain’t shit. Me on the other hand? Weeellll, your buddy already made a good example of what I do.”

More angry curses come out the older sounding voice and, what he could only assume is a weapon, collides with the guy as the sounds soon die out, leaving the attacker the only one still there if the harsh panting was something go by.

Don’t look down.Don’t look down.Don’t look down— he looked down.

What showed in the alleyway was two unconscious bodies, each on different sides of it, who he assumes were in the middle of a drug deal before the only conscious body of the attacker, interrupted it.

All that was heard on this frankly quiet night was that of the man who was still catching his breath. 

Just when Donnie decided to go back to minding his business and be like any other New Yorker when weird shit happens, a piece of cracked concrete no bigger than his finger falls due to his pressure on the edge and alerts the attacker of his presence.

Damn he's a dumbass. Is Donnie’s first thought when he locks eyes with the mask of the stranger because, yeah, he definitely is. 

Because one, he’s a ninja for Pizza’s sake he should’ve stayed in the shadows like his meant to do and two, he shouldn’t even been out here in the first place and three, he should’ve known from the start that he was trusting his luck too much of a bargain to begin with.

The staring continues as both men are trapped in a stalemate of will, seeing who will break the tension first. Which, will most likely be Donnie because eye contact, even with the mask hiding his eyes in shadows, makes Donnie extremely uncomfortable. Just when he had enough and blinks, the man has ran into the building Donnie is on and presumably makes his way to him.

Oh no, this is not how this night was supposed to go, he thinks as he runs across rooftop to rooftop, not even daring to let the man reach the top of the building first before he’s already a few a block down. As much as he love to go home and plead his sins to Raph, he rather not lead the previous shown violent attacker to his ya’know house, so he runs the opposite direction. 

Against his better judgment, he turns around which marks us up to the fourth most stupidest decision his done all night because oh Lordy Lord, the guy is suddenly only a building behind him.

Who the absolute flying fuck is this guy?! There is no way he’s human!! Donnie shouts under his breath as he jumps across the street to lose the guy. 

Yeah, ain’t no fucking way, Donnie continues to think as the man simply keeps up with him like a professional. Donnie charges up his Ninpo, using it to go even faster than he already was.

Wait, maybe he is? His brain seems to actual work for the first time tonight as he thinks about all the events that lead up to this. A man who just fought criminals, who seems strong enough win against them, and who is skilled enough to keep up with him on the rooftops he’s made he’s second home. 

A vigilante. Donnie’s brain supplied him.

“A threat.” Donnie replied back out loud.

Well shit, no wonder he’s being chased, the guy must’ve thought he was either involved with the drug deal or wants no witnesses.

Donnie jumps to another building as his pupils become slits in focus. That’s when he’s reminded of a disheartening third factor. 

Or, the guy’s just racist and sees all mutants as threats. Just to voice the thought into existence. 

That’s also a reason the family only just got out today. While yes, it was mainly due to injuries needing to be healed, the hate for mutants really seemed to double after the Kraang Invasion. Though the government tried to pass off the Invasion as a sudden shadow eclipse and double earthquake resulting in mass hallucinations, the people of New York saw what they saw and took to starting even a bigger protest against mutants. 

While it has calmed down and people took to just believing the government to calm their nerves, the hate for mutants is still very much there and most targeted have taken to either lower their outings, change behavior, or fighting for rights. Just a week prior, Repo Mantis had somehow found their home and left an apology letter to tell them to be more careful around the humans now. 

Ah discrimination, what a way to bring people together. Donnie thought sarcastically. And when he thought his luck couldn’t get any worse, his negative thoughts seemed to lessen his Ninpo causing him to slow down enough to barely making up on the rooftop, causing him to having to do a body roll and lose momentum in the moment. 

Damn his lack of exercise without the support of his Jetpack! 

Just when he finished that thought, the world seemed to come at a halt as what looked to be a bladed-out hockey stick came to his throat, leaving him on folded legs and a messed up lotus position. While Donnie wouldn’t say he was particularly winded, the blade an inch too close to his skin left him not even getting a chance to catch up on breath as his body stilled against the threat.

 
Threat threat threat threat was all his mind supplied itself, going off like a mantra in his skull as he swallowed down all thoughts of the Kraang because not now. Not while he’s endanger and he’s family needs him—

“You gunna tell me why I caught you snoopin’ around this late at night? Or am I gunna have to force it out of ya?” The masked stranger asked.

 
Thank the Pizza Supreme in the Sky for the interruption of that train of thought. Not like Donnie was going to tell that to the stranger though.

He final decided to get a good look at this guy, now that he was right in front of him. The man, or boy rather due to the sound of his voice, seemed to be on the thinner side of things due to the layers baggy clothing he was wearing. He must definitely pack some muscle though if he was able to keep up with him so he’ll chalk it up the stature due to height because, despite being on the floor, the boy looked as if he would still be taller than him standing up. 

Not like he was Raph height, no one would be taller than Raph, but he did seem to be in the high 5ft or 6ft range which would give an advantage to the jackass if he did decide to fight him right now, but wait he was waiting for a response—

 
“Uhhhh, excuse me, but could you repeat that?” Donnie asked because, ya’know, he forgot the question even though he shouldn’t have as  the guy quite literally has a blade to his throat.

 
“You know what I said, quit playin’ dumb.”

 
Bitch— “I wouldn’t have asked you to repeat the question if I knew what you said, because sorry if having a fucked up hockey stick to my throat is causing me to blank on certain things. So please, repeat what you said.” The annoyance was obvious in Donnie’s voice, causing the Masked boy to scoff.

 
“I said— tell me the business you had on that rooftop at fuck-all in the morning or else ima got to punch it outta ya.” He tilted his head and pushed the blade closer to Donnie’s neck, just barely grazing him at this point.

 
“Believe or not Hoe, I was actually minding my fucking business before your ass decided to interrupt my peaceful night by causing a ruckus, which, might I point out, is causing more of a disruption to the peace than I ever was. So yeah, push that blade away from  my throat or we’re going to have some problems ‘round here.”

 
The adrenaline and anger was causing Donnie to slip into accent more widely known to be used by Doctor Delicate Touch as his back straighten to not look weak against the foe. Not like it mattered much, as the point was to be threatening anyway.

 
“I feel like you ain’t listenin’, as I just said tell me why you was up there, not some  technicality bullshit.” The caucasity of this bitch.

 
“Listen, I’m telling the truth.  I ran cuz you obviously meant to cause me harm ‘cause who the fuck decides to chase a bitch halfway ‘cross Manhattan for being nosy? Bitches that have something to hide, that’s who.”

 
Gotta channel his inner Leo to get out of this.

 
Mansplain, manipulate, malewife. If all else fails, manslaughter it is.

 
The vigilante actually seemed to pause on this, seemingly trying to get the words right in his head first before fumbling something stupid instead, not like he was going to get the chance.

 
That little pause was all Donnie needed as he quickly swiped his leg under the navy black individual and jumped off the building. By the time the hockey player looked up, Donnie was gone like the wind and hiding in the shadows all the way back to the Lair.

 
“The fuck…” 

Without even making a peep, Donnie lower the sewer hole cover back to its original place and climbed the ladder all the way back down to the Lair. Dodging all the security measures he made, he scooted his way back to his room and took extra extra care to avoid the living room as he passed by the kitchen to get some water for his exhausted body.

Once the water from the bottle passed his lips however, the lights in the room turned on making all of it splatter against himself and the wall.

 
“Was wondering when you’d get home.” Spoke his twin in his usual arrogance, but with a certain underlying tone in it making Donnie jolt. He didn’t dare turn around, knowing he wasn’t he only one in the kitchen.

 
“Yeah, mind tellin’ Raph about where you were little brother?” Spoke Raph as he also feigned casualness. The voice came from the entrance of the kitchen so there was no escape. Donnie looked out of his peripheral, seeing the same sticky note he wrote early being stuck between two large fingers. 

