NinjaNeko

I do a lot here nowadays, so let me fill you in!

For common tags to organize posts, check the tags below!

For a better understanding of the categories:

I’m most popular for my analyses. I tend to throw out a few rants/interpretations/descriptions on unnoticed or misunderstood aspects of turtle iterations, mainly for the 2012 gang. These guys are extremely misunderstood creatures (See what I see TMNT).

I also do Incorrect TMNT Quotes for the fandom (incorrect tmnt quotes), Tumblr Turtle story clips (ImagionationStation’s Ficlets), I make Mini Music Videos (IS TMNT MMV), post some 2012 show moments and randomly compile a full episode from a single turtle’s POV (Show Clips), and I intend to document thoughts about other shows when I have the time to watch (Turtle Comparison Notes).

I have a tag for asks (IS Asks) and a tag specifically for AUs that get dropped off in my Ask box (AU Asks). Got an AU idea that you’d like explored? As long as it’s in my comfort zone, let’s do so together!

Speaking of AUs:

Once Upon A 2012Donnie Au: Masterpost

Wendybirds AU Asks: Masterpost

Feral Raphie AU Blog Link: Intro

Mismatched Twins Blog Link: Masterpost

Other places to find me:

I’m on A03 and Wattpad!

May not keep YouTube but it exists rn!

Watching tmnt1987 over here as @1987viewer!

I share a sideblog for AUs and the like: @bringingourrealitys2life

If I see a comic scene that makes my brain explode with emotions, I’m going to want to find it again. I collect them here. Feel free to browse and see if I stumble on any that aren’t wildly popular or have yet to become so: @strictlyturtlecomics

Quick Sidenote!

I understand that the turtles have their flaws. I acknowledge that I have my flaws. I do not need you to yell these facts at me.

I reserve the right to block haters that hate for the sake of hating. If you are not willing to chat negatives without passive aggressive behavior or an open mind, I will block without hesitation.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful turtleful life! 💚💚

"Then go," Shredder waves. "Bring them to me."

"What?" Karai demands. "It's because of him that Splinter and the turtles are still alive in the first place!"

"Karai, you will go with Tiger Claw," Shredder stares her down. "Destroy Splinter and the turtles, at any cost."

She gives a faint bow. Tiger Claw's eyes narrow.

Tiger Claw catches her arm in the hall, claws against metal. "If you lay a hand on Toshi, my wrath will not stop with my imprisoners."

She rips her arm away, facing him. "Then you'd better hope your turtle doesn't get in my way."

Toshi finds comfort in Murakami's shop.

It feels like home, sitting on the stool with the smells and decor around him. He trades stories in rapid-fire Japanese with the kind chef, watching it frustrate the brothers to follow along with.

"You speak English very well," Murakami praises in said-language, maybe having pity on them. Toshi smiles bashfully. "Are you from America?"

"I don't know for sure where I was born, but my theory is that I was mutated here." Toshi offers, unaware of the looks traded behind his shell, before the brothers move closer. "I was found alone, half-crushed by a trash bag. From there, I was taken back to Asia, where I spent most of my time. I'm pretty adept at languages though. I can speak a couple versions of Spanish, Russian, and I'm learning German. It's a good way to occupy my time."

"That sounds very intensive."

"I don't mind it. It's a useful skillset," He smiles as Murakami places a plate in front of him. He gives it a curious look. "Is this..."

"A pizza gyoza." The chef beams. "The brothers' favorite."

"It has... Pizza in it?" Toshi pokes it. "That doesn't sound very-"

"Oh, you have to try it!" Mikey gasps, lurching for the counter. "It's- like- the bestest thing ever!"

"I've heard of your culinary tastes, Mikey. I don't have any interest in sharing them."

"Don't knock it 'til you try it." Raph teases. Leo goes to his other side and nudges him. "It's one of Murakami's most popular dishes."

"It is." He smiles. "I am still in your debt for such a wonderful addition."

"You really don't owe us anything." Leo says as he pushes away from the counter. Raph takes his place. "Don't be chickeeen."

"Eat it! Eat it! Eat it!"

"You promise it's good, Murakami-san?"

"I insist upon it."

Mikey lays his head on the counter. "Aw, don't you trust us?"

Toshi picks up one. "For this? No."

He stares at it. Then he puts it in his mouth.

Heaven implodes on his tongue as soon as he chews.

"Eh? Eh? Ehhhh?"

Toshi forgets table manners to shove his face.

Mikey jumps up with fists in the air as Raph and Murakami laugh. Toshi feels a little silly, but he enjoys his snack as Raph and Mikey get their own plate, turning to ask Leo if he is going to join them.

He's over by the window, looking solemn.

Raph glances up and follows his gaze. "He's brooding. Thinking about Karai."

"Karai?" Toshi asks, "What about her?"

