#feverwrites

Raph swings his feet to the cold pavement, his body shudders for a second, but he’s instantly up in big brother mood. Everyone should be asleep after what they’ve gone through. He passes by Leo’s room first; his brother has his eye mask and is sleeping like a baby. All cuddled up on the blanket with a teddy bear. Raph smiles and chortles; his younger brother usually coops himself up in the kitchen, drinking some rando tea. It’s good to see him asleep after hearing he fought alongside Pops at Battle Nexus. That took a toll on him.  

For some reason, he checks on Mikey next. Mike usually is the first to go to bed, but the fight with Feral Shredder and Mikey literally throwing a ship at him was miraculous and took a toll as well. But, like Leo, Mikey was fast asleep, though his blankets were discarded to the ground, and his feet hung on the bed frame. Raph silently enters his room, picks up the blanket, and puts it over him. He leaves his room quick, now knowing who exactly was up. Raph rolls his eyes; the resident genius isn’t the easiest to put to bed, but they have training in the morning, and both need their beauty sleep. 

And Raph was right. Donnie’s awake and in his lab. Raph barely goes in here due to Donnie’s little “mad scientists need their personal space” gibber gabber, and they let him have it. But being 3 am and having training, plus, what they just went through, Raph didn’t think that mattered. 

Approaching slowly, being a ninja and all, Raph sees the broken battle shell, thanks to the Shredder. Unfortunately, it’s torn, and all the gizmos and everything that makes the battle shell is gone. Just a torn, purple mess, Raph sees soft scratches on Donnie’s softshell. He takes a breath; the battle shell thankfully took most of the beating; he can’t imagine what would’ve happened if his brother didn’t have that extra protection. 

“Donnie.” 

Donnie jumps out of his seat; he spins around to see Raph, torch in his hands and goggles on his eyes. “Never,” he breathes, turning off the torch, “scare a turtle with a torch.” He lifts his goggles, adjusting his eyes, and sees a sheepish Raphael. 

“Sorry.” He says, and Donnie scoffs. 

“What you doing in my lab anyway?” Raph knows Donnie means no harm when he tries to act tough, and being the big brother he is, it’s his duty to ensure everyone’s asleep and rested.

“Well, I couldn’t sleep and heard noises. Watcha making?” 

“If you must know,” Don looks at the battered prosthetic, “I’m making a few improvements for my shell.” He retorts, pulling his shoulder back with a wince. 

Raph comes closer; there’s the new, unfinished battle shell. It looks similar to the old one, but Raph assumes it’ll be sturdier. On the side, these small colorful pods probably can fit the palm of Donnie’s hand cause Raph’s hands are enormous for comparison. 

Curiosity gets the best of him, “what’s this?” he doesn’t want to pick up the pod, afraid it’ll explode like some sort of bomb, so he just points. 

“Hmm?” Donnie looks, and his smile falters, “well, it’s a prototype, and still in the blueprints, buuut – “ 

“Donnie,” Raph says sternly, curiosity eating him away. He’s seen Donnie make his prosthetic a bazillion times but never seen these. 

“So uhh, after my neardeathexperience with the Shredder, I’ve been thinking of making these pods all day, and it’s been eating me alive if I didn’t do it tonight.” Donnie shrugs, and the faint wince is there again; maybe the Battle Shell didn’t protect him as much as Raph initially thought.

“Pods? Do they explode or somethin’” Raph tilts his head now, thankful he didn’t actually grab one. 

“No, dear brother, quite the opposite. In battle,” Donnie feels awkward; he hopes he would never use it in battle and that it was ultimately the last option. “Let’s say, in battle, one of us gets hurt, like really bad, and whoever we’re fighting is overpowered. So, I’m trying to make this, I guess, emergency pods. They attach to your chest and build like a little, literal escape pod and take you to the lair. AGAIN, I’m still figuring out the schematics and how it’ll fit depending on body size, and ya know.” He quiets down when Raph just stares at him.

Silence fills the room, and Donnie looks away, kind of ashamed, like his idea wasn’t that great after all. Sometimes if Pops didn’t give him approval, he would lean on his oldest brother for it. 

“Soooo yeah.” Donnie rubs the back of his head, pulling his arm back to massage his sore shell. 

“Donnie,” Raph starts, smiling, “this is a great idea.” He grabs the blueprint, despite Donnie’s soft, no don’t, but he does anyway and reads it. Most of them are big science words that he doesn’t try to read, but these drawings and his brothers idea, Raph can picture them as truly useful.

“And you just thought of this today?” 

Donnie timidly nods, “don’t tell anyone, again, it’s a prototype, and I’m not sure if I can execute it, but I’ve been thinking of it since –“ He shudders, and Raph didn’t know much of Shredder being so close to hurting Donnie. There was so much going on, and Donnie was able to get on his feet, but he looks again, now closer, with the lit-up room the scratches on his softshell and what could have been. 

