#and the kraang was why and how the shredder came to be

[thisisapersonintheinternet]

ROTTMNT is just TMNT: The Family Drama

[sweeneydino]

*BIG INHALE* Hi! I’ve been rotating the Spikeangelo au in my brain for a while, and things might get incomprehensible real quick. Not all questions, some just comments... 90% of this is just musing as the train of thought jumps rails and causes massive casualties; no need to answer all if you chose to answer any.

1. The fact that Master Splinter lets Titan live with them BEFORE he knows that he’s a version of Mikey, even after the attempted murder… man will look at a mutated turtle, ask, “Is anyone going to adopt that?” and not wait for an answer.

2. In Turtle Temper, Splinter says, “Spike, chew on your leaf if you are in the mood for a story”. Ronin has a choice here: pest Raph by eating, or troll Splinter by not. What choice would he make?

3. It seems like during the Slash and Destroy episode, Titan already had his outfit. If so… where did he get the clothes? The little turtles don’t really wear anything (and their clothes would be much smaller), so unless Splinter has a secret goth wardrobe, the only thing I can think of is that Raph is Very Optimistic about how tall he’s going to get, and has stockpiled clothes accordingly.

4. A while back you mentioned Titan “chewing [Shredder] out” after Shredder kills Splinter during the Triceraton invasion. The image you drew made it look like a tirade, but the first thing that came to mind for me was… more along the lines of using Shredder as a dog toy.

5. You said that after Slash and Destroy, Titan hides for a while out of shame. When does he rejoin the others? Before the invasion, *during* the invasion, after? Does he join the farmhouse arc, or does he do as canon Slash does and defend NYC while the rest of the turtles are gone?

Ah... there's a very long part six that's just about the ghosts... I don't think I'll be bothering you with that today.

When I see these types of asks, I can never control the squeal that comes out of my mouth. I love detailed analyses about my aus

:D

I also love completing things, so let's do them all!

1) Yep! Idk whats with the Splinters, but if it's turtle-shaped and needs a home, well say no more!

When Spike turned to Titan, Splinter already sensed something off with him, something more familiar than a family pet, but he would never figure out why until their lair is attacked by the kraang at the start of the invasion.

It's hard not to realize that your son's former pet knows moves (and shows a strange amount of wisdom) that you're 90% sure you never taught or shown to any of your sons.

2)

I think he's still upset about the pizza. Or Raph's anger.

3)Dumpster diving?

I'll be honest, I forgot to write it down... So we will stick to this simple solution for now🗿

4)

Okay, well... Shredder ALMOST became a dog toy. Let's just say that (this will totally not be a future comic)

5) He reunites with them after the newtralizer arc! After a little convincing ofc

When the invasion begins, he's with Splinter and Leatherhead, having defended their home and now searching for the turtles. They find Shredder after they exit the sewer, and Titan isn't too pleased to see the old bastard, attacking him in a rage once he hears about Leo's possible "demise."

Unfortunately, when he gains the upper hand, Titan is the one caught off guard and knocked into the machine, crushed by the pipes.

Before Shredder could really begin his usual evil monologue, he becomes distracted with Leatherhead, allowing Splinter to check on Titan and help him out of the pile of metal. Despite the likelihood of having a huge bruise on his ribs, he'd be fine. Even better if he could get rid of all their issues right there in front of him.

The one wrestling an alligator. And somehow winning.

And when he sees that devil in that all too familiar armor toss leatherhead into the pit, he's all too ready to kill him.

Yet he can't. Because He's not the only one wanting to prevent the past from happening again.

Splinter sends him away to find his sons, Titan's brothers - well, sorta - and even if he wants to bring Oroku Saki, the worse pain imaginable, he's more concerned if they are okay.

...

Okay, well, if the rest of them are okay

COUGH COUGH.

He'd find them, with him.

And uh. I think Leo's perfectly fine.

So when they decided to leave for April's farmhouse, he stayed in the city to search for Splinter and the other Mutanimals after leaving Leo with the others.

Maybe he sees himself as a burden.

Then the rest you make up on the way 👍 /j

This was very fun! Maybe I should just write paragraphs or smol little chapters with much more detail and flow🤔

Nah, I'll just draw.

Can't wait for the looooooooooonnngggg part six :D

[imagionationstation]

Okay so I wanna make a 2012 separated au but I wanna add a rise villain lol

basically

Leo’s raised by Splinter

Raph’s raised by Shedder

Donnies raised by BM

and Mikey’s raised by April or the Kraang idk yet

mainly I think it’d be funny if BM spoiled Donnie and you just get spoiled rich boy Donnie idk lmao

— ♊️

NAH BUT THE FIRST TIME I READ A 2018DONNIE ADOPTED BY BIG MAMA FIC, MY BRAIN WENT “What if that was 2012Donnie?” AND I’VE NEVER RECOVERED BC I WANNA BUT IT’S SO OUT THERE THAT I’VE NEVER HAD THE GUTS TO TRY-

(I am so, so sorry, this has spiraled over the last few days. I am weak. Resistance was futile.)

Okay, so, like 2012 universe but Yokai exist…

So I’m going to assume right off the bat that Leo&Mikey don’t know about the Hidden City because they’re being raised by a human (Kirby) and a previous human (Splinter). How these two managed to get their hands on baby mutant turtles, I couldn’t tell you.

Okay, so I’m going to assume Leo&Mikey meet first. Both living as vigilantes in the human world, they’re bound to run into each other at some point. I doubt Splinter would let Leo travel to the surface solo. So maybe Splinter starts taking him up earlier because he deems keeping the tike with him is safer than leaving him alone.

So they get to know the surface early on. Mikey, because he sneaks out whenever he can, and Leo, because Splinter introduced it to him.

They besties who think it’s neat that they look like twins.

And then they come across Raph.

Now, a twin package is coincidence but a triplet turtle who looks scarily similar to them? That’s sus.

In fact, it’s the only reason that Raph doesn’t immediately kill them on site. He’s affronted, frustrated, and admittedly a little curious. So he decides to settle the mystery by taking them down to the Hidden City for a Mystical Relative test. (They are a thing because I say so.)

He knows the Hidden City exists because Shredder has dealings with Big Mama. They work out deals, where Raph fights in her Nexus and Shredder gets trinkets from the Hidden City.

Leo and Mikey are in awe, but also, they had a City that they could walk freely in beneath their feet the whole time?!

Then they take the test and- huzzah, they’re brothers!

And, oopsy, the witch lets it slip that they have another brother??

They press for more, but all she knows is that Big Mama will be their key to finding him.

So Leo and Mikey are determined to look and Raph is none to satisfied to learn that, not only is his family expanding and they’re both dorks, but now he has to deal with one of the biggest mob leaders in the City? No thank you. He did not sign up for that risk.

He tries to brush them off but Leo is adamant that he help- especially if he knows who she is and how they can arrange a talk with her. Even if it’s a long shot, they have to try.

So, Raph gives in to get them off his back.

And he introduces them to the best chance that they’re going to get to receiving an audience with her- And wouldn’t you know it?

That liaison is Donatello!

Of course, everyone knows that Donnie is of pure Yokai descendancy. Big Mama would never adopt some lost soul off the street. Rumors float about but no one knows for sure how he came into her care. The only truth that the Yokai know for certain is that he’s a genius, one in charge of all kinds of equipment for Big Mam’s Battle Nexus.

But, anyway, Donnie doesn’t fit into the brothers’ physical quota.

Normally, nobody can get close to Donatello, but the minute Raph strolls into the Nexus and asks to speak with him- the genius spawns. Body guards are shooed away at the request for privacy as the intelligent turtle eagerly brings them to his workshop.

It quickly becomes clear why Raph was so reluctant. To say that Donnie was ecstatic to see him was an understatement.

Unfortunately for the loner turtle, he’d become a lock for Donnie’s OCD. And similar to how he sees April in canon, he’s (PLATONICALLY) smitten. His obsessive side makes Raph into his idol and his compulsions lead him to do everything possible to try and build a friendship. Even if that means disregarding every single one of his Mother’s rules when it comes to interacting with fighters.

Raph hates the attention, but Donnie’s their best shot.

And Donnie doesn’t hesitate to promise them a meeting.

I’m dying imaging them going on a hunt for a long-lost brother, and Donnie’s standing right there the whole time- 🤣

Assisting every step of the way in the search for himself, with everyone being 100% sure that it cannot possibly be him because Big Mama is good a sewing lies.

Donnie is absolutely a rich kid. He’s utterly mortified when he finds out that Leo actually lives in the sewers of all places.

This AU would be all the more hilarious if Donnie slowly starts to realize that Raph isn’t the perfect person that he thought he was, and the obsession calms, but then he finds out that he’s Raph’s brother and completely loses his ever loving mind.

It would be brilliant.

I imagine Big Mama to be a fun mix of self-centered but genuinely loving. I think that would be an interesting take for her to spend his lifetime using every available opportunity to take advantage of his skills and manipulate his actions… But also, she would wipe out everyone in the entire Hidden City for him in a heartbeat if she thought they posed him any real danger.

On that same note, I think about the episode where the RISE first meet her, and like, how she would react if Draxum came and launched vines not only at her, but at Donnie too. And she instantly loses her cool.

“I may have a revision to do. Big Mama has two rules. One does not steal from Big Mama, and NO ONE touches her tottering TURTLE.” 

I just think she’d be great.

I keep coming back to this-

So I keep envisioning this moment somewhere in the future where the Kraang or somethin’ pose this huge threat, and Donnie (as manipulative as his mother when he wants to be, which isn’t often) is basically like “We are not making deals. I will find a way to go on this mission and I will probably die if you don’t give me reinforcements. You can support me and I’ll keep building for you, or you don’t and you’ll lose your heir.”

Not exact words but you get the gist.

He’s so stubborn in the show. I want to enhance that.

