Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Mystic Mayhem”

“TURTLES. Why are you trying to stop my plans?!” Draxum exclaimed, unaware of the lightning sparking around him, “We’re all in this together!”

“Ah, hey, I don’t know if this is part of your plan but THE LAB’S ABOUT TO EXPLODE.” Don screeched 

They hopped and wriggled ridiculously in the sticky cocoons shrieking. The sheep man in question turned and in the most eloquent form possible summarized the situation:

”Aw nuts.”

And the lab exploded in a whirlwind of magic and years of innovation going to waste. Crumbling before the scientist’s eyes.

In a flash of light, the containment pillar snapped, releasing the oozesquitos in a massive, glowing, beautifully awful swarm. The Baron could only stare as he braced to be crushed by rubble. No shriek escaped from him. He was buried alive by a chunk of the roof.

Meanwhile, our heroes could only flop, unable to escape from their cocoons (and impending doom). Screaming over the incessant buzzing and disaster unfolding around them.

But dear reader the single most important ‘person’, who we know as Mayhem, in this moment, as his cage was broken by debris teleported out onto the cocoon of the kind girl who came to his rescue.

“Little guy!” April cried happily, “Can you do your thing and get us out of here?”

The yokai chirped happily forming a safe location in his mind, unaware of the boulder hurdling towards him.

April smiled ignorantly, her eyes trained on the dog thingy in front of her, as his body burst in a splatter of blood—crushed by a thick, heavy stone. The smile fell from her now bloodied face as with another grand display of power the lab burst once again into bright pink light.

Glass flew about in deadly bullets. A shard flew like a dagger slicing April O’Neil free. As the blinding lights died down, and she blearily opened her eyes again, instinctively her arm reached out to the corpse of the dog thing that they risked their lives to save.

“No,” April whispered, cradling his frozen still-warm head.

—

Leon couldn’t feel his beautiful face. The light died down as his tympana rung painfully. Grumbling he forced his eyes open taking in the damage.

His family is still trapped. Okay. Nobody seems majorly injured. Wait, what’s all that blood on April-

“April!” Leo tried to ignore how his voice cracked and he wriggled again trying to free himself

That boulder must be crushing her legs. She’s stuck. But her arm is free. Holding-

No.

Is that-

“He’s gone.” April exhaled in disbelief, “The dog thingy… he’s…”

Her eyes glazed over as the others awoke.

Raph’s was the loudest ‘what’, but Leo couldn't be bothered by that right now. Sure, he was sad, but in the end they’re trapped in a crumbling building, bound and tied, with a madman bent on destroying humanity only 20 feet away.

He flopped even more furiously. They had to get out, now.

“Guys we gotta get out of here before Big Bad and Ugly wakes up!” Leo’s popped his shoulder out of the bind. (thank goodness for convenient shrapnel ey?)

His siblings echoed his urgency.

Come on come oncomeoncomeon!

A massive slab of rubble began to crack from the bottom up.

That’s gotta be him.

Leo kicked his cocoon off and rushed over to help April with the boulder trapping her legs. 

“Guys! We have to go!” He pushed the rock with all his might

“Stop! Stopstopstop!” April screeched

The slider froze.

”It feels like you’re ripping the skin off my legs,” She gasped eyes darting to the still cracking debris ahead, “Get Raph—then let’s go!”

He nodded, turning his attention to Raph.

”You turtles.” A voice hissed darkly

Draxum. Crap.

Leon froze, mind racing a mile a minute.

They got creamed by that dude fighting together. He definitely can’t free them all faster than Draxum can trap them again. April is still trapped and there’s no way he can fight him off by himself. Nobody even knows they’re here. But. Who could even help them? Splinter? The fat rat currently passed out watching TV?!

They’re screwed. They are so royally screwed.

But Splinter is a better bet than staying to be captured…

And his sword is right there on that corner.

”I’m sorry guys.” Leo breathed, throat dry

”What—?“ Raph screeched, fear stink leaking through the webs

”I’ll be back, with help!”

Using his speed he slid over to the sword leaning nearby as Draxum roared behind him. Leon grit his teeth with a growl. 

Gotta get home. Gotta get Splinter.

Wind whipped his bandana as the warring warrior scientist let out a string of threats behind him. A familiar cracking sound filled the air— those magic roots.

Instantly Leo looked to his feet, it cracked with the movement of vines below his feet. He leaped to the side, vines exploding beneath the ground he was just on. 

More roots shoot ahead of him coming straight at his face. Leon ducks slicing them with his sword.

Recovering quickly he sets his eyes on the exit portal. Just 3 steps more. He leaps over more roots. 

Wait.

Leo slaps his hand on the exit portal. 

It doesn’t open.

He doesn’t have the magic compass.

He can’t open it.

Shoot.

Portal?

Heck no.

Into the city then. Anywhere but here.

Leon lunged, only for vines to lash and cocoon him mid-stride.

”NO.” He screamed, trying to pull his uncomfortably crossed arms on his plastron free, “Nonononono.”

The vines yank him mercilessly to the ground, as they drag him through rubble and debris.

 What will happen to him and his brothers now?! 

A rock scratches his chin painfully, drawing blood.

What now.

-

Draxum was popping off.  “You turtles have ruined EVERYTHING! I finally rebuild after that pathetic ACTOR blew my house up and now this?!”

With a huff, he summoned more vines to hold all his captives in front of him.

”You will regret the day you messed with Baron Draxum.” 

He constricted the vines hearing them groan in pain as their breathing becomes strained. 

“Then again…” The vines abruptly loosened, “Under my training, you’ll more than make up for it...”

“Why don't you put a sock in it, sheep man!” The one in blue shouted rudely

“Yeah!” The huge one bellowed, “We’re not going to be your soldiers!”

Draxum merely scoffs. Like they have a choice. Instead, he flicks his gaze over his creations. They’ve grown nicely, and are evidently color-coded. Heh. At least it’ll make it easy to keep track of them. Wait. That human.

His roots pull her directly in front of him. The turtles writhe even more, all desperately screaming her name: April.

Huh. They really show strong attachment to this human don't they?

‘April’ is currently gnawing at her confines like a rabid beast. The warring warrior scientist purses his lips.

Let's make that official shall we?

-

The taste of these webs are disgusting. But if this guy really is bent on destroying humanity she’s in big trouble.

Really she’d like nothing more than to cave in his head for all this, for Mayhem. But these freaking webs won’t give!

Draxum lets out a sharp whistle. She looks up. He’s turned his back to her. What is he looking at—

She’s thrown unceremoniously onto the floor several feet away. The cocoon still clung, unyielding.

What’s he doing?

An oozesquito flies beside the sheep man’s head, and he’s pointing right at her.

No. He wouldn’t.

April’s instincts see past that lie though, her body scrambling backwards, heart racing.

The bug seems to blink out of existence in a blur.

”No, where did it?” Words tumble out of her mouth before she can stop it.

Something stabs into her neck.

“NO!” Pure terror flooded her like never before

The liquid burns inside her skull, it multiplies, then spreads like roots under her skin digging into her muscles and very being. It feels like exploding from the inside. Her skin burns with the pain of a thousand needles digging through to her bones. She squeezes her eyes shut with a shriek. Everything burns. Then it’s gone. Instead, she becomes sharply aware limbs being grown. Its surreal. Her spine feels like it liquifies, extending into a tail. Lips pressing into a grimace she becomes conscious of something else—tusks. Fangs curling outside her lips, like the dog thingy. 

The cocoon finally breaks open.

-

In all his life, Donnie has never felt so useless. All he can do is watch his sister get mutated by this monster as he’s trapped in a cocoon—with Mikey—like a cursed evil sleeping bag. He’s supposed to be a genius and he can't even—

The webs burst. 

And on her knees, sat his sister. Tail whipping, cat ears flattened, yellow furred and chest heaving. Wearing the face of the dog(cat?) thingy who died trying to save her.

An echoing growl rumbled up from her throat, shaking the air.

With a feral hiss that stunned even Donnie, April launched forward with the fury of a thousand suns, claws and fangs bared.

“Yeah!” Mikey cheered.

“Get him April!” Leon added wild hope sparking.

But she didn’t come anywhere near her target. Vines shot up catching her arms and torso.

She snarled, muscles straining as she tried to rip free.

Draxum’s fist smashed across her jaw.

April slumped limply.

Donnie’s heart lurched as writhing around yet again proved fruitless. 

Draxum seized her jaw. 

“Just because you’re a mutant doesn’t mean you will ever be able to beat me.” 

Cat-like eyes narrowing, she snapped her teeth at the sheep-man’s retreating fingers. An angry yowl escaped her next. Like she was cussing him out in cat.

The maniac turned to the turtles next. Those two gargoyles emerged from the shadows flapping around their master, spewing nonsense.

”Sorry your lab got blown up again boss,” The pointy one says 

“But… at least your house is still standing!” The round one shrugs with an awkward smile

The Baron only grumbled lowly. 

“We’re leaving,” He announced, opening a portal using Leo’s stolen sword

Donatello only narrowed his eyes. He looked to Leon as they shared a knowing glare. They’re getting the heck out of here. If it’s the last thing they do.

He steels himself taking in his new surroundings as they exit the portal. Looks like Draxy’s house is styled just like his lab. Said goat-man’s hooves echo against cold stone floors. It’s still very ‘mystic meets mad scientist’, with random plants growing between the stones and wide walkways. But there are plenty of shadows thanks to their captor’s commitment to a dark evil looking house and poor lighting choices. Donnie almost smiles. Finally something works out well for them. The roof is too high though, with barely any support beams to hide in. Maybe Mikey could but… 

He’s pulled out of his stupor by the sound of sniffling. Don’s big brother instincts kick in and he shifts his head to look at Mikey. A single tear slips down his face, mouth pressed into a thin trembling line. He looks at Donnie with big fearful eyes.

”How are we going to get out of here?” Mikey whispers in an almost imperceptible hiss

Donatello grits his teeth. “I don’t know… yet. But, we will escape.” He finds for Mikey’s hand inside the cocoon, holding it in a way he hopes is comforting, “Promise.”

Angelo squeezes his hand back. A hopeful smile gracing his face.

”Now,” A booming voice summons them back to the present situation.

