Chapter 4: Party Dude
A/N: Hey, here's the next chapter in this saga. Now we'll get to see how Mikey's feeling about everything that's happened and learn more about his new career, too. Thanks to all of those who have read and reviewed thus far. Your kind words mean the world to me. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well.
Disclaimer: TMNT and all related characters belong to Nickelodeon. I only own the plot and nothing more than that.
I really hate change.
I know change is a part of life, but it sucks how things always shave to change. Why can't things just stay like they are? I asked Master Splinter about it, and he said that a true ninja has to adapt and flow with change. When I asked why that is, he said it was just part of growth. Still, it's not something I'm fond of, and given all of the changes that have happened lately, I'm not really the type to be forgiving about it.
The first change that happened in our lives is when Tony Salini, one of our best friends, left us. His uncle died and he had to take over Antonio's in his place. I understood why he had to, but I didn't understand why that meant he couldn't hang out with us anymore. When I asked him about that, he said, "It's just the way things are, Mikey. I can't give up my responsibilities to my family." I hated that answer and thought it was a lame excuse. Why did he have to abandon us? Why couldn't he just stay with us and hang out with us? When he left, it was like a knife going through my stomach, and I went to my room and cried. I know the others heard me, but no one said anything except for Leo. He said, "That's the way things are, Mikey. You have to accept it and move on." Easy for him to say. He didn't feel about Tony the way I did. Tony was my best friend, but he was also much more than that. I loved him, and I felt like he was breaking up with me, and it hurt.
I thought maybe that was it for changes, but then Leo decided to go to Japan with Karai. I knew our sis wanted to go because she wanted to see where she was born and learn more about her mom, but it was astounding that Leo wanted to go with her. His excuse was that he wanted to protect her from harm, but I knew Karai was more than capable of taking care of herself given that she was a kick ass kunoichi. I knew there was more to this than that and that it had to do with the problems going on between Leo and Raph. I hated seeing my brothers fight, but I couldn't do anything about it, and that's what sucked the most for me. I figured Splinter would forbid Leo from going and say that he had to stay with his team, but Splinter allowed it and said it would be a good idea. So Leo and Karai left and yet another hole was left in our family. I couldn't believe all of this was happening to us! Our family was falling apart, and there was nothing I could do about it.
We tried to go on after Leo left, but it was hard. Raph got tired of it and joined up with the Mighty Mutanimals, saying that he was working with a better team. Donnie and I went through the motions, but it wasn't the same. Then I got the idea to look for a job since we were short on money and we didn't want to bother Mr. O'Neil with funding us since he was paying for April to go to college. Donnie found an ad for someone wanting entertainment for a birthday party, and I thought it was a good idea. We tricked out the Party Wagon, and Donnie made me a foam head that looked a lot like my real self.
"Dude, why can't I go as myself?" I asked him.
"Because you're supposed to be in costume, and you know how little kids are," he answered. "We have to make it look as good as possible."
Okay, I could roll with that. So I shut up and helped him out until it was done. He even made a fake zipper that I could attach to my plastron to make it look like I was wearing a costume. I thought it was neat, and that's how Cowabung Carl was born. I was originally going to call myself Booyakasha Bob, but I figured that would be too big of a mouthful for the kids to say.
I don't think Raph was on board with this whole thing. When I showed him my costume, he just rolled his eyes and said, "Man, you look like a doofus."
"Isn't that the point?" I asked.
"Why are you doin' this anyway, Mikey?" he asked me. "You know Sensei hates it when we're around strangers."
"Because I want to earn a living," I answered. "We need the money, and this will pay well so we don't have to keep asking April's dad for a loan."
"That's what drug dealers and criminals are for," he countered. "We take the money from them and keep it for ourselves."
Sensei was fine with me doing this, but he warned me to be careful and to make sure the kids didn't see me. I promised him I'd be careful and that was that.