“I – I won’t. No one would know.” 

“And I hope no one would ever know because it’ll be one of those things, I’ll have but never need to use.” Donnie tells him and turns away, now feeling like he told Raph too much. 

“As you said, it’ll be for absolutely only for emergencies.” Raph agrees and rubs a hand on Donnie’s head affectionately. “That big brain of yours overthinks every scenario.”

“Ha,” Donnie sneers, ducking away from Raph’s hand, “you can only imagine.” 

And Raph can, being the leader and having to protect his brothers, always came with a burden. But, he doesn’t feel so alone knowing Donnie overthinks too. 

Raph looks at the time and forgets he came in to drag Donnie out, not motivate him with his gizmos. “Come on, Don,” he ushers, “even geniuses need their beauty sleep.” 

Donnie doesn’t argue; he yawns, letting his tiredness take over. He’s glad Raph knows about it; if he ever was out of commission – or something worse – Raph would know about the pods and get everyone to safety. 

“Let me clean up, and I’ll be out in a few.” 

Raph nods, never realizing he and Donnie had a few things in common. Maybe anxiety and overthinking every little thing isn’t the best thing to have in common, but to know Donnie has his back… Raph smiles.

“Alright, I’ll wait for ya.”

Maybe April can help with this, sign up for the class under her name, and he'd disguise himself.

"Okay, I'll talk to April and see what we can do."

"Ohmigosh, thanks, Dee!" Mikey goes into a hug, but Donnie doesn't hug back; he just gives him a faltered smile.

X

With Donnie and April's help, they manage to get Mikey into this class in her high school. April said something about how she's supposed to take art for credit but didn't actually want to, so she's happy that Mike can take it for her.

But of course, Mike has to disguise himself. He's wearing his signature orange hoodie and has the hood over his head. In addition, he has these neon green joggers and red crocs; they're Raph's and fit a little too big for him, but he has them in sports mode, and they don't look too bad on him. He's also wearing a neon orange mask like the other kids have to wear during class; thanks to Rona, he has a clip holding it back since he technically has no ears. But he's happy they have to wear masks, so he can hide from the other kids.

 He sits in the back of the class and limits himself from talking. He came to learn, not socialize. As much as he'd love to, he reminds himself he's not human, and they're not like April. The kids will freak out if they found out.

But he's slowly accepted in the class; despite being the "quiet kid," his art is excellent, and his teacher, Ms. Estrada, always puts up the kids' artwork one by one to talk and critique it.

Mike comes to find out that he does more graffiti-style street art. It's never criticized and quite accepted by Estrada. He feels more confident in his work.

X

"How was your class, Miguel," Leo asks behind a comic book, looking over at him.

"Good," Mike answers, pulling down his mask, "Ms. Estrada likes my style!"

"Sounds good, Hermano," Leo looks away and goes back to reading, and Mike sits next to him, having a bunch of stories to tell him in the 40-minute class.

Leo beams, setting his comic book down to listen to his brother's ramble.

X

Coming home from class, Mike usually has all this pent-up energy. His brothers know him very well, so when he comes home, his hand is on the opposite shoulder and sagging. Raph instantly knows something wrong.

"Hey, Mikey." Raph greets his brother, but Mikey faces away from him.

"Hi." Comes the quiet voice.

Raph looks over to Leo and makes eye contact with him, eyes shifting to Mike's. Leo instantly gets up from the couch and joins him. Donnie stays behind and, on his phone, but he's there and listening.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Raph's voice is soft and in big brother mode. He bends his knees to look at Mikey better.

Mike's heart is on his sleeve; no matter how hard he tries to hide his feelings, it always bleeds through. He's kind of ashamed; he thought he could handle this himself.

"I think a kid is being rude to me." He wants to say bullying, but it sounds so cliché.

Donnie stops and looks up from his phone.

"Who's being rude to you?" He asks before Raph and Leo can.

"I – I don't know, really. I think this kid is, but he doesn't say anything to me. When Estrada shows my artwork, he's pointing and laughing at it." Mike still won't make eye contact, and he feels the tension in the air. But he continues, "at first, I thought he was laughing with me, so I'd chuckle too, but then he'd stop. After a few times of showing my artwork, I realized he's making fun of my art, and maybe… maybe me?" He shrugs half-heartedly. He feels the tears threatening to spill, but he's holding it back, but he can't control his voice wavering.

"Mikey, hey…" Raph puts a hand on his shoulder and looks ready to say something. Leo beats him to the punch.

"Why don't we go and teach this kid a lesson?" Leo says dramatically, punching his fist on his palm.

"Leo." Raph threatens, "he's like 14; we can't just beat him up."

"No, no," Donnie interrupts, "I agree with Leon. Violence is the answer."