The softshell’s eyes snap onto Draxum. April is fuming with uncontrollable fury next to him. A pod comes into view next to her. Its almost rectangular, but with rounded edges and… mystic moss growing outside of it.

Draxum’s vines throw April inside the pod. A glass wall closes, sealing her inside as the cocoon dissolves. Instantly she hits the glass with her clawed fist, banging against it. Liquid starts pouring inside.

A fearful gasp escapes him before he can stop it. April bangs even more desperately than before.

“I see your attachment to this pathetic human,” Baron Draxum spits, “So here’s the deal…”

The liquid is up to her neck now. She scratches the glass looking more scared than Donnie’s ever seen her.

“If you don't listen to what I say, she pays the price.”

No—stop—he can't— 

The liquid has fully filled the pod now. But to Donnie’s pleasant surprise, she doesn't start to drown. April floats just as confused.

“The pod will take care of every function needed to live. But if you disobey me.” The warrior scientist explained, as sparks of lightning filled the pod

April’s fur stands on end as she let out a scream—unaffected by the liquid.

“I think I've demonstrated enough.”

The yokai snaps his fingers and with a shredding sound, their cocoons dissolve into flakes dropping them several feet into a deep stone arena. His battle shell takes most of the impact and he sits there dazed for a second before realizing he’s still holding Mikey’s hand. Don rips his hand away—sorry Michael, we can’t show weakness here—and staggered upright. He shakes his limbs awake. Everything feels staticky from going adrenaline high to bound unable to do more than hop. 

“For your first test I think I have the perfect beast for such reckless, untrained buffoons as you.” Draxum declared

He waves a hand over the arena and a yellow shield engulfs the roof.

Tch. Flying to escape isn't an option then.

A gate slowly starts to open on the opposite side of the arena. 

“Defeat the beast and leave with your lives,” Metal clatters besides them—weapons, “Or prove you are not worthy of my time.”

The gate is halfway open.

Donnie and his brothers scramble for the weapons: an odachi, sais, nunchucks, and a bō staff. The weapons are normal, not mystic (oh thank Pizza Supreme, those mystic weapons suck) but the plain wooden bō feels weird in his hands. He misses his tech bō… 

His brothers fall into a sort of formation around him.

The gate opens and out scrambles a midnight black lizard that’s missing a face. Instead it’s just got a rounded head with no mouth or eyes or anything. Weird. It’s as large as a school bus though, Don notes as it scrambles into the light. Its head locks onto them and starts releasing threatening clicking noises. 

Can it see them? How is it doing that if it doesn’t have a mouth?

He doesn’t have time to wonder as it lashes out a tail at them. Donnie dodges instinctively leaping to the side. The tail is large and round like an ankylosaurus. More clicks emanate from it. 

Ah, so it’s like a rattle snake—

The tail aims straight for his head. He yelps, falling backwards catching himself against the wall. The tail grazes the wall, stopping.

Raph roars and belly flops straight onto the beast’s head. More angry rattles sound as its head is slammed into the floor.

”Leo! The tail!” Donnie would’ve done this himself, but this stupid wooden stick is limiting his options.

”On it.” Leon calls dryly

The slider bounds forward, and in one slash hacks the lizard’s tail off. It falls with a loud thump.

Leonardo steps back with a disgusted “Ew”. He regains his composure a second later though and holds his sword over his shoulder lazily.

”Well that was easy—“ His sentence is cut short as the tail grows back as fast as Draxum’s vines and slams into his gut

”LEO!” 3 voices scream as one

Said turtle is flung some ways away. Don watches with bated breath waiting for him to get up. Leo’s arm curls around his plastron as he moves to sit up again.

Phew. Donnie turns his attention back to the lizard. It’s started flinging its head around trying to shake Raph off. Mikey jumps in next hitting random spots on the animal’s body. It doesn’t make any sounds in response and it doesn’t stop or slow down in any way. Donatello grips his bō feeling a splinter dig into his skin.

Ugh. How is he supposed to fight an advanced yokai lizard with a STUPID STICK.

His teeth grate together as Raph is hurled off the lizards head. It’s then Donnie, in a moment of revelation, sees two black eyes staring back at him. But the beast loses interest in him, and turns away. It locks in on Mikey.

It slams its tail setting off a resounding mass of clicks then it charges.

“Mikey MOVE!” Donnie cries, sprinting over to finally help

But Mikey freezes, latent box turtle instincts kicking in at the worst possible time. 

The beast raises its clawed foot and right as it bears down on Mikey, Leon tackles him out of the way. And the lizard smashes Leo into the ground.

The sound echoes against the arena walls, as Leon lets out a pained shriek and his plastron collides with the stone. The beast presses him further into the ground. Then the worst happens. It decides to dig its claws into Leo’s side. He lets out a pained wheeze.

Mikey recovers quickly leaping instantly back into the fray, Raph joining him as Mikey strikes the neck and head while Raph tries to free Leo.

The lizard’s tail has grown back and it rattles in annoyance again. It snaps its tail out and hits Mikey off again. Completely oblivious to Donatello.

The softshell grabs the bloody sword ahead of his twin who looks up at him with teary eyes.

There’s no doubt in Donnie’s mind about what to do next.

He jumps using his hover shell, and darting forward, drives the sword into the lizard's eye socket pressing it deep with a squelch. Its tail shakes weakly, before it falls heavily to the side—dead.

Don doesn't dwell on it though. He always knew that he’d kill for Leo. For any of them. He flies down to Leon and his face drops.

Blood pools around his blue brother, his breathing ragged. Donnie shoves his other brothers out of the way. Leo’s going to bleed out.

Vines shoot up from the ground binding them all again. Taking him away from his brother—from his twin.

He struggles all the more for it only for it to be once again, fruitless. 

The vines seem more gentle with Leo and some apply pressure to his wounds. They’re brought up to the ground floor as Draxum sneers at them.

“Pathetic.” He scoffs turning and walking away.

Donatello burns with rage, trying to keep himself from hissing. The vines take them a pace behind the Baron.

The next room over has wooden shelves filled with random junk. But in the center of the room, is a giant sticky-looking coffin mounted on the wall. It's disgusting. The inside looks like muscles without skin, covered in a goopy slime, and glowing green.

Draxum puts Leonardo inside it.

-

Everything beyond getting squished like a bug is a haze for Leo, until a glow catches his eye.

Ew. That thing looks nasty.

The vines push him towards it.

No.

Even breathing is hard right now but this is too far,

“No.” He croaks out, voice giving out before he can say more

His breathing stops short as the vines press him shell first into the coffin. A shiver runs up his spine as the wet flesh squelches on his shell. It seems to conform to his body and adjusts so he’s pressed in like memory foam. The liquid stings his wounds and he presses a hand to it as tries to step out. A glass door shuts in his face. 

Okayokayokay.

Leo takes a deep breath trying not to hyperventilate or scream from panic. His breath fogs up the glass, but he’ll never forget his brother’s terrified looks. Tears begin to form in his eyes. If this is it, he doesn’t regret it. They’re worth it.

Draxum hits a button. 

He’s actually going to die in here.

Heart pounding, he slaps his hand on the glass, blood leaving a print on the glass. Gas fills the pod. Leon’s too fast breathing stops abruptly. The peace of sleep beckons to him and the world goes black.

…

…

Leonardo awakes with a start sucking in a frantic breath.

His breathing doesn't hurt. 

He reaches a hand to rub his plastron but it bumps into the glass. He’s still in the coffin.

Heart pounding once again he becomes uncomfortably aware of the sticky slime coating his entire body and the fleshy stuff pressing onto his shell. He thought he was dead, but somehow this is just as bad.

“Okay. I'm done.” Leo slams a fist onto the glass, avoiding the bloody handprint, “Get me outta here.”

He looks around the room getting hysterical. Nobody’s there. Nobody’s coming. 

The coffin grows colder than before. 

Leon strikes the door in a flurry of desperate blows. Even going so far as to push it open with his bodyweight. It’s useless.

“Guys?” He calls, resting his fist on the glass. 

“Anyone?”

-

Meanwhile, a fat rat burst out laughing at his tv show. Helping himself to another serving of cake. Unaware of his son’s suffering behind the door of a ‘coffin’ screaming for help.

Chapter Text

Mikey goes rigid. Leo’s bloody handprint staring daggers into him.

He did this to him. Why did he freeze?!

Thoughts jumble and conflict in his head.

          Leo got hurt.

LEO IS HURT FOOL

He’s the reason Leo is in there. 

But Leo chose to save him on his own.

                                                                                He shouldn’t have to.

                                      Why would he—

No                                                                                                                                                                       Why?

     Leo wouldn’t have had to do that if he hadn’t frozen!

No

                                                      Why did he do that?!                                               No

                                       Why?

                                                                            No 

Leo is dead.

And it’s his fault.

Draxum speaks again, “This is a Healing pod. It can restore even a yokai on the brink of death to perfection again.” He folds his arms behind his back proudly.

Mikey sags like a puppet having its strings cut. That's a relief. He really thought—

Nevermind. He holds himself as best he can in this cocoon. But Leo should be okay right? He won’t pay for his, stupid, stupid, stupid mistake.

He sighs, squeezing his arm.

‘That’s no way to think. Stay strong Magic Mike. That’s what Leo would want.’ Dr. Feelings seems to whisper.

“Your brother should be out in an hour or so,” The sheep-man announces, “For now we will continue training while I gauge your skills. But know this turtles…” He constricts them again using his vines, crushing Mikey’s already sore ribs. “Weakness like your brother’s will not be tolerated.”

Mikey’s eyes go blurry. He’s the weakness. It was his fault! Leon is in there because of him. It’s—

No no NO. DON'T CRY NOW. Then Draxum will see he’s the weakness.

Michelangelo squeezes his eyes shut, drawing on a new emotion to pull him through this—rage. Anger would get him through this next fight—anger for Leo, his mistake, for EVERYTHING.

His teeth curl into a snarl as he’s dropped into the arena again. The energy shield bathing them in yellow light.

The gate opens but all Mikey can see is red as he lets his fury carry him forward unleashing all of his wrath on whatever this Thing is with an ear-splitting roar. Everything goes numb beyond the ringing in his ears. But he acutely recognizes more of the Things coming his way. They fall victim just as quickly, trying in vain to stop him.

Someone calls Mikey’s name. He quickly tears the head off of this Thing then turns to see who called him.