I just want him to bob between innocent and confident. His pride shatters at the slightest negativity, but he also knows exactly what to say to get what he wants. He’s a good boy, but he’s not a pushover to anyone but Raph and his Mother. He’s not a big fan of changing the terms at the last second, but that’s not to say he hasn’t before.

ALSO YOU CAN IGNORE THIS IF YOU WANT BUT I HAVE CONCEPT BECAUSE IT’S IN MY BRAIN NOW.

The very first time that Donnie saw a Battle Nexus fight, he’d been the ripe age of four years old.

His mother was sitting in her private viewing area, perfect as ever, as he stared down in the arena in awe. He’d been ecstatic to see the fights that his mother spoke so fondly of, studying the fighters curiously as they faced on another. 

He quickly fell into the excitement, encouraged by his Mother’s laughter, cheering along with the crowd. That is, until he watched the gorilla Yokai pin it’s opponent to the ground and tear it’s arm clean off.

The scream of agony was drowned in the hollars of the crowd. 

He feel silent, a cry tangled in his lungs for another reason altogether. He looked back at her, as she smiled and watched the crowd go nuts, and then sunk in her lap. He squeezed his eyes as shut as they could be, fists over them, and blood painted behind his lids. He moved his fists to the sides of his head, but he could still hear screams.

He could remember it so clearly. His mother turned him to look at her, peeling his fists away from where they pressed against skull. She had seemed disappointed, looking down on him. Then her expression relaxed as she cooed, “Is it to loud for my whisperous turtle?” 

He nodded, desperately, as she waved one of her assistants over.

They took him to his room. He locked himself in the bathroom to sob, unable to erase the image of gore stains from his mind. He’d passed out, right there on cold tiles, and woke up pressed against his mother. Granted, he woke up screaming, sobbing, and certain he was drenched in his own blood, but she rocked him, calmed his fears, and sang him back to sleep. He slept uneasily in the safety of her hold.

He spent the next week refusing to leave the room.

Eventually, his Mother encouraged him out. A year later, she took him back to the Battle Nexus. The results didn’t change. It repeated for a few more years. The nightmares got progressively more gory.

When he was ten years old, she promised him that he never had to watch the fights if he didn’t want to. He waited until she was out of sight to crumble under the weight of relief and self-loathing, her frown permanently etched in his mind.

From that day on, Donnie made it his life’s mission to support her like she always supported him. He might not understand the arena, but everyone who visited the Hotel loved it. There was no end to the complements and requests that she received when they were attending to matters outside it. She lit up under the attention. He saw no harm in making weapons and armor for the fighters, rewarded with his mother’s glowing smile and proud laughter.

She loved to show him off. The sun to her earth, helping give life to what she’d created. He gave what she asked for, sprinkling his own inventions here and there. He preferred to focus on the defensive wear; she loved the offensive weaponry.

He actively did his best to avoid the arena.

…Until the first time he glimpsed Ribenji on her screens.

Ribenji means vengeance in Japanese. Because Shredder is obsessed with it. And Raph will be his ultimate warrior of vengeance against anyone who crosses his path. Hehe. I think I’m cool.

I don’t pretend to fully understand Big Mama. I just love writing her.

Does Donnie’s name change? Perhaps.

Though I suppose I could see Big Mama having an interest in the Renaissance. That might be something up her alley…

I’M NOT DONE WITH THIS CONCEPT ACTUALLY

“Donnie dearest.” Donnie doesn’t look up from his work, wielding the last of the armor in place. He’s down on one knee and it allows his mother easy access to the top of his head, planting a kiss before stepping back to let him finish. “How’s my lil’ turtley-boo doing with Mama’s big project?”

“Almost finished.” He promises, turning off the wielder. She’s never pleased when he works and talks. She claims it makes her feel less to his work, and he’d never want to make her feel insecure. 

A hand is on his shoulder, keeping him on the ground as she knocks against the metal with deceptively delicate knuckles. “Did you add the mystic fiddeydoodles that I so graciously found for you and you so endlessly prodded me for?”

Donnie feels a blush creep up his cheeks. He hadn’t wanted them at first, but after she’d mentioned how influential they were to putting on a perfect show, he couldn’t resist a couple of requests. “Not yet, Mother. I’m working on it. I swear. It will be ready when you need it.”

He studies her face, imploring, and she smiles down at him. She lifts her hand. “I know you will, my little genius. You always keep your promises.” 

“I’m taller than you.” He points out as he stands, rather than acknowledge the twist of nerves which reminds him that even one failure could tear at her trust in him. 

“Perhaps in this form.” She taps her broach and then she’s hovering over him, smirking with a flair that makes him rolls his eyes. “But you’ll always be my little teensie weensie tottering turtley-boo.” 

“Mother.” He mumbles as he takes off his goggles. His face grows hot, glad for the seclusion of his lab. “I’ll be fifteen in three days.”

“That you will.” She hums, brushing his cheek with one of her smaller appendages. “My magnifferent, brilliant boy.”

She turns away to examine another of his projects. The only reason that she visits the lab is to get a run down of his latest one. He loves that she has a genuine interest in his work, even if she’s not particularly interested in the construction itself. She supplies his needs and works with his wants. What more could a turtle ask for? 

At the same time that Donnie wants to shrivel up and hide when under her undivided affection, he can’t help but appreciate the attention. He never knows when he’ll get to have her doting every hour or if he’ll find himself isolated for a month. 

Donnie quickly reprimands himself. They spoke about his intrusive thoughts. He shouldn’t think that way. He’s not completely secluded with the Hotel staff taking care of him and Gus hanging around. It’s all in his best interest. He’s safer within the hotel than out with the rif-raff in the bar or on the streets. 

…It is nice to be noticed, though. 

He steps closer to her, fiddling with the goggles. “Mother.” 

“Yes, little one?”

She lifts one of his weapons from the table. He hopes she doesn’t test it. It’s not nearly to her fine expectations. “Have you- have you had any dealings with Saki, by chance?” 

“Oh, my dormy genius. You know Mama hates talking business when we’re together.”

“Yes, Mother, of course.” He deflates a bit, watching her sigh.

“If you want to ask after his feisty Yokai pet, all you have to do is say it.”

“Have you seen Ribenji?” Donnie blurts eagerly. “Has he fought recently?”

“I don’t see your fascination with the Yokai when he barely gives you the time of day.”

“I know, Mother, I apologize for being this way.” He says, because it’s what she wants to hear. “But it’s been itching at my brain for some time. I was working on something for him, a side-project that could greatly improve his performance, not that it’s not good already, he’s a brilliant fighter, more than that, he’s inspiring and swift and he handles himself really well, which makes since for a Yokai Foot ninja, but I thought he might appreciate-”

“Donnie, dearest.” Mother sets his weapon down, and he quiets, running the strap along his hand. “I know you idolize the warrior, but please, no more side projects. Focus on your list. I don’t want you getting tuckered out.”

“But Mother-”

“Mama knows what’s best for you.” She tsks as she disappears behind her human form, a whirlwind of magic before she sets a hand in his arm. “This obsessing is unhealthy.”

“I was merely wondering if I could see some clips-”

“A wondering mind is a mind of worries.” She’s not scolding him, but it sure feels like it. The need to plead is still tangling in his airways, kept caged by the calm of her stare. “Refocus it on what’s important. Like your fantablous weaponry! And Mother will worry about her business with Saki.”

“But you always say that I should tell you when something bothers me.” He reminds quickly, ignoring her sharp look. “And it really bothers me that I haven’t been able to check in with one of your champions. Isn’t the arena meant to be mine one day?”

“Not for a good while yet.” She warns. “Until then, Mama would like to keep you away from the fiddlefaddles that bore you so.”

“Bore might not be the right word-”

“So you would like to resume your studies, then?” She looks at him, hand over her heart. “Why, you could have simply said so.”

He sighs, “You’re twisting again, Mother.”

“Do you or do you not want to give up your little hobby?”

“Oh, of course, I want to give up the one thing in the endless hotel that brings me any joy. I dream about it every night.”

“Always with the sarcasm.”

“Mother, please.”

“Mama has given her final word. A proper son knows when to debate and when to obey.”

He nods, shoulders slumping, and she considers him. She sets a gentle hand over the fist that holds his goggles, “Oh, my dear, you know it hurts me to see you disappointed. What if you were to finish your contrabulations and your beloved Mama were to see if she could get you some footage of the latest shows?”

“Oh, would you?” He breathes, daring to believe it. 

She leans against him, on her toes to plant a kiss on his chin. “I will leave you to your work.”

Mother turns to leave, and he beams after her. “Thank you!”

A smooth backward wave. “Anything for my turtley-boo!”

I like to think she’d call him little to remind him of his place, tease him about the fact that he’s taller than most Yokai his age, and she sincerely still thinks of him as the tiny, weak turtle that she adopted more than a decade ago. She’s an excellent multitasker.

Anyway! Thank you for the dopamine! Sorry for the spiral!

[theartofeverything]

OO OO for the ask game; #25. Showing up injured at their enemie's house? :]

Ok. While brainstorming for how to answer this, I realized a catastrophic deficit in In This Together.

There are no lesbians.

How could this happen?!? This must be fixed immediately.

So an idea came to me, an absolutely awful, massively homoerotic idea. Both of my big bad guys are women. Leading armies in a ruthless war against eachother.

They banged.

At some point before the Mutant War broke out, when the Purple Dragons were trying to solidify their grip on New York City after routing the Kraang, Kendra got shot during a skirmish with a dissenting human faction on the fringe of the city. The fight went badly and Kendra’s team was scattered into the night.

Tired and wounded, Kendra stumbled into a run down mansion hidden in the woods. There was a light inside so she went in expecting to find some human survivors who hopefully wouldn’t mind letting her crash for the night.

What she was not prepared for was the General of the Kraang’s mutant forces, presumed dead after the Battle of New York, the Shredder.

Monster x Old Woman Yuri below the cut ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

(Nothing explicit, just a tad suggestive. Art at the end with some tasteful nudity if you wanna scroll down just for that. Leaving the ending up to your own imaginations 😉)

Kendra could feel her blood pounding through every inch of her body, through the tight muscles of her legs, ready to make a run for it, through the burning hole in her shoulder where she’d been shot, through her white knuckled fingers aiming an empty gun at the monster in front of her. 

