A/N: In this little story, Donatello is representing me for soon-to-be-obvious reasons. In fact, I just wrote this to help get rid of the dreaded Writer's Block disease. Hope you enjoy it! Please read and review!

Disclaimer: I do not own the TMNT, only the plot.

Donatello stared at the blank page. He knew exactly what he wanted to write, but he just couldn't decide on how to write it. Words are tricky things sometimes. It wasn't as though he didn't have ideas – in fact he had too many. There was plenty of inspiration all around him. He even had the story all plotted out for him. All he wanted to do was write about one of the encounters he and his brothers had with the Shredder. It wasn't like anyone else would ever read it, but still he knew the quality that he expected from himself. He demanded good work to come flowing through his ready pen. The writing utensil remained hovering over the white paper. Donatello creased his brow as a look of consternation spread across his face. His shoulders slumped slightly forwards and he let out a frustrated sigh. There was tapping behind him as Master Splinter approached.

"What is troubling you, my son?"

"I'm trying to write, but it's not as easy as it looks. I'm not even sure how to begin!"

The wise rat thought for a moment, stroking his beard. "'Once upon a time' is always a pleasant way to start a story. A very pleasant way indeed."

Donatello looked at his sensei with slight amusement. "Thank you, Master. Hopefully that will help my creative juices to start flowing."

Master Splinter smiled benevolently and walked away.

The turtle looked back down at the intimidating sheet, carefully touching the black ink to it.

Once upon a time…

He stopped and stared at that for a moment before hastily crossing it out. That made everything sound like it was just a fairy tale for little kids. He wrote again.

Many years ago…

Wait, was it really only a year and a half ago that they had first faced Shredder? Time sure had flown fast. It seemed like just yesterday. But then again, it also seemed like an eternity ago. Donatello smiled. Temporal mechanics had always fascinated him.

A while ago…

Okay, that would work better. Next phrase. He frowned as he thought. He scribbled something out. After considering it for a second, he crossed it out. He did this again and again and again. Pretty soon, his entire paper was filled up with various phrases, each one crossed out except for A while ago. Suddenly, all of his built up frustration exploded. He smashed up the paper and forcibly threw it at the garbage can with an angry grunt. He stormed away from the table. On his way out, he encountered Leonardo. Leo instantly noticed something was amiss.

"Are you alright, Donnie?"

"I'll be at my work bench," the frustrated turtle snapped. "Don't interrupt me."

He stormed off.

Confused, Leonardo turned to Master Splinter, who was standing nearby watching the incident.

"Master?"

"Donatello is merely experiencing writer's block. He will be back to his normal self in about an hour or so. In the meantime, though, I would strongly suggest that we all do as he asked and do not disturb him."

Leonardo shook his head unbelievingly that his passive brother would be acting in such a way.

The rat laid a gentle paw on his oldest son's arm and led him towards the dojo to join his other two brothers. "Do not underestimate the effects of writer's block, my son. It is best to just let it pass by."