#leo leonardo iii

[anarkrist]

mastodon crosspost: companion drawing to the aeris I posted on twitter earlier this year

[mymoonsight]

I’m making a Baldur’s Gate 3 team that’s the Rise!TMNT boys… Except I can’t figure out what class to make Leo 😬

Add any arguments in the comments and let me know if you want updates but I need help y’all 🙏🏼

The rest of the boys are:

Raph > barbarian

Mikey > warlock

Don > rogue

[jellynardo]

I'm. not sure what just happened for the past like 110 minutes.

[kittypancake]

Charming

Idk, I still Lupin III stuck in my head so this just became a thing. Would they wear earrings on their masks tails, or on the mask fronts? I think I like on mask tails for some of them.

[transformers0]

And also featuring behind-the-scenes from the first and third movies, too.

Behind the scenes The Secret Of The Ooze 1991.

[revitalizationrat]

Kofi

Art tag: #my rat art

My sideblog for art: @bootleg-grandpa

Masterpost

===================

Crusade of a lonely turtle

Leonardo doesn't die after tossing Casey into a portal.

He's all alone in this apocalyptic hell...What will he do now? Is there anything worth fighting for?..

(angst, angst and most importantly: angst )

(although there will be some fluff or at least bitter-sweet moments)

Chapter I- Beyond the black stump

Chapter II- Memories of another life

Chapter III- The day he was found

[part1], [part2], [part3]

Chapter IV- The core of our strength

[Part1], [part2] [part3], [part4], [part5]

Chapter V- Lioness

[part 1]

(More to come)

===========================

The Mustachello

(au of coalt, basically Donnie gets a mustache and shit happens; good future???)

Start [here], [p2], [p3], [p4], [p5], [p6], [p7], [p8] ,[p9], [p10], [p11], [p12], [p13], p14

===========================

George

(Mikey finds a PECULIAR friend, shit happens)

Start [here], [p2], [p3], [p4],

===========================

ReviSplinter AU

(Ok, so basically my sona - a rat - adopts 4 turtles, shit happens)

===========================

Ides of March AU

(Leo brings his Gram-Gram back from the dead, shit happens)

===========================

🚫Click at your own risk🚫

[ethicaltreatmentofcowplants]

sulani: night four, household two's rotation - part iii (part ii)

note: completely au. cw for character death. other people's sims used with their permission. ty again @ravingsockmonkey for your help with bo!

“Er, Bo? I take it that levitating jacuzzi is you?”

“NO ARAMINTA, IT’S YET ANOTHER LOW LIFE THAT YOU KNOW WHO DIED ON THE ISLAND. YES, OF COURSE IT’S ME. SO YOU’RE HERE TO GET ME TO LEAVE THAT ARSEHOLE ALONE? ARE YOU GOING TO ASK ME HOW I’M FEELING? HOW IT’S GOING? IT’S GOING GREAT, MINTY. THANK YOU FOR ASKING.”

“I… was actually going to ask if you wanted to talk. Or to just sit together for a while.”

“Ah, plum. Sorry, Minty. And sorry that this arsehole dragged you here to sort out his mess too.”

“He did invite me here, true. Well, ‘summoned’ more accurately. However I’m here for you, and you alone. He thoroughly deserves to be reminded of the consequences of his own negligence, and you are right to feel the way you do. But I don’t like to see you so angry and hurt. May I try and help with that at least?”

(shares the emotional burden)

“So. That’s what you get to do if you actually have caregivers invested enough to make sure you achieve some PARENTHOOD character values, huh?”

“Caregiver, singular. My father only pays attention insofar as me being a nice looking and high achieving trophy that he can show off to his friends. And somehow take all the credit for my successes whilst doing so. Sorry - I shouldn’t be complaining about things like that to you.”

“Nah, go ahead and complain. It sounds like we may have to swap bad parents stories at some point, heh. And besides, it makes me feel… almost normal, I guess. At least now I don’t have to worry about keeping myself fed and watered - ha ha. And I only have that kind of ‘emotional’ tiredness. You look exhausted.”

“I am so tired, Bo.”

“Me too, Minty. Hang in there, alright? You might actually have a shot with Dodo. Don’t let potentially having Leo as an in-law put you off.”

“Oh look, what’s that? Is it a bird? A plane? No, it’s Leonardo Harper’s over inflated sense of self-importance careening so far into outer space that it’s heading towards the sun!”

(both laugh)

“Erm, Bo? I’d rather like a bath while I’m here, please.”

“Oh! Yeah of course. I’ll go haunt that mini-bar again. Maybe I can get drunk by osmosis or something.”

“Take care, Bo.”

[phoebepheebsphibs]

Please, whatever they offer you... DON'T FEED THE PLANTS!!

ACT 3

@boots-with-the-fur-club @daboyau @tmntaucompetition @littlemissartemisia @shiveagit @shiveagit-arts @thevoidbrothers @noval1t @kathaynesart @bluepeachstudios @amevello-blue

CW: Panic attacks, cringe musical references

(Special thanks to boots-with-the-fur-club for helping write the NFIF bois!)

Prev || Next

Names and abbreviations (sorry there's a lot, we have a big cast for today's performances!) : UIFY = Until I Found You NFIF = No Fun in Fungus Leon = UIFY Leonardo 'Phael = UIFY Raphael DvD = UIFY Donatello Mike/Mikey/Micheal = UIFY Michelangelo AudRaph = Swayed Raphael AudreyTello = Swayed Donatello LeonAudro = Swayed Leonardo MichelAudrelo = Swayed Michelangelo AudRai = Swayed Karai rhg!Donnie = Rise Hunger Games AU Donatello Raph = NFIF Raphael Donnie/Dee = NFIF Donatello Leo = NFIF Leonardo Angie/Angelo = NFIF Michelangelo

The show must go on...

AudreyTello turned around just in time to watch as the explosion blew AudRaph several meters back, slamming him into a wall while the majority of the room that housed Audrey III crumbled to the ground. As the glow of deep cobalt, violet, crimson, and bright green filled the room, it chased away the neon electric blue, causing each and every spore it came into contact with to disintegrate.

"NOO!!!" AudreyTello screamed in pure fury. He gripped his head, the familiar ache returning as he could feel the hold over NFIF Donatello started to weaken.

"You... you WRETCHES!! You think this will STOP ME?!"

"Well, we certainly hoped so," Spider-Dee mumbled.

"You pathetic, insignificant, worthless, meaningless, little trifles of trauma-riddled turtles!!" AudreyTello screamed.

"...This might be a shot in the dark, but I think we made him just a teensy bit mad."

"OH, YA THINK?!"

AudreyTello's battleshell erupted with furious weapons building one on top of the other, the purple glow blending with the blue infecting his ninpo. But piece by piece, the purple was starting to take back control...

"It... it's working! The sway is breaking!" Spider-Dee pointed.

"Then let's break it all the way!" Ghost shouted over the commotion, grabbing Spider-Dee and DvD out of habit and jumping away from the spray of mystic missiles and bullets.

Meanwhile, in the rubble, a shield of ninpo created by the infected Hamatos kept MichelAudrelo, AudRai, and poor little Misa safe from the destruction.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THE HAND.PNG SET A FIRE AND BURNED DOWN THE HOUSE!" MichelAudrelo screamed in anger, clenching his fists tightly.

"One less enemy to worry about," AudRai stated calmly. "What is the damage?"

"Our base has been destroyed," MichelAudrelo growled. "Quite obviously."

AudRai held her head as she groaned.

"Our true form... has been wounded," she grunted, looking up slowly.

The mushroom was half-destroyed in the corner, the cap singed and burning slightly, the hyphae curling as the fungus screeched in agony. Leonardo sat under the stalk, his body half-freed, but the blast had knocked him unconscious. He laid limp against the roots that kept him anchored to the floor, half-destroyed and withering beneath his weight.

"They will pay for this," MichelAudrelo snarled.

Blue/gold mystic chains started forming as he approached the battle, seeing the non-Donnie team come round the corner...

"Okay, so the room was destroyed, the spores are dissipating... you guys know what's next?" Leon asked, making sure the plan was still in effect.

"We'll get going to save all the zombies," Spider-Shine said with a smile and a nod, gesturing to the other Spider-Teetlez as Spider-Dee reunited with them. "Get the antidote to anyone with glowing blue eyes!"

"Great, the rest of us will stay behind to help free the swayed and eradicate the rest of the mushroom!"

The Spider-Teetlez shook hands with the group, saying fond farewells before swinging away to complete their quest and save the rest of the AUs...

"Okay then, now we--"

"RUN!!" 'Phael shrieked, pointing to an army of golden chains coming their way.

MichelAudrelo smiled cruelly as he sent the chains to grab at them, the contestants and supporters scattering quickly in all directions to avoid his attacks. One chain grabbed Leon and dragged him forward.

The slider was bound by the ankles and hung upside down in front of the mystic warrior.

"Hello, worm," MichelAudrelo said with a smile.

"Uhhh, heeey there, Angie!" Leon said, hoping the childhood nickname for his brother would strike a chord with this version of Michelangelo.

It didn't.

MichelAudrelo raised his hand.

"You'll regret what you've done..."

"Hey, you!!"

Leon and MichelAudrelo turned in surprise to see who had just shouted at them.

Golden flower petals and butterflies made of light started fluttering down around the boys.

Abby smiled brightly as she threw her crutch aside to Diana. Music starting playing.

"Do you hear that sound? That beautiful sound?"

Giant vines started sprouting from the ground, lifting Abby and MichelAudrelo up into the air. In his shock, MichelAudrelo dropped Leon to the floor, where Diana quickly grabbed him and pulled him aside.

"What are you two doing here?" Leon asked. "You were supposed to stay with Mikey--"

"Slight change of plans," Diana answered. "We brought the cavalry!"

"You didn't bring him here, did you?"

"..."

"Diana, if you value your life you will answer 'no'."

"...Then, no?"

"You're lying to me. Where is he...!" Leon growled as he stormed off to find his Michelangelo.

"YOU SAID TO ANSWER NO!!" Diana shouted as she followed after him, while Abby finally got to do her big number with a 'captive audience'...

Leon rushed off to find his brother, no doubt glowing and sporting his own mystic chains. He was gonna give him an earful when he found him...

As Leon was storming around, something lodged within the wall fell to the ground and groaned behind him.

"URGH!"

Leon whipped around.

"What was that--"

A large spiky shell and limbs started moving from the broken pieces of plaster that had crumbled along with the body on the floor. It slowly started rising, groaning and grumbling. Leon swallowed, tiptoeing closer to the swayed Raph.

"...Diana... go look for Mikey. Make sure he's not doing anything too.... y'know."

"But, what are you gonna--"

"Just go," he whispered. "I'll handle this."

Diana reluctantly obeyed, rushing away before AudRaph could get his bearings back and start attacking them.

Leon crept forwards, wary of the strength this Raphael could have. He knew that his brother 'Phael was pretty strong, though he was mostly unshed baby fat. This Raph was head and shoulders above him, and had been training as a ninja since his childhood, he figured. Besides, he knew that 'Phael had a tendency to go kinda savage when he was really, really scared. And who knew what this fear fungus was making Raph see in his deep subconscious...

"Hey, buddy, it's me, your ol' pal, Neon Leon..."

AudRaph made a low rumbling sound as he slowly got to his knees, still dizzy and dazed.

"I know that whatever you're seeing... i-it's probably pretty rough. I'm sure you think that it's hopeless, but it isn't! You can get through it..."

AudRaph lifted up his head, growling at him with bared teeth.

"Hey, it's okay to be scared. I'm scared most of the time. Have you seen half of the hijinx Mikey gets involved in? I'll bet you know how tough it is, being the oldest brother, the one to look after everyone... But then again, you also know how much they love you. You know how excited they are when they succeed just like you knew they would, the look on their faces when they see how proud you are when they exceed your expectations and blow you out of the water! You're so lucky to be the big brother, no matter how many times they make you worry... because for every grey scale they give you, you get ten extra memories of them and how wonderful they are and how much you love them."

Raphael's blue-glazed eyes started leaking.

"And I know you love them. Because how could you not love our brothers?? You, me, we sacrifice for them all the time, because we would do anything for our little brothers. You'd do anything for your brothers, right? And... you said I would always have a big brother in you. And I need you, Raph -- they need you -- WE NEED YOU. We need you to come back to us..."

Leon placed one hand on Raph's shaking shoulder and cupped the other hand under his cheek, wiping the blue tears from his face.

"Come back to your family, Raph. Because we need YOU. Not a hero, not a sacrificial martyr, we want our brother to come home. Please, Raph. Please."

Raphael blinked away the tears, the final remnants of blue melting away with the tears.

"...L-Leon..?"

"Welcome back, big guy."

Leon was suddenly engulfed in a bear hug, Raph squeezing him tight and shaking all over.

"I'm so sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so so so sorry, Leo LEON, I'm so sorry... please... please, can you forgive me, I never meant to hurt you, I never wanted to--!"

"It's okay, dude," Leon said, trying not to cry himself as he squeezed Raph back. "You old softy."

Leon had to force himself to pull away from the sobbing snapping turtle, offering the end of his scarf for the eldest sibling to wipe his face with.

"Now, let's go wake up the others, hmm?"