The Shredder stared back at her from behind its mask, listening carefully to her thoughts. She was trying to calculate exactly how long it would take her to make it back out the door, how far she would be able to run before blacking out from exhaustion and blood loss, how many hits she could give and take before going down. The math was not working out well. She wouldn’t make it back alive from this fight.

Tentatively uncoiling a tendril of its own mind, the shredder whispered into hers ‘don’t kill me and I won’t kill you’

Kendra’s eyes widened in a mixture of horror and awe. It spoke.

‘You can put the gun down. We both know it’s empty,’ the thing mind-whispered again.

Slowly, Kendra lowered the gun. Her boddy’s last ditch effort burst of adrenaline was wearing off and she was starting to see spots.

“Deal,” she said, then promptly slumped to the floor and passed out.

Kendra woke up to three surprises. 1: She was still alive. 2: The Shredder had not been a hallucination, or if it had, she must be still hallucinating because it was still here mere feet away from her. And 3: she was naked.

“At least buy a girl dinner first,” she slurred. Why did her mouth feel numb? Did the thing drug her or was this a symptom of blood loss?

The Shredder traced the strings of her thoughts to figure out what that phrase meant and responded by triggering a memory of a laugh.

Why did it’s laugh sound like Cassandra’s? Kendra wondered, suddenly feeling much more awake.

‘I chose one you had positive feelings towards’

It heard that? Shit, could it hear everything she was thinking?

‘Sorry about the sedation, I didn’t want you waking up and forgetting our deal’

“Like I’m gonna kill you without any weapons,” Kendra scoffed.

It held her gaze. Kendra couldn’t see its eyes, if it had any. But she could feel its stare boring into her mind, turning over thoughts and memories. She could, and they both knew it.

Slowly, the Shredder reached behind its back and undid a clasp, the metallic spikes on its shoulders slid off. Piece by piece, it removed the exoskeleton to reveal smooth irridescent skin underneath. At the very last, it reached its pale clawed fingers under the rim of the helmet and lifted.

Kendra stared in fascination at the face before her, gleaming dark eyes splayed across it like the petals of a macabre flower. It was terrifying and grotesque, entirely inhuman, and yet… there was something mesmerizing in the glow of its many pupils, in the strange curves of its bones. It was beautiful.

‘Now we’re even’ it spoke to her mind.

Since only one of them was a mind reader, Kendra supposed she’d have to take the creature’s word for it.

“So what were you doing while I was out? You could’ve just searched me if you wanted to make sure I didn’t have any other weapons to wake up and stab you with.” Or you could have killed me, she thought.

‘Well where would be the fun in that?’ the creature replied with a shift of its facial muscles that Kendra more understood than recognized as its equivalent of a grin. ‘I wanted to study you,’ it continued after a pause. ‘I haven’t seen many of your species that have reached this level of maturity.’

“You calling me old?” Kendra laughed.

‘Yes, it’s a compliment. To have survived this long on a planet with these conditions is impressive.’

“You’ve got a rather impressive track recccord yourself, could’ve sworn you were a gonner after we collapsed that building on you in the Battle of New York.”

‘I have… some helpful abilities in such situations’

“What kind of abilities?” Kendra asked with a bit of coy curiosity. She’d seen mutants do some pretty unexplainable things and everyone knew the Shredder was powerful, catch a glimpse of those gleaming spikes and you’ve gotta decide quick weather to call in reinforcements or get the hell out of there, but no one knew exactly what its powers were.

‘I can demonstrate if you let me,’ it said reaching a hand toward her.

At this point, if the thing was going to hurt her, it certainly would have by now. Kendra’s curiosity won out.

“Show me.”

Its pale skin and polished talons were cool on her bare skin but a warmth blossomed in her flesh beneath the touch, spreading outwards with a slight glow. There was a slight burning sensation in the soul of her foot where a thorn had pierced through her shoe while she was running in the dark. Then it was gone. Brushing the blood away with the soft side of one of its fingers, the shredder revealed the healed skin underneath.

‘I can do the rest if you like,’ it said, gesturing to the various injuries littering her body from the fight.

“Certainly won’t say no to that,” said Kendra with an impressed sigh. “leave the shoulder though. My team saw me get shot. I show back up without a bullet wound and people will ask questions. I’ve got some bandages in my jacket I could use a hand with though.”

Retrieving the bandages, the Shredder began wrapping her shoulder with one hand while its other sent waves of energy through her.

“Do you have a name?” She asked eventually.

‘Tang Shen’

[misterdeplume]

I feel like Casey and April would be pretty used to being bullied. They would at least fit the category for bullying victims pretty well I'd say.

Like Casey because, well... he's Casey. Showing up with bruises, a hockey stick and several absence notes with smushed up make-up to boot, tends to get people talking. He fancies himself a vigilante of the neighborhood- he's THAT hockey kid, of course people are gonna be talking.

April would be a little more complicated. Maybe April’s dad came by to school one day warning April to make sure no aliens or kraang were watching them or something like that and a student caught it. (Like the whole thing with Kirby after his second mutation drove him to almost have a nervous breakdown.) Rumors of her ‘crazy’ dad spread and her fate was cealed.

Or it could even just be because she wants to be a journalist. People think she's a conspiracy nut for pursuing it, (or whatever other unfairly mean stuff teenagers can make up), so now she is THE alien conspiracy freak. Not helped by the revelation of her alien heritage- being called one, or worse- having your dad be called one.

Safe to say, that really doesn't help your self esteem...

Its not really something they talk about with the turtles. Next to their reptilian friends' rumbunctious lifestyle of fighting alien invasions and ninjas every day, their high school one seems pretty normal in comparison. Dull, even. And besides, they're pretty used to it at this point, so why even bring it up when it's so inconcequencial? They're too busy running for their lives every day to really worry about that one guy who tossed a hamsandwitch in your cheek meat.

But then, say, if the turtles were turned human and now they have to try and assimilate to their school for whatever reason - maybe theyre trying to track down an alien or some kraang tech or something, maybe they're just doing it because they want to try school- either way, this is the time for April and Casey to help them survive what's an even worse threat than the Shredder.

High School. DUN DUN DUUUUUN. And when the turtles realize how horrible the other kids have treated their friends…? oh boy oh boy. You can run but you can't hide.

[thefiercest]

TMNT: Tang Shen

You know, when you think about it...Tang Shen is the real hero in the TMNT 2012. Think about it, without her, there would be no TMNT!

The woman sacrificed her own life, to save her husband and her daughter's future! Without Shen's brave act, Splinter would have died that night, then he never would have gone to New York and adopted four baby turtles.

There would be no Earth! The Kraang would have gotten April because she had no Donnie to protect her and the whole world would have been destroyed!

Casey would have probably ended up dead, because his dumbass can't stay out of trouble, and he had no Raphael to look out for him!

Karai would have probably ended up being Shredder's daughter forever, never learning the truth and turn into a cold bloody villain like him because she had no Leo to care about her!

Leatherhead would have been the only mutant in New York and ended up being lost in his anger because he had no Mikey to help heal him! There would also be no Slash because there would be no Raphael which means, the Mighty Mutanimals would never exist!

Monalisa would have stayed in space fighting in war forever and probably never find her true love because her true love was Raphael.

Tang Shen made all of it possible by sacrificing herself! She is the center of everything! She is the reason; the turtles came to be! So, in a way, Shen gave birth to them more than that stupid mutagen jar did! Because if it wasn't for her, there would be no Splinter following a stranger into an alley and accidently getting mutated!

Call her mom, Mikey and not that broken glass jar!

She is not just the center of the rivalry between Splinter and Shredder but also the center of the whole show! Which is why, I think it sucks that she was only in one episode when they had a chance to add her again in the End Times episode! They could have had a ghost Shen helping out with ghost Splinter! But no, of course not, because why would they? >:(

Karai could have finally met her mom and the turtles could get closure for not being able to save the woman who was technically their mother as well and their father's true love. Can you imagine how they must have felt? I bet they were still carrying that burden. Mikey and Donnie's faces when they saw her dead with their own eyes, and all their faces as Splinter screamed like he was dying. Out of all the traumas these turtles have gone through, witnessing their mother (and father's) murder by the same man, was probably what stuck with them throughout their lives. I think Shen's is worst though and I say that because with Splinter's death, the turtles had no control over that but with Shen's death, they could have told her what was about to happen but didn't because they feared for the future.

Still, in the end, they tried to save her, even though they knew it could risk everything but failed.

Some people think that the turtles sacrificed Shen but they didn't. Like, did you guys not see them running in and Raph calling out to her, trying to stop her? They loved and cared about that woman so much. You can see it if you look closely, the future was not the only thing they were worrying about but Shen as well.

I know that the turtles never met her and never got to know her and are not related to her but that does not make her any less their mother. As I see it, she 100% is. Just because they never got to know her personally, does not mean they did not love her through the stories Splinter probably told them about her or wonder what it would be like if she was around to help raise them. I think their relationship with Shen, is similar to Karai's relationship with her. Never knowing her but still loving her and wishing she was here. Carrying her with them.

If Shen was in the End Time, you can not tell me she would not have called them, her sons and say she was very proud of them and Karai.

I can see Leo apologizing to her, feeling a lot of guilt. Raph only staring at her, unsure of what to say and Shen helping him with that. Donnie trying to explain their reasonings even though he felt like no reason would be good enough. Mikey hugging her while crying. Shen giving Karai a piece of wisdom that she could carry with her always.

I would have loved to see that and Shen telling them that she was happy to give her life, for her children, like any real mother would.

[yourlocalpossum]

Cyberspace world explanation!

I just realized I haven't explained anything about the world.

