#leo Don’t kill usagi

[shorlinesorrows]

don’t be a coward

*aroaces your rottmnt leo*

[tmnt-2012-vengeance-is-mine-au]

Confrontation

[risedarksideau]

Introducing…

Hamato Raphael (18) After the invasion, Raph gets a whole lot of nightmares about the Krang and is always overwhelmed, which leads to him occasionally losing his temper. | After Splinter’s death, he finds a mysterious box in Splinter’s room that contains his journal, family scrolls, and secrets. He helps Donnie with translations while simultaneously managing his nightmares, temper, and making sure his brother’s don’t get killed (mainly Leo). Eventually, Raph discovers that he can tame Krang-infected people and makes the infected Foot Clan his family's guard dogs. This allows Raph to regain some sort of control over his trauma.

Hamato Leonardo (17) After the invasion, Leo starts going out at night to look for trouble. He starts to believe that death and destruction follows him everywhere he goes. It starts with fighting bad guys, but he gradually starts blurring the lines between bad and good. | After Splinter’s death, Leo adopts the persona of Death and really leans into this character. He goes looking for suspects and uses unethical methods to get answers. After he learns the truth about the Hamato Clan, he feels less guilty about what he’s doing. 

Hamato Donatello (17) After the invasion, Donnie coops himself up in his room and stays up most of the night tinkering with strange objects. He suffers from migraines, which is a side effect of integrating with the Krang ship. | After Splinter’s death, he switches focus and almost obsesses over the Hamato scrolls, which he’s tasked with translating. After knowing the truth about the Hamato Clan, he will find and utilize scraps from the Krang ship that crashed into Earth to build something that will ensure his family is protected. During this process, there is an explosion that causes Donnie to hallucinate.

Hamato Michelangelo (16) After the invasion, Mikey’s adjusting to his injuries and starts drawing Krang symbols in his art. | After Splinter’s death, his drawings become more vivid as his mental state declines. After uncovering the truth about the Hamato Clan, Mikey convinces himself that everything bad that happened to their family was for a reason. He seeks comfort in the Krang and will view them as holy beings whom he'll worship.

Yuichi Usagi (17) Usagi is on a mission to hunt down the man who had destroyed his village, and his family. He hires Murakami Gennosuke to help him track down and kill Hamato Yoshi. | After the deed is done, he meets Leo and helps him search for his father’s killer without knowing that Leo is Yoshi’s son. When Usagi finds out the truth about Leo, he’ll attempt to kill him. Usagi is afraid of the dark because he can hear the screams of his burning village.

Additional context:

Splinter has a secret box that is basically like an archive of all the bad things that the Hamato Clan has done in the past (I'll probably make a separate post that dives into the family lore). 6 months after the invasion, Splinter is killed by Usagi.

This post is describing what the turtles go through immediately after the invasion, when Splinter is killed, and the aftermath of uncovering their dark family secrets.

[tmntartblock]

TMNT LEOSAGI AU:

FIND ME IN THE FUTURE

Chapter 1/???

WARNINGS: BL00D, VIOLENCE

Introduction post:

CHAPTER 1: Everything changes

It had been a rough couple of months. Even though Shredder had been finally defeated, his little minions kept showing up. Leo was tired, always trying to keep up with their schemes but it was starting to get overwhelming. He spent countless nights planning strategies for every possible scenario, setting up his little ponds of everyone that Mikey had so kindly made for him. 

One late evening, as Leo was trying to come up a plan to invade an old storage house, Usagi appeared. Leo felt his heart filling up with warmth and the ponds dropped from his hands immediately as he went to hug his boyfriend that had been in his strict military realm for months. It was impossible to know when Usagi came to visit - sometimes it was only weeks, sometimes half a year. 

Usually it made Leo happy to see Usagi. Usagi made him feel at ease and he could focus on something else other than his responsibilities. But when Usagi appeared from a shiny blue portal, holding a little sack and tears in his eyes, the ease was nowhere to be found. 

“I am not going back”, Usagi said, voice trembling as he threw his belongings in the corner. 

“What do you mean?” Leo asked as he put his hand on Usagi’s shoulder. Usagi didn’t answer but hugged him, so tightly he could barely breathe. Leo felt Usagi’s body shaking so he held on as long as was needed. 

Usagi only started to talk when they went to bed. Leo sneaked some snacks for them from the kitchen and luckily nobody asked questions since everybody was already used to Leo spending days in solitude. 

“What happened?” Leo finally dared to ask. 

Usagi stared at his hands for a while. He didn’t touch the food Leo had brought.

“I… I had enough”, he said finally. Leo stared at him, eyes wide. They had been talking about it for years. Usagi hated the army and everything it represented. But he had vowed to his mother to keep his realm safe. It was about honor and Leo understood it too well.

“We don’t have to talk about it now”, Leo said. “Let’s talk with master Splinter in the morning. It won’t be a problem for you to stay here.”

Usagi smiled a little and gave him a quick kiss.

“Thank you, Leonardo-chan.” 

First days Leo felt happiness. Usagi was free. He was here, with him. But the inner struggle of leaving his home planet just seemed to eat Usagi’s mind, snickering in his consciousness. Usagi thought Leo couldn’t notice, but of course he did. Every time Leo asked what had happened, Usagi quickly redirected the focus on something else so Leo decided to leave it at that.

Leo could feel Usagi’s mind wonder. He could feel the distance growing every day between them. He wanted to  demand the answer but he just couldn’t bring himself to do it. He had to focus on the tasks at hand - bringing down the rest of the Foot. As long as Usagi was physically safe near him, it could wait.

After some weeks, Leo’s plan had been formed and they had taken into all precautions. If the current leader of the New York’s Foot clan was in the warehouse like she was suppose to, it was going to be a hard hit for them. 

“Guys”, Leo said and looked at his brothers, Casey, April and Usagi. “It’s been a rough couple of months-”

“When was the last time it really wasn’t?” Mikey asked blantly, staring at the plan at hand. Leo sighed and Raph slapped Mikey on the back of his head.

“Hm? It was a genuine question.”

“If I recall correctly, about… 5 years ago”, Donnie said, defining his last piece of tech for the attack. “It was that one morning before the mouser attack.”

“I don’t need a reminder how shitty our lives have been, thanks Don”, Raph said. “Go on with your great speech, oh fearless leader.”

“You kinda killed the mood for that already”, Leo said trying to not sound bitter. He knew his brothers listened to him when it was necessary but any extra words went over their heads as they lost interest. “I hope everyone knows their positions.”

That night, Leo, Mikey, Raph and Casey were on top of the warehouse, waiting for Usagi to get the thermal camera to its position. 

“This waiting thing is always so boring. Why we just didn’t get here when the big boss arrives”, Mikey said, snacking on his popcorn that Leo had specifically told him not to bring.

“Because, Mikey, we don’t know when the big boss arrives.”

“But why not arrive later then?”

“We cannot let her get too comfortable. Surprise is our advantage. Like always.”

“Wait, what the shell is Usagi doing, Leo?” Raph said, interrupting them from their banter.

Leo went quickly back to the window and saw the shadow of Usagi wandering on the floor.

