A/n
I had a bit of difficulty with this chapter, in all honesty. It was really short and I kept thinking i needed to change it. But Luckily I have GOTC to knock sense intome
Different Plane
"What's the point of having rotating weeks' if you keep bullying us to pick your movie-"
"Cause my movie choices are BETTER-"
"Yeah if you're pickin' movies for 6th graders! Dam it, it's my turn and I'm pickin' Gangster Squad!"
"It's the OLYMPICS this week WE'RE watching Cool Running's!"
"IT AINT EVEN THE WINTER OLYMPICS YOU FREAKING IDI-"
Leo had chosen that moment to bounce his head off of the back of the couch. Fighting the groan biting at his throat to roll his head to his most peaceful brother, "I kinda feel bad for talking you out of reading your book."
"You should" though the smile on Don's face said otherwise, "I think reading about surgical methods of Civil War Army surgeons would have been less violent than this." his arms crossing and head lowering down, his eyes looking over to the Don "You can close your eyes if you're too tired."
"Nah I think I'll be able to stay awake this time, especially with those 'Leaping screamers'." light brown eyes looked over to him with a smile, "Thanks for asking."
"No prob." he smiled gently. Though he found himself hating the weight that shifted on his chest. He moved his head back around to look at the ongoing argument
He was leader for a reason. And one of those reasons was obvious, he was able to bite the inside of his cheek till it bled. It was his infinite patience. It was his ability to put others before himself. To never admit his weakness.
That he missed being a big brother.
He missed when his brothers depended on him.
He missed Mikey coming to him when Raph was 3 seconds from head slapping him, when Raph needed someone to help him blow off steam in the dojo. Or when Don fell asleep during a movie and needed someone to 'zombie walk' him to bed.
It made him feel needed.
Also, it was funny to wake Don up at the end of a movie, to watch his light brown eyes shoot open in surprise and confusion.
The sound of ringing filled the stone walls, he felt Don's hand slap his shoulder before flipping over the back of the couch with a shout ' got it!' though the others were shouting too loud to listen….
They were always shouting
Always…..
he just wanted some quiet
(#)(#)(#)(#)
Ow
Tfhat was about the one word that could describe how he felt. It covered how his head felt, how his lungs felt and about everything else. His mind struggled to regain consciousness he so desperately wanted, though he was rewarded with another horiible throb going through his head. All seeming to come from a central point he had yet to pinpoint
What the shell had happened?
Hadn't he just been in the Lair? He had traded a evening of spiritual training and strengthening to a evening of watching westerns Raphs pick of the week, (Leo had yet to figure out why he was so infatuated with cowboy , horror, and gangster movies). What was it again? Hadn't Raph been overruled by Mikey to watch Coool Runnings?
Anway, the phone had gone off. Donnie had given up his spot next to Leo to go answer it (while Raph and Mikey were still arguing). Leo could vaguely remember hearing Donnie greet Casey in his usual "kindness to the universe' routine that Leo so admired.
The arguing between Mikey and Raph had ceased then with Donnie calling for Raph to get the phone. Leaving Mikey to shove his movie choice into the DVD player while Raph stormed to Dons' call.
Honestly Leo didn't really pay attention to any of the conversations. He had settled into the worn couch, shaped to perfectly fit his shell and cocoon him in warmth. He didn't even remember when Donnnie had restettled. Honestly it was all pretty routine. Routine evening, Donnie sitting right next to him, Mikey bullying to get his mobile choice, Raph arguing with Casey on the phone-
Then a sentence reached his ears
Something that caught his attention
"What do you mean 'anotha' one? Dam it Casey I keep telling ya that Russian beer you like does things-"
At that point, the muffled sound that had been Casey's' voice had exploded to ungodly levels. Loud enough for an equally loud scream to burst from his immediate brothers lips in retort. All but destroying the clam loving atmosphere that had filled the lair had been broken and shattered in the air.
Leo had chosen that moment to intervene, flipping over the back of the couch to snatch the phone out of Raph's hand (luckily, Don had chosen that moment to chokehold Raph) in time to greet April (who had enough sense to take the phone from Casey. Leo had chosen that moment to intervene. Jumping to snatch the phone out of his hands (Raphael getting chokehold by Donnie and Mikey). Maybe it was because of their friendship, but he was able to calm down the Masked Vigilante enough to hand the phone off his wife (and much more reasonable) April. Then the truth had come out
Casey had seen another turtle
And April believed him.
