#turtlecage25

Raph likes to smash. He wants to go in there and smash things. Most often his plan is to smash, smash, and smash again. And this is because he loves to do it, not because he can’t think of other plans. Like, he faked defeat when Big Mama made them all fight different guys for I don’t remember why. Very clever plan. He also dealt quite handily with what’s her rabbit. But mostly he chooses to smash because he loves to so much and he is so so good at it.

Donatello likes to triangulate the position of something or other and be almost finished with his new machine. But when it comes down to fighting, he likes to BONK. And sometimes poke. Or even launch. Anyway for a little guy he can sure get in a lot of force. If anybody can outsmash Raph I really think it might be 87 Donatello.

Raph gets a definite advantage for passion. He loves to smash (did I mention that he loves to?). Donatello does enjoy some bonking once he gets going, but it’s not like, his first choice of activity. He would rather be triangulating to be honest. He is likely riding the high of so thoroughly beating Next Mutation Raph though, and he does love attention. Like a lot. No like you guys think Rise Donnie loves attention. Rise Donnie mainly wants attention specifically for being smart with science. 1987 Donatello has to give himself a silly voice when he dresses up in an outfit. He gives speeches unprompted about the nature of their existence and the woes of being a turtle. He stole a tank. He also just? Mocks Michelangelo? Unprovoked? Wakes his brothers up to see what he made, or has them waiting at the door because he’s been talking up what he is about to unveil but NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO SEE UNTIL THEN. He is the definition of are uncomfortable when conversation is not about me?? He has more restraint as far as technological capabilities compared to application but the thing is you see I think he does that for attention.

So anyway I’m back to them being equally motivated to win, Raph for his love of the game and Donatello for praise and adoration. They both have cartoonish durability. Donatello will be better at seeing the big picture, Raph will be better at seeing and responding to what happens in the moment.

Istg in every tmnt poll its either rise or 03 that wins, i NEED this. I need my niche little 87-based comic series to WIN. Like... yeah I get it, rise and 03 are the most popular ig, but COME ON. The 87 turtles never win, and archie is such a niche piece of the franchise that it winning would be funny! AND ALSO I WANT ARCHIE RAPH TO WIN CUZ I LIKE HIM. HE'S MY PROBLEMATIC BLORBO.

@majachee contributed pics ❤️

Raphael has been having fun at this tournament, and he fights well when he's having fun.

He also has his favorite outfit this round--which is not the one he thrifted with COOTS Donnie, that's his, uh, second favorite. For a fight against an icon like 03 Leo, he needs his shadow suit.

Confidence is high going in. Raphael is a hard hitter when it comes to that, but his fighting style actually is pretty sneaky. He's being a goof about the shadow suit but he really will blend in as well as he can and wait for the best moment to strike. One of my favorite moments fighting-wise is when he returns (from being with the Mutanimals iirc) unexpectedly and saves Master Splinter from being dropped off a roof. The sneaking was good, the altitude and quick...ness... was also impressive. And he had a red hood which suits him. Overall, he's got a lot of tenacity and creativity.

He will need it.

Because this guy will drop you off a roof if you give him half a chance.

Leo has also experienced a lot. He came to a place of better emotional regulation and self-esteem than Raphael ultimately landed, but in this fight I don't think that's particularly relevant, they both have been having a great time.

Actually, the most relevant moment for Leo, imo, is beating Ue when he first challenged him. Always coming back, getting his enemy's guard down, staying calm enough in crisis moments to still turn the tide. And that was in a fight he had no chance to prepare for.

They both had impressive matches last round. Now they are the only ones standing in each other's way of victory--a dangerous place to stand, in either case.

Leo has had landslide victories, while Mikey had ehh like 60-70%, but here's the thing

Leo beat: Next Mutation Donnie and CDH Michelangelo. The audience doesn't know them as well and neither of them are, ah, the most serious ninjas of their families

Mikey beat: IDW Donnie (has served as a diplomat on other planets and had a huge hand in his family being able to beat Shredder and save the earth from being terraformed) and 2012 Raph (has quit his team multiple times out of frustration with them not taking fighting seriously)

So like. Leo's had it pretty easy thus far compared to Mikey

But! He is incredibly disciplined and not one to underestimate his opponents. The fact that his previous fights haven't demanded much from him means he's coming into this fairly fresh--and with a high intimidation factor, boosted by his entire family making it to Round 3.

I can see Rise Mikey being intimidated. Also, because his fights were closer, Leo's had more opportunity to observe his style.