“Why is he not coming back up?” Raph said and looked at Leo, who felt the cold rushing through him. Leo saw Usagi stopping and waving at the darkness. What-

Foot ninja.

Leo didn’t hesitate. He broke the glass and jump through, landing on the boxes under him and then jumped on the floor. He drew his katana and put it on the ninja’s neck.

“One wrong move and you are dead.”

Leo knew he needed to pay attention to the enemy but he could not help himself but stare at Usagi who just stood there, doing nothing, staring with his big brown eyes, being impossible to read. 

“Leo! Watch out!” Raph yelled from the above and suddenly the whole warehouse was overflowing with ninjas. Others jumped in to help them. The whole plan had failed miserably but why- what- 

He was surrounded. He saw a blade coming from one direction that he had to block and then dodge the other one coming from his side. He air-kicked two other people before he could flee to clearer soil. He had been preparing for a fight but not like this. 

“Leo! Watch out!” He heard Mikey yelling somewhere above and moved just in time to not get crushed by huge containers that Mikey had been able to push to fall. This whole time Leo tried to catch a glimpse of Usagi.

The doors of the warehouse exploded open. Donnie and April had gotten the message that something had went wrong.

Then, in all the hassle, Leo saw something that made his heart drop.

Usagi, talking with the enemy. What was happening? What was Usagi doing? When Usagi shook the hand of the ninja, Leo realized.

Usagi had betrayed them. 

No. No he couldn’t. Usagi could never.

But he was the one who didn’t follow the plan. He didn’t draw his katana because he didn’t have to. It was all on ambush to get them all killed. But why? How could Usagi do this? It couldn’t be. He couldn’t. 

Leo’s mind was racing, he tried to make sense of all this. Was this the reason Usagi had been acting distant? How long he had known? Was this some long run plan of years trying to get him and his brothers?

Leo felt sick to his stomach. Time seemed as it had stopped. He stared at the man he had so wholeheartedly loved for years, betray him, just like that. He got snapped back to the reality by the cold blade cutting through his arm, sending sharp pain through his body.

Leo knew he was badly hurt. He could feel the blood flooding from his arm but the only pain he could feel was from his heart as he stared at Usagi. Usagi had stopped to look at him as he laid on the floor. If it wasn’t for Raph Leo would have been dead by now.

“Usagi, please” Leo cried and tried to get up from the ground as the blood smeared everywhere. “Usagi don’t do this.”

He knew it was pointless to plead but he couldn’t help himself. Usagi stepped into the portal and just like that, he was gone. Mikey and Donnie helped Leo back on his feet. His focus was gone, the attacks that were once easy to dodge, suddenly could reach him. 

Usagi’s betrayal made everything blurry for him. Others it filled with clarity – destroy Foot, get Leo out of there alive. Raph’s rage could be felt through the whole battlefield, and no one got spared. The current leader didn’t get a chance. She was destroyed.

The rest of the ninjas fled when the leader was killed. Leo felt the adrenaline fading with his consciousness. It took all of Leo’s power to not pass out on the way home but it was mainly due to his brothers’ annoyance that kept him conscious. 

“Leo! Stay awake or I’m gonna use your katanas to spread butter!” Mikey yelled and slapped him once more. 

When they got back home and all the injuries were taken care of, Leo could only sit and stare into an abyss. His heart was pounding heavily and all he could hear was the blood flowing through his ears. Images of Usagi filled his mind, the anger in his eyes when he last took a look at him. 

“How are you feeling, bro?” Mikey asked quietly and sat next to him. Leo wanted to smack Mikey but he’s arm was hurting.

“What do you expect, dimwit”, Raph said and scooched between them. Donnie followed and sat on the armrest. 

“We are here for you, Leo”, Donnie said and tapped gently on his head.

“Yeah. If that traitor bunny shows up again he’s gonna be a goner after that”, Raph said in a serious note. “Nobody messes with my brother’s heart without a consequence.”

| next chapter

[sroloc--elbisivni]

"so how's the vacation writing going" well i made progress on a couple of the Actual WIPs i have posted and then i also saw this art by @wtf-a-psychoanalysis for space leosagi with usagi in the slave leia outfit and uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh i blacked out and came to with 2800 words typed up on my phone in the Notes app. anyway. love to commit sexual violence against a man via application of aliens amiright. went in a different direction than jabba the hutt, this is far future in the space bodice ripper au when the guys are running around having space adventures. cw: implied sex slavery.

“Well?” Leo hissed, prodding one of Donnie’s feet.

Donnie kicked him, face intent on his wrist computer. “I’m working on it. The camera network in this place is stupid big. Are we sure this is a guy and not an AI?”

“We’re not even sure he has the thingamabob we want,” Leo said. “Hence, you, hurrying up, in our near future, please.”

“Um,” Mikey said, peering through the slats of the maintenance tube exits. “Is this a bad time to mention—“

“Probably,” Donnie said, not looking up.

“—that the guy I saw earlier is standing right there?”

“What do you mean right there?” Leo shoved him out of the way for a better look and got an eyeful of draping black cloth and white furry leg. “Oh. Right there, right there.”

“Yeah,” Mikey said, pointedly.

“Listen, guys, I got this,” Leo said, and shoved the maintenance hatch open. “Heeeeyyy, sorry to ask, but do you mind just moving down the hallway whiiiiii…”

He got about halfway through his sentence before he pried his head out to talk with this stranger and convince him that they were just a couple of maintenance guys doing very important work who should not be interrupted. This was about when he got a good look at the man—very much a man—and lost his entire train of thought.

The legs that were uh, pretty muscly actually, revealed by the drape and cling of rich black silk shot with gold, led up to a belt of gold hanging low on some shapely hips. Trim hips. Put all your weight behind a solid punch shaped hips. The torso crowned with wrapping curls of gold around the shoulders and pecs was also muscled, in that really nice dorito-shaped bulk way. Scars crisscrossed the soft-looking white fur in more than a few places—a starburst on this hip, a slash on that shoulder, a scattering of burns like a meteor shower across the torso. Leo really wanted to touch all of them.

The look on the guy’s face said if Leo did that he probably would only get to enjoy it for like. Three more seconds before his untimely demise. He was some kind of rabbit alien, ears bound on top of his head and draping down like a fancy hairdo. There was one more scar over his left eye, arcing like an extra eyebrow and lending some punch to his glare.

“While what?” he asked.

“Um,” Leo said. Words. He could do words. Eventually.

The rabbit rolled his eyes, leaning back against the wall and bracing his elbows in a way that showed off his abs. “Listen. Whatever you’re up to, I don’t actually care. If you’re going to try to kill Hikiji, I’ll have to stop you, but until you’re at his throat? Not my problem.”

“We’re here to rob him, actually,” Mikey chirped, sticking his head out of the tube next to Leo’s torso.

“Great. I mean it. Please, rob the bastard blind.”

“Do I. Uh.” Leo shook his head dragging his tongue back into place. “Who are you?”

The rabbit smiled. It didn’t look like a happy smile. “These days? No one.”