"Donnie," he hisses, but he wants to teach this kid not to mess with their brother.

"Guys, guys. It's okay." Mike wipes off a tear, "this is just…new to me."

"It shouldn't even be happening to you," Raph tells him, and Donnie's wielding his tech bo glaringly with a chainsaw sticking out.

"Donnie." Raph threatens again.

Donnie turns off the chainsaw, but he still has his bo in his hands. "Look, this punk kid will continue unless we do something."

"I think I have an idea," Leo says, a smile on his face.

Raph's not sure what his idea is and doesn't want to know. All he knows is that the next day, the three of them focused solely on Mike's bully.

X

Raph throws a hard punch at the dummy in the dojo. It swings, creaking under momentum, and comes back to him. He punches again, and this time, the dummy falls to the ground with a broken chain.

"Cool it, Hermano," Leo tells him, sharpening his Odachi; the smell of honing oil is strong, and Raph picks up the discarded dummy.

"Sorry," Raph says half-heartedly, he tries to put the chain back on, but it's broken. He sighs, frustration wrinkled on his forehead.

Leo lifts his Odachi from the whetstone, looking over to Raph. "Donnie can fix that," he tells him, "But you losing your cool can't."

Raph nods heavily; he hates seeing Mikey upset. He'd rather try and lift a school bus than see his brother sad. When Raph was appointed leader, he told himself he'd protect his brothers, but this? A grade B bully? They all are wearing their disguises, it only being 10 in the morning, Mike’s class is starting soon.

Mikey enters the dojo and sees the fallen dummy and Leo sharpening his Odachi. "You guys…" He pleads quietly, tired and over it, "you don't have to."

"Oh, sweet child," Leo looks over glaringly, "but we will."

Mikey sometimes is thankful for his brothers; it may be meddling, maybe a little petty, for the younger one to bring his big brothers to rescue him. But he's thankful. Donnie comes out of nowhere, mumbling and typing on his sleeve, asking for the kid's name to target him. Mike can barely hear what Donnie's saying, but he knows he heard something about an airstrike and laughs.

Mikey looks over at them and smiles. He knows his brothers have his back.

His anger clouded his mind as he made his way to the junkyard. Donnie didn’t get angry often, but when he did it’s been towards Leo. His brother been annoying him about the cure for Karai, the sleepless nights made him more agitated when Leo gets to have more than 7 hours of sleep and he’s on his third day of barely two hours of sleep.

 Maybe it was due to the storm coming up that lead his mind to go foggy, or the fact anger clouded his judgment of the storm coming earlier than he thought. He just needed to grab a piece and go, but the howling winds and the paranoia were kicking in. Maybe if he turned back now, apologized to Leo and actually go to sleep, he can go another day.

 Looking up at the dark, loomed sky, he knew another day meant weeks or even months and they don’t have time to sit around waiting for the snow to end. Their sister could be on the verge of dying, she was alone and couldn’t control herself, and Donnie owed her that much to at least save her.

 Donnie picked up a scrap of metal, and in the reflection, he was able to turn around and block the incoming sword coming his way with his bo. He thanked whatever made him the urge to pick up that metal but destroying that one random bot he knew something was wrong. Foot bots came like a pack of wolves, he needed to go before –

 At least 30 of these bots sprang out of nowhere, and Donnie was surrounded. He had no choice but to fight, the snow started to flutter, and the storm was going to kick in soon, Donnie had to act fast.

 “Can’t we do this another night?” He groaned at them, as he pulled out the naginata from his bo, and as the crowd of bots came closer to him, their weapons out gleamingly into the night, he fought as hard as he can.

 But it wasn’t enough.

 Quickly, he was outmatched, they knocked his bo out of his hands, and there were at least 20 bots, or it seemed like more were coming out. He swore there were 15, and now –

 He was hit on the back of his knees, and it took his breath out as another kicked him straight to the throat. Wheezing, he took out his phone to alert his brothers, maybe they can’t come due to the storm, but they would know at least that he’s going to die.

 With the cold taking over his body, and being stabbed, kicked and punched, and maybe even burned? He couldn’t feel anything as his body fell numb, was it due to the storm or were they beating the crap out of him that he lost all feeling?

 With the last of his strengths, he slurred: “T-phone…ssself destruct.” He didn’t even feel his phone being snatched from him; he watched his phone crumble under the hands of the foot, he laid his head on the concrete, letting the billows of snow go on top of him.

 At least he knew his brothers will be safe. 

 x

 The constant questioning Donnie was enduring sort of wished that he was dead. 

 Finding out he survived the ambush, probably because Shredder didn’t want him dead, yet, meant that torturing and questioning would have to do.

 As he laid in his own prison cell, counting the days he’s been in here, hours and minutes, he knew that the probability of his brothers coming for him was 0.3%.