 
“We were all worried ya’know.” Came the youngest as the air seemed to swoosh where he was on the side counter, opposite of Raph and most likely kicking his legs.

He should’ve just let the vigilante kill him... Was Donnie’s final thought before he got jumped by all three of his brothers. 

Chapter Text

How Donnie survived after his family decided to beat his ass was truly one of life’s greatest mysteries.

 
He did try to escape, not that it wasn’t vain, and he was sentenced to life in prison since they decided to take away all his possessions and not take an eye off him for the presumable future.

A fate worse than death if ask him. Especially since this was his first offense. 

 
He was subjected to more talks with Doctor Feelings and a whole family interrogation, April included. Not like he was going to budge on the details of his outing because duh, they would never allow parole if he told them there might be a new threat on the rise.

Though now, he lies on the couch, stuck in the same position he tried to escape from with Leo on standby playing his Switch Donnie himself bought him for Christmas. Bitch ass hoe, he thought but, while he has the time to waste, might as well look over last night’s events and think about how it might affect his life.

To start with the obvious, the vigilante. He remembers hearing about the crime rate in the city lowering a month after the Invasion, but he just thought was because of the protest and overall ruin of the city itself. He’s going to have to re-examine his data to include standard crime reports but he’ll make a note for that later.

It makes sense in highnsight since destruction does cause new opportunities for criminals to jumpstart their plans, especially if the police is too busy helping those in more higher end neighborhoods.

 
“ACAB.” Donnie speaks out loud.

 
“Acab.” Leo repeats with a nod of head, not looking away from his Switch. The tell-tale squabble of Tom Nook follows right after.

 
While statistically, it’s impossible for every single cop in existence to be bad, the system they work under for sure is, so it overrules. Speaking of, what exactly is the vigilante doing? Sure, it goes with the job description that he must be fighting crime, but how is he finding it? From what Donnie saw, it didn’t look like he had any electronics on him, but then again the baggy jersey and navy black hoodie under it could hide a lot of everything so, it wasn’t a fair assessment to assume he didn’t have something bugged to him. Not to mention he wasn’t exactly in the right mind to actively feel around for devices with his Nipno.

 
So, this now leads us to his physical prowess, which could indicate he’s either extremely good at what he does or he could be a mutant himself. Begrudgingly, Donnie does have reason to believe he might actually just be human. First off, even without his googles, he would’ve felt some kind of mystic energy hover around the guy if he was a Yokai or mutant. Especially since he activated his Nipno to get away from the fucker, he would felt something. But, he didn’t. All he felt was his own magic and the regular buzz of mystic that became prominent to them ever since the first day they discovered the Hidden City.

  
Which mean that if it was anything Mystic like a cloaking brooch, which was Donnie’s first thought, he would’ve felt it. His gotten better at that since Sunita and overall time on the field dealing with Mystic Bullshit™️.

This evaluation is just confirming what he already expected, so why not play an angle with Leo, who he can most definitely blackmail into not telling Raph. The guy was clearly someone they got to be cautious with, since he had no problems with pinning Donnie down with death threats and a third grader craft project.

 
Donnie tilts his head back to better see Leo. The action doesn’t seem to cause an immediate reaction, so he hooks he’s legs on the outer side of the couch where they laid, and pulls himself to a sitting position. Leo still doesn’t look, even as Donnie slots his legs to the front of the couch to copy how Leo’s sitting. 

Donnie honestly has half the mind to try and leave, but like a demon reading out his temptations, the moment that thought entered his mind, Leo speaks.

 
“Don’t try to leave, I don’t want to get up to follow your ass.”

Fair enough, rang Donnie's thoughts.

Absentmindedly, clawed fingers began thrumming themselves against his thigh. 

Pap pap pap as the another hand supported Donnie's head while he waited for his next action. 

Many possibilities to choose, many paths to follow, and many results that can concur through them.

Thats too many manys, thought Donnie as he gave up on sitting and laying back down, this time on Leo.

Leo continues to say nothing as he goes around reorganizing his island for the 2nd time. Obviously, Donnie is less than pleased and resorts to aiming for the eyes. 

“Donnie stop for the love of Christ—“ a hand comes up and grabs Donnie’s hand before it made contact.

A blank stare and silence follows this transaction, then Donnie’s other hand goes for the bandanna tails. 

“YoU HOe-“ Tom Nook and his posey then get discarded as a fight breaks out in living room.

What Donnie doesn’t know is that 3 nights ago, the same person he was thinking about was also thinking of him.

A lone boy was walking across the rooftops on a normal night, heading back to home. The walking on rooftops thing was definitely not normal but it was normal to him so who gives a shit? The only sounds that we’re heard were the soles of his wore out Vans hitting the concrete and the occasional hum of cars driving down below.

Hockey stick draped on top of his shoulders and his arms behind it folding it in place, he can’t help but wonder about the turtle(?) kid that got away. To pass over the embarrassing fumble, he’s gotta say the mutant intrigue him. 

In all his time working as a vigilante, he’s gotta say he’s surprised that this is his first encounter with a Mutant. It shocked him to say the least, but it still felt like another other night.

All the drama on the news painted Mutants as villains or charity cases that needed saving, so to actually meet and conversant with one was actually pretty cool.

The hockey player shakes his head, No! he thought, because his mind is once again skipping over the part that the kid was up to no good! Because why else would some mutant be up so late at night for? Don’t they got like, mutant summer school to get up for in the morning? The dark-haired boy shivered, thank God he actually got good enough grades to skip summer school, that was an Hell he was so not ready for again.

But, back on topic. There was a dorky looking reptile-like mutant just hanging out on top of a shady rooftop at 1 something in the morning. The guy obviously knew something about fighting, if that sweeping move had anything to say about it, but what exactly was he doing?

From what he saw, they was nobody around and purple dude just seemed to be the only guy, but what would a singled person do? Well, the teen chuckled, a few things. But, who the fuck actually does anything on a rooftop? Smoke weed maybe, but can mutants even smoke weed? Let alone a turtle?

“That feels racist, but God hasn’t strike me down yet.” 

Right as he says that, like the God that the author is, the boy trips on the raised edge of the roof and falls off it. 

“MOTHER OF FUCK—“ was all that was said before a crunching of trash followed.

Nothing else was heard as the boy just took a few seconds to just recollect his life before making his way off the obscenely huge piles of trash.

The shame that reeked off the boy could’ve rivaled the smell of the garbage that clung to him too. 


All previous thoughts have left him as the boy did what he always did when life didn’t go his way, push through it.

If you can say one thing about Casey Jones, it’s that he isn’t no quitter.

Much later on, when both boys have finally made peace with each other, Donnie will laugh his lungs out on the same rooftop as Casey meekly recounts his version of that fateful day, leaving a embarrassed but happy smile on his face at the sight of Donnie’s glee.

Chapter Text

The wind was soft and warm tonight as the it fluttered behind Donnie’s too long mask tails as he drifted along with it.

 
Call it the author being lazy, but 3 weeks have passed and Donatello has been allowed back outside. Under the oath he tells at least 1 member of the household where he is.

Which, is fine he supposes. He said with no sarcasm once or ever.

Now, walking along the rooftops on his way to 60th street, he made sure to have his phone on hand, hoodie on, and his messenger bag in tow. Today, he wants nothing more than to just hang out with his sister and talk shit about what ever show they’re going to watch.

The entire family knew he was going to April’s and since Raph wanted to train, Mikey planned on finishing his Mural near a Hidden City entrance, and Leo going on a mysterious date with someone in said city, he was free to go out and enjoy whatever little quiet time he could.

 
Unfortunately, Donatello didn’t know he was in a Fanfiction and we needed to speed up the plot.