Raph and Mikey exchange a look. Leo says, "She doesn't belong in the Foot. I told her-" He shakes his head. Toshi can tell that there's a piece of the puzzle they aren't sharing. "How can she still want to stay?"

Mikey seems to take that question in stride, getting on the bar and announcing some... Declaration or another. Toshi can't tell past the food in his mouth. Raph responds with a firm, "Personally, I don't trust her. Not for one second."

"She didn't seem all bad," Toshi shrugs. "Didn't take much a liking to me, though. She was... Happy to kick me out as soon as I asked what happened to Tiger Claw."

"See?" Raph accuses, "She's bad news!"

He goes to eat the gyoza that he'd picked up, unaware that Mikey had already stolen it. Instead, he chomps down on his own flesh.

As soon as he realizes who did it, he lunges for the thief. They begin brawling on the floor. Leo sighs and looks out the window.

Toshi wonders what it is they don't want him to know.

Toshi should've been heading back, but he was putting it off, making up excuses to stay in their company before he had to sit and sleep in silence.

When Mikey panics about his doggy bag, Toshi jumps on the chance and offers to go with. Then it becomes a group effort. They head back to Murakami's together.

The interior is a wreck.

Mikey finds Murakami on the floor, curling up with his hands on his head. The poor man is shaking as Toshi goes to his other side, helping Mikey get him to his feet. He hovers, uncertain what to do next.

"They came looking for you," Murakami explains weakly. "They wanted to know where you lived." He faces Toshi. "If you were with them," Toshi's eyes widen. "They asked about your friends. To my shame, I told them everything I knew."

Raph sounds volatile. "Who did this?"

"A girl... and a growling man."

Leo goes over to the wall. Toshi stares at the long marks, slashed like claws. He touches them.

His heart leaps when Leo asks, "Was this who I think it is?"

"He's back," Toshi gasps, clinging to the hope. "Tiger Claw's back! He's-" He glances at their solemn faces and then at the scratches on the wall. He looks to their friend. "He did this? To the shop? To Murakami-san?"

Murakami is facing at his hands. Leo sharply says, "And now he's going after April and Casey."

"The girl's gotta be Karai, Leo!" Raph snaps as Toshi steps away from the wall and the brothers. "I told you-!"

"Not now Raph!"

"Why can't you ever-!"

"Not now Raph!"

Toshi hears himself say, "I have to find him."

Everyone looks at him.

Mikey tries, "Toshi-"

"If he's out there, I have to find him." Toshi has his hand to his chest, stepping away from them. "Maybe I can put a stop to this- maybe-"

Raph shakes his head. "He's dangerous! He's out to kill us and hurt our friends along the way!"

"I can fix this." He turns and runs, "I can change his mind."

"Toshi!"

He's already out the door.

"Guess that ends plan Save-Tiger-Claw-So-He-Like-Us, huh?" Mikey asks nervously. Neither of his brothers respond, and he presses, "What- what do we do now? Leo?"

Leo shakes his head and exhales slowly, "Hopefully Toshi can slow him down. We have to focus on our friends. Get to them before Tiger Claw does."

There he is.

He cups his mouth. "Takeshi!"

He watches him whirl, scanning the rooftops, spotting him.

"Toshi!"

Takeshi sprints for him, and Toshi can't help a bubbling laugh of relief, leaping down the water tower to meet him halfway. Takeshi cups his face as soon as he can reach, large hands around his head, and Toshi leans into the nostalgia, curling his fingers around his wrists, unable to stop smiling as the tiger scans him for any injuries.

"Are you unharmed? You seem intact."

"I'm fine, I promise!"

"Then you have no excuse! I have been scouring the city for you, cub!" He snarls before looking him in the eyes, "Where have you been?"

"Where have I been!?" Toshi demands. "Where have you been?! And your eye- what happened to your eye?"

He lowers his hands, and Toshi lets go. "I was eaten by one of those infernal worms! I had to fight my way back here. I could not retain everything. But I have returned! Returned to enact my revenge on the turtles and their-"

"Revenge? You mean like attacking the blind man?"

"I was gathering information to find the turtle's lair." Takeshi pulls a small device out of his belt to show him. "Then I will finish them and bring Shredder his rat."

"No, see, that's what I need to talk to you about-" Toshi blurts, putting a hand over the screen. "-you can't hurt them, or their friends, because they-"

"I was told you had been seen with the likes of them." Takeshi scoffs as he turns away. "What have I told you about fraternizing with the prey?"

"They weren't! Aren't! They-"

"Are not any of your concern. I will finish this."

"Takashi, you have to stop!" Toshi begs. "They're my friends!"

He shakes his head. "They are not your friends."

"They are! They've been helping me find you!"

"They are the reason that horrendous beast ate me!"

Toshi freezes. "Ate- you?"