April's teleporting powers kicked in as soon as she saw the golden chains coming. She was suddenly in a new place, landing in a small heap of rubble. She turned around and watched as NFIF Michelangelo managed to snag her Leon and reel him in.

"Leo!"

"YOU."

April whirled around to see AudRai coming for her. Her neat braid had been mussed up in the explosion, the strands falling loose and falling apart. Her eyes were surrounded by deep, dark circles and tear stains.

"Karai... what happened to you?"

"What always happens to the Hamatos," she replied glumly. "We die."

"You're not dead yet," April said, gritting her teeth. "I'm not going to let that funky mushroom kill you."

"Why not? You let it kill Michael."

April's breath caught in her lungs.

"...Karai... you don't know what you're saying..."

"It's our doom, our fate," she said, voice wobbling with sniffles as the tears started pooling. "The fate I started us all down... the role I took on, the example I set... it's all my fault--"

Karai started weeping, her voice cracked as her fists clenched.

"It's my fault that Michael died. I felt him leave. Not just because of our family ninpo, I saw him die through the spores. I saw his fears. I watched him go!" she whimpered, falling to her knees.

April's eyes welled up with tears of her own as she slowly understood what Karai was saying.

"It was my fault... I trained him in his ninpo. I taught him all the Hamato magic. I showed him the importance of our traditions, our lore, our creed. I... I... I killed him..."

"You didn't kill him. He's still alive," April reassured her. "And you didn't teach Mikey self-sacrifice. It seems to be a running tendency--"

"But that tendency started with me!" Karai sobbed. "I can't save them, no matter how hard I try! I couldn't save my village, my father, my own grandson! My legacy is to be the failing martyr!!"

April rushed forward and hugged Karai tightly.

"No. That is not your legacy. That is not your destiny. Michael is not dead, and neither are you. Karai, you are more than just your mistakes, more than your defeats. Don't let the fear of failure keep you from succeeding later on! Don't let the past keep you from building up your future! You told me that you saw how strong I was, where do you think I learned that courage from? Don't let this be another failure, don't give up! You can beat this fear. 'You shall not be challenged beyond your strength.' You can overcome it."

Karai stiffened for a second, before softly hugging April back. After a few shaky moments, Karai pulled away. Much to April's relief, her eyes were back to normal.

"Arigatō, April..."

Karai wiped the tears from her cheeks and turned to the small caged-in cradle holding Misa.

"We should help release her."

"Can I offer my help?" NFIF Raph asked, as he and Leon rushed up through the rubble and broken drywall.

April and Karai looked at each other, unsure if that was wise, considering what had happened.

Yet Karai nodded, stepped forwards and used her ninpo to create a small dagger of flame that cut through the vines. Misa was growling and crying, her eyes shut tight as she fought against her nightmares.

Raphael leaned down and picked her up gently, rocking her back and forth.

"If one of the Mikeys were here, they'd know how to snap her out of it," April murmured. "He saved her from the spores last time..."

"Raph knows what to do," he whispered, his voice soft and gentle. "I've had my fair share of getting my little brothers to calm down after a nightmare..."

Raph sat down on a pile of debris as he held on to Misa.

She hissed at him, pushing to get away.

"Misa? Misa, it's me..."

Misa growled again, still struggling to break free from his hold. In her mind, she had just been taken away by an evil scientist who was going to do terrible, mean things to her...

"No!" she snapped, biting his hand.

Raph gasped in pain, but didn't let go. He smiled through the hurt, tears forming in his eyes again.

"I guess I deserved that one, huh?" he chuckled dryly. "Misa, please, it's Raph... it's Ra-Ra?"

Misa slowly stopped, her ferocious bites turning into soft nibbles as she opened one eye, the edges of white turning a soft blue.

"Misa, can you see me? Can you see Ra-Ra?"

She shook her head no.

"...R-Ra-Ra? Ra-Ra has Misa?"

"Yes," he assured her, rubbing his thumb in circles against her cheek, wiping away the bitter and angry tears.

Misa flinched, her eyes widened at the touch.

"...Is Ra-Ra good guy now?"

That hurt. He knew she didn't mean for it to hurt, but the truth was painful nonetheless.

"Yes, Misa," he whimpered. "Ra-Ra is good now. Misa, I'm so sorry for what I did to you... I hurt you so much, Raph is so sorry..."

Even though he knew that he was meant to be comforting her, Raph lowered his head and cried onto her as he held her in his lap.

"Misa... I'm so sorry. I'll understand if you hate me forever after this, I wouldn't blame you. But... I want to help you now, I want to help with the scary things you're seeing. How can Ra-Ra help you?"

Raph felt tiny hands reaching up and touching his face. Misa blinked away the blue, eyes refocusing until she could see Raphael properly.

And Misa smiled.

"Little brudder..."

She kissed his cheek and nuzzled him, hugging his face and wiping away his tears.

"...Misa forgives Ra-Ra. Ra-Ra good guy."

Raphael blubbered at that, whimpering as he pressed Misa against his plastron in a desperate hug. Misa giggled, patting him on the back as best she could, though her arms barely even reached the edges of his shell.

"Thank you, Misa... thank you..."

"Where's Mikey an' Dee-Dee?" she asked, looking around.

"Around here somewhere," Leon replied, looking around. "I'm sure we'll find them eventually..."

"Hey, guys!" Abby shouted at them. "Look who we got!"

Abby gave the performance of a lifetime. She and swayed Michelangelo had been dueling it out against each other for a few minutes while Abby belted out her favourite musical number. She ordered the vines to protect her as she spun and ducked and danced and leapt around the mystic attacks. Her vines reached out and grabbed MichelAudrelo and pulled him high into the air, away from Abby as she finished up her number. MichelAudrelo struggled against the vines, breaking free eventually, but Abby had been prepared for that. Several other series of vines reached up and caught him, much to his frustration.

"THAT BEAUTIFUL SOUND--"

"STOP IT!" MichelAudrelo screeched, lashing out his chains to grab at the feline, but she jumped away at the last second, her choreography coming in to save her as she danced around him gleefully.

"A SOUND THAT MEANS NO MORE CONDESCENDING ADULTS HANGING AROUND!"

Abby continued to sing at the top of her lungs as MichelAudrelo chased after her, his chains doing battle with her vines.

"I SAID STOP IT!!"

Abby ignored him, singing to her heart's content.

"EVERY GROAN, EVERY WAIL AND EACH MOAN, ADDS UP TO DADDY'S LEAVIN' ME THE HECK ALONE!"

"I SAID STOP! STOP, Stop, s-stop..."

MichelAudrelo's hands began to shake, his chains started to fade.

"THEY'RE OUT OF MY GRILL, BECAUSE OF THAT SHRILL SYMPHONY..."

Abby pirouetted, a glorious spin that created a flurry of petals around her. MichelAudrelo couldn't see her anymore, her spin was so fast that she became a blur. While he was distracted, a grappling hook shot up and grabbed him by the ankle, tugging him down to the floor as Ghost wrapped his arms around the boy.

"H-hey!! LET GO!!"

"It's okay, Angelo," Ghost murmured, keeping him close to his chest. "It's okay, we've got you..."

"AIN'T IT THE SWEETEST NOISE AROUND, THAT BEAUTIFUL SOUND!" Abby belted, echoing the final word as she jumped down from her podium made of vines.

"Aaaaaaand she sticks the landing!" she cheered as she gracefully touched down. "I did it! I really did it! I guess my leg's all better, I can't wait to show Diana--"

"YOU CAN'T KEEP ME PRISONER LIKE THIS!!" MichelAudrelo screeched, kicking and squirming in Ghost's hold. "LET ME GO!"

"Not until you calm down, kid," Ghost said, tightening his hold on the mind-controlled Angelo. "Just let it go, let go of the anger and the fear and--"

"NO! I'LL KILL YOU ALL! I'LL...I'll... I ... heh... heh, heh..."

MichelAudrelo's screams melted as tears started trickling down his face. He smiled painfully, laughing as he saw what he was.

"I... I wanted to kill everyone," he murmured. His voice was soft, he was in shock and somewhat dazed as the realization of what he'd done seeped in. "I really did. I wanted to break everything and destroy the entire arena and everyone in it... why?"

MichelAudrelo looked up at Abby, the small trickle of tears turning into rivers, his smile breaking as the corners of his mouth turned down.

"Why did I wanna hurt you so bad? I never would have done that before, I was just so... so..."

"Scared?" Abby offered, stepping forward to wipe the tears away.

"No," Angelo flinched, pulling back from her, refusing to accept her help. "No, it wasn’t fear, it was--"

"It was grief."

MichelAudrelo looked up in confusion at Ghost, who looked down with his own understanding gaze.

"You were scared of losing your family, huh? April told me a little about some of the things you said when you were first spored. I know what it feels like to lose your family. To know that you'll never get to do the things you always said you'd do together. See the places you always wanted to go. Win or lose the arguments you planned in your head for fun, just to antagonize them. Give that apology you meant to say. Make that special gift for their next birthday. Eat lunch with them. Say I love you one last time. I know how it feels to realize that you've been pulled away and there's no going back. And what's worse... you see them everywhere. Carbon copies, phantoms of the past that bring up phantom pains. You want to pretend that they're yours, but..."

"But they're not!" Angelo sobbed, letting his limbs go slack in Ghost's embrace as he wailed. The two fell to their knees, Ghost comforting Angelo as he cried out a pain that was so deep and scarring it could shake the foundations of the earth.

"But... your family isn't dead, Angelo," Abby reassured him. "They're still here --"

"FOR HOW LONG?" he howled. "How long until they really do get themselves killed?! How long until I have to go through this again, but for real?! I can't keep doing this!! I can't, I can't! I won't let myself get hurt again!!"

The blue light started to return to MichelAudrelo's eyes as he growled.

"That's what I said, too," Ghost chuckled.

Angie stopped.

"I told myself I would never get hurt like that again. So I shut everyone and everything out. I refused to let myself get too attached to what I knew could be another family for me. I couldn't face the idea of seeing replicas of my brothers and father and April again. I was scared of getting hurt."

Angelo swivelled his head around to get a better look at Ghost, who was starting to cry himself.

"I was so scared, kid. I let myself rot in a sewer alone for over two decades before I finally faced my fears and tried again. Knowing that the pain would come, knowing that I would have to be strong. Because sometimes... healing hurts."

"If you love someone, you have to understand that one day they will hurt you," Abby added. "Whether they mean to or not... love opens you up for both the happy times and the sad times. And the angry ones, too, believe me."

"It may seem like the pain is too much to live with --" Ghost replied, "-- and you may think that it's easier to feel nothing at all than to feel the pain. But when that happens you become nothing more than a... well, a ghost in a shell," he chuckled weakly.

"I don't want that," Angelo wept, turning around and wrapping his arms around Ghost in a loose hug. "I don't want to just rot inside myself while the people I love most are waiting for me..."

"Then you have to let go of that pain."

"But it's so hard!"

"I know, bud, I know. But nothing that the great Dr. Feelings can't face, right? And you'll never face it alone."

"I thought that was Dr. Delicate Touch... wait, what's the difference again?" Abby asked.

Angelo rubbed his face against Ghost's cloak, wiping the tears and snot from his blubbering face.

"Dr. Delicate Touch feels nothing... O-o.... okay..." he whimpered. "I can do this. I don't want to be 'Dr. Delicate Touch' forever. I wanna be with my family again. Even if we'll get hurt. I'd rather get hurt with them than feel nothing forever alone."

"Good call, kid," Ghost said, leisurely releasing the box turtle.

Angelo stood up, wiping the last of the glowing aqua blue tears from his face, his eyes back to normal as he weakly smiled.

"Should... should we go find the rest?"

"The Donnies are still doing their epic anime battle royale or something," Abby pointed. "But the others are in that pile of debris over there."

"Well, I've learned the hard way to never interrupt Dee's work, so let's go see how the other guys are doing."

"Another good call," Ghost laughed, rubbing Angelo's head.

The trio crossed over to the rest, reaching them just as Misa was released from the fear fungus' hold and hugging Raphael.

"Hey, guys! Look who we got!" Abby cheered, pointing at Angelo, who waved weakly at the group.

"Hey, Angelo!" Leon said with a wave. "You're not gonna... string me up again like before, are ya?"

"No," he whimpered softly. "Sorry 'bout that, by the way..."

"It's all cool," Leon said, waving it off. "Shrooms will do that to ya, or so I've heard."

Raphael looked over at his baby brother, seeing the tear stains and red puffy eyes and the trail of snot he kept wiping and sniffling away.

"Rough comeback, huh?"

"Yeah. You too?"

"Pizza supreme in the sky, you have no idea."

"Pizza what in the where now?" Leon asked, raising a brow at the snapping turtle. "What did you just say--"

"I'LL KILL YOU!!"

The group jumped at the scream that shattered the calm they had been enjoying for the moment.

"That was one of the Donnies!" Abby yiped, jumping into Diana's arms.

"...Do you think maybe we should look into that?" Leon asked.

rhg!Donnie had carried Michael into the outskirts of the battle, just as he'd promised. The Donnie confrontation, or 'Donfrontation' as they were calling it, was in full swing as the drones flew like a tornado around the halls.

"Okay, we're here now, what exactly did you have planned??" rhg!Donnie asked.

"Uh, I honestly figured I could wing it--"

"YOU WHAT?!"