 
It was faint at first, but now it was getting too loud to ignore.

Behind him, rushing steps drawing closer and closer to Donnie made him instinctually reach for his bō staff. Once the sound came from above him, he spun and swung his bō high above his face as his attacker came crashing down on him.

The wood creaks under the pressure of its users, and if Casey didn’t know any better, he would say that it was about to snap. 

Just he’s luck that his patrols further out in Manhattan made him cross paths with same mutant he meet back then. Strange that he actually has a weapon with him this time around, but that just makes him all the more suspicious he supposes.

Donatello though, coming face to face with the same stupid skull mask from weeks ago, makes him come to the dreadful realization that he might never catch a break again.

Both of them fell back away from each other, weapons raised as the started to circle each other on the rugged rooftop. 

Donnie’s mind was going 100 miles an hour as he tried to find any weak points in this vigilante’s stance, while the same was happening behind the mask. Both continued the standstill for another few seconds before their locked eyes and, the tension snapping like a band, they ran at each other.

While Donnie has always been an offensive player when it came to fights, curiosity was his favorite patron and this new threat had to be catalogued anyways, so why not hold off any finishing moves for a bit to see what this hellspawn has to offer?

A strike to his side made Casey suck in a breath as he quickly blocked the wooden rod and now, swinging he’s own weapon like a mace above him, he used that momentum to smash it down on the mutant’s head.

If Donatello hadn’t already read his moves and blocked the hockey stick again, that would’ve been a fight ender. This time, he allowed himself to be push down by the weight, only to then immediately jump up, landing a high kick to his opponent’s jaw. 

Casey’s body follows his head as he nearly gets too close to the roof edge, but— with a quick spit of blood— he recovers quickly and immediately goes on the defense again.

 
This one’s a fighter, he smugly thought, this will be fun.

He reaches into his pockets and pulls out a emptied spray can. He smashes it down to the ground and white smoke quickly fills the vicinity of the rooftop while Donnie also loses sight of the masked man. 

The sudden change in the air made Donnie’s lungs give out and start coughing up a storm as the mist also infected his eyes, making the battle around him become even more unclear.

All the turtle could do was wobble around aimlessly and brace himself for whatever attack the other had planned. Legs crouched and Bō raised as he let himself just focus on the sounds around him, giving himself more into his instincts.

 
The smell was disgusting, probably on purpose. Just feeling around with his Ninpo, he could feel his prey behind him, but where’s the fun in letting them know they’ve already been compromised?

Casey was just drinking up his opponents stance, remembering the distance discussion he had with himself nearly a month ago. Who would’ve guessed that the first mutant he ends up meeting will be the same one he just can’t get rid of?

That’s when he decided he’s waited enough and immediately goes for the mutant’s back. For shame Donnie was a trained ninja, or that would’ve actually hit something.

Both lock eyes again as something animalistic breaches their faces while the mist dances around them, giving them cinematic ambiance as they both share the same thought.

I will win.

 
The mist parted from above, the only warning to the ones down below was a battle cry.

   
“APRILLLL OO’NEEEEIILL!” 

 
Suddenly, the tension of the fight snaps as a green blur pummels through the air and smacks down onto the vigilantes shoulders. 

Casey automatically crumbles to the ground and groans in pain as all the air in his body left, while April looks over her own shoulder to look at her turtle-y younger brother. 

All Donnie could do was look at her in shock before his amazement took over and he smiled.

 
“Donnie!”

Never mind, Donnie was now scared.

“What’s the matter with you! You don’t pick up the phone, you don’t tell me why your runnin’ late, and when I do come to find your ass— your fighting by yourself?!”

 
At this point, April had already walked up to Donald and had yanked at his mask ties like you would do with ears, if Donnie had any.

 
“Okiokioki, pleaseletmego—“ All Donnie could do was plead as April dragged him across the rooftops to her Apartment.

 
“Okay, let’s rewind real quick—“ April began, as she put a bag of popcorn in the microwave. 

Donnie was currently in living room, huddled up in his favorite bunch of blankets as April began to prepare all the food and snacks for this tea telling. 

While normal he would be excited for these type of things, he wasn’t sure how much information he could tell. While being an abysmal liar, the hard part of lying is making the elaborate cover story, not the actual information which needs to be spilled.

 
Still though, he wasn’t sure what to say. What is meant to do? Tell his sister that ‘Oh yeah! That guy you just warded off of me? Yeah, he could a vigilante that hates mutants! I’m just so lucky to be on his hit-list!’ He values his life thank you very much!

 
“Do I honestly have too? Because this topic I feel can be explained very easily—“

 
“Donatello Purple Hamato don’t chu play with me today. I mean, what do want me to believe? That you just got jumped by some random guy?”

 
Well, Donnie wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

 
“That’s exactly what I want you to believe because that’s exactly what happened. I was jumped by some hobo playing vigilante, and while it wasn’t my proudest moments I can rest assure you that you know the same amount of information I do.”

 
Nailed it.

 
“Hmm…” was all April said with scrutiny inflicting her voice and face.

 
Maybe not nailed it.

 
A beep came from the microwave, telling the world that yes, the popcorn is ready for you to devour. Ripping the package open and tossing it’s goodness into a bowl, April comes out the kitchen and looks nothing like the women who just annihilated a man with a baseball bat.

 
Her hair was styled in a high ponytail this time around, with a green headband matching her face mask and sleep shirt. Her bottoms were a cream color with little darker stars adorning it and green fuzzy socks that Splinter got her for Christmas tying the whole looks together as she made her way to the couch.

 
Donnie himself wore matching fuzzy socks, just in purple to match his aesthetic, and still donned his purple hoodie. His mask, usually cut, had longer ties this time around so April could ‘braid his hair’. 

April sits down, placing the bowl down on the table with the rest of the treats, and just lays her elbow on the top of the couch. This props her head up as she just continues to stare down Donnie like he was hiding life altering information.

 
Which, maybe he was, but he needs to research more first.

 
“Look, I know this looks shady—and I will be looking into it— be let it be known to the world that I, Othello von Ryan, has never seen that man before in my life.”

 
Who knows? Maybe this is a different vigilante with the same trash taste in clothing.

  
April just looks deep into his forehead, knowing Donnie’s distaste for direct eye contact, and just stares at it like it held all the answer to the universe. Apparently, not all answers, as she just sighs and gives up before turning her body to the T.V.

 
“Alright Alright, you win. Just don’t search this guy up now or I’m mixing the Skittles and M&Ms.”

 
Astronauts could’ve heard the gasp Donnie just took. He didn’t know what to be more offended by, the fact April thought he would break the Girl’s Night code or the war crime she was using as a threat.

 
Donnie sniffed, “You MoNster! I hope you piss rocks in your deathbed for that crime against humanity!”

 
Though the dramatics were unappreciated, the room felt lively again and the duo swung jab after jab at each other while exchanging the latest drama with each other. 

“So Rebecca got pregnant,”

 
“No way!”

 
“Yes way! And the real kicker is that since she was cheating on her boyfriend during that time, she doesn’t know who the father is.”

 
Donnie looked up from the table where he was rearranging a fraction of the M&Ms into color coded order, and just shakes he’s head.

 
“I can’t believe it. Wasn’t she the same one who ran for student president just to be petty to that Brianna girl?”

 
“No, that was Safiya. Who, by the way, had a huggeee crush of Brianna so that why she did it in the first place!”

 
“And the plot thickens oh mi god.”

 
Once all the colors were in there spots and had equal amount in each, Donnie began eating the colors down the rainbow and enjoying each moment of it.

 
This was how he wanted his night to go! Not getting into petty battles with a rip-off Batman.

 
Donnie snaps he’s fingers. “Do you know what I forgot to tell you?”

 
“What?” April said through a mouth full of popcorn.

 
“Leo went on a date tonight.”