My TMNT iteration, TMNT:Cyberspace, takes place in the year 2061. The world is a lot more modern, but still has remanence of the "old world". Aliens have started coming down to Earth. Mostly for tourism, but some to live, which has sparked anger through out the Earth, and there's a lot of debate on how people feel about it. Robots are still a little side eyed in the street, some saying they aren't really conscious, some saying they are conscious enough to be considered alive. There has been a lot of new experimentation with genetic modification over the years, which has also sparked debate.

With the rapidly changing world, there is a lot of debate and fights breaking out. To combat this, the government has introduces something called "Social Chips." (Based off The Last Ronin lost years) These are used as a form of currency. If you follow the strict and unfair rules, or do something good unless the government doesn't like those people. Which has mostly fixed the problem!

Though, for the people who can't get social chips as easily, there is an underground market (like, literally underground. But also underground in the other way.) that instead of using social chips, trades goods for other goods. To try and stop this, the government has been really strict with their allowance of "unauthorize farming or creation", which has not only caused the amount of art being created to go way down, but has also just made MORE underground projects with farms and other things.

Also, back to the aliens bit. Kraang! Kraang have been working with Shredder for years, and they're friends no. Frenemies. Or... more like just enemies that have to work together. They are basically just 1987 Shredder and Krang dynamic but a little more serious. I just think their silly.

And while we're on the topic of Shredder, I'll try not to spoil too much, but lets just say Splinter and Shredder have an interesting past.. (no, they we're not dating if that's what you thought... maybe I'm the only one who thought you thought that.) they used to be close friends, but something (cough cough, wifey, cough) came between them and after Splinter got mutated he turned Splinter's dojo into a cult, and renamed it. (I think you can guess what he named it to.)

And finally, about the turtles, they used to be experiments, so don't mind the scars :) (Especially on their necks... except Leo's. You'll see an explanation why he doesn't have neck scars in the comic.)

If you got this far, heres a sneak peek at the first frame of my comic!:

I'm doing a part color for the whole comic, btw. This panel alone too about 2 hours, so you can see why lol. Also I forgot their weapons but I'll turn that into meeting April. Or, the turtles already knew her, YOU meeting April. I hope you guys will like her, cause Casey and her are literally soul sibling.

[symmetricalkazekage]

Okay!! I'm finally done. My late entry for March's All 4 1 TMNT Challenge (late by my timezone since it's April 1 already).

See, after reading @m1dnyt3-w0lf 's entry (read here), and fucking sobbed, I could not sit by and let our poor Red banded bara suffer. So I told her I'd write a part 2 to hers, to give us some closure. I'm sorry if it makes zero sense, I wanted to get something out before time was up.

So without further ado, here is that part 2!!

⚠️MENTIONS OF UNALIVE AND BODILY HARM. PLEASE PROCEED WITH CAUTION⚠️

It had been several months now since Raphael had his heart stomped on. Ever since then, he had been on a warpath, throwing himself into his patrols and duties; he needed the distraction from Y/N, keep her off his mind. While Leo was taking pride in seeing Raph finally take their job seriously, Donatello could tell he was only doing it as an ulterior motive. However, every time he was asked if he were okay, Raph would always brush it off saying he’s fine; he would avoid any and all confrontation if Y/N’s name was mentioned. He wanted to forget, he wanted out.

However, it was hard. Try as he might, his heart had the tendency to remind him of the agreement, and it would be the most painful reminder. Most of his nights were spent in that secret part of New York’s under belly, pounding out his anger and heartache into the old tiles and concrete, before collapsing to his knees. He fought his tears, but they still fell; and every now and then, if New York was quiet enough, you’d be able to hear the scream of someone who’s heart was breaking into tiny pieces. His pain was becoming unbearable, and his thoughts began to get the better of him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Raphael stood atop a tall building somewhere in lower Manhattan, the breeze whipping the tails of his skullcap violently around his face. He was staring out into the streets, but he wasn’t seeing anything; or well, he couldn’t see anything. He was horribly drunk, swaying gently on the ledge. How long had it been now, a year? A whole year since that day, and he had reached his limit. Y/N hadn’t even tried to reach out and properly explain, he knew she didn’t have to, but it would’ve been nice. Just to ease his aching heart, even just a little. But she hadn’t. he tried to follow her, tried to leave little clues that he wanted to talk to her, but they had gone unnoticed. He tried texting, calling, something; nothing, it had all lead to nothing.

The familiar notification sound came from his communicator; his brothers. They had been trying to contact him. Assuming they had found his GPS tracker somewhere back in the lair, but he didn’t want to be found. Eventually, he turned it off, and took a deep breath. Then he felt it; all his pain and anguish, all the suffering, it hit him like a train. He didn’t stop the tears as they fell, he didn’t try to hold back the sob that escaped his throat, he didn’t try to stop the shaking that had overtaken his body. He swayed, and then, he fell.

It was as if time began to slow around him as he fell. He closed his eyes, and the flashes of his life burned into his mind. His childhood, his brothers, Master Splinter, April, defeating Shredder, Casey, defeating the Kraang; everything flashed through, including his agreement. This was it, he was ready to die, to end his own suffering.

“Shit! Are you okay?!”

Raph opened his eyes, he had reached the bottom. A giant pile of garbage bags and boxes had softened his attempt; he felt a stinging in his right arm and his side. He closed his eyes, he didn’t need to look to know that he was bleeding. He was hoping, if he lay there long enough, he might bleed out. He felt taps to his cheek, he had to open his eyes again. Who was this person, and why wouldn’t they leave him alone?

“Hey wake up!” the voice yelled, from the pitch, he figured it was a woman.

He batted her hands away. “Leave me…”

“Okay, we’ve got the biggest gash I’ve seen on your arm and side. I can’t put pressure on both, you’re gonna have to do that part.”

She had shoved some sort of cloth into his hand and practically forced him to keep pressure as he felt her wrap his arm up in something else. His vision was still blurred with tears, and he no longer felt the alcohol in him. He blamed his uberfast metabolism on the fact that he is a mutant with science bullshit that fixes itself. He was half listening to the unknown woman rambling about he she really should have paid more attention in her first aid class on how to tie a tunicate. He really didn’t want to have to deal with someone, so he mustered whatever strength he could and pulled himself from the trash, pushing the young woman aside. Instantly, a sharp pain shot up his left leg; he might've twisted something when he landed. Nothing felt broken so that was good, but he still wanted to be alone so he tired to walk away.

“Hey, where do you think you’re going?” the woman asked, running and throwing her arms out to prevent him from going further.

“Away from you,” he spat, he didn’t like her tone. He tried to step around her to leave, but she just put her hands on his chest plates.

“Not like that you’re not, you’re pissing blood everywhere!” She yelled.

Now Raph was getting mad, why was this woman in his way, and why was she giving him attitude? When he tried to sidestep again, she just blocked his path again. He was starting to seethe with anger, he just wanted to disappear but this woman was making it very difficult to do that. Just as he was about to yet again try and sidestep, his left leg wobbled and he fell to his knees. He was frustrated now; his attempts failed, he was now injured, no longer feeling the effects of alcohol, and now he couldn’t even get away from this human. Y/N’s face flashed over his eyes once more, and he broke down. He began to sob as the tears left hot trails down his cheeks, his voice barely audible.

He furiously tried to wipe the tears as they fell, but they continued to soak the edges of his mask making it feel heavier on his head. He so desperately wanted to move now, the human was still standing there, watching him too closely for comfort. He had reached for her to try to push her away, but she dodged him easily and stepped forward. He was expecting a lecture from a random stranger, but what he got instead was a soft hug around his neck. The moment had made him freeze, he wasn’t expecting this; was she pitying him, cause he didn’t want that.

“I get it now,” she whispered. “Only the most broken of hearts could make someone do something so silly… I don’t know who did this to you, babe, but I’m so sorry you had to suffer under their hand like this.”

“It’s not you like ya could understand how I feel,” he whispered back harshly.

She laughed softly, “Perhaps,” he felt her arms tighten around him, “but right now, I’m not gonna let you go through this alone. So cry babe, cry and scream. Let it all out, I’ll be right here.”

Raph gritted his teeth as he tried to stop his body from trembling, “I don’t…”

“Shh, it’s okay, I won’t look,” she hushed.

It’s not like he could’ve kept up the walls even if he wanted to, he gripped onto her body with his uninjured arm and let everything out into her chest. His cries echoed of the alley walls, his tears began to soak through her shirt, and he clung to her like a lifeline he didn’t know he needed. In the back of his mind, he had expected her to push him off after a minute, but she stayed, shushing him softly and rubbing comforting circles into the base of his neck. A feeling he didn’t know would help so much.

He didn’t know how much time had passed, but he had finally calmed down, his body now gently trembling from the onslaught that was just wreaked upon his heart and soul. And the mystery woman hadn’t moved, she hadn’t even shifted; she still stood there, although her grip had loosened. Raph took a moment to take a deep breath before he tried to stand on shaky legs.

“Thanks,” he croaked, guess all that crying did a number on his throat too.

“I’m not done yet, darling,” she said, tugging on his arm gently. “You’re still injured, so I’m taking you home to patch you up. I’ have a pull-out futon you can crash on too.”

She began to pull Raph along with her as she went around a corner into another alley. He wanted to resist, but his feet followed.

“How do ya know I won’t try and run away,” he tried to joke.

She half laughed, half scoffed at his poor attempt, “You can honestly try, but I’m pretty sure you just expended any energy you just had.” She looked back at him with a smirk before tugging on his hand a bit firmer.

After a minute, they walked up to a large gate with a padlock. She pulled out a key from her pocket and unlocked it with one hand. She pulled him into… a car elevator? She shut the gate and relocked the gate, pocketing the key before pushing a big green button on a panel. The rickety old thing began to move up slowly, going passed two floors before coming to a stop. She opened a second gate and pulled out, making sure she shut the gate behind her.