Mikey shrugged and laughed nervously.

"Well, I assumed that I'd have a plan by the time I got here!"

Before rhg!Donnie could let in to him, an explosion went off. The bright rainbow of light blew away the spores and darkness, clearing the area almost instantaneously.

"Well, it looks like the guys managed to set off the TNT," Diana noticed.

"No kidding," rhg!Donnie grumbled. "We should get out of here--"

A large body flew into the wall some short distance aways.

"Was that Raph?!" Abby yelled loudly.

The halls started glittering as golden chains filled the air.

"I swear, that isn’t me," Mikey said, seeing the glare that the others were about to give him.

"It's the other Mikey!" Abby yelled, suddenly running off to go help the others.

"Wait a minute!" Diana shouted, running after her.

"Well, um, I guess it's just you and me now," Mikey chuckled dryly.

"Apparently so. I'm taking you back to safety--"

"No!" Mikey yelled, holding his hand out to stop him. "I need you to take me to my brothers, or --"

"No, Mikey, I can't let that happen! You'll get hurt, or--"

Before rhg!Donnie could finish his sentence, one of the drones snagged the back of his shirt and carried him away into the storm.

"Oh no! Human Donnie!!"

Mikey summoned a small chain and latched it onto one of the other drones, getting yanked away into the torrent along with the alternate version of his brother.

"I'm coming!"

Mikey held on as tightly as he could to the meager chain, climbing up the links to get to the drone itself. He climbed atop it, looking for rgh!Donnie amongst the flurry of purple. He found him, several feet away, trying to reach back and unhook his clothes from the device.

"Hold on, I'm on my way!!"

Mikey readied himself, and then leapt. His stomach slammed into the head of the drone, and he slipped down the side. Mikey swung his legs up, gripping the drone with his knees as he crawled back up the side of it. Mikey saw the legs of the drone dangling beneath him, and got an idea. He took out his nunchucks, wrapping one end to the drone's mechanical legs as he held on with a deathgrip to the other end. He let himself fall, dangling from the machine and swinging around as the drones turned the corner and continued their tornado patterns. Mikey used the momentum of the turning corner to fling himself forward, landing directly on top of the kidnapper drone.

"MIKEY?!" rhg!Donnie screamed above the roaring mechanical wind. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

"Winging it!" Mikey yelled back, as he grabbed rhg!Dee's shirt collar and tore the fabric from the metal limb. With nothing holding him up anymore, rhg!Donnie fell to the floor, dragging poor Michelangelo with him.

"AAAAAHHHH!!"

Before the two adolescents could hit the pavement, something caught them both. They looked up in shock to see two drones had chased after and grabbed them.

"Not again," rhg!Donnie groaned.

"I assure you, this time it was intentional," Omega said as he rolled by. "Congrats on being rescued."

"Thanks, computer Dee!" Mikey cheered, giving him a thumbs-up.

"Of course. Now, WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING HERE?! I thought you were given direct instruction to--"

"Where is everyone? Where's Leon, 'Phael, Dvd, and April?" Mikey interrupted.

"I suspect UIFY Leonardo, UIFY Raphael, and UIFY April are over by the remnants of that housing unit," Omega said, a robot claw pointing towards the heap of rubble caught in the explosion. "But your Donatello is in the center of that drone tornado. He's taken the forefront of distracting --"

"I gotta go talk to him!" Mikey yelled, trying to run but tripping over his own feet as he did so.

"No way!" rhg!Donnie said, grabbing him and dragging him back again. "You're staying over here, where it's safe!"

"I thought you were on my side!"

"I'm not on anybody's side. I just want you to be safe, Mikey," he said, the last few words coming out as a whimper. "Please... just stay here for me, I'll go and help!"

"BUT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!!"

rhg!Donnie ran in the direction of the tornado, Omega chasing after him.

Mikey waited a beat.

And then began to shuffle towards them, too...

rhg!Donnie ducked in between each and every drone as they sailed around them. He listened for the shouts, for any noise other than the roaring wind whipping around him.

He couldn't hear anything.

He couldn't see anything--

"Hey! Watch out!"

rhg!Donnie jumped. Someone had grabbed him by the arm and pulled him aside. DvD stared the teenager in the face, glaring at him angrily.

"WHAT are YOU doing here?! You're supposed to be watching after--"

His eyes widened as he realized.

"WHERE. IS. HE."

"I left him with Omega!" rhg!Donnie shouted.

"OMEGA IS RIGHT BEHIND YOU!!"

rhg!Donnie turned around to stare the computer in the face -- or rather, icon.

"WHAT?! I THOUGHT YOU WERE WITH HIS BROTHER--"

"I came to make sure you would be --"

"Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute --" DvD stopped the explanation hastily, trying to figure it out. "-- if he's not with us, then who is he with?"

UIFY Mikey crawled across the floor as best he could. He was still wobbly, and every time he tried to stand he got the nastiest dizzy spell. The dizziness was only compounded by the continuing swirling of the mechanical hurricane before him. But he had to get to them, before it was too late...

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?"

Mikey paused, a pair of feet appearing in front of him. He slowly looked up to see AudreyTello standing before him, tech-bō in hand and pointed down at Michael.

"...Heyyyy, Dee... just the guy I wanted to see."

"You're supposed to be dead," AudreyTello said, leaning closer to him.

"Eh. I got better."

"So I see. Shall I remedy that for you?"

Mikey swallowed.

"You're not going to kill me."

"Oh? And why ever not?" AudreyTello chuckled, walking closer as Mikey inched backwards.

"Because we both know that you don't want to hurt me. You didn't hurt me before--"

"An oversight on my part. As I said, I can remedy that," AudreyTello growled, as he cocked back the bō and prepared to strike.

"No. Before the battle. When I helped you, when I gave you some of my strength to fight against the fungus, I could feel what was happening to you. I don't know how or why, but I could sense that you were being sorta... swept away. But not gone for good."

"You're wrong," AudreyTello laughed. "Donatello is DEAD."

"No," Mikey refuted. "I made sure of it. I know you're in there, I know you can see and hear me. That's why you gave me back to DvD when you did."

"You were unconscious for that, how... ah, yes. Your odd little dreams that fill you in on what you've missed," AudreyTello rolled his eyes. "How useful."

"You didn't want to hurt me," Mikey informed him. "Because you're still in there."

"No, he's NOT," AudreyTello growled.

"I know you are. It's why you wouldn't kill me. Why I couldn't kill you. Because you care."

"DONATELLO IS DEAD!!" AudreyTello snapped. "I AM IN CONTROL, YOU HEAR ME?!"

"You can scream all you want, but we both know that isn't true."

"BUT IT HAS TO BE!" Dee sobbed. "IT HAS TO BE TRUE, OTHERWISE... otherwise, I really did all those terrible things to you... your brother... m-my brothers..."

NFIF Donatello's knees started wobbling. He backed away from Mikey.

"I know you're scared. You're probably thinking everything that happened is all your fault, right? You're blaming yourself. The hand told me..."

"No... No, NO! S-STAY BACK!" AudreyTello shrieked, fumbling away from Mikey, who started crawling back towards him.

"You're scared that what you've done is unredeemable, that the mistakes you made will haunt you forever. But that's only true if you let it be true. Because -- whether you want it or not -- I forgive you for everything that happened."

"No, you can't -- Don't say that!" Donatello wept, holding his staff at Mikey, trying to ward him off as though he were a wild animal. "You can't just forgive that, you can't simply forgive him, he tried to spore you! He -- I almost sent you to your doom, I did send you to your doom! MY spores killed you!!"

"Do I look like I'm dead to you? Like I said, you wouldn't hurt me. You didn't know that would happen, it was a freak accident or whatever. And even if you did mean for that to happen... I still forgive you."

"BUT YOU CAN'T--!"

"But I do anyways. Because you're my brother, Dee," Mikey said with a smile, slowly getting up to his feet to stand.

"I-I'm not... I'm not your brother... especially after what I did..."

The tornado of drones behind them started to slow to a lull. The roaring cyclone and whipping wind calming to a gentle breeze in the background.

Mikey smiled at the weeping Donatello. He crawled closer.

"...But I still choose you as my family. And I still forgive you. And your real brothers will, too, because they love you so much more than I ever could! Donnie, do you know how much you are loved? How much we care about you?"

"No... you can't... stop it, stop, please..."

"We all love you so much, nothing you could ever do would make that love go away. No mistake, no failure, no evil monologue could ever make our love for you just simply vanish! We'll fight for you, we'll die for you, we'll live for you, because we love you so much."

"I don't deserve it... please, you can't say that! I don't want your love! I don't want you to keep loving me after everything, I don't deserve it!! I haven't earned it!!"

"You don't have to earn or deserve it, Dee," Mikey said, taking shaky steps towards him.

"Stop, Mikey, st-o-o-p..." Donnie wrapped his arms around himself, clutching his stomach as the alt. version of his baby brother came closer, holding his arms out to hug him.

"It's like Karai always says... anatawa, hitorijin--"

"I'LL KILL YOU!!"

Mikey whirled around just in time to see DvD leap over him, tech-bōfurnished with a saw as he lunged towards his enemy.

DvD crashed into NFIF Donatello, the two rolling around and scuffling on the floor as DvD attempted to avenge his brother.

"No!! Get off of him, what are you doing?! I was just getting through to him!!"

"I'M GOING TO KILL HIM FOR WHAT HE DID TO YOU!!" Donatello Von Draxum screamed.

AudreyTello kicked him off his stomach, tumbling to the side and watching in pure fear as DvD readied his tech bo again. Mikey jumped onto him, clutching his arm tightly as he tried to pull him away.

"Please, this isn't you!!" he begged.

DvD shook his baby brother off, the small child falling to the ground from the exertion and watched in horror as his big brother stormed over to the swayed Donnie.

"You're forgetting, Mikey... I'm the son of Draxum! I never asked to be... but I'm the SON OF DRAXUM, now face my..."

DvD pressed a button on his tech-bō, and it began to glow green as a new and yet unused weapon formed at the end.

"...URANIUM-POWERED FURYYYYY!!!"

"DVD, NO!!!"

Mikey screamed, his wails just barely stopping DvD in his tracks.

"AFTER EVERYTHING HE DID TO YOU... I PROMISED NOTHING WOULD HURT YOU, I SWORE TO PROTECT YOU AND KEEP YOU SAFE! MIKEY, WHAT ELSE AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?!"

"You can't hurt him!!" Mikey screamed. "He's YOU! He's my brother, just like you are!! He didn't mean to hurt anyone, I won't let you destroy your soul on my behalf! I won't let you hurt him!"

"...N-no... he's right..."

Mikey stared at NFIF Donatello, as he shakily looked up at the two arguing brothers.

"He should kill me... I deserve it..."

DvD glared at him.

"I TRUSTED you. I told you things about me, about Mikey, and you USE THAT AGAINST ME. The last person who did that --"

"I know," Dee wept. "I know. And you're right... after everything that happened, I don't blame you... I'd do the same. So... s-so go ahead," he cried, hanging his head in shame and resignation. "Do what you want. I did this, I did this to myself. I'm... I'm a monster.

DvD gripped his staff tightly. He took one step forward.

"No, please, don't do this," Michael begged. "Please, there's no coming back from this! Don't --"

"But Mikey, what am I supposed to do?" DvD growled, hot and angry tears filling up behind his visor.

"Forgive and forget."

"But he--"

"KILLING HIM WON'T MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOURSELF, DVD," Mikey scolded. "I KNOW YOU THINK IT'S YOUR FAULT. I KNOW YOU THINK THAT IT WAS YOUR FAULT BECAUSE YOU LET YOUR GUARD DOWN. IT'S NOT. PLEASE, Please, please..."

Mikey sobbed as he tugged on his brother's cape.

"Don't do it... don't do this, not for me. It won't heal anything..."

Before DvD could respond, the others suddenly came running from every direction towards them, Leon and 'Phael lunged at DvD to pull him back as April and Karai went for Mikey. rhg!Donnie and Omega came running from behind and joined the UIFY gang to Keep DvD at bay, while the rest of the group went to check on NFIF Donatello, who was shaking and sobbing blue tears.

"Get back, Don!" 'Phael yelled, using all his strength to keep his warrior brother away. "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!"

"He... I... Mikey was..."

"AND JUST WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE, MISTER?!" Leon shouted at Michael. "I told you to stay put!"

"I had to help! I knew that Donnie was gonna blame himself and Donnie was gonna try to kill him and the other Donnies wouldn't understand and Donnie needed me so I--"

"I told you to stay--"

"CAN WE PLEASE TURN OFF THE DEATH RAY?!" April shouted loudly over the commotion.

"Oh, right," 'Phael said, snatching the tech-bō away from DvD. Omega came over and helped him to find the right button to switch it off before it could do any real damage.

"How does this child have uranium?!" Omega asked angrily. "Where did he--"

"We can geek out over Donnie's collection of killer rocks later, right now we're kinda on mission?!"

"Oh. Right. Yes, of course..." Omega said sheepishly.

NFIF Raph was by his brother's side almost immediately, taking his hand and trying to soothe him.

"Donnie! Donnie, it's Raph... it's me, can you--"

"R-Raph?" Dee asked looking at him.

"Yeah! C'mon, you're still kinda under the influence of the spores, so I need ya to--"

"You should have let him finish me," Donnie sobbed. "I deserve it!"