 
April chocked on the popcorn but swallowed it down, patting her chest a her times. 

“Excuse me?! And you didn’t think to tell me this!!”

 
April was shaking Donnie by the shoulders, a few pieces of popcorn flying away at the intensity of the movement. 

Mayham, who had just been relaxing with them since they came back, goes and happily eats a few fallen pieces of the floor while also absorbed in the conversation now.

“Okay, I don’t have all the details, but basically—“

And the night continue just like that, with Donnie spilling about how Leo meet this bunny waiter while picking up Pizza from Hueso’s, ‘the one with his eyes too far apart?’ ‘Yes the one with his eyes too far part.’, painting their nails once the stories ran dry, and watching Euphoria while complaining how it was too unrealistic.

 
If Donnie could describe peace, this would be it.

But, what happened to Casey after they left?

Chapter Text

Casey was dying. He had to be. 
 

Staring up into the inky darkness of the New York sky, he has now gone back to thinking about that mutant. 
 

Why was it that after every time they meet, Casey is in some type of pain! Sure, they've only met twice but that just makes it 2 for 2!  

The pain in his shoulders started to reach further around his upper back. He felt that if he left this starfish position, his arms will just pop right off. 
 

The pain was fast and harsh when it happened, causing the most severe case of whiplash Casey has ever had, making him swear that he heard a girl’s voice right before the lights went out. When he got up, the sky was still the same and the moon hadn’t moved an inch so he doubts he was out for longer than 10 minutes. 

The pain was dulling against the coolness of the concrete, yet he knew if he didn’t get up soon it will be a bitch to deal with when he’s pain receptors worked properly again. 

Dishearteningly, he moves to get up, but the throbbing ache in his shoulder drags him back down again. 

Once the pain dwelled down, he tried again and succeed. The hard part now was to make his way home, which is basically a whole borough away.  He groaned at the thought, but continued on his was down the ladder to make it to 59 and get his ass on a A train. 

Whatever deities that existed seemed to, thankfully, decide he had enough already and the train ride and even transfer to the M was peaceful. By the time he got off, it was basically next day and he climbed through his window, and bellyflopped into bed. 
 

The plushness of the bed swallowed him whole as he finally let his body relax in the comfort of his home. 
 

And while he wanted nothing more than to magically heal from the injuries he got from whatever the Purple mutant did to him, he knows from experience that shit ain't pretty so, he rises.  

More like rolling off the bed, but even if that worsens his injuries, no one is here to scold him. 

 
Perks of being an orphan, he muses morbidly.  

And while he could think more about it, it's well past 9 pm, and his rule is that any thought after 9 pm means nothing, knowing his brain loves to fuck with him.
 

Masochist, said brain whispered. 

Nah, that proves his point exactly. Not worth the mental gymnastics this late at night. 

While his mind continued on with its contortionist levels of bending, his body wasn't caught up as the pain in his back made it hard to reach and put cooling cream on the said area.   

He has already patched up the cuts and scraps along his body on the train, lacking the fucks given as no one besides the average crackhead was there to see him or care enough to ask questions.  

That being said, he has enough self-respect to not strip in public just to heal his back, but he knows that he really needs to get this area done, or going to work tomorrow will suck ass. 

Suddenly, he feels his muscles pinch as he gets a mini cramp on the side of his ribs, so he dives face first right back onto his bed as he waits for the pain to go away. 

He swears he stopped breathing at one point, the pain curling around his right ribs like a knife jammedts way in there.  

Five painstaking minutes later, air was getting back into his lungs as the pain went away. When he sat back up, instead putting his arms over his shoulders, he put them under, letting his fingers massage the gel in the sore back.  

The prickling feeling of the coolant working its magic made Casey sigh is relief as sat in the quiet of his apartment. For extra measure, he puts some on his side too, not needing anymore injuries in the morning.

 
The clock showed the time at 2:57, which is later than he would liked but hey, comes with the life of being a vigilante. 

He fell back on the bed, fingers still a bit sticky as he uses his arms like pillow. He stares up at the off-white ceiling of his apartment, mind more or less still racing. 

…

.. 

.

He shoots up panicked, much to the dismay of his back.

 
SHIT! When was the last time I visited Angel?! DAMN—

       
He snatches his phone, opens his notes app and checks one labeled “Has the witch been visited yet?”. Immediately, he scrolls down and and looks at the box with no check mark.

• Checked: May 14th, 2023
• Checked: May 29th, 2023
• Unchecked: June 14th, 2023

 
He sighed in relief. It was only the 9th, meaning he didn’t fuck up. He remembers the last time he missed a visit; he was lucky the cops were nice enough that day.
 
 
Throwing he’s head back and leaning on his hands, he wonders if he’s room was always this damn hot. He was half naked, yet it still feels like someone threw him in pizza oven at 400 degrees. 

 
Completely giving up on everything, the last bits of adrenaline leave his body in a slow, peaceful pace. He slides his arms off his bed, laying flat on his back. 

With the window cracked open, his covers lying beneath him in no use, and the coolant finally taking over, he closes his eyes and nods off to sleep.

Casey thinks back on last night, laughing at the irony now that he’s under the belly of a car. It’s funny, seeing as how that thrilling night led to an uneventful morning. The oil and sweat sliding down his arms making him so glad he was stubborn enough to put the healing cream on.

Honestly, Past Casey is a stubborn genius, he though to himself as he finishes up the oil change and slide back out with the creeper seat. 

The place he works at is a little hole-in-the-wall auto shop in Myrtle, the opening to the shop being the wall entrance that allows cars easy access to the inside. Even in winter that shit is wide open, luckily Casey never had a problem with the New York cold. It was actually the overheating in the summer that caused him trouble; when Satan decides it’s time to be a bitch. 
 

That’s why he works in wife beaters all year round, also ‘cause it easier to clean too. 
 

While he wakes back out to front to inform the guys, he sees them all gathered around the T.V with squinted eyes. A few were in chairs, and the rest leaning or simply seating on the floor. 
 

Wally, the main man, looked the most intrigued. He was an older black dude who owned the auto shop and he ran it with a solid heart, so whatever he was interested in, Casey became interested too.

”Breaking News on Channel 6! It appears the protesters against Mutants, or as they call themselves the Earth Protection Force, have control over the top of Central Park! Most seem to be violent, with a few even being shown to slap and shout at by-standers for trying to get past! Reporting in now on the scene with April O’Neil! Tell us O’Neil, what the assessment?” 

The screen changes as the young women Casey’s age appears on screen, her curly buns uneven and big cat glasses askew as if she was shoved around by the crowd around her. 

”O’Neil here. Yeah, it’s getting wild out here with all the shouting and hitting! Before the morning rush happened, I managed to actually speak with on the founders of the protest, his name being—“ 

 
She gets cut off as louder shouts come from the angry crowd facing the protesters. They all try to push through the mutant haters, but a microphone screech makes the crowd halt to put their hands over their ears to stop the noise. 

Hell, even from behind the screen, a few guys put their hands over their ears to wait for the sound to stop.

 
When it does though, a voice cuts through the crowd as the camera zooms in at the figure.

“CITIZENS OF NEW YORK!! IT IS I!” A little child, wearing a beige apron and big square glasses that cover half his head appeared. Seriously, this kid didn’t even reach some people’s torsos’ he was that short. 
 
 
“BAXTER STOCKBOY!!!” The kid, somehow, shouts even louder.

 
Now, Casey is everything but a hater… but damn, what a shit name. 

The cameraman turns back to O’Neil, showing her keeping a professional smile on her face as she continues on.

 
“That,” she emphasized, “was not him. While Baxter Stockboy seems to be a prominent member, the person running the protests goes by the name of John Bishop.” 

The crowd seems to have stop caring about the protesters, as most go away and start walking away to try and get on with their day. Most have jobs to get to anyways.