Raph looked around the space. He was no Donnie, but he guessed that this was a warehouse floor, but it had been renovated into a home, or it was getting there. Room dividers were everywhere, some in the shape of a square with a soft pink light flooding out from over the edges. He let himself be pulled to the pull-out and sat down; he watched the woman disappear into the kitchen behind the counter, then re-emerge with a big green box. She walked back over, and he noticed the box said ‘For Ouchies’ and covered in unicorn and car stickers. She set the box down quietly before opening it and pulling out a bunch of things; he watched her hands set out and organize everything before he remembered something.

“The name’s, Raphael, but everyone calls me Raph,” he muttered quietly, feeling if he spoke any louder he would disturb the silence.

“Lahni,” she smiled at him as she soaked a cloth with an orange liquid before going to clean his arm.

Raph winced slightly as he watched her work, by this point he had stopped bleeding, she was just cleaning dried blood and whatnot. He was always a fast healer, but that didn’t stop him from getting injured a lot more than he wanted. She patched his arm quickly before grabbing a clean cloth and moving to his side, she placed it on the gash and let the liquid soak and seep into the wound before gently swiping it away.

Raph watched Lahni whisper to herself before he turned to stare at the coffee table in front of him. He saw a photo laying face down, and he got curious. He reached for it, and what he saw made him tense solid. In the picture was Lahni… and Y/N. Raph felt his blood boil and bubble up, turning his now steel gaze to the woman hard at work.

“Who’s this…?” he asked in a hard voice. Raph watched her look up, watching her face also turn hard before going back to work.

“My evil sister…” she said coldy.

“Sister?!”

“Hush, child.”

“Explain.”

Lahni placed the last piece of tape over the gauze before standing. “She’s my sister, who cares. I don’t talk to her anymore.”

Raph’s looked faltered.

“What happened…”

“I went to lunch with her, and she was going on and on about this agreement she had with someone.” Lahni sat angrily on the edge of the table and crossed her arms. “This person apparently had no idea about sex or what to do, he asked her for her help. I told her it was a bad idea.”

“Why’d ya say that?” Raph asked.

“Come on, did she really think someone who hadn’t had sex before wouldn’t become attached or even develop any feelings? She’s such an idiot!” Lahni got up and started pacing. “What did she think was gonna happen?! He would be totally okay when she called it off? Ugh! What a fucking idiot!”

Raph watched as Lahni got herself worked up. If she knew that person was him, she would probably instantly change her mind; he was a mutant after all. He continued to listen to her get angry.

“At lunch, she laughed and started belittling him. Saying that he should’ve known better, but she didn’t make any boundaries, or keep things clear! SHE should’ve known better!! You can’t just do that to someone!!”

Raph went to calm her, but the sound of small taps made him freeze.

“Mama?”

They both turned, Raph immediately began shitting bricks. Standing next to where the pink light was coming from was a smaller version of Lahni. She was wearing what he picked as her mom’s shirt, holding a stuffed samurai rabbit rubbing her eyes.

“Ah shit, come here baby,’ Lahni coaxed.

The little girl wandered over, stopping when she saw Raph. He panicked as he picked up a cushion and tried shielding himself from her eyes. She stared at him, but then her eyes got big and she ran up to him.

“Mama! He has ouchies!” she squealed as she stared at the bandages.

Lahni laughed, before sitting back down on the table. “He does, but don’t worry,” she looked up to Raph and smiled, “I fixed him.”

The little girl stared before she climbed up onto the pull-out with him, she handed the rabbit to him and kissed both his injuries. Now, if he could blush, he would be red all over. Lahni laughed hard at his face as he watched the little girl stand up, getting right into his face.

“Don’t worry Mister. My mommy is the best fixer upper. And I have magic kisses, so you’ll be better in zero time.”

She had said it in the most serious tone ever, and Raph was taken aback quite a bit. He looked to Lahni for help, but the woman just kept laughing.

“Miwa, are you gonna introduce yourself?”

The little girl practically shoved her hand into his face, “I’m Miwa, and I’m dis many numbers!” he watched as she tried to hold up three fingers but was coming out as four.

Raph chuckled, before taking her tiny hand and shaking it gently. That night went on with childish stories and giggles, until eventually Miwa fell back to sleep. Every time Lahni tried to move her, Miwa protested, saying she wanted to stay with her new friend. It got to a point where they both gave up, so Lahni grabbed extra pillows and blankets and set up the pull-out for the three of them.

And that was the first night that Raphael had slept without any nightmares.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A whole year had gone by after that night, a lot had happened. Raph was babysitting Miwa for Lahni while she ducked out to the store, when she had an unexpected and unwanted guest arrive. Y/N. She had walked in expecting to see her sister, but instead found Raph. He had frozen, he didn’t know what to do. But Miwa had stood in front of him telling Y/N to leave, they didn’t want to see her.

Y/N tried and tried to convince her it wasnt nice to talk to her aunty like that, getting closer and closer. He watched her try to reach for Miwa, and something came over him. He grabbed Miwa and pulled her into a protective embrace, and he growled defensively. Y/N tried to explain herself, but she ran out time when Lahni returned.

A screaming war began, Raph turning and covering Miwa’s ears as she huddled close to his chest plates. Y/N left, and Raph finally told her everything. Lahni knew all along, she had figured it out quite early, he always avoided her family pictures that had Y/N in them. But, she didnt want him to relive all the bad memories so she didn’t mention it.

That night, Raphael sat on the couch. It was a more comfortable one he had picked up with his brothers help. After he had explained to them everything that had happened with Y/N, when Lahni found him and even Miwa. He had gotten the lecture of a lifetime from Leo and Splinter, but they were just happy that he was doing okay now. Reiterating that he could rely on them for anything he needed.

However, during his time spent with Lahni and Miwa, his heart decided it’d play matchmaker. Anytime Lahni was close, his heart would skip beats and he’d flush. Any moment spent with Miwa, he’d get this urge to protect by any means. Donnie had said that he’d imprinted on her, if that was even possible in a turtle. Raph didn’t want his heart broken again, but he was willing to take this chance.

Lahni was sitting next to him as they watched TV, Miwa asleep on his lap curled into a ball with her rabbit. Mustering up his courage, Raph put his arm around Lahni and pulled her close to his side; his arm slipping down her back to her waist, effectively pulling her even closer. He had expected her to flinch or stiffen, but she relaxed into him and leant her head on his shoulder.

She scoffed. “Took you long enough.”

Raph chuckled. “Keep you waiting long, then?”

“A little. But I wanted it on your terms.”

Raph smiled. “Hey I wanted to ask you something...”

She turned to him, “What’s up, hun?”

He sighed, “I know, it hasn’t been long... a year isn’t a lot of time... but I really like you...” he looked away from her eyes. “And... I was wondering... if you’d let me, be a part of your family...”

Raph heard Lahni gasp, he panicked so he continued. “I can’t really see myself without you now, you’ve made an impact on me...” he looked down at the little girl in his lap “and so has Miwa. And I wanted to know... if it’d be too much to ask ya...”

He hesitated, but her hand on his knee made him finish in a rush. “IWASWONDERINGIFYOU’DLETMEBEMIWA’SDAD!”

He squeezed his eyes shut, expecting her to reject him. But his eyes shot open when he felt Lahni kiss his knuckles.

“You know, I’d been thinking the same thing. But I wanted you to make that decision first, babe.”

Raphael’s smile couldn’t grow any wider as he pulled Lahni into a feverish but loving kiss, which she returned with just as much love.

When they broke, he laughed out of breath.

“I’m new to all this though... can you show me where to start?”

Lahni smiled at him. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Tags: @turtle-babe83 @thelaundrybitch @red-phoenixxx @post-apocalyptic-daydream @dilucsflame33 @leosgirl82 @tmnt-tychou anybody else that I cant remember!!

[reviilo]

well I finally finished TMNT 2012 and there are things I want to point it out:

the writers don't know what is coherence or continuity. like, what's the point of making characters go through the same developmental arcs over and over again like they're never able to learn? despite being able to quote raph's anger issues as an example, what bothered me the most was the plot "mikey is underestimated by his brothers and saves them in the end" and that's where i think all that stuff about putting mikey as a victim of a SUPER abusive relationship with his brothers came from. mutant wasp, mutant squirrels, x dimension and mutant frogs ALL WITH THIS SAME PLOT BASE

also in the mutant frogs episode, raph gives mikey a hug bc he was missing his little bro and both got awkward saying it was weird and they would never do it again but. they gave each other comfort hugs in second season after splinter's defeat and escape from ny so why, just why

please don't make me start on leorai. only thing i got from it's transfem!leo and i'm happy this way

they fucked up donnie and april's relationship so bad lol, and fucked april as a character just bc of it too. i felt like they didn't know the character they were writing. what's the logic within, during first and second season, make april aware of donnie's feelings for her (just watch metalhead episode debut) and being uncomfortable about or just ignore it and then make she kiss him in the EXACTLY EPISODE HE WAS GIVING UP ON HER. THEY DON'T HAVE ANY ROMANTIC DEVELOPMENT AFTER THAT, IT'S LIKE THE KISS NEVER HAPPENED. WHYYYYY

raph and monalise the only couple i care and will defend

literally don't understand why renet tilley was brought to this iteration. she has nothing to do with the principal plots (shredder and the kraang), never really helps the turtles (they always help her when she fucks things up) and the writers just wanted to give mikey a girlfriend no matter how to fit her into the story. even alopex who appears only in one episode has more importance

didn't like halloween special, mad max future and satanic cult episodes, but that's on me

ice cream kitty, leatherhead and chompy, i love y'all so much

well it's that. now i'm gonna watch rottmnt and 2003 version

[taowashere]

ROTTMNT theory time :)))

Spoilers for the entire series + movie

This is pure speculation and fun, and will only be supported by the lore of ROTTMNT not any other show.

So basically I’ve been trying to figure out how these badass overpowered mystic powers work because it’s more confusing than any fandom lore I’ve read so here’s a theory about that + a little more thoughts on mystic powers as a whole

One big point before I go all out on this theory, anyone can have mystic powers. They can be human, mutant, yokai, even the Kraang, all living beings can harness mystic powers with the correct training. This is slightly proven by Warren Stone being able to use an mystic stone without problems, April and Cassandra being able to use Aprils mystic Bat, and when April gets hamato ghost possessed by Karai.