“Mikey—” Raph’s voice hitches, “What are you doing?”

The snapper's eyes are wide with fear. He’s trembling. Did—

Did Mikey do that? Did he make Raphie scared? How?

Angelo’s head snaps down to the Thing he just killed. He shudders, hand flying to his mouth in shock at his own carnage. The Things were dogs. Dog bug things. With limbs strewn about the ground because of him. His eyes darted to the head he ripped off. It was… so easy.

Wait, that's bad though! Really bad! That's what bad guys do and he isn’t—

A whine reaches his tympana and his eyes meet one of the Things. It’s torn in half and barely alive but it cries pitifully one last time before it moves no more.

He—

Angelo bites down a tearful hiccup. He just killed a dozen of those things. He’s a killer.

He’s never killed beyond a fly before. And he did it without thinking.

Mikey drops to his knees.

He was convinced he was a weakness, now he’s a killer?! He clutches his head trying to ignore the sticky wetness. What is this place doing to him?!

Tears spring up once again as Raph’s protective shadow falls over him.

“When can we go home?” Angelo begs trying to control his tears

Where he can go back to being the youngest brother. The cook. The ‘therapist’. Anything but a killer.

Another shadow falls over him, Donnie’s. Mikey shakily tries to look at them. They’re not disgusted or angry. Just. Sad. Miserable just like him.

“We will go home, Mikey,” Don affirms strongly, reaching a hand out to him.

“Yeah.” Raph declares trying to keep his voice low, “We’ll get April and Leo and we’re busting outta here! Before ya know it, buddy.” He gives his snaggle-tooth smile and extends his hand too.

Mikey sniffs, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. They wouldn't lie about this. His brothers have him. They have his back. They’ll get them out of here. They got this. He seizes that hope, grabbing both their hands and hoisting himself up with a faint smile.

“We should get that blood cleaned off,” Donnie states flatly.

“Donnie…” Raph warns

Oh. Yeah. He grimaces looking at their shared bloody hands. Gross. A bath would be nice. He shoves his hands out of sight, rubbing them on his thighs. Nope. Better to ignore that for now. Just forget. He can deal with it later. His heart still races coming down off the adrenaline. The yellow light disappears and Mikey flinches almost jumping onto Raph from the surprise. Calm down calm down calm down.

“Enough.” Draxum orders ensnaring them again (ugh) and bringing them out of the arena (thank goodness)

They’re brought another large room next to the arena. But this one has mats and actually decent lighting.

Draxum puts them opposite the side of the entrance as it snaps shut. The roots release them. Mikey is pleasantly surprised by the nice feeling of the mats beneath his feet. They feel much better than the stone on his poor bare feet. His brothers are put in a line beside him facing Draxum.

“Stand at attention, Turtles.” The Baron commands.

Angelo straightens his spine, slapping his hands to his thighs. They’ve sometimes had to do this for Pop’s few and far between training sessions, hopefully, this counts. Donnie and Raph seem to mirror him.

Hey! Pops! Dad will surely notice them missing and come for them. Not that he doubts his brothers’ abilities. But, if he did, then Pops would definitely get them outta here if they can’t by themselves.

Mikey tries to keep a proud smirk off his face. There’s no way they don’t escape. They’ve already won sheep-head. Now they just have to survive his ‘training’.

“When I give you the command, you will stop whatever you are doing and stand at attention.” Draxum says pointedly, pacing like a super villain in front of them. “When you are given a command you must do it immediately or pay for it. There will be 2 commands for today, stop and drop what you are doing to stand at attention.”

The yokai stops abruptly, eyes searching them for something. Mikey straightens even more setting his gaze directly in front of him.

“Hm.” Draxum hums after a too-long pause, “What am I supposed to call you turtles?”

Oh phew.

Mikey lets out a breath he didn’t know he was holding.

“We can help with that, Boss!” A voice chirps, one of those gargoyles.

The gargoyles flap into the room and stop right next to their master.

“And what do you propose?” The baron asks, voice teetering just on the edge of condescension.

“Just call them by their colors!” The sharp one supplies cheerfully.

The round one flies right up to Mikey and hovers right beside his head.

“I mean, they’re already color-coded, why waste energy coming up with names?” The gargoyle tugs on Mikey’s mask in example, “Heh, hey Hugginn, this one has a bow!” He calls amusedly.

‘Hugginn’ flies over and stops right behind Mikey’s head. A tiny hand brushes his mask-tails.

“Awh, they’re kinda cute,” Hugginn coos

“Thanks, I—“ Angelo starts automatically,

“Silence, Orange,” Draxum orders angrily, “None of you should speak, unless spoken to. Outside of the arena, you must stay silent.” His eyes narrow ominously.

But Mikey is suddenly filled with rage. Only Dad called him ‘Orange’, only Dad could call him that. Not only has this absolute freak stolen his dad’s nickname for him, but he’s taking away their right to speak?!

He grits his teeth and clenches his fists to keep himself from lashing out. Rage is bad. Rage is bad. Rage made him kill.

The anger dissipates at the memory of his carnage earlier, the emotion replaced by shame. He stands straighter instead, not wanting to draw more negative attention towards himself.

“Then again…” Draxum ponders, “You did do fantastic in the arena, Orange.”

Mikey’s beak opens slightly in shock. Fear being replaced by confusion. Draxum is complementing him?! Let alone for dog murder. That’s just… sick.

“Earlier I thought your incompetence was nothing short of laughable, but your brutality more than makes up for it.”

The baron seems… proud. Mikey’s eyes bore holes in Draxum’s turned back. He lets his gaze drift to the floor. No. What he did, is still wrong. No matter what Draxum says.

“Maybe you will live up to my expectations.”

The next maybe hour or so blurs together. Draxum has them doing these boring drills with their weapons. At least the drills are easy to do—not. Every time he thinks he’s got the movement down Draxum smacks him and says he’s doing it wrong. He almost slips up more than once at not talking back but it's hard.

His ribs hurt. His true feelings are getting harder to hide. And this stupid sheep keeps piling fuel on the fire.

Mikey grips his chucks even harder trying to force himself into the rhythm. Like a dance.

“Enough.” Draxum orders

They all stop in place.

“Begin form 1 again.”

They restart the form.

“Enough.”

Mikey’s frustration flares up again.

“Begin again.”

He grumbles lowly starting again, finally getting into the rhythm.

“Enough.”

He stops just too late, caught up in getting the form right. The baron marches over and hits him over the head—like dad used to do when they were in trouble.

These parallels are getting annoying.

Wincing he instinctively reaches up to rub the spot, only for Draxum to smack his hand. The yokai grabs his wrist and forces it into the right position.

Angelo holds his breath, waiting for a berating comment or rude correction but none comes. All that follows is another sharp command to start again.

It keeps going and going and going and going—faster and faster and faster and faster.

Draxum keeps getting more unpredictable with when to stop and it keeps stressing him out. How can he try to get the form right, while speeding up and trying to be prepared to stop at any—

“Enough.”

Just hearing it sends fear sweeping through his entire body.

How long is this going to last—

Draxum hits him on his bruised head.

It hurts worse every time…

He takes a deep breath as they restart. AGAIN.

UGH.

When will this nightmare end?!

Mikey is halfway through form 3 when Hugginn and the other one flap into the room, from… some sort of vent? No. A hole. Could he fit through that hole? No. But could there be more holes like that?

“Heya, Boss, uhhh. The blue guy is awake and he is not happy about being stuck in that healing pod.” Hugginn says

Leo.

“Yeah I’ve always thought that thing is a little… creepy,” The round one adds

“Just gross.”

“Exactly!”

“Enough.” Draxum orders,

Mikey freezes, his body stopping before his mind even registers that it’s not a command. Wait. But isn’t it? He doesn’t know. He stays still anyway.

Hold up. Is that what Draxum has been doing this whole time?! Training them like freaking dogs?!

He’s painfully reminded of those Things again. Growling softly he shoves the memory away. Will he ever be able to even look at a dog again?

The thought saddens his heart even further.

“Alright then Turtles, I think that’s enough training for the day.” Draxum announces, “Now.”

Mikey snaps into attention dropping his weapons with a clatter at the same time his brothers do. Youch, straightening his spine after all those forms feels strange on his shell. He shuffles to be in a straight line next to Donnie.

Draxum prowls nearer, then stops in front of Raph.

“Your hands should be open when standing at attention Red.” The yokai snarls

Raph’s fist unclenches in Mikey’s peripheral vision.

“Sorry, Baron Draxum—sir” Raph hastily adds the sir in a panic

The baron merely rolls his eyes and moves on to Donnie.

“You, Purple, have impressed me the most. You’ve picked up the forms remarkably fast and yet…” The warring warrior scientist kicks the discarded Bo staff into his hand, “We need to get you a better weapon. This one clearly isn’t…” He paused for a better word, “Lethal enough for someone like you.”

“I—“ Donnie hesitated, trying to choose his words carefully, “Agree, sir.”

Draxum smirked. “Very well.”

He snapped his fingers. Rustling sounds from outside coming nearer. That’s gotta be Leo right?

Hey! Maybe Leo will stand next to him.

The idea of seeing his big brother again sends hope rushing through him.

Maybe Leo won’t blame him for freezing up! Maybe they can talk afterward about how to get outta here, then once they get home he can cook all their favorites and they can joke about this whole situation and never train again. Heh. Hearing one of Leo’s jokes would be nice.

The dojo doors open and in comes Leo—thrashing and borderline foaming at the mouth.

The vines bring Leon next to Mikey. In all his life Angelo has never seen Leo so livid. He’s snarling through loud huffs and still kicking his legs out trying to gain some footing on the mats. Mikey almost flinches back at how feral Leo’s acting. There’s no way Draxum’s going to let him out of those vines anytime soon.

But. That pod seemed pretty claustrophobic, that must be why Leo is freaking out so much. Oh Leo. Empathy swells in his chest and his lips purse. Man, he wishes he could hug him right now.

The vines release Leo who collapses onto the ground gasping loudly like he hadn’t breathed in hours and trembling violently. It takes all of Mikey’s self-restraint not to reach out and hug the trauma away.

“Orange.”

Mikey’s eyes snap to Draxum fearfully. The baron points at Leo.

“Hold him.”

Angelo blinks dumbly. “Like hug him?”