 He knew that they knew he was gone, kidnapped for sure ‘cause his bo was left at the junkyard and the rest of his stuff, maybe. He told Leo two hours he would be gone, and it’s been over 30.

 “You know,” Baxter said behind the cell, smirking at the turtle. “If you talk, Master Shredder won’t kill you.”

 “Beat it, Stockboy.” He tried sounding tough like Raph, maybe it will raise his chances of survival, or worse, he would die quicker.

 “Oh, giving attitude? Strange coming from you, but not eating for almost two days now gets to a man, err turtle. You do realize your brothers aren’t coming for you, so maybe you should start talking.” Baxter wrapped his hands around the bar, leaning on them to hear the turtle talk. His voice was strained from the screaming, he was being tortured like there was no tomorrow and he knew the little comfort Donnie gave himself wasn’t going to last.

 But Donatello was a smart turtle, and it seemed like it’s been lacking since the only thing he has was water, and not enough to survive.

 “Talking? You think because my brothers aren’t here, I’ll start talking?” Donnie gave a scoff of a chuckle, “I’d do anything to protect them.” He knew Shredder sent Baxter to talk to him because they had the most common. They were both geniuses who were looked down upon, but he had thick skin, Stockman wasn’t going to break him easily.

 “Alright,” Baxter tightened his lips in a hum, “your chances of survival are slim, I say you won’t make it by the end of the week.”

 “I’ll take it.” Donnie said, maybe a little too quick, “Anything for them.”

 x

He knew his time was coming up when his breaths became too shallow and he could barely talk. But the Shredder kept on insisting, over and over and over and over, it was driving him nuts.

 “I’m not saying…” He licked the blood off his top lip, feeling the bruise, the swelling as Shredder punched him repeatedly, everywhere. He was his punch dummy, and each time he would torture him, Donnie thought that the Shredder was doing it for some sick entertainment and not to find his home.

 “I’m getting tired of this, turtle.” Shredder told him in the most monotone, angry voice he could give. “I want answers now!” His gauntlets shot out, and he pressed it along Donnie’s neck.

 “Do it, I dare you.” He spat blood on the floor next to his shoulder, waiting for death to claim him. He was tired, he was tired of talking, of waiting for his brothers. It’s been too long, why was Shredder keeping him alive?

 “Alright, turtle,” Shredder pulled his gauntlet away from the turtle’s neck and kicked his shell so Donnie would be laying on his stomach. He looked at the bruised head and pointed the gauntlet towards it. “Say goodbye.”

 “I’ll see you in hell.” Don laughed, almost mockingly, and then a white sharp pain hit him, before there was nothing.

 x

He woke up to something light yet heavy falling onto him.

 It was white, and he slowly staggered up, staring into the obliviousness into the world. His body ached, and he didn’t know why.

 He didn’t know where he was, who he is, or how he got here, but, his head. He placed his hand on the back of his head, and slowly crept out of the narrowed area.

 He stared blankly, seeing the pillows of white surround him, as he shivered. There were colors all over, bright colors, that clashed against the people’s dark clothing.

 He walked straight ahead, hearing the honks and screeching as he tried to make his way.

 Donnie was confused, with everything. Everything was, confusing. Nothing felt right, the faces in front of him showed emotion he didn’t – couldn’t – understand. So, he stood still, hearing screams, and people yell at his face, until something – someone – pulled him away.

 “Dude… what…thinking…know.” He stared towards the wall, swaying, he was yelling like the people. He didn’t understand, nor who he was.

 Orange pulled him arm, the one holding his head, and stared at his hand. There was nothing wrong with his hand, but he let Orange examine him.

 Orange took off his mask, that made him look not orange, and he balled it up and put it on his head. He hissed, he heard a murmur and his arm was hooked over the smaller one and was dragged away.

 His eyes felt heavy, his legs hurt, and his body burnt. His knees collapsed under him, and small was able to pick him up.

 He felt safe, his head dipped a couple time, and feeling like it was led, he crashed onto smalls shoulder.

 x

Waking up was a scary thing, because each time he did he was somewhere new. Yet, he felt like he was in a similar place.

 The place was metal, and the smell was strong with chemicals and this turtle wore red.

 Red picked him up and he dug his nails into his arm and tightened up. He didn’t like that; he didn’t want strangers touching him. Red placed him on something soft, but his head didn’t like the pressure, and turned to see Orange staring at him.

 “Hey…!” Orange voice drowned, and he wasn’t listening to him. He moved his head away, staring at the floor.

 There were papers and metal scattered on said floor, and his arms were wrapped in white, stained with red.

 He felt an arm wrap over him, and he looked at Orange.

 Everything looked wrong, everything felt confusing, but his sense of smell never forgot what home was.

 He grabbed Oranges hand, and half listened to some random babble he was saying, Orange was close to him, but he couldn’t figure out who he was.