So let’s get on with the main theory.

In the final episode, “Rise” Big Mama reveals something crucial to the show as a whole that the fandom didn’t really know about(due to the second season being hard to watch). When the turtles need her help to find out where Shredder has taken Splinter and Draxum, she says

“To harness a life force you would need the source of all yokai power, enperian”

Then when Shredder finds this ‘enperian’ it’s revealed that it came from a single Kraang who died either in battle or from crashing into the Crying Titan

From what we can concur, the Yokai (from Big mama be know “We yokai have existed for thousands of eons”) must have evolved from the blood/engine fuel from the dead Kraang. This being the very source of all mystic magic, but than what is Ninpo? I believe it’s just an technique that the Hamato clan learned to fight the Shredder. (Similar to demon slayer, how humans have found ways to defeat demons with ancient arts if you need a comparison)

Another point about mystic magic, is that it cant directly be accessed without unlocking it. I think weapons at the beginning of the series are more like a catalyst for the turtles to harness their inner power.

The weapons only unlock a small part of the turtles real power, such as Leo’s portals becoming twin katanas that teleport wherever the other is, Mikey’s “wip”becoming nunchucks that can extend and light on fire, and Raphs force fields becoming a lot bigger and durable. We’ll talk Donnie in a minute because he’s a special case. But thanks to the mystic weapons the turtles learn and adapt to their powers and train themselves around them.

“What about you, Donnie? Don’t you want a glow-y weapon?”

“No, I’m good. I’ll never let you go.”

It’s made clear from the first episode Donnie is the most reluctant about “mystic magic.”

Even if he’s against the emphasis on mystic magic, he doesn’t try and stop it entirely, he more try’s to find a way to make sense of it. In the episode “Donnie vs Witchtown” (or Hidden City Adventures II) he’s very adamant on being against the whole idea of something he can’t explain.

“Because, I’m the Science Guy! If mystic powers can do everything I can do but better, than why would you guys even need me?”

The whole “being insecure about your role on the team thanks to something that you can’t avoid” might have been dragged out a bit more in the series(if a certain company didn’t cut the second season in half and postponed the show). But Donnie being insecure, is the driving reason his mystic powers were so delayed. It’s hard for Donnie to accept mystic magic but when he finally does his powers start to awaken.

So these powers are awaken through acceptance, possible training, and a catalyst for those powers? Not exactly, but you’re on the right track.

We have to look in the future to understand how to trigger these powers. It’s seen in the first few minutes of the ROTTMNT movie how powerful F!Mikey mystic powers have grown. Even Casey Jr. awes at his powers and through his description of F!Mikey we know he was incredibly powerful.

“You are the most powerful mystic warrior the world has ever known. With those two hands, you send me back in time”

F!Mikey is even foreshadowed in the first episode of the show. When the turtles lose April after she tried to save Mayhem, it’s Mikey who recognizes the hidden city symbol from splinters “do not touch shelf”

“Oh, hey! I’ve seen this before! In fact, we all have.”

It’s Mikey who assessed the portal to the hidden city

"How about we let the artist of the crew take a poke at it?"

And Mikey is the first of the turtles to awaken his weapon the ‘Kusari-fundo Nunchaku.’

"Whoa. Magic weapon”

That begs the question, why exactly is it Mikey who’s the Badass mystic warrior? Why couldn’t it be Donnie or Raph, maybe even Leo? What separates Mikey from his brothers that makes him so powerful in the future?

Out of all his brothers Mikey does have one big attribute that his brothers all lack in, his ability to be vulnerable, and being in touch with his emotions. His biggest strength and weakness is his empathy and emotional intelligence, unlike his brothers whom are very dishonest with their emotions and problems. It’s seen thought the show his emotions and feelings land him into difficult circumstances and often get him in trouble without one of his brothers to to stop him from getting hurt.

“Look, Mikey, repo men have to be mean, and I don’t know if you know this, but you’re kind of a softie."

"That really hurts my feelings! Oh, you have a point. But I can do this. Hard as nails.”

“I heard something.”

“A model train. Simple answer.”

So with his more open mind and emotional vulnerability his mystic powers grew. This could also support the real reason Donnie could really use his powers. He’s the most emotionally distant of the brothers, being so uneducated on them he doesn’t know some of the basic emotions that people feel.

So in conclusion, mystic powers come from a lot of different things. They can be awaken though the acceptance that magic truly exists. They can be harnessed through a catalyst that enables the user control over them. And the thing that triggers and fuels them are emotions. Plus spending years training them will result in you basically becoming Dr. Strange.

Yes very confusing but if you want more evidence then you can just watch season 1 and the movie and pay attention to their mystic powers.

But that’s just a theory, a Rise theory!

[yzafre]

Hey I really really liked your tmnt 12/rise post! At first I was like, I don't know about this, but when your actually explained your point I think it made a lot of sense. The series strengths/weaknesses and how it messed with expectations. But I would like to also share if you don't mind, why I think its so frustrating that 12 isn't character focused. The plot in 12 is driven by the characters rather than being something that happens via external forces. 12s plot at its core is about the drama between Yoshi and Saki and how it affects their family. The Kraang kidnapped April's father, space arc kicked off because home planet was destroyed. All very personal. Karai deciding to go after Shredder or April's decision to keep away from the turtles are character decisions that affect the plot. You can absolutely have a plot that isn't so personal to the characters. 03 for example has a less personal main plot, so it makes the relative lack of character development less obvious. The character decision based plot made the character writing all the more apparent imo. (As for Rise I think having a first episode be more plot less character definitely was not helpful, nor was the wacky episode release order, and I think Rise dragging its feet on clarifying the plot included the turtles understanding of the plot, which made it difficult to understand the turtles perspective until it was retroactively filled in).

Hi! I'm so glad you enjoyed my rambling, and even more glad you want to talk about it!

My posts was definitely more focused on pure observation than any kind of judgement on what I think it should/should not have done, but obviously it's going to hit people differently depending on tastes and preferences.

You've definitely got a valid argument for why you would have preferred more character-focused work. I also would have preferred that - but I'm a big fan of character-focused, so I'm very biased. I tend to keep that in mind and try to meet the story where it's at, looking at the type of story it wanted to be (and taking everything it wasn't interested in as creative inspiration for the fandom space).

As for the actual content of your point, I both agree and disagree! That is, I agree with the premise that the set-up (Yoshi and Saki, April and the Kraang) is very personal, which seemed to naturally lend itself to leaning into the characters more. ((I've got several posts in my 'yza talks about a thing' tag that refer to this feeling.))

What I disagree with - sort of - is the statement "the plot in 12 is driven by the characters rather than being something that happens via external forces".

The plot is driven by the Shredder (and very occasionally be Leo).

And I would consider the Shredder an external force.

What I mean to say is, for a lot of the story the turtles - our protagonists - are very reactive. The Kraang are trying to destroy the world, so the turtles need to stop them. The Shredder is trying to kill them, so the turtles need to stop him. That's not really driven by their internal wants or goals. The story... doesn't really care want the turtles actually want? Other than to stay alive. (With another 'except for Leo' caveat.)

There are exceptions! You brought up the space arc, of course, which I think is a mix - the Triceratons just kind of came out of nowhere, you know? Earlier in the story they're actively trying to learn more about the Kraang because they want to help April with her dad, but that goes away half-way through the series. Trying to find/rescue Karai is a recurring internal motivation.

((I have a... very different estimation of how much Karai and April's actions actually affected the plot, so I'll leave that alone. How the writing handled those two would be an Entire Other Post.))

And I think your frustration might actually be the tension between how personal the set-up is on paper, and the lack of investment the turtles (excluding Leo) actually have with it? That it feels like setup that never gets a payoff. I might just be re-phrasing what you were trying to say, at this point.

As for Rise, yeah, I would generally agree with you. The production shenanigans Definitely didn't help. The way the plot drags its feet means it takes a while for things to get personal, which is when a lot of the best episodes start kicking in.

Anyways, maybe you agree with me, maybe you don't - we're kind of getting into opinion/perception territory here! But I love talking about stuff like this either way. Getting different people's perspectives is really interesting.

Thanks for the ask!

[annonniiiiieeeee]

so the turtle fam growing up in nyc has probably definitely never seen the stars right? right. while i was thinking about this little tidbit of information, obviously usagi showing leo the stars while in usagis world crossed my mind, but i had a different idea. what if the stars represent leo healing from the trauma of the kraang. hear me out, this is a long one.

so before the kraang, leo never saw the stars, because other than the shredder, there wasn’t really a huge traumatic event he had to heal from. after the kraang(im going off what happens in ur fic btw) he goes straight to usagis world, where he is bedridden. usagis world is nothing like nyc, and there’s no light pollution, so the stars would be very present. so for the first few months after the kraang, the stars where there, but leo couldn’t go out and see them. im thinking this represents that leo could heal from the trauma, or at least start healing, but he’s being held back. by what you ask? his brothers aren’t there.

once leo goes back home, he can’t see the stars, because nyc light pollution and all that jazz. so now he’s in a position where he can’t heal because once again he’s being held back. by what this time? usagi isn’t there. usagi was the one person by his side every single day since the invasion. he’s been nothing but supportive and loving, and now the one person who’s probably seen him cry more than his own family has, he’s been separated from. without both usagi and his family, leo can’t fully heal.

how does this end? idfk i’m just spitballing. let me know what you think lol

My friend. I love this

I always love symbolism and the fact that the stars themselves symbolize Leo’s journey is so good.

Your right he did so much healing at the Tenshu. Not just from the Krang but also just a lot of personal healing. Usagi has seen him cry more that anyone and is probably the person he is most vulnerable with. He had done so much growing and healing with Usagi by his side.

I tried really hard to make Usagi caring and understanding. He’s not perfect but he does love and respect Leo. He might not perfectly understand what he went through with the Krang but he is there for Leo.