“Nice to meet you, no one,” Mikey said, and Leo elbowed him back into the vent so he could pull himself up and get on eye level with the rabbit.

“So, do you maybe wanna help us?” he asked, hopefully. If they could just get this guy to come with them, a little longer, maybe he’d loosen up a little bit. He probably had a nice smile, when he was happy.

For the moment, the rabbit loosened up enough to blink and snort. “What the hell, sure. What do you want to know?”

“Where’s the vault?” Donnie yelled from inside the vent before Leo could embarrass himself by asking for this guy’s number. “This map is useless!”

“He has fake copies of the blueprints on the servers. The real ones are metal engravings in the engineer’s quarters and can’t be photographed.”

“That’s—horrifyingly impressive. I hate that.”

“So do the engineers,” the rabbit said, dry. “Which vault? There’s three, but I don’t think you want the one for alcohol.”

“Wherever he keeps the, the,” Leo snapped his fingers, trying to remember.

“The Mambrino basin,” Donnie said. “Smallish, gold, contains a code only activated when a certain fluid is poured over it?”

“Oh, that. That’s in the leeward vault. You’re about three floors too far up.” He pointed down the hallway, and Leo admired the pretty blue crystal on an elaborately wrought bracelet he was wearing. “There’s a ladder that’s been locked for the last year, but if you’re blocking the cameras, you can probably bypass that too.”

A brief squabble ensued as Mikey and Donnie both attempted to leave the vent at the same time and tangled up their limbs. Leo ignored them with long practiced and grinned charmingly at the hot rabbit, trying not to look at where the smooth arch of his hipbone jutted out beyond the edge of the skirt-thing. “Sooooooooooo…wanna come break into a leeward vault with us?”

“I’ll pass,” the rabbit said, but he looked softly amused. “You all are really going to do this, aren’t you?”

“Of course!” Leo swept a little bow. “Stealing from rich bastards is one of our specialties.” He straightened and winked at the rabbit. “Along with daring rescues, if you know anyone in the market for one?”

Oop. Wrong tactic. The rabbit gave this horrible sad little smile and looked away. “Plenty of those needed out in the galaxy, I’m sure.”

Donnie and Mikey had finally worked their way out and stumbled upright. Donnie looked the rabbit up and down and said “Your outfit is derivative and tacky, I could do better. Call me if you ever need a stylist. Where’s the ladder I’m opening?”

“I’ll—” The blue gem on his bracelet flashed three times, accompanied with three chiming tones. The rabbit straightened immediately. “Down the hall, that way, third door.” He jerked his chin, didn’t point. His pointing hand was too busy wrapping around the bracelet, which had started to blink.

Leo grabbed up the rabbit's wrist—he was clutching it like he was in pain.

This was obviously a mistake. The rabbit’s eyes flashed and he jerked back.

“Let me go,” he snarled, and Leo was startled enough to drop his grip entirely.

“I—sorry,” he blurted. The rabbit was already turning around and striding away, black cloth swishing between his legs.

Leo hated to see him leave, and somehow, he didn’t much like watching him go either.

“C’mon,” Mikey said, tugging at his elbow. “The next person who catches us out here isn’t going to be that nice.”

“Yeah,” Leo said, staring at where the stranger vanished. “Sure.”

They got all the way down the ladder before he persuaded Donnie to follow the guy on security cameras all the way back to the main throne room of this big evil villainous castle on a meteor they were infiltrating to pass the time.

The rabbit walked in from a side door, not the big front one, and headed right for the big fancy dais where a human-looking alien in black and gold and brown was sitting like he owned the place.

The rabbit walked up to him and dropped to his knees. The guy, who had to be the Lord Hikiji they’d come here to rob, waved one hand for the rabbit to approach his fancy bench throne. When he came in reach, Hikiji took his chin in one hand, possessively, and held him in a bent-forward position that looked like it would be murder on the back.

The rabbit had his someone-else’s-untimely-death look on again, but he wasn’t…doing anything. Just standing there while Hikiji was saying something they couldn’t hear.

Hikiji turned his gripping hand into a caress down the rabbit’s throat and let him go. The rabbit moved to the side of the bench and dropped to the floor, leaning his back against Hikiji’s legs and staring at the wall. HIkiji rested one hand on his head like a Bond villain stroking a cat and seemed to forget about him.

“Hey, broskis?” Leo said, staring at the tiny screen like this might be the day he developed the ability to kill things with his eyes. “Change of plans. We’re going to destroy this guy.”

[boots-with-the-fur-club]

The Teenage Mutant Phantom of the Opera Chapter 9, final chapter!

@daboyau

“Leo! Stop!” Usagi shouts.

The crowd watches them all in confusion, not knowing yet if this is just some weird twist to the opera.

Other actors on the stage know it’s not in the slightest.

“He kissed you! On stage!” Leo shouts back, gripping Donnie’s collar tightly.

“It was a fake stage kiss to get you down here!” Usagi insists.

Leo looks over at him with betrayal all over his face.

“You……helped him trick me? You wanted me to do this!?”

“It was the only way! I can’t just let you keep being the phantom!”

Leo’s face drops completely and he turns back towards Donnie.

“You turned him against me!”

Donnie smirks up at him.

“He knows you’re living here and about the wall! Nobody will let you stay here anymore. You’re coming home with me.”

Leo punches him, making everyone watching have collective noises of shock.

“Wherever you live is ruined by your mere presence! You destroyed everything I’ve worked towards! I hate you!”

Donnie recovers from the punch fairly easily.

“I’ve heard and gotten worse! I wasn’t asking either!” He suddenly plants his feet firmly on the ground and lifts lower half up.

Leo gets shoved forward which allows Donnie to slip out from under him.

Leo stands up and grits his teeth.

“I don’t care what you do, this ends now!”

The actors make their way off stage in a panic which clues the audience in on the fact that none of this is supposed to be happening.

All of them begin running as well.

Donnie takes out his tech bō that was folded up in his costume pocket.

“This is ending now. You’re not spending a second more away from our family.”

Usgai moves between them.

“Both of you! There’s no reason to fight! Leo, staying here alone isn’t healthy for you. You’re not well. You need to talk to more people than just me, and you need someone to take care of you! The life you’re living isn’t really living.”

Leo can’t help but be angry.

“How am I supposed to want to go with him or trust you after what you’ve done!?”

“Well, all you have to do is- THROW!” Donnie launches his tech bō at Leo.

Leo dodges at the last moment. The tech bō flies into a metallic box that starts shooting out sparks.

The sparks begin setting the wooden stage ablaze.

“Donnie, get the fire extinguisher!” Usagi warns.

Donnie rushes to grab one while Leo feels himself fill with fear. His entire body starts shaking uncontrollably.

The fire spreads way too quickly for the fire extinguisher to stop it.

They all suddenly find themselves becoming surrounded pretty fast.

Donnie panics as he looks around, abandoning the now empty fire extinguisher.

“We have to get out!”

“We don’t have a gap in the fire to get out with!” Usagi says with fear.

Leo takes a shaky breath at hearing how scared he is and tears open a portal beneath them.

The three fall through and land with a thud on the catwalk.

The fire hasn’t reached up there yet but the heat and smoke have already made its way.