“Yes.”

He’s at Leo’s side instantly. Leon’s breaths are ragged and his throat sounds scratchy. Mikey reaches a hand over to rub his brother’s shell, but as soon as his hand even brushes it Leo hisses and shakes him off. He pulls back trying not to feel hurt. Leon’s head rises and his face morphs into something pained—he pulls Mikey into a tight hug. Clutching him like a lifeline.

“Are you okay Mikey?” Leo whispers in his tympana, impossibly quiet all of a sudden.

“Yeah,” He responds as delicately as he can, “But don’t ever do that again.”

The slider chuckles humorlessly, “No promises buddy.”

He squeezes him a little tighter. Leo’s shell feels a little sticky, like slime or snot. Mikey’s nose scrunches in disgust but they both really need this hug so he tries to ignore it.

Draxum’s hooves clop into view, “I’ll admit the first time in the Healing Pod can be… jarring. But I think that’s enough.”

Before his brain can catch up Mikey’s body goes rigid and he pulls away sitting in a kneeling position. “Mikey?” He hears Leo question in confusion.

Oh yeah, Leo doesn’t know.

Mikey almost scoffs to himself as he stands to attention. Even he doesn’t really know.

Leo shoots another glare at the baron eyeing his brothers. He groans before he follows suit, copying his brothers. Though still a little shakily.

“Red, switch places with Orange.” Draxum demands 

Raph shares a look with Mikey and gives him a small nod. Angelo tries to keep a neutral face, nodding back.

Raph passes in front of him, and with a roar slams a right hook into Draxum’s head. The yokai reels, stumbling backwards as Raph goes in for another hit.

“GO!” He roars as Draxum narrowly dodges his next punch

Mikey’s tired brain buffers stupidly as Leon darts past him, beelining for the doors. A wild grin grows on Mikey’s face as he starts to follow.

This is it! Heck yeah, we busting outta—

“Enough.”

Angelo stops, petrified, blood running cold, and smile dropping. His body locked up like a paused movie. What— no. This isn’t supposed to—Leo turns back to him horrified.

“Mikey, guys, what—“ Vines snake down from the roof and grab his arms hoisting him into the air

I’m sorry Leo.

When Mikey finally breaks free it’s too late, and the fauna from the walls come alive ensnaring his arms and pulling him back into line. Leo is roughly dragged beside him.

He turns searching for Donnie and Raph. Their hands are bound too, but Raph has vines wrapped around his whole body, holding him upright.

Baron Draxum tuts, arms behind his back as he paces in front of them again, “I’m disappointed, turtles.”

They’re shuffled around: Mikey next to Donnie and Leo next to Raph.

“I was considering mercy for you, but since you clearly have running issues, you two,” He points at Leo and Raph, “Will have to stay for more training.”

Leon simply narrows his eyes accompanied by Raph’s throaty growl.

“Oh and before I forget,” Draxum stretches a hand out to the door. 

The dojo doors open and behind them sits April still in that pod. Faint scratches are visible on the otherwise pristine glass.

She’s clearly moved on from that though as she is currently kneeing the door. April stops as soon as she sees them and something like a smile appears around the curved tusks. Oh, he almost forgot she was mutated. How could he do that?! That was almost traumatic to watch. It’s still weird to see that their sister is a mutant now though. Really weird.

A happy chitter escapes from her and her hand flies to her mouth in shame. Mikey’s heart is torn between thinking the sound is funny and feeling sorry for her. She hasn't said a word since she got mutated, just those sounds. It must feel weird to her.

Mikey frowns, watching her put her hand on the glass with an awkward ‘reassuring’ smile. Her pinched eyes and flattened ears give her true feelings away though. 

“I am a yokai of my word, and you turtles continue to resist so you’ve brought this on yourselves.” The Baron declares

The pod’s light turns blue and all softness evaporates from April’s features as lightning darts over her whole body. She shrieks loud and human before it stops and she goes limp. Eyes fluttering shut as her forehead presses onto the glass.

“If you turtles continue to defy me, she,” He points to April, “Will pay for it. Understood?”

Mikey nods fervently. 

“Yes, sir.” He asserts along with Raph and Donnie

Except for Leo who just says a clipped “Yeah.”

Draxum seems satisfied and the doors shut again. 

“As for Orange and Purple, this is what’s going to happen.”

The vines release Mikey & Donnie. He briefly considers fighting him with Don by his side but then remembers that that’s a really stupid idea.

Blue-green cuffs materialize and snap onto their wrists & ankles, binding them together.

Under lighter circumstances Mikey would’ve made a joke, lean on Donnie, and coo about how now he has to spend quality time with him or something like that. But his head bruise throbs, breathing doesn’t feel very cowabunga right now and Draxum would definitely hurt him if he so much as squeaks so he only tugs on the chains experimentally.

“You will be chained together and locked in rooms on the opposite sides of the mansion.” The baron explains, “The cuffs will only come off in the arena and in your rooms. And Blue…”

Roots coil around Mikey and Donnie’s necks hoisting them in the air. He chokes, the skin on his neck feels like it rips as the roots constrict around it. His chest heaves trying to breathe again past his crushed esophagus. The chains clink as he and Don reach for their necks.

“If I find that you’ve run off…”

Mikey’s lungs burn.

“…I will torture your brothers…”

His head starts to pound.

“…until they tell me every ally, family member, or hole you could’ve run off to.”

Tears spring to his eyes. The roots tighten. Pulling does nothing. Mikey’s hands start to lose their energy, slipping away as the world starts to fade.

“And I will bring you back, no matter where you go. Do I make myself clear?”

Leo’s eyes dart rapidly between Draxum and Mikey.

“Yeah, you made your point.” A little of Leo’s signature sarcasm slips in, but everyone can hear the barely concealed fear in the way his voice cracks.

Mikey and Donnie are released, dropping to the floor in a heap. They gasp, massaging their throats.

That’s going to bruise…

He takes another sharp gasp, his throat flaring up in pain. Breathing sounds more like a pained wheeze at the moment and his body betrays him even further as he starts coughing—aggravating his bruises even more.

Blood rushes into his head, running under his skin and flowing across his face. Like a wave of awareness. Everything becomes clear for one moment. Then it's gone and vertigo overtakes him. Everything feels… weak. Tired. His whole body shakes. He feels like throwing up. Why? Why does this suck so much? Why are they here?! What did he do to deserve this?!

Draxum’s shadow falls over them, “Stand.”

Mikey rubs his throat keeping his angry gaze to the floor. He takes another pained breath, gathering all his remaining strength to stand. He feels weighted. Heavy. His and Donnie’s shared chains pull taut as he stumbles slightly for balance, his head spinning. Mikey blinks hard to try get his mind right.

The sheep man point to the wall— a turquoise chain attached to their cuffs seems to swim in the wall. Like it’s attached to a ghost. He shudders, knowing it absolutely could be.

“Follow this chain to your room.” Is all the explanation the alchemist gives about the ghost-chain before turning to Leo and Raph with a sneer.

Mikey looks at them one last time worriedly.

What's going to happen to them?

He has to stop his colorful imagination from conjuring up ideas. Instead, he forces himself to look at Donnie. His brother just stares wide-eyed, eyebrows furrowed in worry before he steels himself, expression morphing resolutely and starts walking.

As soon as they exit the dojo Donnie picks up the pace, leaving Mikey to hop behind him. The ankle cuff makes walking feel weird forcing them both to shuffle awkwardly while Donnie tries to continue his pace. Everything hurts. What's the rush?!

“Slow down, Donald!” Mikey whisper-yells

Said turtle stops, sighing tiredly. He turns to meet Mikey’s eyes for the first time in a while. The fire to escape this place and leave it in blazes burns bright in his brother’s gaze.

“I’m trying to scope out the place,” Don states like it's obvious, “I need to check out a spot over—“

He’s cut off as the chain on the wall starts tugging, like an impatient owner with a dog on a leash. It seems to get angry and violently yanks them both forward with surprising power.

“Ohkay so snooping around isn’t an option.” Donnie says flatly as they continue walking, “Keep an eye out for hiding spots, holes, escape routes, anything. Okay, Michael?”

“Got it.” He said, already scanning the walls.

While the choice of lighting sure is convenient for hiding, the hallway is bare besides the odd decorative plant or torch. They’d be found easily. Maybe with a plant disguise it could work but since he recently got choked by the plants on the walls, he’s willing to bet that the plants are alive or something. Like those pink vines. Mikey looks up. Nothing really. Maybe if he had a grappling hook??

A door slamming open snatches his attention in front of him. The chain led them to a metal door to what looks to be a drab, dark cell. They’re tugged forward again.

Mikey looks to Donnie, hoping for some sort of plan to bolt or the like but his purple brother looks just as lost as he is. Something in Angelo cracks a little at that.

The door swings and hits them both fully inside anyway.

They land on the stone floor groaning.

Man, these injuries keep piling on!

Mikey sits up rubbing his ribs as the chains dissipate out of existence. He flexes his wrist. Sweet.

The smell of moss and mold violates his nostrils and he recoils sticking his tongue out in disgust as he takes in the cell. It’s stone, like everything else. With a tiny tiny barred window that lets in the moonlight. Donnie stands already checking the window for weaknesses.

No dice there Don, not even HE could fit through that. And he’s the smallest!

Instead, Angelo decides to try to scan the walls and floor. There’s no bedding, only a few pebbles and questionable bugs that scurry away into the shadows. He shudders, trying not to imagine them crawling on him in his sleep. He rubs his arms. Too late.

Hold up. They’ll have to sleep on that floor!

Mikey looks down at the cold moldy stone floors and recoils. This stinks.

He pouts before shaking his head to bring his thoughts back in order. But, if we leave tonight then we won’t have to sleep on this grubby floor! Let's do that.

Scanning over the walls only a few look even vaguely loose.

“So, uh, I couldn't find any weak spots or anything but back at the dojo,” Mikey kicks at a brick experimentally (nothing happens), “I saw those gargoyles fly through some sorta small hole, there’s a chance there’s more!”

There’s still some hope!