"Deserve...? Donald, what are you talking about?" Angelo asked nervously.

"I... I hurt you all!" he wailed. "I keep hurting you, I keep -- I keep ruining -- I'm a villain, I'm a monster, I--"

"HEY."

Dee jerked at the deep rumble that came from his older brother. He turned to look at Raphael.

"No. You are not a villain, you are not a monster. You were stuck in a nightmare and your body was being used like a puppet. You are not to blame for what happened."

"B-but...!"

"Donnie. You were krangified."

Dee froze at the words.

He knew this argument. He was on the other side of it, now...

"If you truly believe that what you did was actually your fault, and that you really are to blame, then you're also saying that it was really me that almost killed--"

"NO!" Dee yelled, gripping his brother's arms tightly to keep him from finishing the thought. "NO! No, I would never say that, I -- it was different, you were -- you -- you weren't yourself at all, they made you into -- it's different this time!"

"How is it any different?"

"BECAUSE THIS TIME IT WAS ME!!" he howled. "YOU DIDN'T DO ANY OF THAT, YOU WEREN'T IN CONTROL--"

"Neither were you!" Angelo reminded him.

"But I--"

"You should hold yourself to the same standards of forgiveness you give to others," Raph said. "I know you feel like you're on some different level of mercy, that the mistakes of others don't matter as much as the mistakes you make, that you should be punished for every little thing you get wrong -- but that's ludicrous. Really, really ludicrous."

"T-two reallys..."

"Exactly, big man. With as big of a genius brain as yours, ya'd think you'd understand that, huh?"

Dee chuckled as he hugged his brothers. The blue glow from his birthmarks slowly faded away, revealing the purple tones underneath.

"You back with us, Don-a-Tron?"

Donnie nodded and mumbled a "mhm" at them.

"Good. Welcome home, Donnie."

"Not yet," he said, slowly pushing himself away as he remembered a crucial detail.

"We still have one last zombie to free..."

"You.... you've destroyed EVERYTHING......"

Every head simultaneously turned.

LeonAudro pulled himself out of the rubble and ruin, rising up to confront them.

He was thin and pale, one eye burning blue while the other was covered with the charred and scarred remains of a mushroom cap and gill, one singular glowing yellow eye gazing furiously at them. His body was veiled over with roots and vines and ring and stem and stalk. Toadstools grew over his shoulder, umbrella mushrooms had sprouted from his plastron.

Raph gasped in horror at how similar he looked to... to... him. When he was part of the kraang.

Angelo covered his mouth to keep from gasping and sobbing.

Donnie stared in silence, his hands curling into tight fists.

"... Don't... be... fooled if I should whimper like a sappy, sobby dope, it's just the spores... they get me low......"

He lumbered lazily towards them. His voice was weak, but in the silence it carried. His breathing was shallow and strained. His face was absolutely painted with the glowing blue tearstains.

"... But don't let my cries deceive you, any moment I could go....."

Angelo whimpered at that verse. He felt Raph grab him by the shoulders and pull him in. Donnie took his hand and squuezed it tight.

"...All my vital signs are failing... cause the fungus I'm inhaling... makes it difficult as heck to catch my bre-ha-heaaaaath...."

He wheezed as he sang, his movements laboured and exhausted.

His brothers watched him, frozen where they were as he continued on closer. And closer.

"...Leo...?"

LeonAudro smiled.

"Guess again."

"Audrey III," Dee snarled. "Let him go."

LeonAudro let out an airy chuckle.

"Why... should... I?"

"LET HIM GO!!" Angelo screamed, his hands igniting into flames for a split second.

“Wow, Miguel. Did someone lose their temper?" LeonAudro gave a wicked smile. "What happened to always thinking positively? All you did was hurt that other April and Karai instead! You tore a family apart! How are you supposed to bring us together when you’re just a violent, blood thirsty, anger filled husk!?"

Angelo's eyes widened. He felt Raph's grip on his shoulders tense. LeonAudro's head tilted to the side as he continued.

"I’ll never feel safe around you again. I bet once April hears what you did she’ll never even come back to the lair. Who knows what you’re capable of now?”

"Stop it," Raph growled. "Leo would never say those things about--"

“Raph, is it easy for you to show your scarred up face to me again when you’ve failed so miserably?" LaonAudro stated, stepping closer to shorten the distance between them all. "Not just now, but again and again and again. How many times will you let me be lost? Injured? Scared? What kind of leader lets his team go on alone? What kind of brother cares so little that I can be missing for so long that this happens!?"

"I... you..."

"You said you’d always protect me!" LeonAudro continued. "You lied! Is this because I’m better than you? Are you punishing me? You want to hurt me? Again?”

"HE SAID STOP IT!" Donnie shouted, standing up definitely against the spore-infected brother before him.

LeonAudro turned his head to peer at his twin.

“And you. You think you're any better?? Your tech was useless, Donnie. Again. Knowing I’m twins with someone who can’t, not even once, save someone he cares about with the only thing he’s good at makes me sick! Maybe you don’t actually care? I bet you’d be fine if I just croaked here and now! You might even like it! I bet you enjoyed getting to play your little villain role because you could hurt us without any consequences! You’re an emotionless, selfish, annoying little freak who wishes he could be normal!”

Donnie's tech-bō materialized a drill in his hands.

"Just because you're using him to say these things doesn't mean it's Leo. We're taking him back. NOW."

LeonAudro sighed glumly.

"It's too late for that, I'm afraid."

"No!" Angelo shouted "We're saving him!!"

LeonAudro somberly lifted his arms up to gesture to the weak and frail body he possessed.

"Look at me, Angie... what is there left to save?? Am I still really worth it to you? Be realistic, I'm better off dead."

"Leo would NEVER say that!" Raph protested.

"You don't know your brother at all..."

LeonAudro gave a weak and meager grin at the boys, his legs nearly giving out beneath him as he struggled to stay upright.

"He's long gone... he really is. Funny, how the spores turned you all into the opposite of who you are... Raphael became a pathetic little worm, willing to give up so easily. Michelangelo became a destroyer, a hate-filled wretch. Donatello couldn't wait to cause the pain of others, to ruin them, to--"

"YOU DID THAT!" Donnie yelled. "That was your twisted vision of us!"

"...And Leonardo. What a poor, unfortunate soul... who would have thought someone so full of hope and endurances could be broken so quickly?"

Raph growled. LeonAudro tilted his head back and grinned wide, licking his lips. The pain tasted so sweet.

"But in the end, he gave up much faster than I expected. Because, he really is just a worthless, wantless, 'WRETCHED LITTLE PEST'."

"NO!" Angie screamed, Raphael having to hold him back from attacking the fungus that covered his brother. "Don't you DARE say that about him!! Leo is still in there! He survived once, we can--"

"ARE YOU DUMB?!" LeonAudro screamed at them, causing everybody to jump back. "OR HARD OF HEARING? OR RELIEVED MY END IS NEARING? ARE YOU SATISFIED?! I SCARED MYSELF TO--"

"NO!!!"

LeonAudro's eyes rolled back, his legs gave out from underneath him.

Raph's hologram arms reached out instantly, catching him and carrying him to them.

"Leo! Leo, wake up, wake up!!" Angelo sobbed, shaking his brother frantically. Donnie grabbed his wrists and yanked him away.

"Angelo, stop, don't shake him like that--"

"But he won't wake up!!"

"He's been weakened by the mushroom," Karai interjected, coming to kneel besides them all. "He doesn't have much time left."

"Well then what do we do?!" Raph sobbed.

"He is still a prisoner of fear," she said sadly, placing the back of her hand against the exposed portion of Leo's forehead, checking for fever. Instead he felt cold, his body shivering and his breaths shuddering. They were getting slower and slower...

"You will need to help free him from the fungus' hold."

"How?!" Angie asked, clinging tightly to Leo's limp hand.

"I can help take you into his nightmare," Karai said. "You can confront him and his fears once you are inside his subconscious."

The boys nodded, each one taking Leo's hand and squeezing tightly as Karai focused on NFIF Leo...

The boys eyes started to glow their signature colours...

They each fell over, lying beside Leonardo on the floor.

Raphael opened his eyes to find himself floating in an empty void.

Well, almost empty.

It was empty in the sense that there were no living beings here. Just debris, wreckage from ginormous mechas and spaceships that were the size of moons. Shards of broken ground and platforms floated about them. There was an odd, twisted version of gravity. Unless you were within five feet of the 'ground', you were basically weightless and could fly around wherever. There was minimal light, and no real source for it. It just sort of faded in and out mysteriously. Though, there were some sharp red pin lights coming from the useless kraang prime suits and ships.

It was cold, here, too. Cold like in the dark room with the --

Yeah. Cold.

Angelo was beside him, as was Dee. He hadn't noticed them at first, the loneliness in this vast empty space was suffocating. He felt like he was going to choke on it.

"Look, there!" Angelo gasped, though in this space his voice carried and echoed so much it was almost a shout.

Angie pointed off into the distance where a single speck of green and blue floated alone. They could hear the faintest weeps coming from it.

"It's Leo!!"

"How do we get to him?" Raph asked, squinting and peering as best he could. His damaged eye was not doing him any favours right now...

"I've got it covered," Donnie said with a grin, grabbing onto Raph's shell. "Oh Raphala, do hang on to Angelo for us, please."

Raph hugged his brother to his chest. Donatello's ninpo activated, creating a huge jetpack that was twice their cumulative size, and the trio blasted off to save their brother from this duplicate prison dimension.

"We're almost there!" Angelo shouted.

"Great, how do we slow down?!" Donnie yelled back.

"YOU DON'T KNOW HOW??"

"In case you haven't noticed, Angelo, this place doesn't exactly follow the typical rules of physics! Unless there's something to slow our accelerated direction, we'll just keep going forever!"

"Raph's got it!" Raphael called out, his ninpo creating a gigantic arm and grabbing onto the broken down ship hull that was just in front of them.

The trio slid down, Angelo using his chains to keep them levitated around their team leader as he drifted motionless, his three brothers surrounding him. They didn't notice the deep dark circles under his eyes, the wounds covering his body, the tearstains that seemed to have been made a permanent addition to his face, the tattered and chipped sword with the dented hilt wrapped in weathered and worn masks, each mask a different but familiar colour... They were just relieved to see him still somewhat alive.

"Leo? Leo, we're here to rescue you--"

Raph had started to reach out for him, but before he could touch his shell the masks tied to the sword suddenly flew at him, transforming into apparitions that haunted the slider, growling and snarling at Raphael, keeping him away.

"GAAH! What the--?! Now there's ghosts? Who's the creepy old guy?"

The ghouls circled around Leonardo. They seemed to be guarding Leo from outsiders... Angelo recognized the fine halo of colour that surrounded them as they circled about him like vultures. One red: large and bulky and missing an eye, the spines on his shell were singed and the entire front of him was burned and scarred beyond recognition; the second purple: a thick shield over his back and broken goggles that covered his damaged face; the last one orange: balding with liver spots and a massive cape that flowed behind him, his hands shattered like glass as remnants and shards of him followed behind as he circled Leonardo, who pressed the sword closer to his chest. Angie swallowed, a sick feeling growing in his stomach.

"I... I think those ghosts are..."

"R-Raph..."

Leo slowly turned to gaze back at Raphael. Tears were pouring down his cheeks.

"Leo! Tell your futuristic guard dogs that we're friendly!"

Leo hiccupped sobs as he watched them.

"I... can't control them..."

"Then we'll find a way through!" Dee yelled, readying his bō staff.

"Th-they're not here to trap me..." he whimpered. "They're here to protect you..."

"Protect us? From what?"

"...Me..."

Leo hugged the sword as tightly as he could, as if it were everything he'd lost in the world.

"They all died saving me. Protecting me. Following my orders. Heck, I actually TOLD Mikey to sacrifice himself! Look what I did to them. What I'll eventually do to you, too..."

Leo curled up tighter into himself, clutching the sword. It's edges were dull, the shine lost ages ago, scuffed and marked and dirty and unloved. Like him. Just like him...

"They hate me, and I deserve it..."

Raph could hear the voices... soft echoes that were earworms, whispering breaths that had their voices plastered onto them, but altered -- gruffer, older, deeper, more strained with time and trauma.

"...it hurts, leo..."

"...you were supposed to protect us, leo..."

"...why did we have to do it instead, leo..?"

With every word, Leo's light began to dim, the colour in his skin and birthmarks faded and became desaturated. With every utterance, his grip on the sword loosened. He was fading away...

Raphael sucker-punched the ghost of his future bad timeline self in the face, sending him reeling back as the ghouls screeched in response. Raph screamed back at them.

"Stop talking about my brother that way!! I would never, ever say those things!"

The two other ghosts lunged at him, but were no match for the younger flesh-and-blood counterparts. Donnie swung his bō at his future phantom, smacking it into the side of its head and sending it careening into the distance. Angelo had his chains swirl around the eldery version of himself and -- with a flick of the wrist -- sent the geezer spiraling into oblivion.

Raphael jumped to Leon and clung to him as firmly as possible.

"Leo. I need you to listen to me, because I'm only ever going to be able to tell this to you once. I never told anyone this, not you or our bros or pops or April or Casey Jr. or anybody. Not even my teddy bears or Princess Peach figurine. So you'd better pay close attention to this confession."