Leo is on his hands and knees, unable to keep himself up anymore from sheer terror.

While his brain doesn’t hold any perceivable memories of the fire that deformed him, his body clearly does.

Donnie and Usagi cough as their lungs burn.

“Leo, you have to teleport us out of the theatre!” Donnie shouts.

“You…..you did this to me….you’ve taken everything from me….why should I even want to leave here!?” Leo tears up.

“Because your life won’t end if you leave! It’ll just be different! Probably even better! If we don’t get out, it definitely ends here!” Usagi pleads.

“How will it get better!? Nobody is going to want me! Not his family, and not you! Not after what I’ve done! I loved you and now it’s all ruined!” Leo tears up even more.

Usagi is stunned into silence.

The pictures were an indication of obsession, but he didn’t know it was love.

“Leo! It doesn’t matter! Dad, Raph, Mikey, none of them care how many people you killed!” Donnie insists.

Usagi snaps out of it.

“Wha-the phantom never killed anyone!”

“Seriously? Well, that further proves my point anyways! Yuichi isn’t going anywhere and neither am I! I did all this just to bring you back with me! You are not going to be alone! In fact, Mikey not even let you go to the bathroom alone and it might get awkward!”

Leo starts gripping his mask, wrestling with what to do.

An ember falls at his hand, making it jolt and nudging the mask off his face.

He’s too late in grabbing it.

The starry mask falls off and is consumed by the flames.

He grips his bare face instead, looking back at Usagi and Donnie.

Donnie has moved closer, trying to shield both Leo and Usagi.

Everyone’s coughing gets worse as the smoke billows around them.

Leo shuts his eyes tight and creates another portal under them all.

They wind up outside on the ground, a safe distance away from the theatre.

The three of them are wheezing from the smoke still in their lungs.

Leo’s eyes start closing.

The last thing he sees is Donnie reaching towards him as black spots take over his vision.

When he wakes up again, bright lights blind him.

He squints and attempts to lift his hand to shield his eyes but feels that something is holding it down.

Once he glances down he sees the rat there. He’s asleep on and holding his hand.

Leo desperately wants to move his hand away, but he quickly remembers that his home is gone and his secret is out.

He and his family are the only people he has since Usagi probably will never want to see him again. There’s no way Donnie was right.

Tears start dripping down his face. His body shakes slightly.

Splinter starts to stir and he blinks away sleep before his eyes widen as he sees Leo awake.

Leo moves his legs a bit, insecure knowing his mask is gone and his burn is fully on display.

Splinter’s eyes fill with tears.

His mouth opens and closes.

He’s trying to figure out what to say.

Leo waits, not wanting to be the one to speak.

Splinter finally does.

“I dreamt about what you would look like if I hadn’t failed, sometimes.”

Failed?

“I dream of you a lot. I thought about you every day. I….I wondered what you would have liked. How your personality would be. I never forgot the way….you smiled at me, reached for me. I was supposed to protect you. I know I didn’t. I will never, ever forgive myself for it. You hate me and I don’t blame you. You deserve so much more than me but I want to at least give you something. I swear on my life that I will keep you safe this time. I will make sure you have a place you can be comfortable in, and you’re always going to have someone to rely on. You don’t have to love me, or even like me, but I need you to let me take care of you.” Splinter continues, very close to just absolutely sobbing.

Leo’s starting to get blinded by tears.

There’s so many things he wants to say, to ask.

Somehow, even with all the options, he can’t figure out which one.

The harsher options are dying on his tongue when he can see that Splinter meant every word he said.

“Did you always want me?” Leo finally asks.

Splinter holds both hands over Leo’s and squeezes.

“From the moment I held you.”

Leo pulls his hand away.

Splinter’s hands stay in the air where he held it. He purses his lips as he tries to contain his heartbreak.

Leo slowly sits up and pulls him into a tight hug.

Splinter can no longer prevent his crying and sobs into Leo’s shoulder.

Leo allows tears to pour down his face.

He’s so warm, and his fur is soft, smooth.

“Y-You’re not going to change your mind? You promise?”

Splinter pulls alway to put his hands on his face.

“There’s nothing you can ever do to make me change my mind.” His thumb rubs the burn on Leo’s face.

“Even…..even with this?” Leo asks quietly,

“You’re perfect, Leo.”

Leo takes a shaky breath.

He’s perfect?

He’s perfect.

“Thank you.”

A loud and long gasp catches their attention.

Mikey is standing there, jaw dropped as he holds a bunch of vending machine snacks in his arms.

“You’re hugging without me!? No fair!”

Splinter let’s go of Leo, knowing what’s about to happen.

Leo doesn’t.

Mikey dumps the snacks onto a table and leaps into Leo’s arms.

He holds him out of reflex and is reminded of how he clung to him when they first met.

“Are….all of your sons like this?” Leo asks as Mikey starts nuzzling his cheek.

This doesn’t make his skin crawl like last time.

“Clingy? Yes. Desperate for more family? Also yes.” Splinter answers.

“This is so great! I was worried you wouldn’t come live with us after last time! You can taste my cooking and look at my art and we can watch cooking shows together and have sleepovers!” Mikey’s eyes sparkle.

“Uh….sure.” Leo says sort of awkwardly.

Mikey squeals happily and keeps holding onto him like he’s a favorite toy.

He doesn’t exactly hate the feeling.

“Donnie! Get back to bed! You need to rest still!” A voice shouts from behind the curtain.

Leo recognizes it as Raph despite only hearing his voice once.

The curtain is thrown open by Donnie who’s in a hospital gown.

His eyes scan the room from Splinter, then Mikey, then finally on Leo. A proud smirk spreads across his face.

“I knew you woke up!”

Raph looks over at Leo as well. Their eyes meet only for Leo to look away uncomfortably.

Even though Splinter said they were all enthusiastic, the last time he saw Raph he was far more cautious than both Donnie and Mikey.

Mikey sees this interaction and a playful look spreads across his face before he let’s go of Leo and hops onto the floor.

“Raph! Leo is freezing, and he told me he hasn’t eaten in days!”

Leo looks at him quizzically.

“I never said-“

Raph charges forward, grabbing the snacks from the table in one hand and an extra blanket from the cabinet.

He wraps Leo up snuggly in the blanket while also putting an arm around his shoulders.

His plastron is against Leo’s arm as he opens up a snack and places it near Leo’s mouth.

“Come on, no little brother of mine is starvin on my watch.”

Leo takes a bite of the candy in front of him as he sees he has no choice.

Raph has an incredibly comfortable arm that he leans his head against as he keeps getting fed.

Donnie crosses his arms and smiles smugly.

“You never stood a chance against being in this family.”

Leo swallows the last bite of the snack.

“Where’s….Yuichi?”

“His smoke inhalation wasn’t as bad as ours so he was able to go home. I suppose not even mutation can trump our turtle DNA’s pension for upper respiratory issues.” Donnie explains.

Leo frowns, pressing his face more against Raph’s arm.

“He’s not coming back. Not to see me.”

Donnie’s smile turns into a smirk.

“My dear brother, it’s visiting hours.”