"They are liars, Toshi," Takeshi warns darkly. "Betrayers like so many others. They fed me to that worm, and now I will have my vengeance. Our vengeance! Nothing will stand in my way!"

"But they-" His voice cracks. "But I thought they..."

"I have told you before, Toshi." His voice softens, still dead serious. "Everybody wants something. You cannot trust anyone until you know what that is. And even then..."

"Even if- even if they lied to me-" Toshi looks at him helplessly. "Do you have to kill them?"

"It is what I do. It is my business."

"But you've made it more than business! This is personal!"

"You are too young to yet understand," Takeshi shakes his head. "But I knew that even when I brought you."

"Takashi-"

"No more of this."

"Please, I don't think-"

Toshi grabs his chin, claws at his jaw.

"You will listen to me, boy!"

Toshi doesn't move a muscle.

The tiger takes a heavy breath. Then he lets it out, and he lets him go. "Go to your gadgets. Distract your mind," Tiger Claw leaves no room for argument. "You will not question me anymore. When I return triumphant, you will leave this place and never return."

Toshi swallows, voice small, "But you will come back?"

"I swear it." He sets a hand on Toshi's plastron. "Now go."

Toshi lies in bed; face pressed into the blue scarf.

The room is upturned, matching his state of reality.

He wishes Takeshi had remained lost.

Right before the wish is made, Nikki directly asks Bear if he likes her, and Bear fumbles and tells her that they are friends. This would not be the case with Donnie. We're shown in The Invasion that when he thinks he has the opportunity to say something, he goes for it. The difference between these scenarios is that Nikki asks Bear directly, while April intentionally prevents him from saying anything about it.

In April's exact words, "You should stop talking."

If April directly asked Donnie how he felt about her, the canon supports that Donnie would just be honest about his feelings, because he isn't trying to hide anything- he's not talking about it because he thinks (then knows) April wouldn't/doesn't want them to discuss it.

The only time that he does bring it up again is in Foot Too Big, when he's apologizing to her. (Keep a pin in that. We move on.)

So let's say that he does get very nervous and fumbles the ball- would he make the wish? Yeah. I think he would. He tends to act out when his emotions are high, and I believe he would blurt something like "I wish April would love me the way that I love her." I do NOT think he would wish that April would love him "more than anyone in the whole world."

This movie is centered around a male predator who intentionally ignores a female's boundaries and autonomy to claim the female as his own. His wish was worded in that specific way because- as the movie shows- he doesn't like Nikki. He likes the idea of having her.

Donnie starts out with a crush on April, but at no point during the series does he claim ownership of her. And no, that one time that he fumbles and says "my April" "our April" "April" was not some subconscious revelation- it was a kid with a crush saying something inappropriate, realizing he said something inappropriate, and then correcting himself to fix the inappropriate.

He learns to know her, "she always answers the phone!" "April's usually at the park around this time," but he never pretends that she belongs to him. Whatever she decided to do during the series, he always supported that. Ever notice how Donnie's never depicted, even hinting that she should stop tutoring Casey?

Casey gets a whole conversation with Raph about how he has to back off of April because Donnie likes him. No one tells April how to feel.

And when she decides to become a kunoichi, Donnie's all for it. He never attempts to stop her because it might be dangerous. No attempt at control or persuasion. Just support. "It's amazing you made it to kunoichi, April. Ignore everything Raph just said."

When April told them that they can trust Karai, Donnie (who notoriously doesn't trust Karai) doubtfully says, "I trust... April." And doesn't say anything against them bringing her home.

He fights Casey around her, but when she makes a verdict, he respects it. Donnie never even tells her that she's wrong for blacklisting his entire family because of an accident that they are currently trying to repair. Upon 'losing' her for the second time, he leaves and goes home.

Bear's wish is a reflection of how he desired her to lose her autonomy by making all her love be centered around him. Donnie wants to be in a relationship with her, but he wants her to want it too. He doesn't want to own her. He just wants her to see him as more than a mutant.

I think he'd wish that she'd love him in his lowest moment. I don't think he'd wish that all her love (ergo, autonomy) would belong to him.

April is actually a super independent female character in the series because all of the brothers respect her autonomy as a person. There's never a point in the series where any of them try to tell her what she can or can't do. In Metalhead, when April wants to hunt the Kraang alone, Leo warns her that it "could be dangerous,'' and she warns him that it's more dangerous for him to be getting in between her and her dad, so he puts up his hands and steps away to let her go.

Canonly, Donnie has never tried to take her autonomy. When he thinks that he might be because of what Raph says, "now you know how April feels" in the events of A Foot Too Big, he goes to her and says that he's going to back off from her now. He understands what he's been doing and how it could be affecting her. He intends to stop.

Then April kisses him. And walks away.

