I had originally planned this to be a simple oneshot...however, I have recently heard of the 112 missiles launched at Libya, and of the nuclear explosions in the nuclear reactors over in Japan as an after-effect of the earthquake and resulting tsunami. It...these crises need attention, too. I've heard radiation has even reached California... *sigh* The world I've inherited...

So...again, this is now also in honor of those now affected by the radiation from the Japanese nuclear reactor explosions and those injured or killed in the missile attack on Libya.


Memento Mori

"Remember that you will die"

In honor of those who recently lost their lives, their family, their friends, or everything they own in the 8.9 Japanese earthquake and tsunami.

Also in honor of those affected by the radiation of the Japanese nuclear reactor explosions and the military personnel in Libya who were injured or lost their lives because of the 112 missiles recently launched at the military bases.

Donatello slumped in his seat, staring in disbelief at the computer screen. His chocolate eyes were beginning to become wet, and tears were threatening to spill out. He repeated over and over in his head he was not going to full-out cry, but some soft whimper must have escaped him, for his brothers and father turned their heads toward him, and began to make their way over to him.

"Donny?" Michelangelo asked, being the first one there. "Donny...is something wrong?"

Donatello swallowed hard, trying to keep himself from sobbing. "N-nothing..." he stammered, still in shock.

Michelangelo frowned, his blue eyes skimming over the news article as Leonardo, Raphael, and Master Splinter approached. The orange banded Turtle stepped back a step, disbelief written across his face. "Dude..." he whispered, "not cool..."

"What's up, Donny?" Raphael asked as he and Leonardo took their turn reading over Donatello's shoulder. Master Splinter's tail twitched anxiously as he, too, read what was on the computer screen.

"I...I..." Donny was stammering. "I...I can't...I didn't..."

"Donny...Donny, it ain't yer fault," Raphael said after his amber eyes had finished skimming the article. "Ya...we can't do a thing, Don."

"I know," Donatello whispered, closing his eyes and allowing tears to start streaming down his face. "I...I just hate...feeling so helpless..."

"...The nuclear explosions aren't all, you know," Michelangelo said suddenly. "I...I saw on the news...England launched missiles at Libya cuz the dictator was threatening and torturing citizens..."

Donatello nodded, tears flowing freely now. "I-I know...it's so horrible..."

"Life is always hard," Leonardo remarked. "You should know, Donny. There was one guy who influenced Darwin...Malthus, I think...he said that most of human suffering was because of the human population's potential to grow."

"This is true, my sons," Splinter said, flicking his tail. "From what I understand, humans suffer because they grow faster than they can produce supplies."

Donatello nodded glumly, and Michelangelo put a hand on his shoulder.

"It'll be OK, Donny," the youngest Turtle said comfortingly. "The world always bounces back from these kind of things. Look at World War II...the Black Death...Krakatoa..."

"I know, Mikey, I know," Donatello sniffled. "I...I just...it stinks, feeling so helpless, you know?"

"We all know, Donny," Raphael said, putting a hand on Donatello's other shoulder. "But...we're mutants. There's not much we can do for everyday crises..."

"Donatello...my son...do you remember what I told you when you first learned of the earthquake and tsunami that took place in Japan?" Splinter asked suddenly. Donatello blinked, but nodded.

"Memento...memento mori...r-remember you will die..." Donatello recited through his sobs.

"Exactly, Donny," Leonardo murmured. "This...it's all just a part of life."

"All we can do is honor the passing of these people, Donatello," Splinter said. The purple banded Turtle's brothers nodded, turning to leave with their sensei. Michelangelo was the last to depart.

"Memento mori, Donny," Michelangelo murmured, giving his brother a quick hug. "Memento mori...and remember Malthus's words, too. And...don't ever forget...we'll always be together through anything."