Leo’s eyes light up.

“Is he…?”

“He texted me a few minutes ago that he was on his way here. He’s coming to see you too.”

Leo smiles.

Splinter takes Raoh and Mikey with him to give them some privacy when Usagi shows up.

“Hey, Leo. How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay. I guess I’ll be going home with Donnie after this. I….I’m sorry. I put you through a lot.” Leo looks down.

Usagi wrings his hands together.

“You did things that weren’t right. You also helped me when no one else would. This has been….a lot….and I’m going to need some time to figure it all out.”

“I….understand….”

“But….when I do, I’d like us to start over. As friends. Will that be okay with you?” Usagi asks nervously.

Leo slowly nods.

“I know I can’t expect you to return my feelings after what I did. I don’t deserve another chance, but thank you for giving me one. I hope you and Donnie will be happy together.”

Usagi and Donnie blush deeply.

Donnie makes a cut it out gesture just in time for Usagi to catch it.

“Y-You like me!?”

“Leo! He didn’t know!”

“Whoops….”

Usagi covers his face with his ears in embarrassment.

“I can’t believe I’m this oblivious! I was just really happy to have two friends!”

“And….now that you know….?” Donnie questions.

Usagi moves one ear out of the way.

“It wouldn’t be fair to you or Leo for me to give an answer right now. I think we all need time.”

Donnie sighs in relief.

“It has been somewhat exhausting experience. Don’t worry about my feelings. I want to focus on helping Leo as well.”

Usagi smiles softly at them both.

“Then I’ll let you get to it. I’ll message Donnie when I’m ready. See you later.” He leaves the room.

Leo looks at Donnie.

“Congratulations, I guess you won.”

Donnie walks over and bumps his arm against Leo’s.

“I say we both did.”

[nani-nonny]

So talking about " A man's trash is another's treasure " what ideas you had for LCD, WDS, DMD & Reunion but then decided to not go for it?🤔

Oh geez, I had to go through their respective document files for this one because I don’t remember lol

Let’s see…

I honestly thought DMD wouldn’t have any but there’s only one. It’s a quote that I didn’t get a chance to write it into the story or in the prequel: Hamato Chronicles. It was supposed to be F!Raph’s final words to F!Leo, in an alternate death idea I had for F!Raph where F!Leo was going to sacrifice himself so F!Raph could escape. But F!Raph knew he wouldn’t make it, even with F!Leo’s sacrifice.

“You’re the face man, Leo. You aren’t meant to die early.”

WDS has yet to finish so I’ll save on sharing anything that may or may not get in. :D (I’ll get back to him eventually)

I think the more obvious answer for LCD was the idea of him losing his partner, Yuichi Usagi, which aided in his spiral towards revenge and anger. But another idea was that LCD’s story would have ended much shorter and with his suicide. I also would have extended his time in the Battle Nexus where he was forced to fight to the death as a warrior in the arena for his crimes in the Hidden City. And instead of being bought out by a rich guy who wanted revenge, he would’ve been stolen by Big Mama for her Battle Nexus.

Have I shared the Warrior Intro for Achilles in the Battle Nexus when he should’ve been a contender rather than the jester? I can’t remember

Oh! In a different path, Casey Jr would have been the one to kill F!Leo… big ouchie to the heart, huh?

As for Reunion, he was originally meant to be a oneshot but I’ve been expanding his universe behind the scenes with little intent on writing an actual story for it :D

I think that’s it… honestly a lot of these deleted ideas were for LCD lol

[life-set-to-random]

I really want to know which one would win in an honest to goodness duel. No mind-control, no assassination attempts, no interruptions, just these two, their unbridled skills and bokken. Because we don’t want anyone getting really badly injured or killed after all lol.

Usagi has his unusual style he inherited from his master Katsuichi and a few years of experience on Leo.

Meanwhile Leo being younger means less old injuries to aggravate and his Ninjitsu techniques would allow for more… creative strategies.

[annonniiiiieeeee]

how does usagi, katsuichi, and tomoe ame react to leo’s score of 11, leo’s murder spree, and leo winning the games

Leo’s score

They are impressed/shocked.

It’s rare for anyone to score that high

District 12 has never scored that high.

They have no idea why or how he got that score. What secret skills he has. They have been watching all of the tributes trying to come up with strategies for their kids but Leo had never seemed like a threat.

He is now

They tell their kids to avoid him. The 11 could be from survival skills but most likely at that high of a number it was from combat skills.

Later on once the games are over Usagi can think about how impressive that score was and how talented Leo is with duel blades. But those are thoughts for after Leo wins the games not before, not when there as two kids Usagi’s trying to keep alive.

The murder spree.

I just wrote about this but I’m going to make Leo’s allie come from district 10.

A young 13 year oils boy named Rakuyou

He is one of Usagi, Tomoe Ame and Katsuichi’s tributes

When Leo first finds the boy they are all certain it’s over for the young boy. He’s already injured and Leo is an unknown and dangerous tribute.

Instead Leo helps the boy out. He endears himself to all three victors. Leo gains nothing from helping the boy. Killing him after all that hard work would just make Leo look cruel and monstrous to the people of the capital. He endears himself more when he takes the kid under his wing.

They had all had to kill young kids or watch them die in their own games. They all wished they could have helped the younger kids like Leo is doing. If their 13 year old can’t win Leo wouldn’t be a bad victor to have among them.

Then Rakuyou dies. They all knew it was going to happen. Usagi won at 14 and Casey at 13 but that was with massive capital support and or years of prior training. Rakuyou had none of that. The boy didn’t stand a chance and if Leo hadn’t found him and helped him he would have died much sooner

They think they’re about to watch Leo die as well but he stays back until the careers leave. He has a small burial for Rakuyou. Nothing the size or scale of what Raph would do but it is the precursor. The first time someone mourned a different district.

Then he’s on the hunt.

He goes after careers and careers along.

Usagi and Tomoe Ame think they are going to watch him die but Katsuichi’s been at this a while. He can recognize a man on a mission.

Leo starts taking them out one by one. Usagi and Tomoe ame are equal parts impressed and disturbed. The Leo they and watched up until this point was gentle now he taking kids out left and right. They know it’s necissary. It’s how they won their games. But it’s still jarring to watch and they barely know Leo.

Katusichi is not ShopRite’s though he is saddened that the games claimed another gentle soul to their blood lust.

Or had they

Leo stops.

Leo stops when the last career falls. He doesn’t hunt down the other tributes. There’s no point they didn’t kill his friend.

Katsuichi’s shocked. He’s never seen anyone stop after a rampage like that. Usagi and Tomoe Ame don’t know what to think. Leo should keep going. He should keep fighting like this and win. Not sit down and wait for the enviable.

Leo’s victory

On one hand Leo’s spree plays into the districts being savage, on the other his stopping makes it very clear. He was avenging a little boy who died to soon. He is a capital favorite. He was charming in interviews. He made a splash in the parade. The capital people love him.