And that was all the proof he needed.
The movie had been put away, lights turned off, the four stealing into the night. A barely formulated plan of divide. No conversation other than the order for the split, Donnie and Mikey would take the lower half of the area Casey claimed to see the turtle. The two oldest would take the northern.
And the night was theirs.
When the thoughts came back. Accusations, had it been Bishop? When he had Donnie in his clutches? Or Shredder? In an attempt to play with their minds?
It didn't matter
He had to be captured.
That was the silent agreement amongst them.
The division came up again, another half. Leo now alone, his feet barely whispering across the stone roofs, using the stone ledges to vault his finely tuned warrior body. Eyes skimming over barren street. A part of his mind dared to think that maybe Casey had seen wrong.
Then the call had come.
He had seen the turtle.
Leo had gotten to the chase. Getting coordinate from the Shell-Cell. His stride falling alongside his brothers. Before his eyes even turned to the target.
Then he saw him.
Dressed in clothes, though he couldn't see the colors in the dim light. A shell sticking out of the back of his shirt in alarming obviousness
He had seen them to.
And he didn't like it.
The Turtle had almost immediately set off running. Leo could easily see that the other turtle was outmatched. Their speed would have overcome his easily. Had the Turtle not jumped onto the nearest metro bus. Sending a heart attack right through him. Surely someone would see the shell sticking out behind his clothes-
But there was no reaction
The bus never panicked.
Raph had landed on the street below. If only to ensure the kid was still on the bus.
Ten the hunt had really begun. The team had regrouped. Don had already been in his phone, hacking his way into the bus trafficking and route (Raph and Leo didn't think it wise to be chasing the bus through well-lit parts of the city and risking getting seen).
Though the other turtle really didn't seem to mind.
It had taken a few hours, but eventually they had seen him again. Hidden in one of the darker streets.
Which was perfect, cause then they could get on the street.
Leo didn't know what he had been drawing on the ground. But nothing prepared him for what happened next.
The bright light that had exploded. Warm wind slamming against him, Air shimmering
A blue scarf
purple mask
light brown eyes
a cry of pain.
panic
the ground cracking
the other turtle disappearing
Water dragging him under
Without thinking, he remembered diving in, his brothers yelling after him.
Then nothing.
Then this
Then a headache, SHELL his head hurt.
His heavy eyelids refused to do his bidding. fluttering like the broken wings of a bird. something cold pressed against the throbbing central point. But it sent a soft relief through him. Enough to lessen his pain.
Slowly he allowed a soft light to enter his eyes. Sewer lights he had known his entire life. obstructed by a form crouched by him. No, cross-legged. a thin strip held between hands. reaching down to his head. Probably not noticing he was awake. That was alright. Atleast now he had the advantage
The strip was pressed right where his throbbed came from. It took a lot of energy to not hiss his disdain.
The colors began to come back. Shapes taken place. A color seemed to radiate from the turtles face, just above strange cloth wrapped around his neck.
He knew that color
He knew that turtle
"Donnie?"
the name left his lips before he could focus. The smaller form jerking away in surprise. Light brown eyes meeting his. The Form slid back across the ground away from him, turning and foot under his body.
Panic shot through Leo, "WAIT!" Before he could stop himself his hand had shot out to wrap around his ankle. The Body jerked against his hand as the grip sent the turtle slamming to the ground, a cry of pain.
The sound sent clarity through his mind. The dark around him coming clear stone of the sewer he knew so well. A dull light barely clearing out the darkness giving shape to the form he had grabbed. But he didn't' need to see to know he had taken hold of a sock clothed ankle, soaking wet with sewer water. His palm pressing against the torn piece of a straw sandal. He could just see the bottoms of the turtles feet were red, socks torn indicating injury. Dark pants covering his legs.