  
“As you can see, the protesters have lost power in the situation. Sadly, this isn’t always the case as over half of the riots in the city do lead to more violent incidents. Last week, a riot lead to hospitalization of 5 bystanders and 2 protesters, and the riot before that caused 10 more.”

 
A tense air slowly filled the garage, some guys clenching the arms on the chair or just squeezing their fist tighter. Casey felt the energy sinking into his system, causing a raising current in him.

 
To think Casey thought those protesters were on to something, seeing as they caused more damage to humans then the small cases his heard about of mutants.

 
He clenches his hands harder, the current rising even more the hotter it gets. He can see the others feel the same way too.

 
Still, Casey can’t help but think about the mutant he met, and about what they trying to do. He never caught on to what the mutant was trying to do, but why else would they attack him?

 
The bitch in purple was most likely up to something, I mean, what are the fucking chances of a mutant knowing how to fight unless they mutated with that knowledge? It’s not like a famous fighter disappeared in the past 2 years, other than Ghostbear, who was already accounted for. 
 
 
Who is this mutant? How do they know how to fight? How are they so good at it? Why does that shade purple look amazing and where could he cop’ sum?

 
All these questions ran threw Casey’s head, and they did nothing but remind him of the thrill he felt during their meets. The feeling of the first time he chased them half way across Manhattan, catching them only for them to slip away at the last second. The 2nd meetup where they properly fought against other, edging against the corners of the rooftop as the shining lights from below illuminated their scene, making the fight look magical while blood ran down Casey’s chin. 

The sweat, the passion, the obvious danger they put themselves in just to get back at the other. 

It was exhilarating.

 
At this point, even if the mutant was just minding his own business, Casey would fight them anyway just to get that same taste of adrenaline again.

 
A pair of fingers snap in front of his face, belonging to the man himself, Wally.

“Jones! Enough day dreamin’! The guys are already back at their stations, and you better tell me that the oil change is fixed boy!”

 
At some point, the T.V from WW2 turned off and it was just Casey standing semi-alone in the area. Alone, if his boss wasn’t giving him a wake up call. 

Even though Casey reached face to face with the guy, he couldn’t help but feel slightly intimidated by his no nonsense attitude. But, Casey Jones ain’t a pussy, so match the tone.

 
“Yes Sir! The oil change is done! Anything else?” He leaned on his left side, arms crossed, and eyebrow raise for good measure. 

 
A flash of what looked like approval and glee breached the man’s face before he put his hand on Casey’s head and messed around his hair.

 
“Hu-HEY—“ Casey screeched.

 
Just as he was about to swipe at the hand above, it was already gone with shoes echoing away from behind him.

 
“Good work Jones! I expect a full list report on the car in an hour. Once your done, your day is done and your free to go.”

 
 Casey couldn’t help but smile at that, knowing once this is done, he can just relax back home and start looking for that Mutant again.

Chapter Text

The putrid red sky devoured everything it touched, only getting more and more darker with the spilled blood of it’s victims.

 
He was falling right? Maybe it was the aching numbness from getting blasted away by a singular punch.

Broken.

Air blew past him, yet hardly any of it was reaching his lungs. Painfully exhausting to even attempt trying to.

Falling through the sky, what shakes him out of his limbo is a piercing blue light. 

Right in front of it, Raph.

 
Big, amazing, older brother Raph.

He was coming towards them in lightning speeds, but was too far out of reach.

 
Having just spent the entire time before using his Ninpo to fight against them, he was just trying to use the rest of his energy to reach his little brothers. 

Problem is, Mikey is still out of it.

 
Raph won’t make it in time, they need to find another way.

Only on thing can be done, s o, without a moments hesitation, Donatello grabbed the body of his unconscious little brother and swung with all his might towards safety. 

The debris and light parted like enlightenment for Mikey, leading him straight to the arms of their eldest brother.

 
But, what will happen to Donnie? He was still falling wasn't he?

 
Donnie isn’t dumb. He always has a backup plan behind a backup plan. Hell, he made it up as he went.

 
As he’s already found a way to turn the tides back into their favor.  
 

Because, just behind Raph’s plummeting projection, Donnie sees a small island of debris....

. . .

. .

.

Recent Rising Vigilante..

New Friendly Neighbor Crime Fighter?..

Channel 6: This New Vigilante a Foe or Friend?..

It’s been 4 hours since he started his research, if the time on his computer wasn’t lying. 

He hates this.

 
Sure, information gathering has always been a rather calming process. But, there’s no information to be gathered!

 
All these news station barely mention the guy! All there is are eye witnesses reports, a shaky picture of a shadowy figure, and what could maybe be an audio file— if it wasn’t so unbelievable intelligible by the recorders heavy hysterics.  

 
All the news channels just cover what he’s been doing, and most are just using it a publicity stunt to get people away from the riots that have been happening more and more often.

 
It’s a dangerous time to be a mutant, so he rather be affirmative about the Vigilante’s motives than to just go off of hearsay.

 
That bruise on your arm doesn’t look like hearsay..

 
So what? They have meet a total of 2 times, there is no concrete evidence there.

 
So? You’ve made valid calculations on less and have been right..

 
Yes. While his intellect and intuition has statistically been favorable, he rather make use of his access to unlimited resources that just go Willy-Nilly because he doesn’t like the guy.

 
Exactly. Why are you trying so hard to prove his innocence when you would rather him just be an enemy? Wouldn’t that make things easier? Emotions aren’t our strong suit, you should just jump-the-gun before you make things more complicated for yourself.

 
A rumble made home in Donnie’s throat. He hated when he’s mind started his second guessing acrobatic tricks.

 
Because, why make stupid inferences when he could just gather the information he needs? There’s no need to make calculations when he can find the data needed to understand what his looking at.

 
Or, your just trying to repent for your previous mistakes..  you can simply understand that the guy that has attacked you 2 out of 2 times is a threat and should be dealt with..

 
Donnie didn’t even realized he was full on growling until the bed was moving. April, who replaced the green headband for a bonnet of the same color, stared blurry eyed at Donnie and his illuminated face. 

She leaned closer to Donnie, squinting at the screen just to sigh at the time and contents on there. 

“Donnie.. you know I love you but it’s 5 in the morning. The sun isn’t even up yet, plus, didn’t I tell you no research tonight?”

 
“Well, technically it’s the next da—“

 
“Don’t. Ima stop you right there. Just shut the laptop off and try to actually sleep tonight. Then maybe I won’t grill you on why your even up in the first place.”

 
Donnie can’t even use the excuse he was up earlier, since April clearly had seen him fall asleep. Not to mention the lie that fell out her mouth, knowing full well they where going to talk about it either way.

 
“Loud sigh, you’re right. I’m sorry, I’m turning it off right now.”

 
With a quick click on the track pad, he favorites the site and shuts the laptop shut. He scoots up to place it on the bed stand, and lays on his side.

April faces him, and she gives him her best reassuring smile. She moves her arms around him and pulls his head to her chest, put her own on top of his.

 
Their legs tangle and Donnie feels so completely protected, despite being half a head taller than her now. He snuggles more into her as she places the covers over them again, clicking on the A.C, and kissing his forehead.

 
“Night baby.” She says.

 
Donnie’s heart swells at the old nickname. She had used the nickname on all of them since they were tots when she officially became part of the family.

 
Their family.

 
He damn near tears up, but he choses to purr instead and hug tighter.

 
What he got in return was a hand rubbing circles across his shell and her efforts were rewarded with a large hand massaging her scalp through the bonnet.

 
Donnie’s purring only got louder while April replied back with her own version of it. Sleep is for the weak and they are both very weak.

 
“Night ‘Pril.”

 
Were the last words of the night as both succumbed to the sleep on a early morning.

All was still in the Hamato household. 

Something was wrong. So undeniably wrong.