“Hm. I saw that, it seems that a few…” Donatello hits the wall with a muted thump. “Minor flaws occurred during the construction of this house. My current hypothesis is that during the reconstruction of this place…” Another strike. “…after the aforementioned actor blew up Draxum’s house, the workers cut corners. Hence the random almost unnoticeable holes. This works to our advantage thankfully!” He smacks the stone again wincing, “If, uh, we can get tools or something to make them actually useful to us…”

“Doesn’t your battle shell have tools?” Mikey asks hopefully.

After a beat, Donnie turns to face him.

“Unfortunately no. This is my drone shell, I didn’t equip it with any tools. Except for…” A robotic hand emerges and holds out some sort of white cloth: a hanky.

Angelo’s shoulders drop in disappointment. “Really?”

“Sorry, I thought I wouldn’t need any since I had my tech bō.” In a few short steps, he’s in front of his little brother. “Your hands?”

Oh. Mikey lifts his blood-covered hands. A regretful frown grows on his face. The blood dried black and is mostly flaking off. Gently Donald takes the hanky and starts wiping it off.

Mikey clears his throat wanting to fill the awkward silence, “Uh, I thought hankies were for blowing your nose?”

“This is more important.” Donnie says mildly, reaching for Mikey’s head next.

Gently he brushes over the sides of his head, careful to avoid his bruise. He cleans his own hand and tosses the dirty hanky to the side. Finally a smaller robot arm squirts some sanitizer onto both their hands. They rub it in then Donnie smiles and goes back to the wall.

“Thanks Dee,” Mikey says, looking at his now clean(er) hands.

The gesture is nice, but he still feels icky seeing the small black flakes that slipped through on his nails. His suppressed memories rise again and he shoves them away once more angrily. Not now.

Silence fills the room uncomfortably again, with only the sound of their steps and strikes to fill the emptiness. Mikey swallows, kneeling and trying to pry at a semi-loose stone. 

“Maybe…” He pulls harder, “Raph can punch through the wall...” His grip slips off, “Like in those action movies.”

The words only register in his brain after they’ve slipped out and they're both painfully reminded of the predicament their other brothers are in.

Curse his stupid habit of thinking out loud!

’Hey hey,’ Dr. Feelings chimes in, ’It's not stupid.‘

Mikey only groans, his negative emotions threatening to bubble over again.

’Breathe in…’ He can almost see Dr.Feelings guiding him, ’Breathe out. Your brothers will be alright.’

”But what if they aren't?” A thought hisses. It’s not a cruel unbidden type of thought, just worried. It shakes him anyway. His fingers slip on the mossy rock and his nails scrape against the wall painfully.

“Do you, uh.” He speaks, giving up on the immovable stone, “Do you think they’ll be okay?” His voice breaks a little at the end

Donnie immediately stops his prodding at the wall and floats over like a mechanical fairy. He hesitates, then places a hand on Mikey’s shoulder.

“Don't worry about it Mikey,” Donald says earnestly, “Leo and Raph will pull through, they’re too stubborn to let Draxum get to them.”

Donnie’s arm slips over Mikey’s shoulders. He sighs, leaning heavily into the comforting contact.

“Besides, we won’t be here for long anyway, he said correctly and his brother believed him.”

A little laugh escaped Angelo from that, “I— uh. At least Pops will come get us eventually.” He supplies

“See? You get it.” Dee nudges him playfully, “There is no reason to fret dear Michael, your big brothers have got this covered.”

Don offers one last confident smile before he leans back to ‘sleep’. Mikey rests his head on his brother's plastron listening to the idle sound of his breathing knowing that neither of them will be able to sleep. He lets his eyes slip shut trying to settle himself anyway. It's okay. They’ll escape. It’ll all be okay.

Time slips by as his anxiety keeps him barred from sleep. With nothing to occupy his mind repressed memories flood him instead.

The Thing whimpering one last time looking at him in pure terror. His big brother being crushed because of him. His body involuntarily freezing as fear takes hold of him before he can process it.

He shudders trying to press the memories away but they keep coming back.

Squeezing his eyes tighter he tries to bring some semblance of control over his thoughts. Between deciding how he feels about having no control over his body because of one stupid word, screwing up and getting his brother almost killed, and—well. Killing.

The freezing thing is… freaky. But the other memories scream louder than that one. And Mikey knows he can't apologize to Leo right now but he knows Donnie should be able to help with the… other thing. After all, Donnie killed that other thing too. His eyes fly open finally realizing the implications of that. His brother is a killer.

Like him.

But it’s Donnie! His nerdy big bro who regularly turns appliances evil accidentally—

…

“Hey, Dee?”

“Yeah?” came the immediate reply.

“You—you know how. The dog-bugs earlier today?”

Don’s head tilted to rest more on Mikey’s.

“What about it?” The softshell says quietly, his jaw rubbing against his head.

Angelo sucks a breath through his nose. It's kinda hard to put together in words.

“I have—I never wanted to—ever kill anything. I—” His throat seems to close up on him. It doesn’t help that it now burns from speaking either.

Donnie pulls him nearer, rubbing his arm in an effort to be comforting.

“I know I should not have done that. ‘Cause, that's what villains do but—” His anger bubbles up again, and he slams his fist onto the floor. “I killed them. I'm a killer. And—I—they were— in pain. Hurt. I hurt them. Like I hurt Leo. I—“

Donnie’s hand reaches over him and yanks him forcefully to sit face to face with him.

“I’m going to stop you right there Michael,” Don states matter-of-factly, “Those things were designed to kill, and were actively trying to maul you. I’d say that what you did was justified.” He pauses, “To some extent.”

“What?!” Mikey screeches throwing Don’s hands off of him, “How can what I did be ‘justified’?!” His chest heaves as more thoughts ribbon across his mind, “We killed them. Living creatures. We’re— I’m a killer. Because of—”

“Mikey…” Donnie sounds almost like he feels sorry for him, why doesn't he feel this way?! Shouldn't he feel at least a little guilty?!

“Those creatures were trying to kill you. Like how that lizard thing tried to kill Leo.” Donnie says like he’s describing a sports analysis and not death. “Those things, were the real killers. We were just staying alive like how Leo was just trying to keep you alive.”

Mikey shoots a glare at him instantly—his brother isn't even looking at him anymore. Donnie’s eyes are fixed on the floor lost in thought.

“We aren't killers Mikey, just surviving the circumstances we can't control.” Don makes eye contact, grief hidden behind the glaze over his eyes, “Don’t beat yourself up about it.”

The purple turtle absently leans back on the wall, sending a pretty clear message: “I’m done with this conversation.”

Mikey’s gaze flicks to the floor as his jaw clenches.

Funny. Donnie never once mentioned killing being wrong. They aren't killers, but they did kill. He just said it was justified. Mikey shakes his head. No. Murder is wrong. Obviously.

‘But self-defense isn't.’ A thought whispers before flowing away.

That gives him pause. Both those creatures were attacking them, and both times he had to fight back— because he had no choice. So, yeah, it wasn’t like he wanted to murder—

Him ripping off the Thing’s head flashes in his mind.

…

Okay. That time he kinda did. But. He was blinded by rage, which is another thing he couldn’t control at the time.

Huh. There are a lot of things they can’t control in this situation.

Mikey leans back against the wall.

Maybe Donnie is… right?

A part of him hisses at the idea of that.

But he can't control what happens to them, or even what happens in the arena so, maybe he should just, not beat himself up about it? Donnie killed that lizard but only because it was hurting Leo. Mikey took out his rage on dog things trying to kill him. So, it is justified?

His brain hurts from thinking so hard about this. Grumbling he finds himself holding a hand in front of his face. He flexes it experimentally watching the muscles move.

His brothers would sacrifice themselves without thinking for him, so he needs to be better. Stronger. Faster. They’re already plotting their escape, so all he needs to do is worry about making sure they don’t have to worry about him. If they keep thinking they have to save him he should make it so they don’t have to so they can focus on escaping! He clenches his hand into a fist. That's what he’ll do. Prove that he doesn’t need to be babied so his brothers can focus on getting them out!

The perfect plan.

Mikey turns his head towards Donnie, the purple turtle’s gaze is blank, lost in thought. His finger tapping a rapid anxious rhythm on his thigh. Angelo scoots closer leaning his head on his brother’s shoulder. Don flinches slightly before a soft look crosses his face and he rests his head on Mikey’s.

Everything will be just fine.

“THIS SUCKS,” Leo screams as he kicks at the door that hit them for no reason.

“I KNOW,” Raph yells, standing and dusting himself off.

Those stupid freakishly strong magic chains ruined everything. Draxum finally turned his back after those long boring hours of training and those freaking chains held him back! There was a portal open and everything for retrieving his bugs or something. They could’ve killed 2 birds with one stone, stopping those bugs and escaping but noo. Glowy ghost chains stopped him and dragged him to this dirty smelly cell. Ugh. Magic was so cool until it was used against him like this!

He roars kicking the door again for good measure. 

Now they’re in a prison cell in a magic laced house. What now?!

“How are we supposed to get out of here?” “How are we supposed to get out of here?”

“What?” “What?”

“I thought you had a plan?” Raph exclaimed

“Do I have to do everything?” He ran a hand down his face, “NO, I don’t have a plan Raph. I already tried twice and neither of those tries worked so,” He smacked the wall, “Maybe you could come up with something.”

“I did!”

“Yeah, you know what? I don’t think smashing counts.”

“Really?! It almost worked!”

“Emphesis on almost. Why did you freeze up anyway? We coulda got him and been outa this dump!”

As soon as the words leave his mouth he knows how stupid it is to say. That ‘training’ is no joke.

Well he normally would joke about it. But his head still hurts so he doesn’t bother. Raph probably can’t come up with a plan anyway. They fell about a foot when they came in so…

He kneels to look at the wall. There’s a space between the door and the floor—about a foot of wall. Like this room slipped a little during an earthquake and sunk. Leo starts searching for any weaknesses or cracks as Raph’s loud shouting fills the room.

“Do you think I wanted to get stuck like statue or something?”



Something catches Leo’s eye in the shadow cloaked corner.



Bingo.

About time something works out for them!

“You literally just went through the same thing I did! It was the magic command thing!” Raph yells

Leo’s glee at finding a possible escape deflates as his frustration returns, “First of all, you should’ve just broken free. Second of all, it was clearly dog training not magic. And more importantly we are still trapped in this place and have our brothers to think about so, you smash that wall—“

“I thought you said smashing isn’t a plan.” Raph crossed his arms irritably.