Go back to New York with out his is Botha triumph and the biggest set back. Leo can heal with his family but he is also set back in his healing.

Where his family has had to face the city they saved and heal there. Leo has been healing while removed from both them and the city. Its why we are seeing way more flash backs in the new book. He is directly confronting his trauma. He is confronting his issues with Raph, the family, and the city itself. He is now surrounded by things that can trigger and flashback or panic attack.

At the Tenshu he could heal from the physical and mental scars as they came. Now though all that progress has been shoved back as he has to confront his trauma directly.

And he doesn’t have Usagi.

Usagi who was and is his rock. Who is always there to provide support or distraction. Who knows how to draw Leo out of his panic and sadness. Leo is navigating on his own. His family is trying to help. But they’ve been confronting everything head on from the beginning. They are mounted ahead of him in terms of facing each other.

Yet they are also so broken as they are now terrified of losing him again.

All their healing has been changed. Not a bad thing but challenges come with life, with healing and they are facing that.

Once Leo has both his family and Usagi it will be easier as he will have his full support network. It’s not going to be perfect but he’ll be able to start to see the stars as you say.

You hit the nail on the head in terms of Leo’s healing and you tied it up with a nice little symbolism as well. My hat is off to you.

[sacredartist33013]

Thought it'd be interesting to post a little sneak peak of orange wisteria on here.

“Did he leave already?” Leo nodded to his purple masked brother as he walked over to the loose burner and began the task he promised Mikey. “Usually we can get him to stay for at least another 30 minutes.” 

“Leo didn't even try to stall him for long.” The voice of their red masked brother chimed in as he walked into the main part of their lair, his usual scowl present on his face. “Apparently Mikey promised he'd tell us and Master Splinter whatever's been going on inside his head so fearless over here backed down.” Raphs face scrunched up slightly as he began to smell the familiar but annoying scent of that floral incense. “How the shell do we still not know what kinda flowers are Mikey using for that stuff anyway, even Splinters sandalwood stuff isn't as strong as this.” Raph complained as he walked away from the burner. Out of the whole family Raphael was the one most vocal about the dislike of how strong the fragrance of this incense blend was. 

“It is awfully strong for the first few minutes.” Leo admitted reluctantly. Even Leo and Splinter, who relatively enjoyed the smell of incense, couldn't handle too much of this blend at its strongest. It made Donnie worry if the incense was dangerous to animals but their father put a stop to that rather quickly. Splinter told them how it was a smell that reminded him of a particular type of incense the hamato clan used to lite, usually at night apparently. It also didn't affect any animals in a negative way according tk what he could remember of it. But they had stopped doing so when he was very young, so he couldn't remember what the flower used to make it was. Only that it was a part of some kind of effort at warding something off. “I still wonder what this stuff is supposed to ward off anyway? Bad luck? Raph scoffed a little.

“unless this stuff wards off our turtle luck then don't think so fearless. I swear that little nutball must be trying to ward off oxygen with how strong that stuff is.” suddenly Donnie shivered 

“Remember before we got him to cut it down to one lighting a day?” The two oldest turtles did not in fact want to remember that time. They swear the stagnant sewer air they usually had was much more appreciated than the feeling of choking on some sweet scent in the air. They literally stole the burner and were prepared to toss it out before Mikey literally barricaded himself in his room with it and refused to come out. Their youngst seemed truly horrified at the idea of scent not being in the air. Whispering to himself About how they won't be protected from whatever the plant protects them from if it stops. It took Splinter promising they'd leave his burner alone if he promised to only lit it once everyday for half an hour that he left his room. 

“Don't remind me Don, I swear my mouth tasted like flowers every time we went topside for a week.” Raph said with a slight gag. “Maybe Mikey can answer what he's burning along with why he looked like shredder and the kraang would burst into the lair if we had even a moment without it.” The concern the sai wielding turtle had wasn't lost on the other 2. They could all remember the sheer terror on Mikeys face when they tried staging an intervention on the subject,nor could anyone forget the scream Mikey made as he grabbed the burner and ran. It definitely made them feel off when they saw their youngest shaking in Splinters arms when he came out of his room, Apologizing for how excessive he's been with the incense to the point even he couldn't stand it. But something he saw when they had that fear fungus problem they were forced to deal with had stuck with him. It made him afraid of something only warded off by the floral scent apparently. 

“Personally I theorize it was some kind of Japanese myth he read about or a monster movie he watched. But there's behavior Mikey just hasn't shown before for me to be completely sure of that.” It wouldn't be the first time the youngest turtle spooked himself with something like horror movies and internet legends. But this time it felt different. More often than not the ninja clan could remember seeing their youngest assuring himself that whatever he saw 'wasn't real and 'didn't exist’ and maybe try to bunk with his brothers,that was expected. That was normal. For a day or two. Not a whole month. And it was them that had to convince him to bunk with them. And he still put up a small fight. As if trying to stop the older brothers from getting involved, it was a blessing that they knew how to get the youngest to agree to it.

//Okay so a little was maybe not the right answer

“Got any theories about his eye?” Leo asked, wondering if the resident genius had any clues to the mysterious injury.

“Just one.” Donnie confessed “based on the non external wounds or scars on his face it had to be an internal injury. And the fact that his vision is only blurred and the eye is relatively intact. I can only concur that it's a form of hyphema.” 

“Can you translate that from nerd speech?” Donnie did as Raph asked with an eye roll

“Because there's no outside injuries, I think Mikey suffered from of internal injury that caused bleeding in his eye.” that got oldest siblings eye's to widen. 

“What on earth could cause that?” Leo asked as he tried to remain calm, an internal injury that made his brother's eye bleed.

“Eye trauma is the most likely cause for damage that bad. Usually hemorrhaging in the eye doesn't cause such a big loss of vision for so long. But there's no evidence anything from dimension x caused any trauma. So it'd have to be inward.” 

[imagionationstation]

And also for the rise x 2912 separate au

that does mean the hidden city, and draxum and stuff exist

my idea for draxum is that he’s one of the scientists that made the mutagen that mutated the turtles but accidently got mutated himself. He ran, found the hidden city and became how he is in the rise show.

— ♊️

Connected to This Ask.

See, there’s a different between “Big Mama exists” and a Rise x 2012 au, mkay. I have about six hundred things to rethink. We’re stepping into unprecedented territory. I assumed the Hidden City existed (there is no Hotel without residents) but Draxum exists?? And he was a scientist that made the mutagen?

So what does that mean about the Kraang???

No, no, wait- I GOT IT.

Draxum was a scientist like Rockwell and Victor Falco who was working on the mutagen UNTIL he found out that the Kraang were aliens. Then he learned why they were on the planet and realized that he probably shouldn’t be working on this for them. Upon finding out that one of the humans were pulling away, the Kraang decided to eliminate a potential threat and take back their mutagen.

Since he’s “how he is in the Rise show”, maybe he intended to make the turtles using the mutagen. His experiments were interrupted by the Kraang who starting blasting things. Draxum touches goat DNA and turns into goat-man, stumbling away from the wreckage.

He sees an open portal, and hearing sirens in the distance, escapes through it to avoid getting back into Kraang hands.

Why was there a portal? Well, Big Mama had heard of a substance created within the city that could turn normal creatures into something more. She was keeping an eye on Draxum when the place exploded. The Yokai in charge of watching the place was there when crazy went down. They found a baby Donnie in the wreckage. Upon hearing the sirens and seeing movement in the rubble, they scooped him up and took him back to the Hidden City. From there, Donnie found his way into Big Mama’s curious appendages.

Now, Draxum thinks his turtle experiments are gone.

In reality, Splinter is drawn to the explosion and finds a sobbing Leo alone and injured. He accidentally steps on a rat, catching his balance on a dumpster coated in mutagen. After his transformation, the poor man escapes to the sewers to hide with his baby boy <3

The O’Neil’s were driving past a while after the place went ✨boosh✨. They almost hit the turtle crawling in the road, barely swerving out of the way. Toddler April claimed that turtle as her own. And Kirby, heartbroken over his wife and hoping to bring joy to her life, let her keep the turtle mutant. He keeps any suspicions about where the creature came from to himself.

Shredder had his Foot Ninja casing the joint. (Maybe he has suspicions of something happening within his city?) When the place exploded and the little freak of a turtle was launched at the building that they were perched on, the ninja were shocked to find it still alive. The tiny turtle struggled to move, brazenly attempting to hiss and bite when they came close. They scooped him up and brought him back to their master.

AND SO- Draxum has an obsession, similar to the show. And he thinks creating stronger mutant creatures will solve this. (Humans are mutant monkeys, apparently.) Draxum has spent his life trying to figure out how to rid the world of the Kraang. And he doesn’t care what he has to do to stop them from taking over. Or who he hurts.

And there you have it. ✨2012&Rise backstory✨

ALSO WHAT DRAXUM’S CANON?

WELL WHY DIDN’T YOU SAY SO-

(Based off the fight scene from Rise’s Bug Busters)

“Mother!”

Big Mama snaps her head towards Donnie’s voice, his arms pushing against the vines that hold him down, struggling to get out from inside them. He winces as they squeeze; the turtles trapped in her web cry out in alarm. The vines continues to coil tighter around shell as she picks up on the grin in Draxum’s tone. “It seems we both have something that the other wants.”

“Big Mama is not a high pillow to be intimidated, Draxy.” All premise of civility drops from her tone, letting a dark fury slip in. “Now I recommend you get off my primy-prom premises before Mama gets nasty.” 

“Oh, I plan to.” He sneers. “With my property. And you’ll let me leave, or I’ll squeeze your turtle until he pops. How’s that for a deal?”

“Ngghh-” Donnie’s hands slip as the grip tightens, pain and panic consuming his features. “Moh-hhh- Mother!” 

“Have it your way.” She presses the pad on her little boy’s invention. It releases the hover feature as her thumb taps a button underneath, pushing it over to the goat man. “Take the mutagen. But this will not be the last you hear of Big Mama.”