 
Nothing was quiet in the lair, not even the months after the Kraang and Shredder were this quiet.

 
Sure, only him and Donnie were in the house right now but even then something was always off in the background, but now, it feels like even the dripping water from the outside tunnels has stopped.

He suspected it was from Donnie’s fight with that vigilante guy yesterday.

 
What? Don’t look at him like that, of course he knows. April spilled in the family group chat after Donnie wasn’t picking up his calls. Leo and Raph nearly got sent into cardiac arrest before April explain everything was fine, and it was just a one-off thing.

Mikey wasn’t all that convinced though. 

It may have not been obvious to the average eye, but this atypical behavior displayed will not go unnoticed.

 
As soon as Donnie returned home this fateful early afternoon, he didn’t even look at them, just said “Hello, good evening.” then went straight to his lab.

 
Now, while that isn’t all that strange, you have to admit something smelt fishy. And Mikey wasn’t even cooking fish today.

 
Something was just so inherently wrong with Donnie, and Mikey 99.9% thinks it had something to do with the fight. 

Just when he was about to intervene, Donnie surprisingly, just sat down next to him and just started ranting about sercurity updates.

Michelangelo has been the victim to many of Donnie's rants in the past, and he's learned well enough that the science monologue wasn’t  the main caused of the stress induced tremor in his voice. The science part was just a way for Donnie to stress freely and not feel criminal for it. 

After a while, Donnie would eventually admit to what the actual root cause of the problem. But, this was kinda new.

 
Usually, when Donnie comes up to him and begin his rant about some tech issue he was dealing with, it was to get to the center of the Tootsie Pop so to say, but he hasn’t even mentioned the fight at all.

While his doctorate in Psychology was all studied over Google, he could clearly see the conflicting energy emitting from Donnie's posture; the lack of enthusiasm and passion in his voice. 

Something was eating at him, and if Mikey was anything, it was a younger brother.

"Dee! Can you come with me for a minute?"  

Donald jumped at the sudden voice but easily came over to where Mikey had walked over.

"Yeah? Anything specific you want to elaborate on?"

"Weeeeelllll-" Mikey grabbed Donnie by his shoulders and threw him in the pillow pit. Directly in the middle.

The pillow pit was a one of a kind masterpiece, only ever seen after turtle piles. 

But, they got lazy after the invasion after a while so it now just part of the projector room in front of Dad’s chair. 

"HE-MMffhh" He landed face first. Luckily, the pillows had multiple layers between the floor so nothing got hurt other than his ego.

By the time he lifted his face up, magically, Mikey had already changed clothes and held a clipboard in his hands.

Immediately, Donnie tried to escape but the pillow pit was too plush and was an acting as colorful quicksand despite Donnie’s valid attempts of escaping. Crawling away was futile as he’s whole body sunk deeper and deeper into it’s soft nature.

Dr. Feelings appears in front of him once his struggling stopped and clapped his hands.

 
The room went dark and the projector was on, already pulled up to a slide.

 
Dread was evident on Donnie’s face, but there was acceptance there too so they were on the right track.

 
“Welcome welcome welcome! Today, we are covering—“ Mikey points directly to the slide “ ‘Feelings are human and just because your half turtle doesn’t mean you can’t talk about them.’!”

 
“Load groaninggggggg. Mikey—“ 

 
“Doctor Feelings.”

 
“Right right, Doctor Feelings, can you explain why you decided to bless me with your sudden lesson?”

 
Both turtles knew damn well the one wearing purple wasn’t clueless, but best play along if he actually wants a breakthrough tonight.

“You see, I was actually given a tip by an Anonymous source—“

 
“I saw the group chat, April ratted me out—“ 

Dr. Feelings eyes went red, “BY AN ANONYMOUS SOURCE— that we needed to vent some emotion out!”

 
A click to the next slide, “As you can see,” a picture shows the time Raph got stuck in the wall after rushing to go see Leo after he woke up from his coma, very teary eyed.

 
That moment after he woke up was by far, the most ear-piecing, chaotic, and drama filled period in all of Hamato history. 

To say that Raph getting stuck in a wall was least of their concerns, and barely even made it to the top of the list when it came down to their hectic decisions.

 
The slides changed again, showing Raph freed and hugging a dazed Leo.

“Allow yourself to focus on the imagery here, and use the wall as a metaphor for a vent.”

 
“Wouldn’t a vent be a better metaphor for a vent?”

  
“Well, there aren’t exactly good images I can find on Google, so this will have to do.”

 
So, Donnie followed along and trying to imagine a ventilation system instead of wall, but all his mind gave him was a very upset Raph, making his heart hurt.

“Why am I imagining a vent again?”

 
“Because! Like Raph,” the slide flips back to the still-stuck snapper “you can very much see what being stuck is doing to him. He’s distressed, angry, and feels a bit hopeless. This is what happens when you don’t let yourself feel. This is what happens when your trapping your emotions and not talking to someone about them!”

 
A pleading looked danced across Mikey’s face, dropping the persona for a second just to show Donnie how much he cares. And, by the look of contemplation knitted into his drawn on eyebrows, Mikey can say it’s working.

 
A ‘sigh’ leaves Donnie’s mouth, as he looks away from Micheal and twirls around his hand in a questioning manner.

 
“And, this is an if by the way, let’s say ‘Raph’ did tell his emotions, what would that look like?”

 
The slide goes back to the picture of Raph hugging Leo, and just like that Donnie was brought back to all the emotions he felt that day. The relief, desperation, and heartthrob he got from it all, felt him in a whiplash for a week.

 
Maybe that why he told Mikey, about the vigilante and his fears. 

But, how the fuck did that lead them to being on ‘patrol’ right now?

“Angelo, while I love the support, why are we out looking for the threat?”

 
Raph and Leo had came home only about a half hour later after Donnie had spilled his guts. They acted as if they knew nothing about the situation, but Mikey had told him that they believed April, so Donnie believed him.

 
Though, right after dinner, Mikey says he wants to practice solo missions again. Both the eldest had immediate reactions to this, but they completely differed. 

It was after the 5 minute mark on their debate that Donnie and Mikey left. At least it wasn't a blown out argument like previous years.

 
Yeesh, thank pizza supreme in the sky for that.

 
"Soooo- any key things to know? Favorite pizza topping? Oh! Any siblings?"

 
"Sigh. Micheal, the only times I've interacted with the prick were when he was trying to chop my head off! What do what me to say? 'Oh look over yonder! There is the Masked Vigilante, walking out of his favorite Bodega!'"

 
For dramatics, Donnie looks at the random corner store he pointed at. Just, to see said person walk out of it with a beef patty in hand. His mask askew, but only showing the bottom half of his face.

 
"I hate my life."

 
"Ohhhh, his a beef patty with cheese type of guy."

 
"Told you he couldn't be trusted."  

  
A beat of silence hit the duo as the focused a bit more on the moving person.

 
"..Is that white cheese?”

 
"That it. Nope nope nope! Thats a full on war crime. He's dying today, I don't give a shit anymore."

 
Donnie immediately ran to the rooftop’s edge, making Mikey squeak in surprise before he races to catch up to his older brother.

Casey had a goddamn good day today!

 
He got home early after finishing he report, he officially got his high school diploma speedrunning online courses, his back officially stopped hurting an hour before his patrol, and his favorite bodega restocked their beef patties! Nothing could have made the day better!

 
Wind suddenly blew him back. A crunch of what sounds like concrete breaking under the objects force leaving dust and stray pieces in its wake.

 
Once the air felt clear, he opened his eyes, and saw the mutant menace that blew out his back he means broke his spine yesterday. Strangely, he wasn’t wearing his purple hoodie though, but a black and purple covering on his back. He looked ready to fight..

 
Casey Jones.. YOUR A GENUIS!!