 Orange showed his teeth, and he stared at it, not knowing what it meant.

 But Orange looked just like him, and Red did also.

 Something soft was pulled over him, and he snuggled the best he can.

 Orange kissed his sore head, and as he closed his eyes, he knew everything was going to be okay.

Prologue

If it weren't because he was running a fever, Donnie would be more than angry. He didn't want—nor like—to admit that he was lost. And for that stupid cold he's fighting, it was making everything twice as hard.

His feet splashed on the cold water, and his arms folded over each other as his spine shivered. He hated being out in the sewers during nighttime. Everything was scarier, and it was way too dark for his liking. Papa always claimed to adapt to the dark, but all he can see was the water faintly dripping off the pipes. If only he brought his flashlight.

Donnie sighed. He was smart, and gifted as Papa would say, but he didn't memorize the sewers, and can't see much to add the cherry on top. As smart as he was, what he did was dumb, he couldn't believe he left his spot. Raph would have come for him any minute if he stayed where he was. He hoped that Splinter realized that one of his sons was missing.

"Raaaphie?" His voice echoed, Raph should be around here right? He was bringing their toys.

His thoughts clunk around his headache, Raphie was probably home getting Papa once he realized he left the spot. And once they found him, and got him home into bed, he wasn't getting out of it. He didn't care what Raphie had to say to him, or what anyone had to say at this point. He trudged his legs forward, defeated.

There was a splash, a loud one, and his heart beat way faster than he could think. Rats splashing the puddles fooled him, but this was a larger splash, like his father was coming towards him. His heart leapt in excitement as he ran, he didn't care about being punished, or the long grounding Splinter would give him. He's gonna go home and hug all his brothers to feel the warmth and love he was so missing right now, he was—Donnie skidded to a stop.

He was met with a dark silhouette, taller, and gave Donnie this weird feeling in his tummy.

That wasn't Papa, that can't be… the man was silent, his back was facing him, instead of the welcome arms his father would have done…

He can hear his own breathing as he backed up; his eyes glued to the man, but Papa taught him to hide from humans. He concealed himself in the shadows, no normal human can see him, his Papa has said, his back arched as much as it can, and he held his breath. The human didn't see him, couldn't have for being faced the other way, so Donnie freaked the heck out when the man turned and looked directly at him.

"Donatello." The voice calm as like a human-turtle didn't freak him out, and Donnie's face paled. He didn't move, he couldn't—not when fear took over him—Papa wasn't here to protect him - this human knew his name somehow.

He wasn't running away like Papa's story tells; he was staring at him, like he knew him. After what felt like minutes, Donnie stepped out of the shadows. "You know me?" He whispered out, fear clinging on his throat which made his voice raspy and small.

The silhouette came closer to him, and Donnie can barely see something sticking out his hand. Like it was… sharp? He backed up again but stopped himself before going near the end of the tunnel.

"Donatello, I am your father's friend." He crouched down to be the same level as the toddler. "Are you lost?" He asked, grinning under his helmet as Donnie slowly nodded. His brown eyes traced along the mans, each gulp he took was painful. He didn't know if it was for his sore throat or fear.

"I just want to go home." He said, his posture slouching as the man didn't lash out at him or called him names like his Papa have warned. This man was his fathers' friend, why was he being so scared for?

"Come here, boy." He told him, and with reluctance, Donnie listened. He was a stranger, but at this point he was his only hope.

Donnie rubbed his face as sweat beaded down. The kneeling man put a hand on his back, and Donnie froze.

"Now tell me," Donnie looked at his eyes, "why are you out here all alone, little one?" The man reached for his head and Donnie ducked away shyly.

"I was with my brother." Donnie told him, and his brown eyes looked at his. He was mostly looking at his burns and quickly blinked away. "And I got lost."

"I will bring you home." He stood up and took the boy's hand.

A smile ghosted on Donnie's face. "Really?" He asked in disbelief. And through his aching body, he bounced up and down. "Wait…" He exhaled, and his brows knitted in thought. He quickly pulled his hand away from the man. Due to the dark, he had forgotten about the sharp metal and his palm neatly sliced right through it.

Donnie inhaled, pressed his hands together, and eyes welt up in tears. "… You're a stranger." Donnie uttered his voice nasally, and the small turtle looked at the cut. "Papa warned me about you people." He started to back away, his thoughts were frantic, and he was trying to figure a way out. He doesn't know how he knew about him or his papa, but his father warned him about the people from above. He couldn't get himself in trouble cause of some man knowing about him.

"Donatello," the man's voice was smooth and calm, while Donnie's heart was racing, ", no need to run, we are all friends here." He reached for the toddler, but Donnie shook his head.