The big day arrived and I got ready to go out to my first job. I thought maybe Donnie would come with me, but he was working at a tech support job and was starting that. I sighed and put everything in the van before heading out. The address was easy enough to find due to the balloon that was on the railing of the front steps. I got out of the van after donning my fake head, took a deep breath, and went inside.
"Kids, come and see who I brought," the mother said in a cheery voice.
The kids immediately stampeded for the living room and gathered around me.
"Hey, kids," I said. "I'm Cowabunga Carl. So, who's the birthday dude?"
"That's birthday girl to you," a girl with blonde hair said as she made her way to the front of the crowd.
"My apologies, dudette," I said.
"So, what sort of tricks do you do?" she asked me.
Tricks? What, were they expecting a magician? Then I smiled. "I can do this," I answered and performed a backflip. Then I did some katas Sensei had taught me.
"Cool!" one of the boys said. "Are you a ninja?"
"In a manner of speaking," I answered.
"That's stupid!" the birthday girl said. "I didn't want this. I wanted the clown! Mommy, why didn't you get me the clown?"
"He was already booked, sweetie," she said gently. "So I had to get Cowabunga Carl instead."
"Well, he sucks!" she snapped. "This is the worst party ever!" She started to storm away, but I grabbed her arm.
"Hold on, dudette," I said. "I have something for you." I reached into a bag I'd brought with me and gave her a set of foam nunchaku.
She looked at them and scowled. "I don't want these. Don't you have a balloon flower for me?"
"Sorry, dudette, but I don't make balloon flowers," I said to her.
"You suck!" she snapped and kicked me in the leg before going upstairs. I winced in pain and rubbed where she'd kicked me.
"Don't listen to her, Carl," said one boy. "I think you're cool. Can I have those things?"
"Sure," I answered.
That led to all of the others clamoring for foam nunchaku too, but I only had one pair on me. "Um, sorry, guys, but I only have one pair."
The boys groaned at my words, but I made up for it by teaching them a few katas. Soon they were engrossed in learning the moves until it was time for cake.
"I guess that's my cue to exit," I said.
"No, you can stay, Carl," the girl's mother said. "You did a wonderful job with the kids. Have some cake."
"Um, okay," I said.
She called the birthday girl down to blow out her candles. The girl did so, but she wasn't happy about it. Then the mom cut the cake and served it to all of the kids. She gave me one, and I ate it, feeling thankful that Donnie had made the mouth on the foam head wide enough for me to be able to eat the cake without taking the head off.
"Can you take your mask off, Carl?" one boy asked.
"Sorry, dude, but that would ruin the illusion," I answered.
The kids left to play some games the mother had, and I felt that was my time to go. To thank me for what I did, the mother gave me some money and another piece of cake. I thanked her and left the house, feeling that at least my first job had gone well.
I set the cake aside and headed for home. I pulled the van into the garage and got out, pulling my head off as I did. Humming a tune, I entered the Lair and looked around. Raph wasn't there and I figured Donnie would be in his lab.
Splinter came out of his room and greeted me. "How was your first job, Michelangelo?" he asked me.
"Pretty good," I answered. "I got paid and I got some cake. You want it?"
Splinter took the foil wrapped package and unwrapped it. "Yes, I suppose I could have this piece if you do not want it," he replied.
"Nah, I had my fill at the party," I said.
Splinter went to the kitchen and got a fork before digging in. "I do like buttercream," he mused as he savored the taste of the frosting.
Donnie came out of his lab at the sound of my arrival. "Oh, hey, Mikey," he greeted me. "How was your first day?"
"Good," I answered. "The birthday girl wasn't happy with me, but I did get free cake."
His eyes lit up. "Where is it?" he asked me.
"I gave it to Sensei," I replied. "He likes buttercream."
Don gave me a stern glare. "Mikey, you know that's not healthy for him!" he scolded. "He has to watch his sugar intake!"