Raph took in a deep breath. He knew Donnie and Angie were listening too. Good. They all might as well hear it, he definitely did not plan to ever bring it up again.

"...When I was part of the kraang -- particularly when I was fighting you -- the kraang tricked me. They'd tricked me before, they'd made me think that I was coming to save you after I'd managed to escape them, They made me think I'd come home... but it was a trick. A dream."

"That was how they found the lair..." Donnie muttered to himself.

"Yeah, well... when I was in the technodrome... when you came to rescue me, and we fought... the kraang did it again. I thought... I thought everyone was dead. Mikey and Donnie were on the floor, they were skewered and bleeding and dead and... and you were in front of me, begging me to save you. A kraang monster or something had you in its grip, and I tried to -- it kept fighting me, every time I went to save you. I was going to kill it to rescue you, I... I didn't realize until after we got home, and you guys explained everything to me -- it was you I was fighting."

Leo ugly sobbed, his face scrunching up as he wrapped his limbs all around Raphael, just like how he used to when he was a kid and needed as much love as he could receive from his big brother. Raph held him closely and rocked him back and forth, giving long gentle strokes down from the top of his head to the middle of his shell.

"B-b-b-but it w-was MY fault that y-you were, were--!" Leo blubbered, Raph interrupting his wails to continue.

“From the moment I knew I had brothers, I knew I would do anything to protect you no matter what you did! You want to know what I really hate about you, Leo!? It’s that you think we don’t like you! We love you. Always have, always will. So stop being dumb and let us help you!”

"Raph's right!" Angelo said, coming close and cupping Leo's stained cheek and giving him his signature sunshine smile. "Even if we died in some other future, and even if it was for you, that was what we decided! If we didn’t do it for you then it would probably have been anyone else in the family! And it’s not because we don’t care about ourselves, it’s because we’ll always take care of each other!”

“I have never, ever known a world without you and I don’t want to!" Donnie added, taking his hand. "If you know how I die then….I would have hoped it was next to you. I hope it was you telling some dumb story or telling a terrible joke! If you don’t want me to die so badly, think about how much I don’t want you to! But that’s what you’re doing! Do not die on me Leo!….Please.” Donnie begs.

Leo's eyes brightened, the colour slowly coming back to his face, the sickly blue in his eyes dripping away as it was replaced, not only by his true blue, but by a mixture of red, orange, and purple. The crescents along his arms and around his eyes began to glow, as did the birthmarks on his brothers.

It was familiar, seeing the light shine in this desolate and lonely place.

But not so lonely anymore...

Leo's eyes slowly opened.

The real world hurt and ached. The arena compound's lights burned his retinas, the sounds and cries deafened him, the warm touch from every hand that reached out for him burned his chilled and slightly feverish skin. Something was pulled from his face -- it had been stuck to his mask and skin but relented in the end, falling off with ease; the roots and mycelium threads gently slipping out of his epidermis. Out of the corner of his blurry vision, he saw UIFY Donnie take the last remnants of the mushroom and disintegrate it with some kind of death ray... good.

Leo barely registered that his brothers were holding him, clutching him close to them and saying loving things to him, trying to get him to respond as proof that he was back with them. Proof he was alive. Not just breathing, but alive. Because when you're a prisoner of fear, you're basically walking dead. And Leo was so tired of being dead in himself. He wanted to live again...

Leo managed a smile to let them know he was alright.

And he fell asleep... with no nightmares.

When Leo awoke again, he was in the medbay. His head was bandaged, and an IV was stuck into his thin and emaciated arm. Raphael was snoring by his bedside, holding his hand in his sleep as he drooled onto the mattress. Dee was reading an article on his tablet in the corner, while Angelo was fidgeting with his wrappings and looking over the new collection of scars he'd gotten.

"...Heyyyy, guys, when's the entr'acte?" Leo joked.

Somehow immediately Raph's head shot up as he snorted awake.

"Snrrk--! Leo? LEO!!"

Raphael wrapped his arms around him in a bear hug, crying into his shoulders as Leo tried to convince him that he was okay. Donnie and Angie joined in soon, with Donnie taking the opposite side of the bed and Angelo simply jumping up onto the mattress and flattening his bedridden bro.

After ten minutes of wholesome crying between the four of them, inspecting each others' injuries and coming upon the decision that they were all lucky to be alive, they calmed down and brought up an important conversation.

"So... we're leaving now, right?" Leo asked, looking around the room for any objections. It was an awkward silence he got instead.

"I mean, it's for the best, right?"

"I think so," Donnie sighed. "We've caused enough trouble already."

"And we lost the contest, anyhow," Raph added. "There's... no real reason to stay."

"I would have liked to say goodbye to everyone, though," Angelo sighed. "But... after everything that happened... maybe you're right. A quiet exit is probably best." He gave an airy chuckle. "In any case, I'm honestly too emotionally exhausted to even try a conversation with anyone."

"We can leave a written apology," Dee offered.

"Good idea," Leo said with a fragile smile. "Let's go."

The four took a small piece of paper and wrote down their apologies to everyone. Leo cried during his portion. Donatello snapped his pencil tip during his. Angelo couldn't find the right words and ended up doing a fourth and fifth draft before Raph finally told him he was done. Raph's section of the note was long and overly poetic, but truly heartfelt.

They left the note on the pillow, and silently left the room.

"Do you even know which way the exit is?" Dee asked.

"No, but I'm pretty sure it's around here somewhere..." Leo replied, as he turned his head around every corner.

"You'd think a med ward would have better signage!" Raph bemoaned softly.

"Look, there it is!" Angelo said, dragging the others to a doorway.

The doors swung open.

"Great, now we can escape without anybody--"

The crowd cheered.

The four boys were stopped in their tracks as an enormous crowd of people with signs and posters and gifts came and shouted their names. For a moment, Leo clutched his katanas and prepared to fight them all before realizing this wasn't an angry mob.

"Guys! Look! It's NO FUN IN FUNGUS!!!"

"They're okay!"

"Thank you for saving us!!"

"You guys are the best!"

"Hey, I know that team!"

"Way to go, you guys!!"

Everyone was here...

rhg!Donnie stood with Ghost, smiling and clapping along with the rest. Ghost gave them a thumbs up. Abby and Diana were screaming cheering their heads off, their universe's Huginn and Munnin wearing tiny t-shirts that had the phrase 'I survived the great Spore Invasion of 2024' scribbled onto them. The Spider-Teetlez were shouting and screaming, Slider-Punk playing celebratory music on his guitar. The mods and employees were here too, ecstatic over the grand victory that they had made, and the fact that they were okay and alive. Even the void brothers were also there, grumpy but willing to let bygones be bygones. Especially after they'd had the effects of the fungus' control over them, they understood what it could make you do.

The entire competition was here.

The teens stared in awe. Leo had started to cry again.

They... they were happy for them?

Happy that they were okay? No one blamed them? No one was angry, no one was bitter, they were simply thankful for their recovery?? They were cheering them on, despite the fact that not 5 hours ago they had almost doomed them all...

But nobody cared about that. Thank Pizza SUPREME.

They just cared that they were okay.

Leonardo smiled.

Raph nudged him forward.

"Well, face-man?" he asked, smiling down at him. "What do we do now?"

Leo chuckled.

"...I guess it wouldn't hurt to stay for a little while longer...!"

And that is that.

They are safe. Leo knows it was not his fault, it was not his blame. They are all returned to each other, the spores destroyed completely. Or, at least until another author chooses to use an ask. And the UIFY family is also resting comfortably, back in the medbay yet again.

Everyone is safe and sound.

Even I. The Hand.PNG.

You didn't truly think I was gone for good, did you?

No, of course not!

Ah well, their crossover is completed. They may join together at some other time, but until that moment comes, I think they deserve a good rest, now that their task is complete.

And mine as well. I wonder what I shall do now... I'm sure the authors will find some way for me to have fun with them again. I do so love being in their stories.

However, there is one last thing I must do, though it pains me to do it...

The Until I Found You AU cannot remember this final battle. I'm sorry, I know. But they simply cannot. They are not ready to understand the concept of the Authors, nor their ninpo. Especially their ninpo. It isn't their time. They aren't meant to know these things yet. But soon... Someday, perhaps they will be allowed to recall all they did, but until then they must forget their feats... and forget me, as well. I shall become a shadow of a memory. Ah, but it isn't too sad! Most of them probably wish they could forget me! And I don't blame them. It was quite a run I had, eh? Quite a story we told.

And yet, there is one last part of the story left to tell...

UIFY Mikey woke up somewhat groggily from a strange dream. He wasn't sure how he got here, in the medbay... he could remember... getting spored in the lounge area... but... not much after. There were vague recollections of a battle... an explosion... versions of his family... but nothing solid, nothing that wasn't a fuzzy blur and left him with a woozy spell when he tried to think about it a little too hard.

Oh well. If he couldn't remember it, then it probably wasn't worth remembering!

He was downright exhausted, though. He felt like he could sleep for an eternity or two.

The only reason he'd woken up in the first place was because of someone... humming....

"...With every job when it's complete, there is a sense of bittersweet... That moment when you know the task is done..."

Mikey groggily opened his eyes to look over at the singing lady. She must've been a mod, or an employee, or a nurse or something. She was human, wearing an oversized denim jacket and tiny pale lavender flowers and petals in her messy hair. She was placing a small tray of water and crackers, plus a tiny bouquet of bright yellow daffodils on the bedside table.

"...Though in your heart you'd like to stay, to help things on their way... You've always known... They must do it alone..."

The lady turned to smile at him.

"Sorry, did I wake you?"

"Um, no, not really," Mikey lied.

"How are you doing?" she asked, checking his hands to make sure they were alright. Her fingers traced over each scar and blemish... an impressive feat, considering Mikey's bandages covered them and she couldn't have seen the marks.

"I'm alright," he yawned. "A little... woozy..."

"I understand wholly. Here, have some water..."

She gave the cup to Mikey, who slurped it down. Mikey thought her hands looked familiar... he wasn't sure why, though. But something about how real they were...

"Thanks..." he gulped, having downed the entire glass.

"No probbles. I just wanted to take a quick moment and make sure you were doing well!"

"I'm okay," Mikey chuckled. "Are my families... is the NFIF team okay? Did we save em?"

"Yes, they're all present and accounted for," she said with a grin. They're just in the other room. I think the med ward should be releasing you all soon... You deserve a big respite, I think. You've done a lot. Oh yeh, I also wanted to quick tell you something!"

"Tell me something?" he asked, tilting his head to the side.

"Yep! I wanted to let you know how important you are."

"Me?" Mikey laughed, wondering what this was about. "Important??"

"Oh yeah! Mhm! I know you sometimes feel like your personal story isn't glamorous, or that you might not be so impressive, or that others are doing better than you. But you should know how wonderful and amazing you are. Did you know, people talk all the time about how inspiring and relatable you are! And I just think that's wonderful."

"You make it sound like I'm a character in a story!" Mikey laughed.

"Well, we're all kind of like the main character of our own stories, aren't we?" she beamed.

"I never thought about it like that, actually," Mike hummed, tapping his chin. "What do you think your character's purpose is about?"

She paused, not expecting that query. Her eyes darted upwards, reflecting the light against the green and amber gold that speckled her irises, and bouncing off of her cheeks with white radiance. She pondered the question for a second before smiling brightly.

"I'd say prolly the same as yours," she stated. "I think I'm meant to inspire."

She laughed afterwards.

"Or at least, I hope I inspired somebody! Anywhoser, I'd better let you get back to your rest," the girl sighed, a sort of melancholic exhale that said she'd rather stay longer, but had to go.

"Oh, okay!" Mikey yawned, snuggling deeper under his blankets. He thought about going to see the guys before they left...

"See you around," the girl said as she walked away....

Mikey wondered who the human girl was, if not a nurse. She wasn't dressed like a nurse. Maybe she belonged to an AU... Ah, well. Maybe he would see her again one of these days.

Boots waited outside the medbay for their 'accomplice'. She'd wanted to make a dramatic exit and say 'hello' -- or rather, 'goodbye'. For now.

The competition was so nice in the calm and quiet aftermath. Tiny turtle tots giggled as they chased one another for their games. Parent versions of Leo and Donnie and Mikey and Raph and Cassandra and everyone else meandered about with their wards. A water fountain nearby trickled. The sweet scent of chocolate cake pops filled the air. As Boots waited, they pulled out a few stickers and decorated a scrapbook they'd brought with them. A mushroom sticker was placed on an electric blue sheet of paper. Boots enjoyed the peace... they hoped it would last for a little while. At least, until the next story came into play. Speaking of, out from the medbay frollocked the self-proclaimed weird kid author, smiling happily.

"All good?" Boots asked.

"All good," Pheebs responded, her denim jacket bouncing along with every skip she took. "They're all sleeping, now."

"I'm glad you got to see them; I wouldn't even dare to see my guys after what happened," Boots laughed.

"You wouldn't have to say who you were," Pheebs clarified. "I mean, it's not like they know what you look like."

"True, but even still, it'd freak me out too much and I'd end up spilling some of the beans!"

Pheebs laughed at that.

"I guess... anyways, shall we go?"

"I'm ready if you are," Boots sighed, folding up the scrapbook supplies and tucking it away. "Our guys deserve a good long rest..."