"You're not my friend! I don't know how you know my name, but I'm not dumb!" He wiped away the tears, afraid to turn around from this man. His hand trembled from the cut, and it was stinging at this point. Cuts turns to infections, and he knew that. He wanted to go home, now.

"You have three brothers'." The man began, taking each step closer to the boy as Donnie took one back, his eyes not blinking at all despite it stinging with tears. "Leonardo, Raphael and Michelangelo. I know all about you, Donatello and you know none about me?"

"I-I, Papa mentioned no one. I don't even know your name!" Donnie yelled in his defense and his lips were quivering, he wanted papa to come out of nowhere and get him out of here. But the man—this stranger—looked hurt, and Donnie was feeling bad. "I-I-I'm sorry." He uttered, feeling rude for yelling at him. All the man wanted to do was to help, but Donnie lashed out on him instead.

The man was quiet, and Donnie couldn't tell if he was upset or thinking. But, Donnie was thinking too, if he left, the man could follow him, and he didn't know where his home was to begin with. He didn't have much of an option.

The deep voice sliced through Donnie's vulnerable thoughts, "I am Oruku Saki." And he knelt, "but they call me the Shredder."

Donnie liked it better when the man was with eye-level with him. Even through the dark, it was better than the Shredder towering over him. Maybe he can trust him, he does know a lot about him. "Why do they call you that?" He asked, now curious as he moved forward and was only a few feet away.

"Come and you will find out." Donnie looked at the extended arm, Papa used to do that when he would scrape his knees in training, or cut himself from metal scraps. He looked at his cut.

"Don't do any tricks." Donnie warned and folded his arms. The only noise in the sewers were the constant dripping in the back, a few rats squeaking, and his own breathing. There were no loud splashes, no yelling, his Papa and Raphie aren't coming. Despite only being five, Donnie feared that this man was his only hope to getting home.

"There will be no tricks, Donatello." His hand was still out. The two stared back at one another. The man didn't move, and Donnie didn't either. He sounded just like his father, always calm and tranquil, almost comforting.

After, what felt like hours, Donnie pursed his lips, and slowly came forward to the man. His bleeding hand rested gently against the metal like glove.

"No tricks." He said and closed his hand. "We are all friends here." He repeated, his head tilting and his eyes squinting as Donnie thought he was smiling. He couldn't tell though, that dumb helmet he wore was blocking his mouth.

Donnie smiled, and though lightheaded, even giggled. "I guess so." He tilted his head, mimicking the man as his eyes sparkled in curiosity. "Is it cause of your armor they call you Shredder?" He asked, he used the back of his hand to knock on the hard metal on the Shredder's arm. Papa never talked about having a friend who wore metal.

"Yes and no," Shredder told him, and Donnie kept finding similarities between him and his father. With one hand, Donnie watched as he signaled him to come closer, he cupped the same hand around his mouth like he would whisper to him; his brothers would do that in the Dojo to not disturb Papa's lesson. "I will tell you something but promise me you would tell no one."

"Yeah, of course! But after you tell me, can you take me home, please? Papa is probably worried sick." Donnie used his other hand to scratch the back of his head. He couldn't wait to tell his father about his friend coming to visit as a surprise.

"They call me the Shredder–" He began to whisper and let go of Donnie's hand, the boy looked at him with growing excitement "–for this!"

The sharp metal struck Donnie's neck, and in the matter of seconds he was on the ground. His throat gave out an almost inhumane wheeze, and he grunted as something wet crushed his chest.

Donnie stared at what was squishing him, he soon realized it was the man's foot. The toddler feeling betrayed, looked up to him. He opened his mouth to speak, but the gurgle of blood replaced his voice. Betrayal turned to fear; his face paled and weakly shook his head as he saw the metal rise. The man lowered his metal and took off the pressure of his chest.

Instead, he knelt, and lifted the boy's chin with the three-finger-like- metal, exposing his neck.

"There is no need for me to stab you again, Donatello." Donnie could only respond with blood bubbling out of his mouth. His eyes glazed in confusion and pain, as he blinked to let the tears fall from his eyes. He was wheezing trying to breathe, but wheezing was becoming hard for him. His small frame trembled as he could not get oxygen.

"Killing you quickly would only satisfy me for a couple of seconds. That is why I will not be doing that." The metal disappeared from Donnie's eyesight, and Donnie's head lolled limply like a rag doll at the man.

Donnie watched him sat down as his eyes were blurring and his head became foggy as time went by. He just wanted to go home; even though he was hurt, he wanted to stay awake to know his Papa would be coming. But it was getting harder for him to keep his eyes open, his chest was becoming heavy, and his throat was burning.

What felt like agonizing hours to him, he closed his eyes only to open them and see the man has disappeared.