A small, agile opponent isn't usually the type Leo faces. Ch'rell got away from them pretty quickly when in tiny scuttling form. The closest he's faved to someone like Mikey is Karai, and she uses the same weapon as him and exercises a lot of restraint. Limited space to hit and speed could certainly be a problem. He does have experience with aliens and robots and an evil snake ninja, though; he can learn and adapt quickly.

Let me just throw in there

Mikey: clapped to get the sun to turn off. Major points deduction for stealth, and not a bad planner but defs not 03 Leo level

Leo: Stepped on a mine. Clunkier movements than Mikey. Also gets hit from behind, stop being so trusting dude

Two of the toughest turtles of the multiverse, and only one can go on.

Donatello has the Jumbotron at his disposal, and is very likely to go that route again. Let's also not forget, he's a great fighter as well. He does very well in training, and this being low stakes (no lives on the line), I think he'd similarly shine. Incredibly strong, literally cartoonishly durable.

Leo has probably put more hours into studying and practicing his craft than anyone else, with the possible exception of: 1987 Leonardo, Donatello's pal. His skills are sharp, his swords are plural, his mind is calm. He has worked hard to be a formidable ninja. He won't strike until the right moment, saving his energy.

Which means Donatello will have time to set up the Jumbotron, likely improving on his previous design.

And he will need it.

This is gonna be a tough fight for both of them.

First of all, Mikey definitely leads with "So, are you gonna take me out for ice cream too?"

Leonardo throws his head back and laughs. "Not this time, kid," he grins, dealing the first kick

And the fight is on

2007 Mikey has had a really good tournament so far. He got a solid win against bayverse Raph, proving his courage and skill against a resourceful, determined, and very large opponent. Then he beat COOTS Leo, who we assume is a disciplined fighter like his counterparts, proving that he also isn't going to underestimate opponents (COOTS turtles are definitely not known for fighting).

Mirage Leonardo has beaten Rise Donnie, mystic powers and all. His match against IDW mostly just taught us that he's a total softie, but it did also demonstrate an ability to read his opponent, and a lot of brute strength and cunning to destroy the arena like he did.

Let's look at some categories

Skill (ie has learned the moves): adv Leo

Speed: equal

Stealth: adv Leo

Determination: adv Mikey (last 07 turtle in the fight)

Resourcefulness: adv Leo (considering what we just saw last match)

Yeah this is really adding up in Leo's favor, Michelangelo is a very skilled turtle, but--

WAIT everybody stop Rise Donnie has just been spotted in the Jumbotron! Which he has reprogrammed to--cheer Mikey on? And zap Leo? Where is Rise Raph?

Oh, his other two brothers are finishing their fights. We, ah, probably should have gotten a substitute to watch Rise Donnie--especially during this particular fight.

Welp. The Jumbotron is now cheering for Mikey and zapping Leo. I'm not sure how Mikey would feel about that, they might have to team up against the Jumbotron and then fight. Unless Leo insists on seeing it through, zaps and all.

I can tell you the other 07 turtles are mortified that someone cheated for Mikey, especially since Rise Donnie is Leo's new friend. Yyyeah his Raph and Don are grilling him about what he said to that child. And yeah he may have lectured a bit about patience, cunning, and honor, but he intended to motivate his fellow ninja to improve and come back stronger next year! He wasn't talking about cheating!

It is oddly sweet that Donnie is trying to help his new friend's little brother while he's humiliating the turtle who beat him. Definitely illegal, but sort of sweet.

Don't worry Rise Donnie has been escorted out he can't interfere anymore

So, here's the thing: Leo's narrative would up the stakes, turn the odds against him, and then give him a victory. Make him the hand of justice to teach cheaters a lesson, defeating both the Jumbotron and his assigned opponent

Mikey's from a movie; his narrative, with upped stakes, would have him team up with his opponent, defeat the big bad guy (Jumbotron) together, and then be rewarded for forgoing victory in favor of justice, with victory. Because that's how movies work. I'm actually kind of imagining Leo giving him the victory out of respect when he sees that he won't take any advantage

Mikey also now has his brothers to prove himself to, because he can see they're embarrassed, and of course he's also mortified that anyone is trying to 'even the playing field.' Donnie doesn't think anyone's incompetent, he's just a sore loser, but Mikey doesn't know that. In fact from what he understands about Donatellos, being protective of new friend's little brother would make more sense than being vengeful (he has a lot to learn about Donatellos ajdhaja)

Round 3 schedule here