OF COURSE, THE UNIVERSE WANTED TO PROVE HIM WRONG! It’s been doing that since he was a kid! 

 
Just say what you ‘don’t’ want to happen and the universe parts the galaxy to do that thing!

 
God, he loves himself. This is truly a scientific discovery. 

He’s day got a whole lot better, and Casey will definitely take advantage of it.

 
He chomps down the rest of his beef patty and swings his bladed hockey stick to his side. With his right hand, he flips his mask fully down and readies his stance.

The mutant does the same, looking even more fierce than usual since they forgo their fluffy hoodie. Casey stretched his leg back..
 

3 

Donnie pulls back his bō..

 
2

 
a rat scurries off in the distance, the last bit of noise before..

  
1

 
“WAIT A DAMN MINUTE!”

 
Fucking dust comes up from there soles as both stop mid lunge, weapons both raised, aiming for the others head.

 
"Um, sorry? Were kinda in the middle of something here--"

 
"Angelo please, this is a very important matter--"   

"HuH?! You know him?"

 
"Wha-- of course i know him! His my--"   

"DRAMATIC INTERRUPTION!!"

 
Both fighters look at the orange turtle with exasperated expressions.  

"..part two.."

Welp, that moments ruined. 

Casey looks over too his opponent, and just sees him with a small smile and completely relaxed as he forgot Casey existed.

 
Well, that won’t do.

 
“Hey Violet!”

 
The turtle of his sudden hyper fixation turned, and what Casey finally realizes are drawn on eyebrows twitch up, looking annoyed at being reminded of Casey’s presence.

 
“Yeah, Wacko?” He replied back, with monotonous sarcasm that shouldn’t be possible. Wasn’t that like what he’s English teacher said? An Oxen-Moron or something?

 
“Hey! Stop being an Oxymoron you hoe! Only I can be that level of chaotic!”

 
The bitch had the audacity to scoff before fully turning their body to Casey. The scowl he had turning into a smirk before responding.

 
“Wow, you know that word? You had me a fool for believing you only were the ‘moron’ part of it.”

BITCH— “AND YOU HAD ME THINKIN YOU WERE NOTHING BUT A COWARD!” 

The loudest gasp Casey has ever heard in his life escaped the turtle, only for him to roll up imaginary sleeves before he stomps his way over to him. His stick looking like it was glowing purple under the light.

 
Eh, it was probably the street light messing with his vision.

 
Just before Violet made his way over to him, orange chains made home around the turtle’s waist before yanking him to the forgotten orange turtle. Whichhhh, he’ll call Shine for now.

 
Just as Casey was about to laugh at Violet’s misfortune, a similar chain found it’s way around his legs before he too, was yanked to the turtle duo.

Once both were at the at the smaller turtles feet, he let go of the chains and allowed the rivals to get back up.

 
Only to immediately smack them both behind the head.

 
“OW!”

 
“HIss!”

 
“Don’t chu dare make me bring out Doctor Delicate Touch!”

 
“..Who’s Doctor Delicate Touch?”

 
“You don’t wanna know.”

 
And just like that, Casey was at a loss again. He came out, looking for a fight, but he basically got cock-blocked from it by what he’s assuming is his enemy’s younger sibling.

 
“Wait, y’all are brothers right or am I just bein’ racist?”

 
The unconfirmed duo turn to each other, stare for about 7 seconds, and then look back at Casey.

 
“Well, at least one thing is more or less confirmed.”

 
Casey sputtered, “Im asking a valid question! Sure, your both turtle looking mutants and know each other but who am I too assume Violet!”

 
A drawn on eyebrow raised, “Violet?”

  
"What? Does it annoy you?" The glee present in his voice was quite obvious to the average human—average turtle even.

Sadly, this was a not so average teenage mutant ninja turtle who had the social skills of a pancake.

 
"No. Why would annoy me? Its a valid assumption due to the lack of communication in our previous interactions. In fact,—"

   
"Bruh, that was invitation to tell me your name."

 
Shine pushed Violet's face out the way, only to smile at Casey and wave his other hand around.

 
"In that case! My names Michelangelo! Mikey or Angelo for short!"

 
Violet batted now Mikey's hand, and proceeded to cough a cough so pompous there was no way in Hell it was real, and waved his hand in front of him like he was a performer. 

“The names Othello Von Ryan—“    

“For the love of pizza—“

 
“Creator, innovator, and C.E.O of Genius Built™️ who will be dominating the markets in the year of our lord 2024. Be amazed at my genius and marvel at who you are seeing in person. A once in a lifetime experience, rest assured, as I will no longer be taking interviews 2 months after my release.”

 
Bullshit after bullshit this guy rambled on about, but at least he’s done.

 
“While your ego exceeded my expectations, I asked for a name not a backstory about how an evil bad guy came and killed your family so now you have to get revenge or die trying.”

 
“That’s not even remotely close to what I said—“

 
“Besides the point, what’s your actual name? Cuz who the fuck names their kid Othello? It’s like the mom who named their kid ‘Quarantina’ after the month we spent in at home after the Invasion!” 

Silence followed that last statement. It was dreadful.

 
No quip, no snarky response, it’s not even a angry silence.

 
It was just dreadful and sad.

 
Sh—Mikey shook his head side to side, like he was shaking the thoughts out of his head. Casey barely even registered it though, since his whole focus was on Violet.

Blanked face.

 
From the entire time they’ve known each other (which isn’t a lot in all fairness) Violet has never been like this. The closest thing his mind can conjure up is when Casey caught up to them the first time. Sure, it was a worried and far off look, but it showed some type of emotion. 

This, this was true neutrality, and it scared him.

So, Casey does what Casey does best, and becomes a great annoyance.

 
“The names Goongala. Named after my battle cry as the thugs of New York learn to fear to whenever they hear it the distance.”

 
Mikey looked grateful for a glance before laughing at Casey’s distraction.

 
Violet still looks ghostly but some light returns to their eyes as he takes the bait. He even snorts which sounds ugly as fuck but at least it’s better than the stone statue from before.

 
“Oh ah, I’m trembling in my boots at just the mere mention of Goongala, he says sarcastically.” 

 
“Better than Von Ryan at least.” Casey even sticks his tongue out, just to add favor to his immaturity. 

And just like that, the banter was back and both guys get too involved in making the other look idiotic.

 
Mikey steps back for a moment, just observing the two and realizing something. 

 
Donnie hasn’t smiled this much in one sitting in a while. 

 
Whoever Goongala may be, he definitely has now entered their lives. For better or for worse. But..

 
The quips quickly turned physical yet again as the boys disappeared into a dust cloud on the ground. Occasionally poking a limb out just to see a bit of blood slowly becoming more visible the longer they disappear for.

 
Despite this, Mikey smiles and shouts encouragement to his brother. 

This new relationship will either end at the gates of heaven or the entrance to hell, but the road to get there will be interesting.

 
Nirvana is definitely not an option.

Chapter Text

Mikey thinks that despite the night ending in another brawl. The two connected in a way unlike before. Whether that connection involved fists to teeth was unimportant.

Once he had forced the pair away from each other again, the night actually managed to get somewhere with both the guys leaning into more banter with one other. 

His personal favorite moment is when Donnie yanked him closer, gasping out loud saying “Angelo, we must quarantine! This hoe is—“ they gulped dramatically, “ broke! Hurry, we need to leave before out credit score goes down!” 

 
They’re turtles, they don’t have credit scores but whatever makes Donnie happy. But, now that he mentions it, it’s probably Donnie who’s the only one to have a credit score. Hmm, maybe he’ll ask for an oil pastel set for his Christmas, seems like a valid investment to help one’s credit score. Maybe.

 
Wait, was he meant to be the responsible one? To whom?? 

"OH DONT YOU DARE." 

Ah, he remembers now.

