A/n welcome everyone to my newest TMNT fic. It focuses on Mikey and his journey to prove himself to his brothers. And the fun or not so fun that follows. This takes place in season 2 so they've already met Casey and Karai is still a bad guy. As usual I don't own TMNT or its characters. Enjoy.

My Self Worth

Ch 1 Words Hurt

It was a normal day in the sewers. The turtles were sitting enjoying their leisure time. Leonardo was reading his newest martial arts book. Donatello was, as usual, working on his latest project, which was at the current moment fixing the broken TV. Raphael was playing the arcade game while Michelangelo was reading his comic books while listening to music. None of the four brothers were aware of their sensei and father, Splinter watching them. The brown coated rat was stroking his chin thoughtfully, debating on rather or not he should interrupt his sons' down time. Then he decided to do just that. Walking quickly he grabbed the book out of Leo's hand, unplugged the arcade game, grabbed the comic book and walkman from Mikey and grabbed the tools away from Donnie. "Hey!" the four brothers protested.

"Ah Sensei," Michelangelo whined. "Why'd you do that?"

"Yeah we finally get a chance to relax," Raph grumbled.

"Yes I realize that," Splinter said. "And I feel that you should use your free time for better use. Do you not all agree?" The four brothers looked at each other then back at their sensei. Leonardo opened his mouth to speak but Raphael beat his older brother to it.

"Sensei I think we deserve a little down time don't you think?" the red masked turtle said. "I mean we finally have some time where Shredder and his goons aren't wreaking havoc."

"I agree," Donatello said with a nod. "I think we've earned it."

"I see," Splinter said, giving his sons a look. "And you do not feel that you should do some training exercises to strengthen your skills?"

"Aw c'mon Sensei," Mikey said, giving his father and master one of his trademark grins. "Not everyone is a nerd about that like Leo is. No offence bro." Michelangelo grinned at Leo, who glared back.

"Very funny Mikey," the blue masked turtle grumbled, crossing his arms. "But seriously Sensei I agree with my brothers. We really don't need any extra training right now."

"Yeah," Raph chimed in. "I think we're good for now."

"Do you now?" Splinter said, his voice eerily monotone. The four turtles looked worriedly at each other. They knew that tone. It usually meant that something bad was about to happen.

"Sensei..." Leonardo began. But the oldest turtle didn't get a chance to finish. Suddenly Splinter let out a cry and went into attack mode. He grabbed Leo by his wrists and flung him into the wall. He then kicked Michelangelo's feet out from underneath him, causing the orange masked turtle to fall hard. He then grabbed Donnie and Raphael by their arms and threw them hard into each other. All of this took place in a matter of seconds. After he was done all four of his sons were laying on the ground groaning in pain.

"And that was a light attack," Splinter pointed out. "Imagine if it had come from the Shredder. You four would not be alive. Do you still feel that you do not need any training?"

"I think we get your point Sensei," Leonardo groaned as he helped Donatello to his feet. The purple masked turtle rubbed his head and looked over and saw Raph doing the same. Mikey had gotten to his feet and walked over to his brothers.

"Yeah," Raphael grumbled. "Loud and clear."

"Good," Splinter said as he turned and walked out of the room. "I expect to see you all in the dojo in five minutes." With that Splinter was gone.

"Remind me never to argue with Sensei again," Donnie said as he was heading for the dojo.

"For real bro," Michelangelo said as he too walked to the dojo.

TMNTMNTMNT

Two hours later the turtles were still in the dojo training. Splinter was watching his sons and observing their skills. "Yemei!" Splinter cried out as he banged his walking stick on the ground. The foursome stopped and went to their Master, kneeling before him. "That was very good my sons," Splinter said as he walked back and forth between his sons. "Leonardo your skills have greatly improved," the brown coated rat said, looking at his oldest son. "However you still need some work on your timing."

"Hei Sensei," Leo said with a bow.

"Raphael," Splinter said, looking at his second oldest son. "Your skills are also improving greatly. However you still must learn how to control your strength and use it properly."

"Hei Sensei," Raph said with a bow.

"Donatello," Splinter, looking at his second youngest son. "You are getting stronger everyday. I am proud of you my son. However there is still much you can learn about using your strength rather than your mind."

"Hei Sensei," Donatello said, with a bow. The purple masked turtle was thrilled at the compliment and had to resist the urge to cheer.

"Michelangelo," Splinter said, looking at his youngest son. "Your skills are still not as strong as they should be. Although you have made some progress I feel that you need more training to strengthen not only your skills but your focus as well."

"But Sensei," Mikey began.

"Michelangelo do not argu with me," Splinter said firmly. "The rest of you may go but Michelangelo I would like you to stay and train some more."

"Aw man," Michelangelo grumbled. With that the three other brothers got up and began to leave.

"Heh have fun Mikey," Raphael teased, smacking Mikey in the back of the head.

"Raphael," Splinter said, his voice coming out as a warning. "Do you want to stay with your brother?"

"No," Raph said quickly.

"Then I suggest you go before I make you stay as well," Splinter suggested. With that Raphael hightailed out of the dojo, leaving Michelangelo alone with Splinter to train.

TMNTMNTMNTMNT

Two hours later an exhausted Mikey was heading back to his room to get some much needed rest. But just then his stomach let out a loud rumble. "Better get some food first," the youngest turtle thought. With those thoughts Michelangelo headed for the kitchen. But he stopped just outside the door when he heard his brothers' voices coming from inside.

"Its nice to have some quiet time without Mikey here makin' all kinds of noise," Raph was saying.

"Yeah I admit the peace and quiet is refreshing," Donnie said with a nod. "And I think we all know Mikey needs the extra training."

"Yeah," Raphael scoffed, rolling his green eyes. "Not that it'll do 'im any good. I think we all know Mikey's a lost cause."

"Raph that isn't true," Leonardo said, his voice coming out rough. "Mikey has just as much potential as any of us do."

"Yeah right Leo," Raph scoffed again. "Mikey has about as much potential as this table does."

"Raph I think you're being a bit harsh," Donatello said. "Mikey's not that bad."

"He's a screw up Donnie," Raphael declared. "All he ever does is screw things up. I'm surprised Splinter even bothers training him."

"Raph," Leo began.

"Oh c'mon Leo even you gotta admit Mikey's a screw up," Raph said.

"Well," Leonardo began. "I admit Mikey does do a lot of things that mess everything up. But he doesn't mean to."

"Yeah," Donnie piped up. "Cut Mikey some slack Raph. He's not as smart as the rest of us are."

"Exactlly my point Donnie," Raphael said, extending his arm towards his slightly younger brother. "Mikey's stupid. Which means he'll never get it."

"Raph Mikey gets plenty," Leonardo said, the anger clear in his voice. "You're always selling him short. I mean yeah he's annoying and he breaks everything he touches. And sometimes you wanna smack him hard in the head."

"And there's my point," Raph said, waving his hand. "Even you admit he's a screw up."

"I don't know if screw up is quite the right phrase," Donatello said. "But it does seam like Mikey wouldn't even be able to survive without us."

"Yeah that's true," Leo said, with a sigh. While this was going on Michelangelo chose this time to sneak away, stung by his brothers' words.

"I can't believe my bros really feel that way about me," Mikey thought, brushing away the tears that were sneaking out of his eyes. "I've gotta prove to them that they're wrong. I'm gonna train extra hard, even if I don't wanna. I can't have my bros thinking I'm helpless." With these thoughts Michelangelo went back to his room determined to make tomorrow a better day.

A/N I hope you all enjoyed my first chapter. Reviews are always welcome.