Papa had always taught them how to treat cuts, small littered cuts they would get from training or rough housing. But never something like this, the sharp metal hurt more than when he fractured his arm. As he laid there, his body stinging in pain, he realized Papa wasn't gonna be happy to realize he talked to a stranger. His worst fear came true; a stranger has hurt him for no reason.

Donnie reached for his neck, feeling the pools of blood flow between his stubby fingers. Maybe he can fix this, Papa would never know this happened. Maybe when Raphie comes, he can help him explain a story of how he fell on something sharp. Papa shouldn't even know that they were out…

His mind became muddled as he took one last breath; Raphie…he should be coming soon with the toys.

Read chapter 1 here!

After Donnie said “bear,” they thought they’ll neverhear the end of it. It was all he said, all he can say. It’s been a week sincehe’s been speaking, and bear’s the only thing that he’s uttered.

“Okay, Donnie, we get it, you can stop now.” Raphsaid, annoyed, and turned the volume up. Donnie was hugging that damn bear, andRaph just wanted to watch T.V.

“Stop.”

Raph blinked, twice, turning to face Donnie. “Wha-what?”He stuttered out, and he muted the show.

“What?” Donnie mimicked, and laughed. He brought thebear into Raph’s grasp, and Raph held it loosely, more interested in Donnie.His brother was copying most words he was saying. Raph felt relief, but worried.

“Raph.” He said slowly, his eyes squinting in hopethat Donnie would mimic him.

“Raphie!”

It wasn’t exactly how he said it, but he didn’t careat the moment. Raphie was better than bear, and he didn’t hesitate to hug his brother.

“Raphie, Raphie, Raphie!”

Way better than bear.

It was all good and okay, until colorful words,curses, were grabbing Donnie’s attention. With the way he was grasping everyword they said, or most words that were easy to pronounce, bad words were alsoeasy.

“No no, buddy, that’s a mean word. You can’t say that,especially in front of Sensei.” Mikey tried to tell him, but Donnie justrepeated the same word, over and over.

“Stupid.” Donnie stuck his tongue out, and all Mikey did was hide his face in hishands.

Out of all the words, stupid had to be the one thatstuck with him.

Whyis it all the bad words that kids favor to say? Mikeythought with frustration. 

Of course there had to be a fight with Leo and Raph,and of course Leo had to say, “this is stupid, Raph…” And Donnie just had to be thereto witness it.

“Look buddy, how about snake? Snakes are cool, or Sensei?You can try to say Sensei.”

“Papa.” Donnie said, and smiled widely, “stupid!”

“Shhh shhh!” Mike felt like he was going to chew hisfingers out of sudden anxiety. Splinter cannot be hearing this!

“No not that word, Sensei’s smart.” And he said itslowly, “smmaaart.”

“Stupid.”

 “I’ll hold your hair. Just take deep breaths.” Donniesaid as he gathered up the red hair into a form of a pony tail.

April gagged in the toilet, taking deep breaths as Dontold her and closed her eyes. “I’m never eatingMikey’s pizza surprise. Ever, again.”She placed her hands on the tile flooring, and leaned into the toilet.

“I warned you.” Donnie told her, and stood awkwardlybehind as she continued to bile in the toilet.

“I was tryingto be nice.” April said, and was dry heaving at this point.

Donnie shrugged. “Nice is overrated, April.” He gaveher a sly grin, but she wouldn’t able to see it anyway.

“Oh shut u –“ April hurled forward, and ejected morevomit.

“Oh gross, what Mike put in there this time?”

April tilted her head forward, staring at the wall, “sardines,jelly beans, and expired cheese.” She mumbled, and Donnie rolled his eyes,switching hands so his left hand was holding her hair. Mikey and playing aroundfor extra toppings in the pizza was not his specialty.

“That explains a lot.” Donnie laughed softly, “butwhen Mikey isn’t experimenting with food, it’s like heaven.” He told her, andpatted her head. “Hope you learned now. Don’t eat Mikey’s experimental food.”

“Noted.” April said dully, and she flushed the toilet.

It’sthe rambunctious snore type whistle, that made April stay in their home for alittle longer. The fact that April haven’t heard Donnie snore like this sincethey were at Northampton, somewhat made her wanted to check on him.

 April dropped her bag to theground, Casey left earlier to take care of his little sister, and April stayedto do research with Donnie.

Silent footsteps made it to the lab,April sighed in bitter exhaustion. Of course, Donnie never slept in his room.“Donnie, why aren’t you in bed?” April asked, as she approached the sleepingturtle.

The incoherent response of, “I am ‘mbed.” And his head snuggling in the makeshift pillows of his own arms, madeApril knew it would be a long night.

“Donnie.” April said in a longgroan, her hand smacked against her forehead and she shook her head. “You’renot in bed, come on, you need a good night’s sleep.” Her hands clasped aroundhis bicep, but Donnie pulled his arm away from her.

“I’m sleeping.”