“Perhaps it should be.” Draxum lays his hand on the box. “Or I’ll do much worse.”

He flicks his hand and the vines holding Donnie whip, sending him flying. He slams into one of the glass windows that surrounds her office, carapace shattering it on impact, flying through to the street below. She doesn’t notice Draxum call out to his pets, or hear the turtles’ shout. A blur of green races past her and to Draxum.

She doesn’t pause to think. She chucks herself out after him. Glass cuts at her but her hairs prevent her from feeling a thing. She falls, her weight and momentum bringing her straight to him. 

She grabs him, burying the limp form in her arms, and shoots a web. It splatters against the building and she swings, launching herself into one of her lower floors. The room is vacant as she crashes into the bed, knocking several expensive items off the dresser and shelves. The room may belong to a human who won’t appreciate the mess, but she doesn’t spare it a thought. 

She uncurls from her protective ball, two large arms cradling him as her smaller ones cup his face, scanning for any major injuries. Her poor, innocent baby boy is cut and bruised from all the excitement, ever as light and tiny in her arms. “Oh, my clever, sweet boy. What kind of fizzlewinkle have you gotten us into?”

Obviously unconscious, he doesn’t say a word. She holds him close, moving over to the panel on the wall. She brushes along the side, mutant DNA unlocking the shield, and then flips it over. She presses the shimmering button, stating, “Send security up to my office. There are multious invaders and I want every one detained.”

“Right away, Big Mama.” 

[mushi2794]

Script- (it will be posted in parts)

Tmnt: The new Mikey, part 1

Mutagen darts made by the kraang had been found my the foot clan and plan to be used against the turtles to get back at splinter, but the turtles find out by the kraang giving away the information. Now Donnie is planning on stealing one for experiments to help make retro-mutagen to de-kraang New York. On their mission donnie succeeds on stealing it from the foot, but then gets it stolen from his hands by a new foe from the same planet as Racka Racka, Shak, a red lizard with yellow marbling all over his body, he is also very good at technology and has beam blasters. When he steals the dart, he plans to hit Shredder with it, but misses and it goes for Splinter, without knowing Mikey sees this and goes to save sensei, but he ends up getting hit with the dart and falls unconscious. All the family is worried and goes to retrieve Mikey then retreat back to the sewers. After Mikey got hit, Donnie has been examining him wondering why the mutagen isn’t doing anything, thinking that the amount in the dart isn’t enough to transform someone into a mutant. He then goes on telling the news to the others and they feel sorta relieved, but that doesn’t knock out the worries from splinter knowing that there is something missing but can’t get it out of his head. Donnie went back to his lab and continued his studies, while the others are trying to be positive. Splinter and April go to train but take Casey with them to train him as well, seeing as Splinter acknowledges his potential in martial arts with how he uses his hockey stick and the other equipment he’s made. Splinter goes to ask Leo and Raph to help train Casey, and Leo took this very seriously while Raph just wants to pound him to the ground. While training, Splinter had asked April to surprise attack them from behind to test there senses and focus, because it is reasonable to see how calm they really are about the situation with Mikey. Splinter knows the turtles well and that Raphael is the most affected by Mikey’s situation, because Mikey was always the one to help Raph and know how he felt at all times, when Raph liked something or did something he never does normally, Raph would just hide it or change the subject with anger and force never actually accepting his soft side as something useful, just another fork in the road. Mikey would be the one that made all his anger of himself go away and he would do this by drawing all that anger to himself by doing something stupid or funny, but that stupidity, was just the difference that made them different from everybody else, telling Raph in different words that nothing is useless and is always there for a reason. Raph knowing what happened to Mikey couldn’t hold back his anger and took the training a little to far, but before he could land a hit, April appeared out of the shadows and attacked Raph landing a direct hit on his shell not even noticing the crack it made, Raph was so caught up with anger he couldn’t even think. Leo observing what was happening and caught on. He went to tie Raph up before he could cause any more trouble. Splinter, hiding in the background caught on to and did the same but instead approached this as if he was a cat. He called out to Casey to move out and get behind him, but before he could, Raph grabbed on to Casey and slashed him side to side on the ground like a feral gorilla, then in a attempt to rip his arm off, Leo jumped in and attacked him distracting him from Casey giving time for Splinter to make his move and put him to sleep using the arts. Donnie then came in hearing all the commotion and was told to take Casey, seeing how badly Casey was hurt, he quickly brought Casey to the infirmary and had Metalhead do scans on him to identify any damage that cannot be seen. Casey had a broken arm and a few cracked ribs, but no further internal injuries that couldn’t heal on its own. All of them questioned why Raph went so feral but had one guess as to what started it, Mikey. With Raph paralyzed, Casey injured, and no telling what will happen to Mikey, it just made the weight of the situation heavier.

[whothefuckgavemeinternet]

I keep thinking about @somerandomdudelmao latest upload of his comics where Donnie dies in a turtle pile with his brothers. Mikey and Leo hug him, and Raph holds them all on his arm. I can't stop thinking about it, so I decided to write this to get it off my chest. I hope you like it.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Donnie usually feels a lot of things to the point of being overwhelmed by his surroundings. His skin always feels tingly to the touch, he can get irritated easily because of sounds, his throat gets grossed out by too many sweets, and sometimes he gets tired of trying to take in so many things with his eyes. It's a common thing for him; he's used to it, and it feels right. But right now, with Leo curled on his arm, Mikey on the other side, his hand resting above his heart, and the giant Raph-robot snuggling with their family, he can't feel a thing. He even has to concentrate to hear his twin's breathing, and Leo is snoring and drooling on his shoulder, with saliva creating a wet spot on the sleeves of his hoodie. He knows it has to be like that, but he can't feel the drool. He can't become uncomfortable because of it; he's too tired for that.

So instead, he tries to hate the Kraang. He has a list of reasons why he hates them:

They destroyed Raphael's body.

They took Leo's smile for several years before Casey Jr. came into their lives.

They took Cassandra away.

They took their Pops away.

Mikey had to grow up too quickly because of them.

A lot of families lost everything because of them.

All the technology humans had before was completely destroyed and torn apart.

The flora and fauna of the planet were destroyed to a point of no return.

He was dying and had to leave his brothers behind, April, Casey Jr., and everyone in the resistance who were their friends.

Yup, more than enough reasons, and he's sure he's missing a lot of other things due to his dull mind. Still, he can't get himself to hate them either, not because he actually feels some pity for them or something, but because he's exhausted from trying to do so. His brain just wants to think about other things, like, obviously, and against his cold bad boy image, his family.

He breathes, a little too shakily, making him cringe with the sound, and gives up that stupid fight of "Logical versus Emotional," letting his brain start craving on his memory about the years before the war. For sure, he missed those days. All the dumb jokes and funny times with his brothers, even when Shredder chased them! They were so young and carefree. Somehow he really believed they would be like that forever. Guess destiny doesn't like happy endings that much, huh?

He turns his head to look at each of his brothers. Raph has finally fallen asleep after an hour of being vigilant of his brothers. Mikey is murmuring in his dreams and clenching his hands softly. Leo seems to be between waking up for a few seconds and failing completely asleep. Donnie snickers and thinks about their shared insomnia, which not so surprisingly takes him to their first Turtle Pile. Donnie was around 4 years old, Leo was swallowing as much Jupiter Jim content as he could find, Raphael was learning how to control his force with their father's help, and Mikey was still learning how to make that low chirp thing that allowed them to speak like humans. He had just gotten hyperfixated on the circuits of a basic and old computer his father found in a trashcan some nights ago and was pulling an all-nighter to learn as much as he could about them.

 He had just started to make some sparks from putting the wrong wires together when Leo entered his "lab", rubbing his eyes and looking groggy, with a half-asleep Mikey hanging off his hand while chirping tiredly."Leo? What happened?"

He hadn't let go of the wires and had barely gotten his view off the disassembled computer and to his brothers. "Raph had a nightmare, the big guy doesn't want to be alone, and we're gonna have a sleepover. Come with us."

Leo yawned before offering his hand to his twin. Mikey looked at him with half-open eyes before reluctantly letting go of his newfound tech and taking his twin's hand, walking with them to the common room of the lair. Raphael was moving pillows anxiously with their father, just stopping when Leo put Mikey on his arm, and their father helped him lay down on the cushion in the center. 

Donnie climbed onto the net of pillows and blankets and got comfy beside the snapping turtle, leaving some space between the two of them. Leo curled up on the other side of Raph.Mikey was completely gone for the night, and Splinter put some weighted blankets on top of them, giving Donnie a purple one just for him, knowing that he wouldn't be too keen on the whole cuddling session. "Rest well, my sons. I'll be near if you need me." He gave them all a kiss on the forehead, letting the softshell last, who stretched out a hand to take his father's ropes.

Already groggy because of the sleepiness, he looked at the rat and asked in the best whisper he could manage. "Why are we doing this, Papa?"

"Because your brother is scared, Purple. This is our way to tell him we are here for him." Splinter kneeled in front of his son and pet his head with those little tuds he knew the little genius liked best. "It's a way of comforting him, making him feel safe."

"What is this called?"

Splinter thought for a few seconds and decided to just go with the easy shot. "A sleepover." His brothers were hearing the talk too, all of them too sleepy to care too much, but Mikey still frowned, puffing his cheeks and propping himself up a little with his hands, letting some chirps roll out of his tongue in a fast sequence, causing the laughter of his brothers and the confusion of his father."What did Orange say, boys?"

"He said we are a Turtle Pile, Papa." This time, Splinter laughed too and smiled tenderly at the small box turtle, stroking his cheeks affectionately. "Guess you're right, Orange. It's a Turtle Pile." He adjusted the blankets around the younger one before standing again. "Now, get some sleep. Tomorrow is a great day to play and learn some more, my sons."

Donnie smiled at the memory, feeling groggy, just like little Donnie so many years ago, and decides that he, as well, could give up to sleep now.