#He is manned with a teddy bear

[imagionationstation]

“Eurghhh.”

“Owwwiie.”

“What-?”

“Okay, first thing’s first.” Leo states as he dusts off his plastron, scanning the area on unsteady legs. “Everybody’s intact?”

“Limbs, shell, brain, fingers, toes-” Mikey volunteers as he looks himself over. Raph immediately quips, “What brain?”

“You’re just jealous.”

“Of what? That hollow skull?”

“Good to know nobody’s hurt.” Their leader interrupts dryly. “Okay, next thing’s-”

Raph brushes away the last of the head fog, newly suspicious, “Where the shell are we?”

Leo frowns and Mikey chirps, “Yeah, can’t a turtle get some beauty sleep without waking up with a concussion on a hard floor?”

The concern and disguised anxiety is dismissed with the eldest’s hand flick. “Less important things later.”

Raph glares hard. Leo looks at the forming crowd around them. “Hostility in the area seems low.”

“Perfect time for some scary voice to ring out of a hidden speaker and announce a fight to the death.” Mikey offers brightly, cocking his head expectantly. Leo’s face twists, eyes darting about in a brief search for said-speakers. “Thank you, for that inspiring take.”

“No problem.”

“Oh no.” Raph scrambles to his feet, scooping up a blur of purple. His brothers recognize the familiar plush as he rapidly scans the area. “Donnie! DONNIE!”

Heads swerve in their direction. Leo clamps a hand over his mouth and drags him back from the crowd. “Stop, drawing attention to us.”

Raph tears out of his grip, whirling to face his brother. “No! Leo, he’s out there somewhere!” His eyes widen, pleading and panicked. “We have to find him!”

“Why?” Skeptic brows furrow, uncertain. “You think he has something to do with us spawning here?”

“Of course not!” Raph snarls as he squeezes the bear between tense fingers. “We should find him ‘cause he’s missing!”

“You don’t know he came here with us.” Leo attempts to soothe, but Raph wrenches his arm away. He brandishes the bear. “Yeah, I do!”

He looks to the crowd and then back to his brothers, eyes lit in determination. “And if you’re not going to help me, then I’ll just find him myself!”

“Don’t you-!”

Leo moves to grab him, but Raph’s faster.

Mikey appears at his side as their brother disappears into the crowd, declaring, “AFTER THAT TURTLE!”

Again, heads turn in their direction.

“Mikey, be quiet!”

His leader’s contradictory advice is happily ignored as Mikey grabs his arm and drags him in search of their two missing brothers.

@tmntseparatedaucompetition