“Sleeping on your desk totallydoesn’t count.” She told him, and with the way he was responding, April feltlike he was simply talking in his sleep. Maybe he was. His overactive brainnever shut down, even when asleep.

“’M eyes close, ‘rent they? Lemmesleep.” His voice slurred, and he waved his hand like he was swatting away afly.

“You overworked yourself all day,Dee.” April continued to whisper, but she was becoming more relentless. How cansomeone be so stubborn to go to bed?

She shouldn’t ask, Donnie’s beenlike that… ever since they met.

Without getting a reply, Aprilmuttered, “sour shell.” Before sticking her hand out, closed her eyes, andlifted Donnie to the air.

“April wha–“ Donnie’s eyes open,bloodshot and bags under them, and gave a strangled yelp.

“Shhh, you don’t want to wake yourbrothers.” April replied and carefully lifted him to bed.

“Let me go back to my lab, April! Iwas taking a power nap!” He yelled, not too loud to wake anyone up, but loudenough for April to know he was upset.

“No.” April replied all giggly andreleased him on his bed. “Even stubborn turtles need their sleep.” She toldhim, and blew a kiss to him. “Good night, darling, see you in the morning.” Andwith that, she closed the door shut.

Donnie, as much as he wanted to go back to his lab andwork (and fight his girlfriend), his eyelids were having trouble lifting. Maybe Aprilwas right, Donnie didn’t finish his thought as his head landed on the pillow andwas knocked out.

April waited for a minute, before picking up her bagand leaving the lair.

April – 1

It’s the gagging that Leo woke up so early,time being only being 3AM. And even just being awake for a minute, he knew hehad to get up in less than three hours to train.

Who keeps making these noises…?

The bathroom door was open,the bright light blinding Leo for a second until his eye’s adjusted. And oncethey did, he saw his brother hunched over the toilet – gagging and dry heaving.

“Donnie?” Leo breathed out,approaching his brother and realizing how ill-looking he was. His olive skin,pale, and a thin sweat layered over it.

Donnie didn’t look overat Leo, he kept staring inside of the toilet – like he was going to barf again.

Leo stared in pity,‘till his younger brother was making noises of whimpers and his face showed allthe distraught. Leo couldn’t take it. He went inside the bathroom, flushed thetoilet and helped Donnie up.

He placed his arm aroundhis silent brother and stopped midst on the sink. Donnie grabbed his toothbrush,and applied his toothpaste, before washing his mouth. He stared at himself onthe mirror, noticing the dark bags underneath his eyes.

“How long were you sick,Donnie?” Leo asked, and Donnie tiredly leaned himself into Leo.

“’Nough to make me puke.”Was his dull response, eyes looking up at him with exhaustion.

“Okay, come on, you’re goingto bed.” Leo told him softly, yet demandingly.

Surprisingly,Donnie didn’t even bother to argue about how important that one thing is,things that Leo doesn’t really understand, and schematics of the who knowswhat. Instead, Donnie gave a nod, the one where it didn’t take too much effortto do.

 His brothershivered, and kept shivering, even with the humidity of Summer. Leo paused hiswalking, just to feel Donnie’s forehead and his speculation was true. He wasrunning a fever.

 Leo inhaled and thenexhaled. Donnie was just running a cold – maybe flu, but it was going to beokay. Just skip a few training days, gets some good ol’ rest…

Leo opened thedoor, while half-carrying, half-dragging Donnie’s almost dead weight. He didn’ttry to walk. Donnie’s room was always clean, he rarely goes to his room unlesshe was sleeping – and even so, he barely went in.

Donnie gave out a groanwhen Leo laid him on his bed, his eyelids half closed, and his eyes glossed withtiredness. Leo clicked on the small lamp on the nightstand.

“Leo?” Don asked, voicesounding rusty and hoarse.

He didn’t hear a response,and before he tried lifting his heavy eyelids, he felt a wet towel over hisforehead, and sunk more to the pillow.

 “I put somepills right on your nightstand, but I think you should wait until you’re nolonger feeling nauseous and the fever goes down.” Leo replied, not reallyknowing much about taking care of someone ill, but Donnie didn’t seem toprotest about his ways.

Then, Don stopped talking,his head lolling to the side and Leo took it as he was sleeping. Leo quietlytip-toed out, nearly reaching for the door. 

“Leo?” Donnie asked all-of-a-sudden, his voice distant and amere whisper.

Leo gave a small sigh, approaching to his brother’s side almostimmediately. “Yeah?”

“Don’t leave, please.” His voice rose before quieting onceagain. “Don’t wan’be alone.” His words jumbled and slurred, but hiseyes kept shut, and his head still lolled to the side.

Leo grasped his limp hand, giving it a squeeze. “I’m right here,I promise.” Leo smiled, “I’m not going anywhere.” And he didn’t.