 
In the short time he visited his mind palace, the hockey man seemed to trap his brother in a chokehold and is shaking the up and down like a rag doll.
 

Welp, theres only one correct response. 

"PFTT-- Donnie your for real right now??? Let my brother go neooowww!"

 
Though Mikey wasn't really trying, his main question was 'Why isn't Donnie?'. From everything that makes Donnie Donnie, it's very out of character of him. 

Despite his brother not being the physically strongest of the 4, he was no where near weak and can very easily beat someone up if craved. Take the ‘Nail clipping incident of 2017’ for example! Leo and Raph to this day still have scars that never healed properly! 

(Sure Mikey also caused a handful of those scars, but that’s not the point!)

 
It was kinda fun just being able to hang out with someone that wasn’t trying to unalive them, and he guesses Donnie felt the same way. Being an Empathy and all.

 
By the time the guy did let go of Donnie, mans was barely keeping still as he nearly face-planted like twice.

 
Shit tragic lmao, Mikey snorted.

 
Once Donnie did regain full control of his movements, it was immediately used to send a venomous glare to Goon-- no he can’t say it; its too funny.

“I hate you..”

“Right back at ‘cha Violet.”

 
Now it's Mikey's turn to be confused.

"Violet? Where you gettin’ that from?"

 
Instead of acting bashful or anything like that, the vigilante just smiled with pride.

 
"Well, isn't obvious? This guy's obsession with the color is the only unique thing about him!"

"At least its more unique then the Hot Topic setup you have going on.”

 
“Don’t be mean D, that’s offensive to Hot Topic.” 
 
 
“Hu- HEEEY!!”

 
The childish quack that left their voice made Donnie release another horrid snort, this time letting squeezing into himself to try and stop it.

It’s so ugly but so fucking Donnie you just have to love it.

 
And Pizza Supreme would’cha look at that? Despite the Mask hiding their upper face, their smile is on display to see.

 
Yeah, Mikey is not going to regret this friendship.

He really hopes Angelo doesn't think he and Goongala are friends now.

Even his fake name is too ridiculous for Donnie to mention out loud. 

But, none the matter, at least he had more information now. Its not much, bit its a start.

By the time they got back to the house, it was technically tomorrow since it went from the 9th to the 10th on his phone.

Leo was greeted them from the kitchen as he makes a sandwich and tea.

Donnie comes in right after Angelo starts talking about their outing, (leaving out the Vigilante of course) and Donnie reaches over to take a big bite out of Leo's food. 

Leo somehow doesn't notice so he goes back in for a second bite. Feeling satisfied but now thirsty, he takes a careful sip of his tea.

Hmm, chamomile. Good choice.

So, with his appetite calmed, he goes out to go find the eldest missing from this admittedly domestic scene.

 
And, like as if he mind-melded with him, Ralph appears from the dojo. Judging by the smell and overall gloss over his scales, he had just finished his workout. 

Gross, disgusting. Take a shower before you go sit on that couch. Was Donnie’s immediately thought process. It was honestly strange from a biological standpoint on why they even sweated in the first place but his mind was too muddled for it go any farther on that topic. 

Not like he doesn’t have notebooks filled, digitally and physically, with all there biological differences and similarities. Sweat itself had its own smaller notebook filled with all the findings he discovered. And, if he gets over Draxum now being seen as a parental unit in the house, he could actually consult with their creator in all these elements.

Pftt. Only if New York falls asleep that is. He thought amusingly.

"Hey dear Raphala of mine, if you value your gym equipment please don't hug before you take a shower."

The amazing thing is Raph actually seems to obey him. 

He should've never been that foolish.

"Nope!" 

His poor vocal cords go through another round of abuse as a screech gets yanked out his body when Raph picks him up and twrils him around.

Donnie just accepts his fate after the 3rd spin and stays in ragdoll formation until his free to go.

"HEY, WHO ATE MY FOOD!?"

Hm, maybe he will stay in Raphs stinking arms for a bit longer.

Leo was many things, and oblivious isn’t one of them.

(Ignoring early he should mention, he's observant about life threatening things.)

 
No matter how much he pretends he isn’t, he’s observant to a fault. Albeit, whether he shows it or not. 

And while he hardly says much on his younger siblings exhibitions, (mainly because he's the same way) the energy does raise suspicions. 

So, should he be nosy and bother the pb&j crew, or finish talking to Usagi about bees. His apparently very passionate about them since he was raised on a farm before pursuing a Samurai career, and it was honestly quite endearing to hear the more stoic boy ramble about his childhood.

Who was he kidding, Donnie and Mikey can keep secrets all they want, he has a man to woo!

But, before he could continue that, a swishy swish came from his curtain, which was basically a version of knocking since he didn’t own a door.

“Come innnn~.” Even before the footsteps, he could tell it was Raph since he was the only one bothered to knock half the time.  

Though, it could never hurt to be right. The little Leo in his head whispered as he flipped from his stomach to his shell.

Annddd would ‘chu look at that. I was right, he thought amusingly as his older brother in red came up beside his bed looking down at him with a ‘I’m going to up you up for adoption if you don’t remember what I’m here for’ face. 

 
A very specific face for a pretty unspecific guy but it’s one of Raph’s many charms.

”Uhhh, I’m kinda busy at the moment,” presenting the phone in his hand “so if this talk can be shelved for later Leo, that would be much appreciated!” 

 
“Nu-uh-uh.” Raph began, even smirking a bit like he already won. “Your games can wait, because you said yourself that we needed to do the mission today.”

 
He looked so proud of himself that honestly, Leo kinda felt obligated to do what he said. Sadly, being a shithead overrides pity when it comes to his brothers.

 
“You hit your head or something bud? ‘Cuz I really don’t know what you’re talking about Big Red.” 

The sparkle in his eyes disappeared as he looked at Leo with a chasm in place. Disappointment filled the air, just for it to turn into exasperation as Raph pulls out his phone (with a very cute Princess Peach cover might be add) and scroll for a bit before pressing it.

 
Leo knew exactly what that video was, but he let Raph have his moment since he was feeling oh so generous this evening.

“If this video reached Leonardo Hamato,” his own voice rang at him with fake annoyance “then that means Raph is currently talking smack about how later this week on June 10th, we need to go out and do leader training together. And since I’m leader now, I decided on a scout mission. Y’know, to make my life easier and an easy way to learn about any new dangers on the horizon.”

 
He’s paranoia was so obvious to his own ears, but at least it looks like Raph hasn’t noticed how the room got colder. 

“So! Anything else I forgot?”

 
“Yeah,” Raph’s voice came from the recording “Donnie and Mikey can’t know.”

 
“Oh yeahhhh…which, for the record, still iffy about that. But, it’s for the best considering it makes no sense to worry them about a re-con mission. If we find something, then will deal with it ourselves. Only if, and it’s a big if, that the problem we find is World destroying, then we'll inform them.” 

Will that backfire on them? Depends if their bad luck finally ran out or if it’s Marina Trench deep.

 
“Team A for the win! Like a boss!”

A laugh escapes both Leo’s but the recording ends and now present Leo is faced with a Raph that is waiting for whatever stunt he thinks his about to pull.  

Sadly, there is no escaping it. Leo, despite wanting nothing more than to remain oblivious to this worlds danger, knows better now. 

It would be stupid and careless to not take the precaution. He could only hope by some miracle his intuition was wrong about this. 

Abience he thinks its called. 

To be fair, its been a while since his brushed up on his psychology since its more Mikeys thing nowadays. 

Either way, no matter his feelings on the matter, its better to be safe than to be sorry. 

So, Leo slides off his bed and reached for his babies that are resting against the wall. With practiced ease, he puts them in their place on his back and starts walking out.

 
He looks over to the eldest, and gives his best smirk before saying "Alright Red, time to head out."

 
And with that, the two eldest left to discover who in the world John Bishop was.