Wet
Freezing
Shivering
Enough to finally snap him out of the last of his fog. Especially when a strangled sound reached his ears, something between a cough and a sob. Despite his father's voice in his ear, he released the soaked ankle, moving to a squatting positing to crawl around his side he could see white long sleeves sticking out under a strange corner buttoned purple shirt, a white hood pulled up over a scalp. a thick blue scarf wrapped his face while a forearm curve d over his face, "Wait wait," he repeated. Adopting a much softer tone. One he would have never used with a vicious Bishop Clone or Shredder monster. And it took another look to the turtle to realize why
This turtle was nowhere near his size
He was small; Leo could see that even under his clothes. He was thin lacked obvious muscles that he had.
This wasn't the body of a hardened warrior or a teenager
This was a child. A child with bleeding feet, soaking wet. . Shaking as though he expected the wrath of hell to fall on him and tear him apart.
This child expected pain from him.
Leo felt a small knot begging to form in his throat, swallowing he reached out to put his hand over the child's shaking bicep. The form curled up even tighter, if only to escape his touch. The strange cough 'sob reached his ears again. Shaking so bad he wasn't sure how he was still holding it up.
He couldn't' forget it was his own fault the kid had gotten so scared. He had been trying to help his head injury.
Leo had to help him
He drew his hand away, rubbing his open palm on his already dry thigh to warm up his palm before reaching out and resting it back on the forearm. Allowing his palm to touch the shaking arm, shell this kid was freezing, before relaxing his fingers over it. To show he wasn't going to hold him against his will, "I'm not going to hurt you." his voice as gentle as it had been before. Finding no will to scare him worse than he had, "I promise I'm not going to hurt you."
Slowly, but to Leo's relief, the arm began to lower. Leo could see an olive green face peering out from the dark of his hood and scarf the shadow of a dark bruise running down the side of his face. Light brown eyes peering at him from under a purple mask with mistrust, confusion.
But he had still lowered his arm
And Leo still recognized those eyes. His heart began to quicken in his chest. But Leo took a deep breath. Forcing the 'clone theory to fade from his mind', instead he allowed a gentle smile to grow on his face, "I'm sorry I tripped you, it was an accident." Leo took his arm off of the boy's arm (he assumed he was a boy, "Are you hurt? Can I help you?"
The boys hand went to his throat as though contemplating. But Leo's eyes went back down to where he had seen those blood feet, and busted knee. He slowly reached forward and took him by the shoulders. the child stiffening immediately as though ready to run, "sssh." he shushed lightly, helping him off the cold floor, helping him lean against the wall. Light brown eyes looking at him frantically. "I-I don't have a lot of medical stuff on Me." he admitted sheepishly, "But my brother does. He can help. I can call him for you if you like. Our home is pretty warm," Leo took out his shell cell slowly. He could just see the child's eyes go to his shellcell. Don was listed under 2 taps of 2. A small beep indicating act filled the air. Enough to make the child's gaze shoot up to his face in surprise. It took a lot for him to not smile.
But it was enough to prove his theory.
The tone went through barley giving him time to turn on Speaker phone and lower the phone till it rested on his palm. The anxious voice of his second youngest brother on the other side"Leo! Are you ok!? Are you hurt!?"
"I'm alright Donatello." He kept his voice level. Noting how the kid jumped back at his older counterpart's voice, "I have the turtle with me. He needs some help."
"The turtle? The one we were chasing? He didn't run away?"
"Yeah, he saved my life and took care of me. He looks just like you, minus the height." he allowed himself to smile when the child frowned lightly. Leo almost had a feeling this was something he was teased on a lot.
"Do you think he's a clone?"
"I think he's in the wrong world, I think he's lost. I also don't' think he's going to hurt anyone as long as we don't hurt him. Which we don't plan to."
"You sound weird, are you talking on speakerphone?"
"I wanted him to be able to hear the conversation. I want him to know he's not in any danger. But like I said, he's hurt, can you please bring she Sewer slider by or something? So he doesn't have to walk?"
"That won't scare him?"
"He's a pretty brave kid. I think he'll be ok." Without another note, he hung up the phone. He freaking hated phones.
Leo kept his head down as he tucked his phone back into his belt. He could just see the kids eyes go from Leo to the device he had pocketed. But when Leo raised his head the younger turtle turned his head away, as though acting like he didn't care. His arms going up to wrap around himself, knees drawn in. Leo couldn't help but notice the chill that still ran over his small body.