Leon donned his best glower. His mouth is starting to hurt from frowning this much. I better not get any wrinkles from this whole ordeal.

“Look.” He pointed to the spot he found, “That wall has a hole.”

“Oh.” All of Raph’s anger evaporates

Leo smiles a little at that. Points to who? Leon! That's who. 

The wall itself looks like there was some sorta issue during construction and some lazy bozo just filled in random spaces with small leftover rocks unlike the rest of the sturdy castle. Lucky them though, in the dark shadowy corner a few slipped loose creating a small crack. Thanks lazy bozo, you just gave the Hamatos a golden ticket outta here. Though looking back at the hole he found he finds his confidence dimming. It’s only the size of his fist. And the other rocks around it don't look very loose. 

Suddenly the idea of having his brother crush his fingers against solid stone doesn't sound that… well. Brotherly of him.

“Uh, don’t hurt yourself but if you could make that super convinent escape tunnel larger that would be great.” Leo goes with

“Huh, that is convenient.” Raph smiles, large and genuine.

The giant kneels, rears his fist back, and smashes his fist against the wall before falling back howling in pain cradling his knuckles.

Leo winches in sympathy, “Raph, you okay?”

Maybe he should've been more clear about not getting seriously injured. If he gets too hurt he might have to go to the coffin thing—



Nope. No. Not dealing with that right now. Nuh uh.



He still shudders a little, trying to bury the fear.

“‘M fine” Raph grits out, giving a shaky thumbs up, “OK, so no more smashing, but yes to KICKING.”

From the ground, he kicks the wall with his heel and launches back again howling, again. The wall looks exactly the same as before.

“Yeah, I think no to both things. We’ll have to come up with a new plan.” Leo sasses, sitting down next to the wall.



Raph’ll be fine anyway.

Leo starts feeling the stones around the crack. Okay, he was wrong about it being the exact same. But the crack grew only a splinter larger. Not much difference and he knows that Raph put his all into that hit. So smashing really isn’t an option. He can work with that though, yep.


Next, he digs in his fingers into the stone pulling. Pushing against the wall with his legs he can feel his grip slipping. The rock he was holding only moved less than an inch. 

“Hey Raph! Can you try something?” 

KLANG

Mikey awoke with a yelp holding his hands in front of him defensively. He blinks the sleepiness out of his eyes and tries to figure out where he is.

Oh yeah.

He takes in the dark cell, sighing dejectedly. The bruise on his neck flares up and he winces rubbing it. It's feels swollen now. Usually, his bruises from their antics and skateboarding heal overnight. Why is his throat angry?! Why can’t it just do its job and breathe regularly?! 

Mikey takes a slow deep breath. It's fine. It's fine. It's just a little annoying. Yeah. He can handle this.

Daylight shining through the small window catches his eye. Pink and blue lights dance across the ground, like fireflies hovering just outside. Or maybe like mystic floating jellyfish. That’d be cool.

Angelo smiles at the idea of it. He hasn't seen much color around here. Or, at least, not the bright colors he’s used to.

Wait. What was that sound that woke him up again? He looks to Donnie. The purple turtle is looking at the door like he could destroy it just by staring. Mikey follows his gaze and sees the door cracked open. Befuddled he turns back to Donnie. Shouldn’t an open door be a good thing? His brother stands, wearing the same glare as before. Copying him they both walk to the door.

“What’s wrong Don?” Mikey asks concernedly

There’s another bang. His whole body jolts from the scare and he almost jumps. The door.

The sentient and mean door clangs again impatiently. It swings open fully, beckoning them into the same old badly lit hallway.

Mikey groans, trying to ignore the bruise. It should’ve been gone already, his body should heal faster than this. He pouts bitterly crossing his arms.

“Come on Mikey, let’s go.” Donnie says flatly, marching forward.

“Ughhh,” Angelo drawls it out, flat out forgetting the bruise hurts when he talks, he stops abruptly then finishes quietly, “Fine.”

As soon as Donnie steps outside the door the cuffs and chains materialize and snap into their wrists. Don watches in analytical study and Mikey watches in plain annoyance. The lead chain tugs and they’re led forward again.

Absently he starts looking around. The only decor in this place seems to be suspicious plants and torches. Lame. There’s gotta be an evil magazine or something for villain decor right?

He shakes his head. Nah. That jerk deserves to live in such a dull bland waste of space like this.

The chain pulls him violently around a corner. Yelping he stumbles for balance and accidentally falls onto Donnie. Don grabs onto both his shoulders and places him upright.

“Sorry Dee, this ankle cuff is throwing me off.” Mikey rubs his head awkwardly

“Same,” Donnie keeps his gaze on the walls, “Though it would be beneficial if we learn to walk in sync when we need to run.”

“Yeah. Yeah, sure.”

“So left foot…”

They practice being in sync for a hot second before the chain leading them stops. They look in front of them to find a big wooden table with a bowl built into it in the center. Wow. It feels like a long time since he’s last seen wood. How sad.

Clinking sounds from his wrist and he finds the chains have gotten longer.

He turns in a half circle taking in the new room. It’s small. And the table isn’t the only wood thing in the room. On the wall facing the table is a large wooden door with metal hinges giving it a medieval-looking feel. Fits the whole dungeon thing going on. There’s literally nothing else except this table—oh and some questionable spoons, a door and… he spins one last time looking up. Well. Nothing and that creepy plant thing shaped like a soda bottle coming out of the roof. Its right above the table too. An uneasy feeling grows in his stomach.

Oh yeah his stomach. Its then he realizes he hasn't eaten in a whole day. His blood sugies are at a record low. Mikey whines softly and sits at the table running his hands over the wood. He briefly considers biting it but right as he opens his mouth 2 familiar voices fill the room.

“Mikey!” “Hey Don!”

“Leo!” “Hey,”

They move in sync to meet their brothers for an overdue hug. Mikey shoots straight over to Leo holding him as tight as he can. Chains clinking around both of them.

“Hey, watch it there Mikey,” Leo warns without any bite to it.

Leon pats him on the shell, holding him with his unchained hand. Angelo’s sour emotions bubble up again. Crowding his entire mind with guilt he tried to ignore last night.

“I’m sorry Leo,” Mikey wails, clutching him even tighter like he might pull away.

“Huh?” The slider shifts to keep them both upright.

“I’m sorry, I almost got you killed and—”

“Hey, hey. It's alright. No need to apologize. I’d—”

Leo’s next words are cut off by cold turquoise metal appearing over his mouth. They pull away as similar muzzles form on all their mouths. Raph is already trying to rip it off with angry grunts and Leo just groans long and frustrated.

“I meant it when I said no talking outside of the arena.” Draxum's voices booms.

All heads turn towards the doors as they’re swung open and Draxum comes marching in.

“This room is for eating only.” He continues, “So the muzzles will appear if you start talking again. Beyond that you are free to eat,” The muzzles disappear, “Not speak. Especially you, Blue.”

Leo makes a face then realizes his slip up and goes back to neutral. The Baron scowls and turns to leave.

“Training starts in 15 minutes. Finish by then.” He says 

The doors slam shut behind him.

They sit at the table shuffling with the chains, staring at the empty bowl in the center. The silence feels so wrong. The dinner table is supposed to be alive!

Talking, joking, complaining about failing at some dumb stunt and having a sore tail for the rest of the day.

Leo tries to speak first. He opens his mouth and breaths, words almost barely intelligible, “Hey… guys.”

“Yeah?” Raph says loudly.

A muzzle snaps over the snapper’s mouth. Leon facepalms and continues, almost wheezing the words out,

“If we.. whisper it won’t—“

Another muzzle interrupts Leo. He smacks the table muttering angrily.

Donnie snaps his fingers drawing their attention to him.

“Sign.”

Oh yeah! Their sign language. How could he forget?

Leo and Raph’s eyes widen in realization.

“In room…” Leo signs slowly, clearly still trying to remember the words, “There. Circle? Hole. To leave.”

Mikey gasps a bright smile growing on his face.

The smile immediately drops as a gurgling sound comes from above them, and he looks up in time to see the sus looking plant squirt some sorta slop into the bowl. Mikey almost throws up his non-existent lunch at the sight.

When he said the dinner table is supposed to be alive, he did not mean it literally. Its some sorta yellow oatmeal with a purple swirl. Which would be fine on its own but bugs and some sort of mutant miny fish creatures crawl all over it. The resounding ew is cut off by the mystic muzzles appearing again.

The sight of the bugs makes his stomach turn as the memories are brought up again.

Yeah. He’s not hungry anymore. The muzzles dissipate and everyone is left staring stiffly at the grossness in front of them. It's then that all their stomachs growl.

Donnie clears his throat, “Continue Leo.”

Mikey looks to his blue bro. Leo is currently staring wide-eyed at the slop with a frown steadily growing. Like the Grinch but upside-down. Leo’s face is getting Grinch green too. He shakes himself out of it and starts signing.

“Hole. Small. Not big… To go.” He pauses then wheezes out some more words, “We need tools. I can’t fit.”

The muzzle snaps back on.

“We can’t,” Raph punches his fist into his open palm with a growl, “Either.” The muzzle again.

They… can’t smash it? Oh. Well there goes his plan.

Donnie nods his head resolutely. “Ok. I don’t have tools. Need to find one.”

Across from him Leo nods and lets out a big breath. He picks up a spoon and studies it before pocketing it… somewhere. Probably his pouch.

Hold up. How does he still have that?! Not that he’s complaining but most villains would’ve taken that away by now. Between this and the poor decor choices Draxum must be an amateur.

Raph shudders pulling Mikey out of his thoughts. The red turtle is sweating bullets letting out some sorta stink he hasn’t smelled in a while— fear of eating this thing on my plate.

Raph don’t worry it’ll be fine. Wait. No no. Raph reaches a trembling hand forward towards the Bowl.

“Noo, Raph don’t—”

“Raph—”

Raph reaches into the mush, grabbing a handful with a tear in his eye, and takes a small bite. His brow-ridges rise. And he deflates, huffing.

He shakes his downward facing palm.

“Not bad. Not good.”

Really?

Leo takes a moment to analyze his big brother then he takes a small ball of the mush and puts the whole thing in his mouth. He makes a small hum with a shrug and reaches for more.

Well now he has got to try this!