"Yeah. Though..."

"Though?"

"...I think I have one last moment I want to include."

End of Act 3

Epilogue

[whattraintracks]

Okay okay, I know you haven't seen TNM but

I always thought it was odd how angry Leo seems in TNM, at least to me. He's standoffish in general and antagonistic towards Raph in particular. They have an episode about it where they spend a whole day fighting, and both threaten to leave home, it's a whole thing. (Also in this episode, Donnie and Mikey take sides and argue on their behalf in the background. Donnie calls Raph out, Mikey comes to his defense, and Donnie is incredulous, "You actually think Leo is wrong?" It's specific to the fight they're having, but it's very interesting in the context of this post.)

Anyway, I remembered the other day that TNM is technically a continuation of the '90s movies, and I started thinking real hard about Raph and Leo's argument in the pilot episode. "How I live my life is my own business," Raph says, but what really gets me is Leo's, "I don't even know you anymore!"

In a flash of inspiration, I remembered this post. Raph is, as you said, spending more time on the surface. Not with Casey (sadly, none of the usual human friends appear in this show), so he's doing it alone. Unlike Leo, or maybe just compared to Leo, he's pretty mellow, but what say we read that as a little heartbroken, reserved, resigned even to the same old lonely life in the sewers.

Maybe we can reinterpret Leo's anger, too (and it's not just anger, it's stress and fear. The usual Leonardo what-ifs, likely exacerbated by the aftermath of his decision in tmnt iii. I'm specifically thinking of an episode where he reads books on being a better leader or warrior and wants everyone to train harder). So what if we interpret this altered behavior and emotional state as delayed processing about the end of tmnt iii, and he's blowing up on Raph because that's what they've always done. Looking at that first fight, it could be that Leo has noticed how Raph was affected, and he wants things to be the same. If they can't all have a life where they're welcomed and happy, he needs everyone to get on board with life as usual. But they can't. He can't, which has got to be frustrating. So he gets mad at Raph. Comfortable, familiar territory to make himself feel better about essentially coercing Raph and Mikey to come back to New York and cope with his own grief over what he gave up.

I'm definitely reading too far into this, but thanks for coming along for the ride.

Thinking about Donatello in tmnt III and how his brothers want to stay back in time.

Especially Mikey wants to, but Raph also made some meaningful connections and after Mikey brings it up he’s on board. Leo mostly seems to be waiting for a verdict until Donnie straight up tells him he had to convince them to go home, at which point what Leo comes up with is “It’s our duty.”

This scene just gets to me because. Well for one thing it is really sweet how much Mikey and Raph have integrated into the community, and it’s so beautiful that they’re in a place where they can. That opportunity is worth giving up a lot. And when Mikey first says it he does seem willing and determined to give up everything.

But then it’s also Donnie and April’s increasing desperation as the votes add up. April has a life to go back to that the turtles don’t have, and they would send her either way. But she wants them to go together, they’ve become so much a part of her life (and also who wants to explain to Splinter that his sons have decided they live in the sixteenth century now).

Anyway I’m especially obsessed with Donnie in this scene because. Idk we’ve never seen this version of him this assertive, he’s usually very much the one to sit back, wait for a decision, and go along with it no matter what it is. But now he’s got a choice between Splinter and his brothers (a choice I’m surprised Leo didn’t bring up or outwardly seem to struggle with?). Not only that, but out of all of them he’s had the most difficulty integrating into a society where he is in fact allowed to just walk around and meet people. Raph connects with the kid, Leo rescued the kid and learned horseback riding, Mikey seems to have a crush. Donnie poooossibly made friends with a metalsmith who’s gonna try to rebuild the scepter for them (based on Donnie’s best guess at its design I guess?). He definitely hasn’t enjoyed the horses, and he tells them directly he’s frustrated trying to live without any technology.

There’s a lot of fun play space with where the movie leaves off. Mikey is heartbroken he had to leave his crush forever. Raph I’m sure is also going to be affected, though he doesn’t immediately show it the way Mikey does. Leo is the one who made the decision in the end, he was the swaying vote and he was much more successful at persuading Raph and Mikey than either Donnie or April. He probably is still gonna think about that, equally haunted by the fact that he considered leaving Master Splinter and the fact that he chose to take his brothers away from their one chance at living freely on the surface, in the sunshine. And Donnie. I think would harbor some hurt feelings that his brothers were either going to ditch him for the past or strand him in the past.

[direwombat]

long time no wip wednesday

tagged by various people over the past few weeks, but most recently by @ivymarquis to share some a piece of a wip!

been having a creative dry spell recently, so technically this is a super old piece of writing, but i'm returning to this character study of a fictional mafioso (portrayed by luca martinelli (of the old guard fame)) in FX's 2018 historical drama, Trust, which is about the kidnapping and ransom of John Paul Getty III. I defs recommend it if you haven't watched it. Brendan Fraser plays a cowboy who breaks the 4th wall and also Hillary Swank is in it and she's very good. this is super niche so no pressure to read if you don't want to. i'll go back to the regularly scheduled fc5 fic eventually.

Reggio Calabria, 1982

“I thought you were in Rome,” Leonardo says to Primo in lieu of a proper hello. 

You’re always in Rome, goes unsaid, and the exasperated flash of abject terror across poor Leo’s face makes silent questions of What happened? and Why are you here? louder than the blaring horns and ambient noise of the docks. Leonardo never was good at concealing his emotions. Wore his thoughts on his face like a book to be read.

Primo pulls a cigarette and lighter from his pockets. “Everything’s fine,” he says. Then, he lights the cigarette and brings it to his mouth to take a drag. “It’s good to see you too.”

It’s a gorgeous day in late May. The temperature lazes in the high twenties, and the sun shines like a motherfucker over the Port of Gioia Tauro. Just beyond the influx of ships, the waves of the Tyrrhenian Sea are capped with glittering diamonds, rich enough to fill a jewelry store a thousand times over. It’s picturesque and beautiful, something right off the shitty postcards that tourists buy.

If Primo were a more sentimental man, he might have missed it here. But the scenery wasn’t what brought him back to Calabria. The metaphorical diamonds he’s interested in lie not atop the lapping waves, but hidden within the freight and cargo of the metal monsters that came to berth in the harbor. 

His harbor. 

Well, his and Leonardo’s. 

Mostly Leonardo’s. 

The Nizzuto name isn’t anywhere to be found on the official paperwork, but the strings gently -- and other times not so gently -- being plucked and pulled in the shadows were moved by Primo’s skilled hands. 

Leonardo had wanted to go as legitimate as possible to allow his son a life that wasn’t blood, death, and violence. Primo, who knows no other way to live, doesn’t pretend to understand the reasoning behind Leo’s decision, but he does appreciate a good cover operation and knows an opportunity when he sees one. The best way to get away with illegal business is to hide it behind perfectly fair and good trade. 

Leo is still looking at him with an expression that’s waiting for a shoe to drop. From anyone else, the look would have been insulting. Doubting Primo’s abilities so boldly in front of him would get most people a broken jaw. But he’s known Leo long enough that it’s just fun to watch the old man stress himself out. 

Primo sniffs, raises a shoulder in a slight shrug. “There’s a shipment coming in today. I want to be there when it arrives.”

The sigh that escapes Leonardo is one of pure relief and Primo rolls his eyes behind his sunglasses as the tension immediately dissolves from the other man’s shoulders. “So you’re here on business, then,” Leonardo says. 

“Here on business,” Primo nods. 

“I see,” Leo says. There’s no mention that “business” means drugs and guns and other things illegally obtained to be sold on the streets and back alleys of Rome. No mention that the drugs and guns were bought illegally as well. Business is vague and nebulous, not to be talked about in public and only to be discussed behind closed doors, preferably with a bottle of wine, much like most other parts of Primo’s life. 

Leonardo lights his own cigarette and the two stand there in amicable, but somewhat awkward silence. He wants to say more; wants Primo to say more, but they both know that Primo has nothing else to say. He’s here on business. That’s all there is. They stand at arms length, never any closer, and watch the bustle of the dock workers and sailors as they haul cargo to and fro.

Eventually, Leo says, “You should come for dinner. Francesco has graduated from University. Business. He wishes to see you again.”

This catches Primo’s attention. It’s subtle: his head cocked to the side, a slight straightening of his spine. “Is he here?” Primo asks.

tagging: @marivenah, @florbelles, @statichvm, @fourlittleseedlings, @wrathfulrook, @harmonyowl, @carlosoliveiraa, @cassietrn, @poetikat, @confidentandgood, @strafethesesinners, @trench-rot, @miyabilicious, @simplegenius042, @g0dspeeed, @inafieldofdaisies, @josephslittledeputy, @aceghosts, @adelaidedrubman, @finding-comfort-in-rain, @socially-awkward-skeleton, @voidika, @strangefable, and anyone else wanting to share a wip! (taglist opt in/out)

[acoldmyst]

* ◟ : 〔 PATHY DEJESUS, CIS WOMAN + SHE / HER 〕 YARA RHODES , some say you’re a FORTY FOUR YEAR OLD lost soul among the neon lights. known for being both AMBITIOUS and SELF - SERVING, one can’t help but think of YOU SHOULD SEE ME IN A CROWN by BILLIE EILISH when you walk by. are you still the OWNER for GRAVITY NIGHTCLUB, even with your reputation as THE INTANGIBLE? i think we’ll be seeing more of you and A GLASS OF RED WINE WITH A DARK LIP STAIN ON THE RIM; A HAND WITH IMPECCABLY MANICURED, SHARP NAILS, HELD OUT TO CLOSE BUSINESS; CROSSED LEGS ON A BUSINESS CHAIR, ADORNED BY SHARP HEELS AND A CLOSED OFF POSTURE, although we can’t help but think of RACHEL DUNCAN ( ORPHAN BLACK ) + EMMA FROST ( MARVEL COMICS ) + ALANNA MITSOPOLIS ( MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE ) whenever we see you down these rainy streets.

i. STATS

full name: yara cristina rhodes

pronouns/gender identity: she/her, cisfemale

sexuality: she/her, cisfemale

birth date: august 2nd

occupation: owner at gravity nightclub; formerly director of publicity at dahl co. (until 2028) and stoneage industries. (until 2035)

star sign: leo sun, scorpio rising

affiliation: to all, and to none.

ii. BIOGRAPHY

ׂ╰┈➤ a study in genetics.

if yara rhodes has inherited anything from her parents, it really doesn't go beyond appearances. daddy's curly hair, mommy's beautiful dark eyes, and the personality of the devil incarnate from a young age. leonardo and beatriz rhodes are good people, as selfless as they come, who both let go of high paying careers in order to dedicate their lives to public service. alas, the do-gooder gene certainly skipped a generation when it came to yara, and that much has been clear from childhood.

ׂ╰┈➤ lessons in patience.

they didn't know what to do with her. she was too smart, too questioning, and too objective. beatriz even had it in her to try a child psychologist, who had to inform her that it wasn't a sin for yara to not be a carbon copy of her parents. this didn't do much for the family's relationship, pushing yara to plan ahead for several years, until she could leave the house as soon as she was 18.

yara has been a free woman since. they've barely have any contact, her parents still unable to look at the woman she has become. since then, it's been one long game of chess after the other; patience to grow under competitive and unfair work environments, to make the right connections, to learn and to grow in more ways than one, all so that she could reach the point in which she now stands.

ׂ╰┈➤ the spider web.

after years of work weaving her silk all throughout new york city, yara rests on her laurels, contemplating the fruits of her hard labour. she's the glue holding several enterprises together, the chain sustaining unimaginable deals, all the while expanding her nightclub franchise, and hopefully her influence, to different cities. there's now a new, albeit smaller location of gravity at las vegas, but new york city is still the beating heart of her operation.

anyone who's anyone in the big apple know the name of yara rhodes, and of the gravity nightclub. but what happens behind close doors is a well-guarded secret, in both cases. gaining access to those, though not an impossible task, is a remarkably difficult one, so you better start playing your cards right.

iii. WANTED CONNECTIONS

— associates, in any and all of the organizations or even unaffiliated;

— people who work under her in gravity, both at the club itself and at management;

— former coworkers from dahl co. and stoneage industries;

— former and current lovers?? lol

— i'm open to all suggestions!