"The Sewer Slider is a type of mechanical sled we use to ride through the sewers. We would go by land but we live down here anyway. The only reason we went to the surface to begin with was to find you. WE thought you were a threat or you might blow our existence. Which I don't' think you would of done on purpose. And I think you can assume by now that we aren't normal here. And I think you can know my brothers names and mine. Because they're your brother's name too. Am I right Donatello?"
As he expected, the young Donatello's face ducked back behind his scarf again, before the white hood moved up and down in nod.
"I just want you to understand, this isn't a bad world, but we still aren't' the norm here. And if someone had gotten a hold of you, you might have been taken somewhere bad. They wouldn't be very understanding or kind. They would have hurt you. That's why I and my brothers and father live in the sewer. Do you understand?"
Young Donatello's eyes had stayed on his the whole time. Intelligence eyes that could probably understand a lot more difficult sentences then how he was talking. Even so, his head nodded lightly.
Leo smiled, trying to offer a reward for his response. But he couldn't ignore young Donatello's shivering. Those wet cold clothes couldn't be good for anything. Leo and his brothers had an advantage that they were able to dry off and warm up quicker than most others.
It was obviously THIS Donatello didn't have that advantage
"Are you cold?"
The child nodded, Leo could just hear a small wheezing sound. But it could have easily been from the sewer so he could ignore it. But Leo couldn't ignore his suffering. His large hand going up to rest on the younger turtle's small knees. The muscles under his hand only jerking lightly but otherwise there was no resistance, "My brothers might take a while to get here. I can keep you warm if you want."
Young Donatello's' form curled, up, shell pressing harder in the stone wall behind him as his eyes looked Leo up and down with accusation. Knees pulling up tighter to his chest out and out from under Leo's hand. Face disappearing behind them.
He was a bit more disappointed then Leo would like to admit. He rocked back onto his knees, deciding to accept his promise. Leo was about to look down the tunnel to see if only to break the awkward moment when his eyes were caught in Young Donatello's again. The white hooded turtle nodding ever so slightly
Leo couldn't help but smile. A bit harder then he would have expected. Leo moved up to his knees and moved around the kid. Keeping his movements slow as the Alternate Don's eyes had stayed on him the whole time. Searching for an excuse to run.
And Leo wasn't about to give him one.
He settled himself right next to the younger turtle. Slowly drawing his arm out in invitation. Younger Don scooted towards him, closer to his side. His arm wrapped around Donatello's small shoulders and tightened his grip ever so lightly. If only to show that his 'charge' could get out of his grip if he needed to
Then it happened
The younger Don leaned into his hold. Head resting on his chest, He felt the small body relax as though shying. The small shivering began to slow. Though small shivers took their place
Withheld sobs
Leo bit hard into his lip, closing his eyes. Searching for words of comfort
What could he say?
"I wish I could explain how you got here, I would if I could. I don't even know how you got here. And we don't have a lot in our home. And I know you saved me because I look like your own Leonardo. So I will tell you this. I promise I'll keep you safe, me and my brothers all. I promise to not hurt you. I'll keep you safe until we can get you home," he found his hand sliding up the back of the child's shell, moving up to rest on the top of his hooded scalp, " I swear on my honor, little one."
The form in his arms shivered, he felt a beak press into his side. Fingers going to the forearm wrapped around him to grip it lightly. A small sigh going through him
Leo almost thought the child was trying to thank him
He could accept that.
A shiver went through the form. Suddenly jerking out of his arm and flying forward and slam onto his knees out and of his arms doubling over as a hacking sound escaped his lips, bandaged hands pressed over his lips as the child's body shuddered in pain, "Hey!" Leo shouted, moving forward, grabbing him by the shoulders and yanking him back. The smell of copper hitting him. Red stains going across bandaged fingers, eyes squeezed shut
Blood.
Leo all but dragged him into his arms, using his bicep to support his light body while his other hand flew up to his forehead. Warmth all but burning his skin "Don!' he shook the boy lightly. But despite his efforts, the younger version of his brother's eyes swiveled to the back of his head, hands falling to his chest and eyes shut.
"DON!"
a/n
quick thought, how cool would it be to see a unbreakable fanfic comic? Serioulsy, I think its every fanfiction writers dream. It'l probably never happen but still it would be awsome!