Mikey grabs a handful and tries to get equal parts purple and yellow (while trying desperately to avoid the bugs) and pops it in his mouth. It's... bland. Like everything else in this place. He sags. Man. He had hope for this. The purple gives it a hint of flower petal, but it's just a hint and nothing more. The white is just like mashed potato but worse. Like oatmeal if you mix it with flour and cook it on a stove top with water.

This is probably going to be the hardest meal he’s ever had. And not even because it's bad, it's just boring. He swallows. It feels heavy in his stomach. Filling. Huh. He’s almost impressed. He only had a handful and he’s starting to feel not hungry anymore. He reaches for more of the purple goop flicking a bug out of his way.

Donnie is the only one not eating. He’s crossed his arms and is currently glaring at the fish thingy crawling around his area. Mikey nudges him with his shoulder.

“It’s not bad Dee,” He whispers past his food.

It’s then that Leo perks up, grinning evilly as he steals Mikey’s spoon, scoops some of the mush and starts making airplane noises heading straight for Donnie.

Angelo has to stifle a laugh watching Donnie get even more moody and Leo try to feed him like a baby.

“Here comes the airpla—“ Leon sings, his smile somehow still visible behind the muzzle.

He pushes the spoon against Donnie’s shut mouth. Leo makes a mock sad noise and moves to eat it himself. The muzzle dissipates and he eats it making exaggerated enjoyment noises. “So good.” He mumbles through the food

Donnie scoffs grabbing his own spoon and taking the smallest portion ever. He nibbles it and grunts unimpressed reaching for more begrudgingly. Mikey leans on his shoulder appreciatively.

They sit in quiet silence for a while. Mikey still wishes there was music or something.

He leans on the table reaching for more of the purple mush. An insect crawls onto his hand and he yelps flinging his hand wildly. The food in his hand splats onto someone’s face and a muzzle snaps onto his own face. Mikey’s hands fly to his throat and head though. That sharp shriek irritated his throat and he’s sent into a coughing fit. His throat itches. Why does it itch?! But the muzzle keeps him from actually coughing, so his chest convulses and air shoots out of nose.

His brother’s cries of worry are cut short by the muzzles. Thankfully the itch is still satisfied by the ‘coughing’ and his chest heaves trying to breathe calmly through his nose. 

Donnie shakes his shoulder looking at him worriedly. Mikey gives them a thumbs up and points to his throat. 

”Not good,” Mikey signs, “Bad. Breathe.”

Leo moves closer to him and gently tilts Mikey’s chin away. 

 “It’s red, swollen, should heal tomorrow.” Leo whispers, patting him on the shoulder and scooting back to his seat. 

Mikey really hates that he freaked in front of his bro’s like that but he’s still hungry so he reaches for more before Baron Sheepman comes back. 

Hooves sound from outside the door. Aw shoot. Jinxed it. He stuffs a handful in his mouth right as the doors swing open dramatically. His hand is still over his mouth when Draxum bellows out the same old command: eNouGh.

The baron scoffs in disgust looking at them. “Why have you barbarians not used the cutlery I so generously provided you with?”

Mikey glances at his brothers. Donnie has a spoon in his mouth, Leo also has a hand over his mouth with food dripping down his chin and Raph has his fingers in his mouth. Oh. 

“Wait.” Draxum’s stops right at the edge of the table, “Where is the cutlery I gave you. Blue.” He sounds like a tired parent chastising a child.

Leo holds up his spoon shaking his head. Draxum doesn’t seem convinced though and vines wrap around his ankle and hold Leo upside-down. The vines start shaking him and the sound echoes sharply as the spoons clatter out of Leo’s pouches. Mikey’s eyes widen and he’s flooded with dread, heart racing. He got caught. He’s going to get in trouble. Leo’s going to get hurt. 

He looks to Draxum waiting.

…

“Really?” Draxum says incredulously, “Stealing my spoons?  I didn’t think even you, Blue, would stoop that low. Oh well,” He snaps his fingers.

After a moment April’s pod is brought into the room. She’s moved to the left side of the pod crossing her arms. Mikey can’t tell if she’s trying to look cool, or if she’s genuinely annoyed at being brought over again. Her icy glare softens moving over them and she offers a small wave before lightning crawls over her body again. Aprils screams through gritted teeth but her arms stay crossed as she passes out again. Mikey’s heart constricts, he thinks he saw her fur singe this time. This can’t be good for her. That pod alone seems nightmare worthy. He hopes they’ll get out can get her out of there soon before she gets too injured. 

“How do you keep forgetting that trying to resist me will only end in suffering?” Draxum seizes Leo’s jaw and makes him look at April (not that it’s necessary, he already was) “You cause this. And if you continue to be so reckless & impulsive they,” He forces Leo to look at his brothers, “Will also suffer.”

Draxum rips Leo’s pouch off then the roots release him and he flops onto the floor.

“Your escape plans will always fail.” Draxum continues, “The doors will not allow you to leave, my chains and vines are too strong for you to break and more importantly…” He pulls out this shard with an image on it, like a magic phone, “This mansion is surrounded by lava. There are only two exits, and I’d catch you dead or alive on both of them. So remember, escape is pointless.” He puts the shard away, “Now let’s get on to training.”

Why would he tell them this? They’re never going to stop trying to escape. That whole speech was pointless. Mikey rolls his eyes. What an amateur. 

The vines take April away and they stand to follow Draxum. Mikey taps Leo as they exit the room. 

“For the record Leo, I don’t blame you.” Angelo whispers cryptically.

Leo offers a small smile. “Thanks bro.”

Mikey smiles back. Leo shouldn’t be blamed for his mistakes. He’ll make up for it this time.

His smile drops. If he tries to protect his brothers, he’ll have to kill again. And he is not okay with that so what does he do?

…

Rage carried him through the last arena and he doesn’t really remember much from that. It still wasn’t good, but his brothers weren’t hurt. Vise versa Leo was hurt when he wasn’t angry. Anger helped him. Plus he can’t remember it that well. So if he does that at least he won’t feel too bad. Like when he pulls out Dr. Delicate Touch. But the feeling he had in the arena was different than Dr. Delicate Touch. Really the Doctors were just an excuse. Sometimes they feel real like Mind Raph though but no one could figure out how that worked. 

…

Eh. He needs a new name for his arena persona.

He glances at Draxum’s back. 

Well, he’s already called Orange in the arena. Yeah, that name will work just fine.

Donnie clenched his fist analyzing the path from the eating place to the training area. Yet again, there is nothing but stone and some scattered fauna.

The journey is brief and nothing useful sticks out. Every hall only leads to one place with no other adjoining rooms. There are 4 other empty cells next to theirs but there is only one hall to and from there. So if the chains are as strong as Draxum claims, they’d have to make a break for it before heading to their cells. Even if they manage to get past the chains the vines will still be an issue though. But the vines surely must be weaker than the chains. Magic may not be his forte but between breaking mystic metal and a mystic vine he’ll take his chances with the plant.

Even then those doors and the lava Draxum mentioned further complicate things… in that case, if the tunnel doesn’t work out maybe he could fly out. That way he could get Papa and come back for everyone. Maybe even bring his entire arsenal to put that actor to shame. He could probably even go full-lethal this time!

Draxum stops and moves to allow them into the arena as the chains dissipate. Leo sneers at the baron one last time before hopping into the arena. They follow without missing a beat. The yellow force field appears above them again.

Weapons clatter somewhere next to the wall and they rush over. It’s the same drop as last time. Only the nunchucks have blades on the end and the bo staff is replaced by a naginata. Hooray. Lethal.

Mikey picks up his weapon without hesitation and swings it around experimentally. Donnie does a double-take. Why does Mikey have a weird look on his face? It takes him back for a second. Mikey is usually all sunshine and puppies or whatever why does he look like murder? Is it being in the arena again? Mikey starts prowling like a caged beast, eyes never leaving the gate. All the while gripping his weapon like death.

Okay… Donnie picks up the naginata and taps Mikey on the shoulder. He rounds on him with a huff and wild fury before his face drops and he shakes his head.

“What’s up, Dee?” Mikey asks innocently, light returning to his eyes suspiciously fast.

“Nothing, just you…” Curse his inability to understand and express emotions, “Are you alright? Being back in the arena and all that.”

Something clouded his brother’s expression (what is that though? Sad? Or nervous??). “Oh, well, yeah. I’m alright.” He gives a small smile, “Don’t worry about me Donnie, I’ll be fine.”

Don doesn’t believe that for one second. “Okay…”

Maybe he took what I said last night too seriously.

The gate starts to groan open. His head snaps towards it. Head in the game Donatello. He readies his weapon. Shouldn’t be too different from a bō, right?

The gate opens, and 2 glowing yellow eyes stare back at them from the shadows. A large furry yellow paw steps out with a curious chitter. It tilts its head looking at them inquisitively. That thing seems big. Mikey charges straight at it with a roar.

“MIKEY!”

“Mikey, what are you doing?!”

“Mikey?!”

The creature retreats and Mikey stops in his tracks. He turns, looking above them—right at Draxum. Mikey's brows furrow and he glances at his brothers sadly before he faces the gate again. He throws his arms up in annoyance.

“C’mon, I don’t have all day wimp.” Mikey sneers spinning his chucks again.

What is up with him?!

More glowy eyes open from behind the first one. Crap.

Several growls sound and the first one comes fully out of the shadows.

“Holy shrimp chips.” Donnie exhales

It’s a lion. Like one of the Chinese guardian lions. Complete with a curly yellow mane and a square jaw full of small teeth paired with four large fangs. It rumbles, shaking the very ground, baring its teeth in a snarl. 3 others come out from behind it, echoing the same growl. Large claws emerge from their paws and they adjust their stance in a clear challenge.

Mikey leaps at the first one without hesitation. It reaches a paw out to swipe at him and he slides right under it, using his newly acquired blades to slash at the underside of its arms. It collapses to the side with a howl and Mikey only barely dodges an attack from the one right next to it.

Wordlessly Leo, Raph, and Donnie charge into the fray. Donnie heads straight for Mikey hefting his big-stick-with-a-knife-attached to stab at the lion trying to blindside Mikey. It leaps. Mikey’s not going to turn in time. The naginata flies into the lion’s ribs with a wet squelch. Oh fortune cookies that's a lot of blood. He reaches to pull it out again then stops.