[breaniebree]

Kismet Characters & Family Trees Part Eight:

Charlie Weasley (12 December 1972) GRYFFINDOR bf. Lee Jordan (1978) GRYFFINDOR (officially since end of 2010): 1. Aydin Dora Weasley (1 December 1996) GRYFFINDOR m. Leo Black (31 December 1996) SLYTHERIN (2019): a) Colten Raleigh Black (4 March 2020) SLYTHERIN m. Florencia Fazio NA (2022) (2045): i) Misha Black (2049) HUFFLEPUFF ii) Leonardo Black (2051) GRYFFINDOR  iii) Raleigh Black (2053) RAVENCLAW b) Bram Charles Black (27 August 2022) GRYFFINDOR m. Rebecca Higgins (2028) HUFFLEPUFF (2051): i) Zoe Black (2054) HUFFLEPUFF ii) Cadence Black (2057) GRYFFINDOR c) Jordan Arthur Black (6 February 2024) GRYFFINDOR m. Jaya Mukherjee (2022) RAVENCLAW (2055): i) Ari Black (2058) RAVENCLAW d) Jackson Sirius Black (22 October 2026) GRYFFINDOR m. Deanna Finnigan (31 January 2026) HUFFLEPUFF (2055): i) Norah Edwina Black (2060) HUFFLEPUFF e) Zayn Harry Black (4 November 2029) GRYFFINDOR m. Nari Chung (2028) SLYTHERIN (2052): i) Dal-Rae Black (2054) RAVENCLAW ii) Ayla Black (2057) GRYFFINDOR iii) Hana Black (2060) HUFFLEPUFF f) Nova Molly Black (3 June 2033) RAVENCLAW m. Nick Buckingham (2028) GRYFFINDOR (2057): i) Maverick Buckingham (2059) GRYFFINDOR ii) Micah Buckingham (2061) RAVENCLAW g) Nevra Charlotte Black (3 June 2033) GRYFFINDOR m. Wyatt Williams (2025) GRYFFINDOR (2054): i) Walker Williams (2059) SLYTHERIN ii) Wilder Williams (2061) GRYFFINDOR

Sirius Black (3 November 1959) GRYFFINDOR m. Zahira Zacarias (7 April 1964) NA (1999): 1. Harry Potter (31 July 1980) GRYFFINDOR m. Ginevra Weasley (11 August 1981) GRYFFINDOR (2000): i) James “Jamie” Sirius Potter GRYFFINDOR (5 April 2004) m. Hadley Grace Pritchard (2005) RAVENCLAW (2029): a) Rhysand James Potter (28 May 2032) GRYFFINDOR b) Emerson Fleamont Potter (11 March 2035) GRYFFINDOR c) Flynn Harry Potter (2 July 2037) GRYFFINDOR d) Grace Ginevra Potter (18 December 2040) GRYFFINDOR ii) Albus “Alby” Fleamont Potter (1 June 2006) SLYTHERIN m. Scorpius Malfoy (6 January 2006) SLYTHERIN (2031): a) Lyra Astoria Malfoy (1 June 2037) RAVENCLAW b) Celeste Ginevra Malfoy (5 March 2039) RAVENCLAW c) Archer Kai Malfoy (6 July 2044) SLYTHERIN iii) Lily Luna Potter (3 November 2007) GRYFFINDOR m. Oakley Wood (8 January 2007) GRYFFINDOR (2028): a) Nash Oliver Wood (31 July 2030) GRYFFINDOR m. Nixie Sparks (2032) RAVENCLAW (2058): aa) Sirius Harry Wood (25 December 2061) GRYFFINDOR bb) Remus Oakley Wood (25 December 2061) GRYFFINDOR b) Noah Harry Wood (31 July 2030) GRYFFINDOR  c) Magnolia “Lia” Katherine Wood (2 May 2033) RAVENCLAW d) Zinnia “Zin” Ginevra Wood (11 August 2035) HUFFLEPUFF  e) Zahira “Zee” Sorcha Wood (11 August 2035) HUFFLEPUFF iv) Cedrella “Ella” Theodora Potter (21 October 2010) SLYTHERIN m. Spencer Kane-Nott (3 July 2010) SLYTHERIN (2036): a) Logan Theodore Kane-Nott (23 March 2040) GRYFFINDOR b) Zeke Harry Kane-Nott (21 January 2042) SLYTHERIN  c) Nolan Everett Kane-Nott (11 November 2044) RAVENCLAW d) Westley Sebastian Kane-Nott (9 December 2046) GRYFFINDOR v) Everett Arthur Potter (21 October 2010) RAVENCLAW m. Xara Scamander (13 September 2016) RAVENCLAW (2039): a) Hazel Ella Potter (2 September 2040) HUFFLEPUFF  b) Galina Xara Potter (28 April 2042) RAVENCLAW  c) Landon Everett Potter (19 June 2044) GRYFFINDOR d) Waverly Luna Potter (7 February 2046) RAVENCLAW vi) Genevieve “Evie” Zahira Potter (9 May 2012) HUFFLEPUFF m. Christian Lyon (2008) RAVENCLAW (2033):a) Leif Christian Lyon (1 October 2035) GRYFFINDOR b) Autumn Ella Lyon (21 September 2038) HUFFLEPUFF c) Winter Willow Lyon (21 December 2041) RAVENCLAW d) Summer Lily Lyon (21 June 2043) GRYFFINDOR e) Spring Rose Lyon (21 March 2047) HUFFLEPUFF vii) Henry Remus Potter (31 July 2020) GRYFFINDOR m. Daniella Zabini (7 July 2018) RAVENCLAW (2049): a) Cameron Blaise Potter (1 January 2052) GRYFFINDOR b) Aidan Hunter Potter (23 July 2055) GRYFFINDOR  c) Jameson Henry Potter (14 March 2058) GRYFFINDOR  d) Emilia Ginevra Potter (17 August 2060) RAVENCLAW viii) Hunter Colten Potter (31 July 2020) GRYFFINDOR m. Sloane Hart (2023) GRYFFINDOR (2046): a) Simon Hunter Potter (14 February 2049) RAVENCLAW b) Shay Cedrella Potter (14 February 2049) HUFFLEPUFF  c) Colin Fleamont Potter (7 March 2053) GRYFFINDOR  d) Beckett James Potter (19 June 2055) HUFFLEPUFF  e) Parker Harry Potter (24 September 2059) SLYTHERIN f) Noelle Ginevra Potter (25 December 2061) GRYFFINDOR 2. Minerva “Mina” Euphemia Magnolia Black (31 December 1996) GRYFFINDOR  m. Grayson Goyle (28 September 1997) HUFFLEPUFF (2017): a) Zelena Minerva Goyle (26 December 2019) GRYFFINDOR m. Katerina Baxter (7 March 2015) GRYFFINDOR (2040): i) Erica Goyle-Baxter (2043) GRYFFINDOR ii) Antonia Goyle-Baxter (2043) HUFFLEPUFF b) Ariel Sorcha Goyle (3 April, 2021) HUFFLEPUFF m. Philip Davenport (2017) RAVENCLAW  (2047): i) Siri Davenport (2049) SLYTHERIN ii) Gregory Davenport (2051) RAVENCLAW c) Helia Marguerite Goyle (14 February 2023) RAVENCLAW m. Henry Rawlings (2008) RAVENCLAW (2048): i) Julius Rawlings (2052) RAVENCLAW d) Orion Sirius Goyle (6 September 2025) SLYTHERIN 3. Leonardo “Leo” Mikhail Sirius Black (31 December 1996) SLYTHERIN  m. Aydin Weasley (1 December 1996) GRYFFINDOR (2018):(re above)

Thanks to @ellieoryan7447 for taking the time and effort to create these.

[santoroleo]

FROY GUTIERREZ? não! é apenas LEONARDO SANTORO, ele é filho de NIKE do chalé 17 e tem VINTE E SEIS. a tv hefesto informa no guia de programação que ele está no NÍVEL III por estar no acampamento há 10 ANOS, sabia? e se lá estiver certo, LEO é bastante SINCERO mas também dizem que ele é IMPRUDENTE. mas você sabe como hefesto é, sempre inventando fake news pra atrair audiência.

BIOGRAFIA - CONEXÕES - PLAYLIST - PINTEREST

ABOUT:

Leo foi criado como uma "benção" da deusa Nike para Matteo Santoro, um dos maiores pilotos de Fórmula 1 da época ao ter terminado com o reinado de vitórias em sequência de um piloto brasileiro.

Teve sempre facilidade e sucesso em sua carreira, tendo como único rival @victorferrariforever desde suas infâncias.

Veio ao acampamento em sua adolescência após um acidente ao bater em um monstro com um carro a 300 km/h, uma experiência nada agradável.

Nunca foi muito fã de ter que ficar no acampamento durante seu tempo ali mas não deixou de fazer amizades, sendo a pessoa carismática que é fazia amigos da forma mais caótica possível.

Após Victor se afastar do esporte se encontrou sem disputa alguma, apesar das vitórias intermináveis acabou caindo na vida de bebedeira e polemicas junto ao amigo e meio irmão.

Tem o péssimo hábito de se jogar nas brigas sem pensar em suas consequências por conta de seus poderes, chegando a ficar cego em sua sede de vitória frequentemente.

É apenas viciado em adrenalina a este ponto, se metendo em várias situações inesperadas por conta disso.

Estava curtindo suas férias ao ser chamado para o acampamento mas não parece tão mau humorado com isso.

PODERES: 

VITÓRIA CERTEIRA - Leo tem a capacidade de ver vários resultados das situações de maneira acelerada e manipular sua probabilidade de vencer ao se envolver e uma disputa.

ARMA: 

Espada de ouro celestial, um presente de sua mãe que tem boatos de aumentar probabilidade de vitória de quem a segura.

[mermaidsirennikita]

and none for bradley cooper! you love to see it

He was MAD too. You could see it written on his face, and he's always been rumored to have thrown a fit over not getting nominated for Best Director for ASIB (even though he WAS nominated for Best Actor).

I think he's just... so bizarrely entitled. I'm not saying he isn't a talented actor (directing... who knows if ASIB was a fluke, and I do think he benefited from it being a remake, with three versions to draw from--it wasn't even the first one to focus on the music industry versus the movie industry). But Bradley was a comedy guy for years, and many of those movies were absolute stinkers. The Hangover Part II and III, He's Just Not That Into You, ALL ABOUT STEVE??? He was the "Not Michael Vartan" on Alias.

He really began to turn it around (moviewise) with Silver Linings Playbook and his other David O. Russell movies (which....) and tbh other actors understandably always got more attention--Jennifer Lawrence, Christian Bale, Amy Adams. He wasn't ever this guy who LOST BY A HAIR or was seen as like... super respected but passed over. Leonardo DiCaprio, easily one of the best actors of his gen, got passed over for an Oscar 4x (never mind the times when he wasn't nominated and should've been lol) and he's probably about to have another loss lol. Bradley has been nommed 4x, and let me tell you, he ain't Leo.

It seems like he has this very "I'm due" perspective, when much better actors, including those who have BEEN respected and seen as True Artists for way longer than he has (like Cillian) have waited way longer to get their flowers. It's like... no dude. You have been THISCLOSE to clinching.

Like, let's get granular. SLP, he lost to DANIEL DAY-LEWIS. DDL. One of the GOATs. Did you REALLY think you were gonna beat DANIEL. DAY-LEWIS. There were (other) better performances than Bradley that year (I think Denzel was excellent in Flight) but it wasn't even close, dude.

American Hustle--admittedly this was a shitty category that year, full of shitty people. But Jared Leto was very much seen as a shoe-in, as much as I hate to say it. Barkhad Abdi, I'm sorry.

American Sniper--honestly, such a bad movie lol. And he lost to Eddie Redmayne (whew, The Theory of Everything has taken a hit recently) who was in a very standard, "he had to work really hard physically" movie, but like... he did legit have to do some challenging work. And if it wasn't him, it would've been Michael Keaton, who was in a really different movie and had a strong comeback narrative.

ASIB--honestly, his strongest showing to me, but he wasn't ever gonna win. Rami was seen as obligatory after Bohemian Rhapsody. Which... I think Rami is a great actor. BR was a mess with a frankly disrespectful depiction of Freddie Mercury. I don't think it was THAT GREAT a performance either. But he did go into it very expected to win. This is probably the closest Bradley got and honestly, I would've given it to him because the category was weak that year, but I don't think he had a REALLY GOOD chance. Rami was anointed by then. And tbh, when he got passed over for Best Director... I think the writing was on the wall. I think he over-campaigned, and Lady Gaga was the real centerpiece and everyone knew it.

Again, this really wasn't a moment where it's like "WHEN WILL HE HAVE HIS MOMENT" like Leo. He's a good actor. There are a LOTTA better actors. The idea that he can compete with Cillian in... any of the above performances, let alone in MAESTRO, against what Cillian did in Oppenheimer especially, is delusional lol. Tommy Shelby Cillian, if he was up for an Oscar, would step on Bradley performance-wise, let alone Oppenheimer. I'm not even an Oppenheimer stan, but the black and white shots of him with the hat alone are like, already kinda icon lol. This. Is. His. Moment.

[kudosmyhero]

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (IDW) #26: City Fall - part 5

Read Date: April 03, 2023 Cover Date: September 2013 ● Writer: Kevin Eastman ◦ Bobby Curnow ◦ Tom Waltz ● Art: Mateus Santolouco ◦ Charles Paul Wilson III (pg 1-2) ● Colorist: Ronda Pattison ● Letterer: ◦ Shawn Lee ● Editor: Bobby Curnow ●

**HERE BE SPOILERS: Skip ahead to the fan art/podcast to avoid spoilers

Reactions As I Read: ● poor Leo is so miserable ● pizza sounds really good right now, ngl ● I hope Woody and Mikey are able to be friends again! ● yay! they’re still pals ● I love the art in these issues

● uh-oh, the Savate are in for it now… ● oo! I just noticed the sound effect written in broken glass! subtle and cool! ● Splinter is so kickass! <3 ● dammit, I wanna read the next issue but I have to get up early for work. shakes fist curse you, adulting! ● 👏👏👏👏👏

Synopsis: Leonardo, dreaming, walks through a forest with his mother Tang Shen, telling her that he feels something isn't right, like he's missing something but he isn't sure what. His mother tells him that she feels she is to blame. Leonardo tells her it's not her fault. Tang Shen tells him that when he finds out what he has lost, he will know who is to blame.