While president saki doesn’t like Leo’s morning of another tribute Leo still fits the role of victor well. He’s a savage. He also looks so broken by the death of his friend and his own actions. He doesn’t mind letting Leo win if Leo can survive

The game makes need the games to end, Leo’s not hunting and the other tributes are hiding, so they force a disaster. They flood the arena. Leo, a red ear slider, is the best swimmer in the group.

To Katsuichi this is the game makers letting the capital favorite win. It’s happened before. That doesn’t mean he’s not impressed by Leo’s performance. Leo is scarily comps dent in combat yet he choice to help another tribute. Katsuichi’s will remember that. He will remember that Leo tried to help his tribute. And he will repay the favor

Tomoe ame is surprised by the victory. He is the first victor from 12 ever. But she’s surprised he had the strength to swim. After his rampage he seemed to just give up.

Usagi is glad he won. If it couldn’t be one of his own tributes that won at least Leo seems to have some honor to him.

Leo seems dazed in his post interview. He gets the reputation of being a little crazy. He’s still charming and appealing but every now and then this haunted look over takes his face. It’s very prominent in the post interview.

None of them get to actually speak to Leo h til his victory tour and the next year tribute parade.

[dragongirldg]

My leosagi, I think it would be hilarious if Raph didn’t trust Usagi because Leo had the biggest crush on him.

“You’re right Mikey, I should calm down. It’s just that Leo always gripes and complains about how we all trust too easily when Leo wasn’t even the least bit suspicious of Usagi (who was breaking and entering a place when we first met) because of his crush. I shouldn’t worry about him or the FACT THAT HE COULD BREAK HIS HEART- SHATTERED IN TO A MILLION PIECES!”, Raph punched a hole in the table.

———

Leo with a love struck look, smiling at an annoyed Usagi and trying to hang out with him.

“I’m ready to go! Your friends are waiting for us, right?”

Usagi sighs as he tries to explain that he just wants to hang out with them alone.

“Well…then it could be the two of us next time! Like a date- like what date are you free? I-I would really like to hang out! With you! Alone! Unless you want to invite someone! That’s fine too!”

“Look, if you promise to chill then fine, you can come. But please, don’t embarrass me! I mean, you’re a nice guy, but my friends don’t warm up to others that easily.”

“Oh don’t worry about that! I am the most charming person I know! W-well beside you I mean….”

Leo grabs onto Ugasi’s arm with a big blush and an innocent smile. Usagi tries not to groan and looks over Leo’s head when he felt a glare.

Raph looks like is about to kill him, so he easily slid his arm a way, hold them up with palms open. He sweated.

“How about we just go?”

Leo tilted his head before looking behind him, Raph had a pleasant smile and waved. Leo waved back enthusiastically.

“Bye guys, I have a date- I mean hang out with Usagi! Together! With his friends!”

Leo turns and Raph went back to killing Isagi with his snarl. Usagi will have to protect Leo if he wants to live.

Leo grabbed Usagi’s hand to pull him a way. Raph was smiling again because he was in Leo’s line of sight.

“Hurry! We can’t be late!”

Leo would giggle as Usagi had a pit of dread in his stomach. He was in for a long night, hopefully this can’t get any worse?

———-

Blah blah blah Splinter walks into one of Raph’s rants about how felt like Usagi was taking his brother a way.

“What are you talking about boys?”

“Usagi.”

“Oh Blue’s little friend? He’s such a nice-“

“Leo has a crush on him.”

“Never liked that Usagi boy anyway.”

Raph would glare at Donnie, who shrugged.

“What? I’m only stating facts!”

“Uh pops, don’t worry. I don’t think he’s into him-“

“Why not? My little blue is charming! He takes after me! Is not good enough for him? Is he stuck up-“

Leo bursts into the room with tears in his eyes. Raph is on high alert.

“What’s wrong? What happened? I’ll kill-“

“I had a fight with Usagi! He probably hates me now!”

“Pretty sure he already hated you.”

Splinter slaps Donnie with a shoe.

“Owe, sorry. Right, not helping.”

“Calm down, my son. I’m sure it’s not the case. What happened?”

“Well…I was following him near our usual meet up spot get snacks for his friends before meeting them…”

Mikey encouraged him.

“I noticed the convenience store clerk was kind of cute… so I flirted with him a little. You know how I am! I wanted a discount. Usagi thought we were taking too long so he cut into our conversation. I didn’t get that discount. Bummer.”

“Leo.”

“I know…anyways, after we left, he was acting all mad and it was annoying because he has no reason to insult the clerk! They didn’t do anything wrong! This and that happened and we were yelling and Usagi said he wished he never met me! In front of his friends! I felt so embarrassed that I had to run a way….”

Raph hugged Leo with Mikey and Donnie had a robotic claw patting him. Usagi chose this moment to come in, still irritated and trying to talk to Leo.

He couldn’t for Splinter was on him with a slipper.

“Leo, look. I didn’t-“

Usagi ran for his life.

Mikey patted Leo’s shoulder with a smile, before immediately chasing after them with a scream.

————-

Do They work it out or does Usagi die do to unknown reasons? He would only be a splatter on the wall.

Why is Usagi a little mean to Leo sometimes?

Usagi is one- two years older than Leo.

How many times does Leo stutter small, accidental confessions to Usagi, who ignores every single one of them?

Leo is way too obvious that Usagi knows Leo likes him, but who knows what Usagi even feels about him in general?

Usagi at one point tried ignoring Leo completely, but that didn’t work as Leo didn’t notice. (If he did, he didn’t show it. Because if he did, he would ignore the hurt in favor of trying even harder to be liked.)

Usagi has no intention of leading him on, but every time he was nice- Leo would be flustered and more in love.

——-

In any case- I think it would be cute! Raph switching from caring older brother to I will fxcking bite your head off.

[seaghosst]

For the ask game, imma spam you with questions :3

🏙️ What is the main setting of your au?

🧫 Were your turtles mutated intentionally or on accident?

💉 Do any characters get mutated during the main story?

🦹 Who is the main villain?

😡 What is your villain’s motivation?

☠️ Does anyone die in your au?

😍 Are there any romances in your au?

👤 Are there any oc’s in your au? 💛

🐇 Is there a Usagi in your au?

⚔️ Is there a Karai in your au?

Sorry for so many, and answer as many or as little as you like! :]

Hope you have a great day/night!!!!