“Guys,” Donnie’s voice almost cracks from the swelling and un-use, “Guys these things have rapid healing or something!”

He pulls the naginata out right before the blood finishes crystallizing into a red scaly scab. It growls and snaps its teeth at him. He jumps back, stumbling to keep his balance.

The lion crouches and growls throatily. Donnie holds up his weapon defensively. Something primal awakens in him at seeing the beast growling at him. Snarl. Hiss back ATTACK. He doesn’t like it. I thought I buried that years ago. Why does this keep happening?! Unfortunately he knows the answer but still. Instead of going down the rabbit hole he opts for checking on how his brothers are doing while this lion is preparing.

Raph is trying to choke a ruby red lion (not working), Leo is trying to distract his by reflecting light off his sword (clever) and Mikey is… gauging his lion's eyes out. To add insult to injury he kicks it in the nose.

Okay, why is Mikey being this savage?!

The lion whines rearing back. Then it growls, throws its head back, and makes a bark-howl that makes Donnie tympana vibrate.

Every lion’s head instantly turns towards it. They charge at Mikey with a collective screech.

“Mikey!” Donnie shouts, his voice cracking from his swelling throat.

But Mikey doesn't even hear him or the lions running at him. He only sees an opening and slashes at the throat of his lion in one clean motion. It falls back at the same time Mikey drops his chucks. His gaze is blank and his face is empty staring at the dying creature. He doesn't see the others.

“MIKEY MOVE,” His three brothers scream.

The lions are already on him. His head goes on a swivel dazed then finally realizing he’s in imminent danger he ducks to pick up his weapon and he tumbles to the side to dodge the second attack.

He crashes straight into a wall hitting his head with a thunk. Stumbling back he only barely moves out of the way of the red lion.

Mikey can’t keep this up and the others won’t be fast enough.

Donnie activates his drone shell without hesitation. He rockets over, narrowly dodging his lion, and throws himself over Mikey right as a lion attacks.

It scrapes against his battle shell making an awful sound. Like putting metal through a grinder. A paw comes into view and Don stabs at it with his naginata buying him some precious few seconds before it's flung away from him.

“Donnie!” Mikey screams trying to sit up.

“Mikey go into your shell—”

A paw pins him to the floor right as Mikey obeys. Donnie curls his limbs around his brother as protectively as he can while trying to keep his weight off him. He raises his head trying to find Leo or Raph saving them last minute.

“Any day now.” Don grits out.

He feels himself being lifted. It's biting my battle shell— In an explosion of sparks the lion bites down and crushes it with a deafening crunch. His real shell feels cold, exposed to the outside as he falls back down. No, not my— you’re in danger. He’s happy for instincts now. Donnie scrambles to grab Mikey and run.

Not good not good not safe you're E X P O S E D fight attack hide RUN

He’s too slow though. The lion rumbles, and when he turns his head Donnie swears it’s smiling. It raises its paw and tears into his soft shell. He feels his breath get knocked out of him from the impact. He holds Mikey tighter and tries to move him away. Then it drags its claws down and deeper. He screams from agony then he can’t. I can’t breathe. It feels like air is escaping him, no, bleeding out.

Ican’tbreatheIcan’tbreathe. He gasps feeling only half his chest rise. His blood runs cold. He can feel the air coming out of his back.

The claws get to his spine and every nerve screams at him like he’s stabbed with millions of cold needles at once. Every bone the claws run over screech at him furiously. He chokes coughing up blood.

The lion pulls its claws out and Donnie hears another squelch and a thump.

A little late Leo.

Donnie tries desperately to breathe but he can’t. Every breath becomes less and less effective. One lung feels like it’s full of lead but empty. A void that’s heavy. His own blood pools around him.

What about Mikey?

“Donnie? DONNIE!” Said brother screeches wriggling out of his hold

There he is. At least he’s safe…

It’s then that the adrenaline decides to wear off and his shell erupts into burning hot pain. Like he’s on fire. He wishes he could scream. Wishes he could do anything anything to make it stop.

Hands shake him, but he can barely register them or the voices above the searing coals eating him alive. Not my shell why my shell? Not my shell WHY MY SHELL?! Purple and red fill his vision. My battle shell. Why did He have to take that too?! Vaguely he sees something blue and green trying to get his attention. Blue is good. That’s good right? But he can’t keep his eyes open anymore. His limbs are weak and everything burns and his eyelids are so heavy. He can just go sleep for a while. Just rest. Everything will be fine…

…

…

…

Something is licking me.

Donnie screams trying to launch himself away. He thumps into glass. What? He hits it with his palm to confirm it’s there. No. His vision finally clears and Leo’s dried blood handprint stares back at him.

“NO!” Donnie shrieks hitting the glass of the healing pod with all his might.

The flesh pressing into his sensitive shell seems to pulsate, sending shivers down his spine. Yay. I’m alive but why in this thing?! It’s like being stuffed up someone’s throat.

It’s damp, and hot. Whatever this mucus is making him sticky too. He tries to take a breath to calm himself only for the smell to punch him in the nose. He gags, bile rising up his throat.

Pounding against the glass is unsuccessful but he honestly can’t stand being in this thing for much longer. He didn’t even like having his soft-shell out in the open, much much less being pressed against some wet snotty flesh. The hinges. The healing pod’s flesh is fitted perfectly around his body so he can barely move but he tries to look anyway. IhatethisIhatethisIhatethis.

There’s a button on his right. Yes!

He slaps it.

Nothing happens.

“What?”

He presses it again harder.

Nothing.

“It won’t do anything Purple,” Draxum states

Donnie looks at him in frantic anger. The yokai just stands there studying him like he’s not currently experiencing the worst feeling in his life.

“Let. Me. Out.” Donatello struggles to get the words out evenly above the panic in his chest.

Draxum’s brows lower. Then Donnie remembers he’s dealing with a dude with massive pride issues.

“Please.” He adds

Draxum’s gaze hardens and he turns to a control panel.

“I thought you would do much better in the arena today.” He says hitting a few buttons. “But it’s clear that soft-shell of yours is a weakness.” The last word is spat like it’s a curse. “One, I’m going to rectify.”

“What?” Don blurts before he can stop it

The pipes on the walls fill with neon green liquid thats coming straight for the pod.

“No.” The pod rumbles around him, “No no NO. You can’t—“

The flesh pricks into his shell like hundreds of needles. The liquid leaks into the tiny cuts and it stings making his whole body tense up. The pod hisses and thick mist starts to fill it. Donnie buries his head in his hands.

He can’t take both his shells from him.

“WHY?!” Mikey howls kicking at the metal door of his cell, hearing it clang emptily

Why can’t I do anything right?!

He made this whole plan to keep them safe and then Donnie died protecting him. Tears roll down his cheeks.

The lion barked but he ignored it. It left its throat exposed. Orange took the shot slashing it with both blades at once more good measure. It fell. Dying. Gurgling as it bleeds out. His brothers should’ve taken care of theirs already. Orange slipped away and Mikey was left horrified. He dropped his chucks. Why?

Orange was supposed to keep him from feeling this way. He could still see, hear, and feel everything.

Then his brother got hurt. Protecting him. AGAIN.

He wails walking to the corner hugging himself. The hanky still sits crumpled there. Mikey’s lip trembles and he leans against the wall, sliding down to sit. He picks it up.

Donnie loves him, but he killed him. Like with Leo.

His hand balls into a fist.

This happened because he stopped being Orange too soon. If he had just stayed as Orange he would’ve seen the other lions coming.

Mikey thunks his head against the wall.

Next time he’ll just bury his Mikey self and feelings and just… Lose himself in being Orange. Just bury it all. Then once he’s Mikey he can feel things again.

‘Are you sure that’s the healthiest way to cope?’ Dr. Feelings questions skeptically.

“Pfft.” Mikey shifts to sit crisscross applesauce,

No. But doing this beats feeling awful about mur— Stuff.

He sits there rocking back and forth for a while. Wonder when Orange will start talking like Dr. Feelings and Dr. Delicate Touch. He shudders. Hopefully not soon.

The door squeaks open. Mikey stands instantly walking over.

“Donnie?” He asks hopefully

Shadows completely cover Don and the door hits him fully inside. He falls onto all floors shaking horribly.

“Donnie? Donnie…?” Mikey hovers his hand right above his shoulders

Donatello’s chest heaves taking large deep breaths. Angelo leans down to look him in the eye.

“Donnie?”

His brother’s eyes are locked on the floor. He squeezes them shut and presses his forehead to his hands.

“My shell,” Donnie whispers

“Huh?”

Mikey’s first thought is Donnie’s battle shell then it dawns on him and he leans back to look at his brother’s shell. He gasps loudly in shock. When Donnie flinches Mikey really wishes he had kept his mouth shut. He opens it to try to pedal back though.

“It's uhh… nice?”

Donnie groans, then sits up fully exposing the new shell to the light. It’s— blue with bracket patterns. Like Leo’s.

Mikey’s mouth goes dry but he speaks before he can remember tact, “Uh. You know how Leo always says you guys are twins?”

Donnie can’t bring himself to speak. He glares at Mikey though. He’s self-aware enough to know he could also fumble that bad but seriously? Did he forget he always fervently denied those claims? Or. At least to their faces that is…

The memory of watching Leo get crushed by that lizard comes back to him. He didn’t deny it then. It just happened.

Don runs a hand down his face. Draxum was ‘gracious’ enough to let him see what he did to him and he despises it. He does love Leo but this? This is too much.

Draxum said it was easiest to fill in the genes to fix his soft-shell by using the genetic material gathered from his brother. Scientist to scientist that is cool. Using it on him to take away his soft-shell though? Not cool. Super not cool. Sure the soft-shell did make him vulnerable if he ever lost his battle-shell but it was a part of him. It made him… special. Now it's gone and he’s—

Like everyone else.

And specifically Leo of all people. Nothing could be worse than that.

Oh, scratch that actually because on top of everything else his battle-shell is shredded to pieces. Nothing is coming up Donnie today. Everything beautiful comes to die in this place.

His hands finds its way to the edge of his new shell. It’s too smooth. And it’s heavy. It's just wrong. And he can't even fix it…

He turns so Mikey can’t see his face.

Forget just blowing up his house, he’s going to murder that goat.