Which is an incredibly confusing response for a boy who just bared his heart and said that he was going to back off because he guessed she wasn't interested. To then be shown that she has interest.

How on earth would you respond to that?

Another point that I would like to make, is Bear actively ignoring all of the harm that is happening to Nikki. All the crying fits, all the abnormal acts, he watches them happen and moves on.

There is no universe where Donnie does that. Donnie has acted as April's shoulder to lean on through the entire series. When she's freaking out in Fungus Humongous, his first instinct is to soothingly crouch beside her and tell her that she's okay. Out of all the brothers, he's the first person that she calls when she's in trouble, because she knows that he's going to show up. In City At War, when April's pulling out her blade and about to lose control, it's Donnie crouching next to her and gently telling her "not to let that weirdo get to you" which pulls her out of her psychic insanity funk and calms her down.

Donnie cares so, so, so much about her being happy and safe. He would not sit back and let any of this play out. The SECOND that she shows adverse signs, he's going to go out of his way to fix whatever it is that he did. In Bat in the Belfry, April goes to Donnie about her headaches and weird visions, and he tries to find a way to stop them. It shows that he's noticing every time that she acts off with the crystal. The Power Inside Her begins with Donnie trying to figure out what the crystal is doing because the vibes are off. He wants to figure out why and how to stop it in case it becomes bad for her/others.

Donnie wants the crystal to figure it out, but he never stops her from taking/keeping it when she wants it because he respects her and the fact that it belongs to her. He respects her autonomy to have it until it makes her go crazy, and she destroys the lab.

Then he steps in to separate them.

Even after she destroys the dojo/lair, Donnie chases her up a building alone. He doesn't care what happens to him if it means she's okay.

In the movie, he might buy some of her reasons, "I'm only emotional because of my dad," because he trusts her wholeheartedly, but as soon as she does the first whacked-out thing (memorial of the cat-esc crazy), he's going to know something's wrong, and he's going to start trying to figure out what it is.

He's going to have vibes that something is wrong from the get-go, and a restaurant-esc scene would immediately spur him to start acting. There's no universe where he sees her make a scene like that and learns that she lied to him and doesn't know that she's not acting like herself. That would be the point that he starts trying to figure out what the HECK is wrong with her and (very likely) blaming himself for it, which would only make him want to fix it more.

The scene where she's in bed and asking him to kill her to free her? There would be no "What's so bad about being with me?" He'd be sprinting back to her to promise that he's going to fix this and free her. During the show, he has nothing but her best interests at heart, and the SECOND that she reveals that she actually doesn't like this? That would be all it takes for him to know that it's wrong. That it has to be undone.

I think upon learning that he has to kill himself, he'd be like "no there has to be another way" because normal people don't want to die, and thankfully, his brothers are not useless people like Ian, and probably would wish for the wish to go away, which would fix everything.

Then we'd have a A Foot Too Big-esc scene at the end where Donnie apologizes to April for making the wish in the first place, because that's just the kind of person that the canon shows him to be.

To Summarize:

The main difference between the Hamato lifestyle and the lifestyle that Tiger Claw wanted for him is that the Hamatos believe in the preservation of life. They insist upon saving everyone at any cost to themselves, instead of preserving themselves at the cost of everyone else. They also make him feel loved and cared for and like his opinions both matter and are wanted. They make him feel smart and capable.

That's the only stability that he wants from a family.

But the thing about them fitting so neatly into what he's been hoping for is that he was raised to believe that's not possible. Or at the very least, it wasn't in the cards for people like him and Tiger Claw.

Sometimes, he feels like he shouldn't have joined the family because he sees himself as a net bad for them. Since Tiger Claw was very neglectful and never gave anything unconditionally, he was raised to believe that nothing is forever, and you have to be ready to be abandoned at any time for any reason by any person.

Which means every time that Donnie does something wrong, there's something in the back of his mind that says his family is going to disown him and walk away because of it. So, when he's first acclimating to the family, he's basically a walking pipe bomb, ready to accept that he's not good enough and they don't want him. After all, he was raised by a ruthless murderer and knows his philosophy by heart. His first instinct when surprised is to put a gun to someone's head. How can they not clock that he's bad news? Realistically, who wants something like that around? In their home, no less?

This gets explored a bit in A Chinatown Ghost Story, which comes directly after Vengeance is Mine, which is when he learns who he is/who he could have been/who he was supposed to be.

I'm trying to follow the 2012 plotline where things get wrapped up in a single episode, so that is how this one progresses, but he does carry that 'maybe they'd be better off if I was different/wasn't here' with him through a lot of the series. A big part of his arc.

Losing Splinter... Isn't a positive for him, but he's just grateful that he got a chance to meet and know him. Even if it was brief and scattered. He had a father, and he knows Splinter loved him unconditionally.

Those memories are worth more than any of his skills or inventions.