YIPPIE I LOVE YAPPING

🌃 the main setting in san francisco, california :D that’s why it’s called bay area

🧫 both! donnie and leo were mutated on purpose (specifically to imitate kappa >:)) and raph, mikey, and splinter were mutated on accident

💉 yeah! mutagen is once again created during the third arc in which stockman makes mutants to serve the shredder. alongside that i wanna include some mutant allies. though i haven’t decided exactly which mutants i’m including, most likely leatherhead, mona lisa, and mondo gecko cause i think they’re silly :)

🦹 the main villian is oroku saki who is the current shredder, though different arcs will focus on different villians

😡 shredder’s main motivation is wanting to fufill the foot clan’s goal of conquering the world. the foot clan believe that they are the strongest and therefore should rule over the world, this is a worldview saki somewhat inherited when he joined the foot clan and later when he became the shredder

☠️ so far i don’t have any plans to kill any major characters cause i’d feel bad 😔 i’m pretty attached to them. shredder will die when they defeat him but other than that no. oh wait actually shredder is gonna kill hun when his plan fails after arc 3

😍 yes and no? there’s nothing concrete but i have ideas… mainly i want to ship leo and usagi cause i’m insane about them in every universe. i want to give april a girlfriend at some point and that’s looking like it’ll be karai but we’ll see. mona lisa and raph will also probably get into a relationship but i haven’t decided how it’ll work yet since i need to decide mona lisa’s role

👤 i think when i get to the battle nexus arc there will be, cause i think i’ll make an original chaarcter to be in charge of the nexus as well as original characters to fight in it :)

🐇 eventually yes… i’m torn between making the usagi a crossover from another universe or an usagi who is from the turtles universe… leaning towards it just being srtuc yuichi usagi cause i love him so much

⚔️ yes! she’s the adopted daughter of oroku saki and next in line for the title of shredder >:)

here’s a drawing a did of her :)

[faded-neon]

…..I’m here now, I guess.

Leonardo Hamato. Former leader of the Resistance, older twin of the Disaster Twins, former brother to Raph and Mikey, former husband to….Usagi. Sensei and mentor to one Casey Jones Jr.

Surprisingly, the giant death laser that probably should have killed me didn’t. Now I’m...I don’t know. Bringing my brothers back. Trying to figure out how to live life without the threat of an apocalypse hanging over my head, making new friends, getting better coping mechanisms, that sort of thing.

….well. I could probably use some entertainment in the meantime, so send your questions and such my way. Or don’t. No sweat. Just know that I’m in possession of a very sharp sword if you send any explicit or bigoted shit. And stop simping for me, for the love of god, it’s starting to get weird.

(Bad!Future Leo, kind of a “what if” package with @n30n-le0n.)

[pickledcarrotsandradish]

HOW DO THEY GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER, DO THEY SAVE HUMANITY? WHAT ABOUT APRIL? AND THE FOOT CLAN? AND CASS?

THAT DRAXUM WINS AU BRO

BRO WHAT HAPPENS

HEHEHEHE HEHEHEHE SO SO IMA GET THERE BUT FIRST

I gotta talk about Draxum’s relation with the turtles. We’ll start with Leo and Raph

SAME WARNING FOR CHILD ABUSE BELOW CUT

Leo: For Draxum, he had always intended Leo to work in strategy and planning first. All the other turtles were designed for either working alone, or in Donnie’s case, not fighting at all. But Leo was supposed to go out with his Yokai army and was supposed to be able to properly lead and guide them during the chaos that is battle and win.

So, Draxum sends Leo out to a military academy. And, it goes very very well for Leo in the sence that he does very very good. This is still Leo and he is just as eager to please as ever. He especially wants Draxum in particular to take notice and praise him for how good he’s been doing at school. But, Draxum takes careful notice not to do this. He wants a strategist and a soldier, not a son.

Eventually, Draxum pulls Leo out of the school. He injects him with a serum that artificially accelerates his aging. In a week, Leo goes from 13 to 16 and freezes there before Draxum decides that’s good enough and he’s waited long enough. (Leo made a friend at the academy named Usagi. He hoped to see him again some day.)

Unfortunately for Draxum, he realizes a bit too late that he made a mistake. Mainly, Leo is too good at what Draxum designed him for. Quickly and with increasing frequency, Leo is able to find holes in Draxum’s plans. Leo is able to find more efficient ways to carry out Draxum’s orders that Draxum had never thought of. It is Leo who sees when a battle will lead into an ambush and how to masterfully avoid it while still winning the fight.

Not only does Draxum notice Leo doing all of this, but Draxum sees his army noticing as well. And Leo is also so much more charming, and a better speaker, and a better motivator, and his army seems to like Leo more than him and--Draxum realizes a bit too late that he has made his replacement.

That, if Leo wanted to, he could kill Draxum and his army would probably cheer.

Now, Leo would never even consider doing this. The dude has been doing all of this and giving it his all in the hopes of Draxum one day acknowledging his talents and hard work. That Draxum would praise him and be proud of him. A daddy’s boy through and through.

So, when Draxum pulls away and is visibly dissapointed when Leo points out where Draxum could be more efficient, when Draxum becomes cold after Leo goes the extra mile on a mission, Leo picks up what happened. And, he stops.

Now, Leo only does exactly as told whenever told. This has the effect of the Yokai army losing interest in the once charasmatic Leo, but it increasingly unnerves Draxum. Leo now only speaks when spoken to, never tries to do anything other than what Draxum wants and without complaint in action or appearance.

Unfortunately for Leo, doing this leave Draxum increasingly weary and ofput by Leo. The goat yokai cannot get a read on Leo no matter what he does. He knows what Leo is trying to do. Leo knows that Draxum knows what he’s trying to do. And so on and so forth.

This game of 5-D chess they keep playing makes it so every thought and action Leo makes goes through an internal board of review before he does anything.

While Leo still interracts with the Yokai army the most out of his brothers, the army now only has respect for Leo and nothing else. No positive emotions, but no negative emotions either. Leo just always does exactly as he’s told and that’s it. Any complaints they have would be complaints against Draxum. And they don’t want to voice those.

Raph: He was designed by Draxum to be the brawller. A living tank if you will. To go out and cause widespread damage against the enemy while taking hit after hit. So Draxum sends him out to a school focused on strength training. When Draxum hears word that Raph has some anger issues and that they’ve had to repremand him for how he treated some of the other students, Draxum is thrilled. While Raph felt awful for loosing his temper, Draxum encouraged it. Having a brawler who couldn’t control his anger was ideal.

Because of this, Raph is pulled out of the school early as well and is trained alongside Draxum’s budding army. All of Draxum’s soldiers learn to fear Raph and give him a wide bearth. Meanwhile, Draxum does everything in his power to continuously aggrivate and grow Raph’s rage. Raph’s room is made to be as uncomfortable as possible with barely a bed to sleep on, his uniform itches and is made from irritating fabric. Raph is praised when he shows unrestrained anger, and repremanded when he holds back or is not as intense as he could be.

However, the drawback to having such an unstoppable living tank is that it may one day turn on you. And Draxum realizes this, like with Leo, just a bit too late.

While Raph would never turn on Draxum for the same reason why Leo would never, Draxum cannot take this chance. He installs a chip into Raph’s arm that Draxum can either cause Raph pain to intentionally aggrivate him, or can explode if Raph ever turns on him. Additionally, Raph is fitted with many restraints around his neck that are uncomfortable to wear. These also serve a double purpose of making Raph appear even more intimidating and isolating him even further. Everyone working for the Yokai army knows to never approch or cross Draxum’s Guard Dog.

[forestwhisper3]

Teaser for the next chapter of Dragon of the Sun:

Despite his rough arrival, Leo had to admit that Usagi's world was...beautiful.

It was strange, walking around in broad daylight. The warmth of the sun felt almost unfamiliar without layers of clothes hiding everything beneath, and being able to freely walk into the village he'd spotted before without anyone running or screaming at the sight of him felt...nice.