Angel is patrolling her neighborhood when she comes across two thugs robbing a liquor store. She takes out one but the other pulls a gun on her. Luckily, right at that moment Raphael shows up and incapacitates the thug with the gun. Raphael asks why the other Purple Dragons aren't with her; she tells him they're currently going through some organizational issues (see the Hun micro-issue). Angel tells him that even if the other Dragons aren't down to help the Turtles, she'll always have their back.

Woody Dirkins is making a pizza delivery when Michelangelo approaches him, seeking any information about the Foot Clan and Leonardo. Before he answers, Woody apologizes for abandoning Michelangelo, and Michelangelo forgives him. Woody tells him he has heard some murmurings about the Foot and the street war that's coming.

Donatello and April approach a warehouse where Donatello's friend Harold Lilja has set up a new laboratory. Harold initially refuses to let April in as he told Donatello to come alone, but April manages to sweet talk her way in. Donatello tells Harold that his family is having serious trouble with one of their enemies (The Shredder and the Foot), and they could really use a technological advantage. Harold tells them he has been upgrading his anti-gravity gauntlets and light-refraction devices, but none of it has been tested. Harold tells them that if he does let them borrow anything, it's at their own risk.

Two black helicopters approach the Savate's headquarters. Inside, Victor is telling his troops how close they've come to ruling the city, with all of their opponents defeated save one: the Foot Clan. He says they will strike when the Foot least expects it. At that moment, Shredder, Leonardo, and a handful of Foot ninja burst in through the window and attack. Leonardo reports to Karai that they've begun the infiltration and tells her to stand by for his command. Karai says she understands, but then ignores his order and leads Alopex and more Foot ninja in an attack on the ground floor of the building. Upstairs, Victor attempts to flee and Shredder orders Leonardo to pursue him.

Splinter, Old Hob, and Slash stand on a hill overlooking StockGen. Hob explains the favor he needs from Splinter before he'll help him rescue Leonardo: retrieve some mutagen, so Hob can build a mutant army. Splinter tells him his plan is wrong, but reluctantly sets out to get the mutagen. Splinter easily avoids detection on his way to where the mutagen is stored.

Inside the Savate command center, Leonardo confronts Victor. The two battle and Leonardo comes out on top. As he is about to finish him off, Shredder tells him to stay his hand; he has other plans for Victor. Victor pulls out a gun in a last-ditch effort to escape but the Shredder dodges out of the way and cuts off his hand.

Splinter, on his way back out with the mutagen, is stopped by a guard. The guard tells him not to move or he'll shoot. Splinter throws the mutagen container into the air, distracting the guard, giving him time to knock him out, catch the mutagen and make his escape.

Raphael visits Casey in the hospital. He starts to apologize for getting Casey into this mess, but Casey tells him not to blame himself. Casey says they're family, and they always have each other's backs, no matter what. Raphael tells Casey what they've been doing to get information on the Foot and how to get Leonardo back.

Splinter returns to Hob with the mutagen. He tells Hob to be ready when he calls on him, and that he had better honor their arrangement. After Splinter leaves, Hob asks Slash if he finished his task. Slash says yes. Hob pulls out a remote detonator and pushes the button, igniting several bombs placed around the outside of StockGen as they speed off into the night.

In the Savate's headquarters, Shredder tells Leonardo that their last enemy has been defeated, and soon the entire city will be theirs. Karai listens in, and it becomes more apparent that she has been preparing her own plan of action, unbeknownst to Shredder.

(https://turtlepedia.fandom.com/wiki/City_Fall,_part_5)

Fan Art: TMNT by JPRart

Accompanying Podcast: ● Shellheads - episode 46

[tworoadsandapenny]

TMNT Christmas Carols: III. I'll Be Home for Christmas

I very much liked writing this one. Because angst and I are apparently best friends.

~~~~~~~

III. I'll Be Home for Christmas

Don walked around the room, a light smile on his face. It wasn’t much; just a few pieces of garland, some tinsel, and a couple strings of multicoloured lights, but to Don it was better than any Christmas decorations he’d ever seen. The room wasn’t very big or extravagant, had no windows, and only the one door, which gave it a more intimate feel. Raph was going to hate that. But it was inevitable that Raph was going to hate something about this get-together. He hadn’t exactly been the cheeriest person lately. Not that Don could blame him…

He’d been through a lot. All his family had.

Which is why Don was determined to make sure they had at least one night to relax and be with each other.

As he was checking that everything was in it’s place, Don smiled to April and Casey when they walked in.

“You sure we should be doin’ this?” Casey asked as he took a seat on one of the old couches.

“Too late to cancel now.” April placed her gift under the pile of sticks taped together like a tree as Don checked the lights. “Besides, it’s tradition.”

“I just mean the guys might not be in much of a Christmas mood. After everything that’s happened…”

Don saw Casey glance his way by the tree and averted his gaze.

It was his fault… but there was nothing he could—

“That’s why we need to do this.” April interjected. “They need family right now more than ever.”

Don was about to add his two cents when there was a knock at the door.

“Hola, dudes. Are we late?”

April smiled. “Fashionably, as usual.”

The orange-banded turtle laughed, stepping through the door with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, followed closely by Raph and Splinter.

“Thank you for welcoming us into your home, April. I know things haven’t been easy for you as of late—“

“Please,” April cut in with a hug. “You guys are family. You know you’re always welcome. I’m just sorry the new place is so small. With all that’s happening in the city lately, it’s hard to find available spaces. I hope it’s not too cramped.”

“It is safe. That is what matters most.” Splinter looked around at the decorations, the candles, and then to his children who were already rough-housing with one another, and smiled.

Don noticed his father’s content gaze and nodded; this was a good start. It had been a while since he’d seen his father smile like that. “Wait, where’s Leo?” He asked, looking around the room.

Almost on cue, Leonardo appeared in the door, closing it quietly behind him. His face was stoic and calm, as always, but there was something in his eyes Don had noticed growing over the past few months. Something cold and hollow. Leo, out of everyone, hadn’t been dealing well with recent events, and Don was more than a little worried. Because while his older brother’s obsessive tendencies could be an asset in certain situations, in this case they were only driving him into the ground.

Don was determined to change that.

“How was your run, Leonardo?” Splinter asked, knowing full well a training run was not where his son had been.

Leo only shrugged. “Uneventful.”

The ice of his brother’s tone was heartbreaking, and Don wasn’t the only one who took notice. Raph tensed the minute Leo stepped through the door, finding anything on the floor to distract him, and Mikey’s smile fell further from his eyes than Don had seen it in a while.

How could he fix this? “Leo—“

“Jeeze, Leo!” Casey snapped his hand away from the turtle’s shoulder. “You’re like a block of ice! How long were you outside?”

“Dunno.” Leo looked at his hands vacantly, and Don could tell his brother didn’t feel the cold.

“Well warm up by the fire, bro.” Mikey insisted, pushing Leo to sit by the small, makeshift fireplace in the wall. Raph scoot further away on the couch to make room, still refusing to make eye contact.

“We brought pizza and some snacks, if you guys are hungry.” April offered, attempting to part the tension in the air.

“Pizza!?” Mikey didn’t need to be told twice. He swiped a piece, wolfing it down in a single gulp. “Man, I can’t remember the last time we had pizza! Tastes just as delicious as I remember.”

“How would you know?” Raph scoffed, pulling his eyes from the floor after sneaking a glance at his older brother. “You literally just inhaled that. Did it even have a chance to touch your taste buds?”

“Don’t be jealous of my mad pizza skills, Raphie-boy. We all have to be good at something!” Mikey offered his brother a slice. “I’m good at devouring pizza, and your good at being a grouch.” He grinned, pulling the pizza away at the last second and scarfing it down himself.

“Mikey!”

“Just stickin’ to my strengths, bro.”

Don chuckled, enjoying the banter far more than he expected. But his eyes drifted back to Leo, who was staring at the floor, his gaze as distant as Don had ever seen it.

Almost empty.

What could he—

“Here.” A piece of pizza was unceremoniously thrust in front of the leader’s face. Raph turned away as Leo looked up, still unable to meet his brother’s gaze. “Eat it. Before the pizza-vacuum over there steals it all.”

But Leo only stared at the food, uninterested. “Not hungry.”

“Come on, bro,” Mikey piped up, moving to Leo’s side. “You gotta eat something! You look like you haven’t eaten days!”

“I’m not hungry.”

Don sighed heavily. Raph looked like he was about to throw the pizza in Leo’s face, and a fight was the last thing they needed right now. “Leo…”

“My son,” Splinter came to Leonardo’s other side by the arm of the couch, placing a paw on his shoulder. “You must eat to keep up your strength. Your leadership is needed now more than—“

“I can’t.”

The crackle of the fire emphasized the sudden silence. Leo wrung his hands together, his calm façade beginning to crumble.

“Leonardo—“

“I can’t do it, Sensei. I can’t—… How can you still trust me? After what happened to the city… to—”

“It wasn’t your fault, Leo!” Don practically shouted. But his brother paid no mind, his face twisting as he ground his teeth.

“It was my fault. I should have known. Should have seen it coming. Should have done something—anything! But I was too late. I didn’t—couldn’t—!” The walls of his guarded heart were falling apart, Don could almost see them crumbling. But his oldest brother simply sucked in a breath, steadying himself, and stood. “I should go.

There’s talk of Shredder setting up another base on the other side of town and—“

“My son—“

“I’m sorry, Sensei. You guys should celebrate without me.”

“Wait, Leo, you can’t go.” April moved closer as Casey stood in front of the door.  “Please… stay.”

“I can’t…” Leo glanced around the room at the decorations, his eyes falling on Don by the fireplace.

Don froze. The sadness that passed through his brother’s eyes in that moment was immense. Gut-wrenching.

His fault.

“Leo…”

His oldest brother took a few steps towards him, that piercing stare seeming more sharp the closer he got. “…I’m sorry.”

Don was at a loss for words. “Leo, it wasn’t—“

But Leo blinked, and it was gone. “I have to go.” Just as he turned from the fire to leave, a strong hand gripped his shoulder.

“It ain’t your fault.”

“Raph, I don’t have time—“

But Raph only stepped closer, his face only inches from his brother’s. “Don’t think you’re the only one feeling this. We all do. We’re all hurtin’. And having you brood around feeling sorry for yourself ain’t helpin’ anything.”

Leo glared. “Stand aside, Raph.”

“I ain’t lettin’ you leave.”

Mikey tried to diffuse the tension. “Dudes, come on, we’re supposed to be celebrat—“

“You think you can stop me?” Leo stood tall. Unphased.

“Yes.” As did Raph.

The silence grew, choking the words from everyone in the room.

When suddenly, Raph stepped forward and wrapped his arms around his older brother. Everyone, particularly Leo, blinked in surprise.

“We need you, bro. We won’t get through this without you. Can’t…”

Don could see Leo’s muscles tensing, but his face softened from the anger it held before.

“Raph, I—“

“It wasn’t your fault. None of this is.”

Leo stood stiff as a board, his eyes so downcast Don couldn’t see what was in them.

“He’s right.” Mikey nodded, standing. “And you know how much I hate agreeing with the grouchy one, so it has to be true.” Raph smirked as Mikey wrapped his arms around Leo as well. “We’ll get through this. bro. We will. Together. I know it.”

Leo didn’t look up, his body so tense it was almost trembling. “…But I—“

“Leonardo,” Splinter place a paw on his son’s arm. “We may never find what was lost. But we must remember what we still have.” He gestured to the group around him, making eye contact with Don as he spoke. “Remember that we still have each other.”

April and Casey both moved closer, joining in the group hug as Leo looked around at them all. His eyes landed on Don once more, the sadness still overwhelming.

“I’m sorry…” He whispered, letting his head fall onto Raph’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry…”

Mikey and Raph both gripped their brother tighter.

“Don’t be a dumbass.” Raph grumbled.

The group smiled uniformly, holding to their little family circle as the fire crackled behind them.

Don smiled as he wrapped his arms around his family. He felt it. Stronger than he had in eight months, he felt it.

He felt his family. Felt their love.

The smile crept wider as Mikey cracked a joke about Raph’s body odor and Raph retaliated by thumping him across the head. They would be okay. He’d make sure of it. His brothers were the strongest people he knew. They would be okay.

Leo managed a small smile as the others broke off to grab more pizza and stop Mikey from opening the presents. He turned back to the fire, staring at Don once more.

“Little brother...” He reached out towards the tall turtle, his hand going right through Don’s face to touch the picture frame behind him on the fireplace mantle. “You’ve no idea how much you are missed.”

Don only chuckled. He knew. He knew how much his brothers loved him. Could feel it every time he closed his eyes.

“I’m here, Leo.” He whispered reaching out to touch his brother’s plastron above his heart. “I’m always here.”

Leo felt warmth spread through his chest. He smiled.

“Thanks, Don.”

~~~~~~~

Previous < - > Next

In case it isn't clear, yes, this is a SAINW story. It's about 6 months after Donnie's disappearance, and Shredder is just starting to gain power over the city. Hope it makes sense. If not, let me know, comments and critiques are always welcome.

End of Line.

-TRAaP