Mikey would love-

Immediately, his heart clenched tightly in his chest, and he had to take a moment to center himself as he remembered yet again why he was so desperate to get home.

                           XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Done already?" he asked when he saw Mikey get up from the couch without his comic. "You just sat down not too long ago, didn't you?"

It had only been a few minutes, in fact. Regardless of the amusing and ironic fact that Mikey was a speed reader second only to Donnie, even he couldn't have finished it that fast. Especially since he knew Mikey liked going through them a second time just for the artwork.

"I'm gettin' kinda hungry, so I was gonna get started on lunch," Mikey grinned, but it was a bit too stiff. Too...off.

Something was wrong. He had a good idea what it was, too, but going by how Mikey kept fidgeting in place and his eyes refused to meet his, he wasn't going to get anywhere if he tried to draw it out. He'd missed the chance to do that weeks ago.

He just had to be patient. Mikey would come to him eventually. He always did.

"Just let me know if you need help."

He allowed the unspoken meaning linger between them, and felt some of his concern ebb away when Mikey's grin shifted into something much more genuine and warm.

"You got it, bro."

                               XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"We must make haste to Edo," Usagi said, bringing him out of his thoughts. "Do you know how to ride a horse?"

"Oh. Uh...no. Not exactly a lot of opportunities to do that where I'm from."

"Then we will procure just one other and ride in pairs." His friend smiled a bit. "Perhaps, should we find a moment to spare while traveling, I can teach you some of the basics."

He perked up at the offer. He doubted there would ever be a time he'd need to know how to ride a horse in New York, but learning obscure things had become a sort of secret hobby of his over the years ever since Master Splinter had taught him about alligator pressure points. It was always fun to see the absolutely gob smacked expressions of the people around him whenever he knew about something or managed to pull off a move or skill no one expected of him.

It was a trait he shared with-

The excitement that had built up in him faded, although he did his best to smile back.

"Only if there's time. I don't want to put Lord Noriyuki in any more danger."

"Of course," Usagi nodded.

He paused for a moment, as if he were going to say something else, but ultimately kept moving.

His mind was quick to drag him back the moment silence fell between them.

                         XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Someone, quick!" Donnie exclaimed. "Grab the-!"

Scepter, he finished in his mind. If they managed to grab it, then Drako and the Damiyo's son wouldn't be able to freeze them like they had Raph, and it would make it easier to fight them. It was a good plan. Probably the only chance they'd have of making this fight turn in their favor.

But they'd anticipated the move, and in moments, they were all frozen in midair.

"Uh..."

All of them, except for Mikey.

He felt ice shoot through his veins at the enraged snarl that echoed through the air. He could see the hatred that burned in their eyes. The desire to destroy. To kill. And it was all aimed at his little brother.

His little brother, who had been left to face it all alone.

"Insignificant insect! You only delay the inevitable! There is no- Gah!"

Something shot passed them, and it wasn't until it clattered to the ground after hitting its mark did he realize that it had been a pot lid. He felt a spark of pride wriggle through the worry and panic, even as another part of him wanted to shake his head. Throwing weapons specifically designed for it was one thing, but throwing things not meant to be thrown was harder than it looked. It said a lot about Mikey for him to have it done it so well under duress.

The panic returned stronger than before as Mikey sprinted forward, eyes focused on the falling Time Scepter. His expression was determined. Resolute in a way he'd never seen before- even when facing down the Foot and the Shredder. Then again, he'd never had to face such a threat on his own before now.

He should never have had to.

Casey cried out in shock somewhere behind them, but Leo was too focused on Mikey as he lunged forward, hand reaching out for the scepter as it fell.

He didn't even have time to yell out a warning before a large tail slammed into him, knocking him away and into one of the support pillars hard enough for part of it to break off.

"Mikey!!"

Mikey slumped to the ground unmoving, his plastron cracked and a trickle of blood dripping down from the back of his head.

Leo felt his heart stop.

"MIKEY!!"

                             XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"-san. Leonardo-san!"

He jerked back into the present, Usagi frowning slightly at him as he held the reins of a horse. Still, his friend didn't question it until they made it back onto the path outside the village.

"Such lack of focus is unlike you, Leonardo-san," he murmured quietly. "Are you well?"

"I'm-..."

No.

"I-..."

I'm not.

He trailed off, words failing him as he struggled to keep everything at bay. In doing so, he missed the way Usagi's frown deepened.

I'm...scared.

But he couldn't falter- not now.

His family needed him.

[bluepeachstudios]

No Room for Dying Update

Read "Chapter 6: Anything You Need" here!

“The Shredder is a force that would not be stopped until he was forced to,” Splinter explained. “Karai, however, has some sense inside of her. Despite her actions against us, her regard of human life is not nearly as flagrant.”

“I don’t know, Sensei,” Raph shook his head.

“What about Leo?” Donnie asked.

“He will make the right decision.” Splinter’s eyes lowered.

Leo released Usagi’s hand when they got to his room. He stood still in the center, fists still clenched.

“She tried to kill me,” Leo said. “She tried to kill my family. She thought she had. She hunted them down, destroyed our home, after I gave her chance after chance. She spit in my face every time and I’m just supposed to… I’m supposed to save her?”

Leo turned to look at Usagi, who was watching him with a calm demeanor. Something about the way the rabbit gazed steadily at him made Leo’s stomach stop feeling so queasy.

“I agree with you,” Usagi admitted. “If I were in your position, I would have slain her after she attacked my family. If I faced her in battle, I likely still would for all she has done to you.”

Leo stopped, fists releasing, staring back at Usagi. “So you think we should let her die?”

Break time for the boys! And also some more insight into Usagi.

Read the rest of the chapter here: No Room for Dying - Chapter 6 - AmevelloBlue - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - All Media Types [Archive of Our Own]

[lackablazeical]

So I know that you said the turtles don’t encounter the krang in this au. But I’m honestly curious on how they would handle the krang? Like would they struggle as much as the originals or would they have an easier time dealing with them?

I think about the same, maybe a smidgen easier?

The boys are much less concerned with causalities, and are completely fine torching buildings covered in krangg material down and killing 'infected' that get in their way, so things go quicker that way. Donnie and April would be waging chemical warfare, LMAOOOO. But they also aren't used to group fighting like this, and haven't experienced such a combined and difficult enemy. They'd be having a bad time trying to teamwork it :P

Look, this is indulgent of me but I do think Leo would still do a sacrifice move. Perhaps because Usagi was about to and Leo shoved him out of the way, if he needed to save his brothers, etc etc. But he would, and the lasting silence after is HEAVY.

Mikey just breaks down sobbing, trying to figure out what the hell he needs to do to activate his magic because while Leo can survive in the dimension for a little while, Mikey NEEDS his brother. Just NEEDS him. Donnie can barely process just the amount of negative emotion he's feeling, and Raph just. Drops cuddles and reaches for his brothers and holds them for a bit cus they don't know what to DO.

Usagi is ofc having a crisis bc Leo just did something selfless and this is gonna cause a whole NEW ISSUE with how he views Leo and DAMMIT FUCK-

They get Leo out ofc, Leo is bragging about being everyone's 'hero', end scene <3