A few months ago, Sensei had a mild heart attack, and since then, Donnie had been on our case to make sure that we didn't give him foods he shouldn't eat. But it was just a mild heart attack. Sensei was fine, and I figured he could eat whatever he wanted to as long as it was in moderation.
"Don't ever give him the cake again!" Don said. "Save it for either yourself, Raph, or me."
'Dude, it's just one piece," I protested. "It's not like it's a whole cake."
"Donatello, I appreciate your concern, but it is not up to you to tell me what I can and cannot eat in my own home," Splinter chastised.
"Yes, it is because I'm the family doctor and I have to oversee all of our medical needs," he retorted. "I'm sorry, Sensei, but I'm just looking out for you. I don't want you to get worse."
Splinter nodded but said nothing more as he finished the cake. I really didn't get what Donnie's deal was, but I was going to find out that he was going to have a lot more on his shoulders than just being the family medic.
22222
Practice was a disaster, but that's been par for the course lately. The worst thing was that Raph mouthed off to Sensei and stormed out of the dojo after his punishment was over. I know Raph can have a temper, but he's always known about the fine line that can't be crossed, and that's usually mouthing off to Master Splinter that's a no no. But he did it this time. I thought he was out of control, and I couldn't understand why he was acting like this. Sensei dismissed us and asked to talk to Donnie. I wanted to eavesdrop, but I knew that wasn't a good idea, so I left the dojo and played the Space Heroes pinball machine we had. I had just beaten my high score again when Donnie came out of the dojo.
"So, what did Sensei want to talk to you about, D?" I asked him.
"He's appointed me as the leader of this team," he answered. "He thinks that Raph's out of control because there's no leadership, so he figures if he appoints a leader, Raph will fall into line."
"What did you tell him?"
"I told him I couldn't be a leader, but he said I have to try anyway. I know this isn't a good idea, and I know it'll fall apart. I'm just not fit to lead anyone."
"I hear you, dude," I said as I patted his shoulder. "But I do think you'd make an awesome leader. I just hope Leo won't get mad when he comes home."
"Oh, I'm sure Splinter will give him the job once he comes back," Don replied. "That is, if the family doesn't fall apart by then."
"It won't, Donnie," I reassured him. "We'll figure things out. Wanna play with me?"
He sighed. "I wish I could, but I have to get back to work. See you later, Mikey."
I watched him go, feeling lonely. Donnie was always good for a game of pinball with me, and he sometimes let me stay in his lab as long as I didn't touch anything. But lately, he was spending a lot of time by himself working at his tech support job. Don't get me wrong, I was happy about what he was doing, but it was cutting into some serious brotherly bonding time. With a sigh, I continued playing my game for a few more rounds before plopping down and watching some TV. I seriously hoped Leo would come home soon because without him, things just weren't the same.
22222
If I had thought practice had gone bad, patrol was even worse. Raph ended up storming away and going to join the Mutanimals on their patrol. Donnie was bummed out, so I tried making him feel better. He smiled at what I was saying and challenged me to a race. I accepted, but I could see his heart wasn't really in it. I let him beat me and waited for him to catch his breath.
"I just don't know if this will work," he said. "Raph's never abandoned patrol before."
"Maybe you should write to Leo," I suggested. "Get his advice on what to do."
Don snorted. "Yeah, right," he scoffed. "Leo hasn't answered any of my letters. Do you really think he'll answer me this time? And even if he did, do you really think he'd help me out? He'd probably just say it's my problem and that he can't deal with it anymore."
"That's not true!" I protested. "Leo's always helped us out of any trouble we're having. I'm sure he'd be able to tell you what to do."
Don shook his head. "No, I'm not going to ask for help," he answered. "Sensei wants me to be the leader, so I'm going to do this my way. Leo can enjoy his trip to Japan without any of us interfering."
I was hurt at his words. He needed help, and yet he was too stubborn to ask for it. I decided it was time for me to do some damage control of my own. Don would never admit he needed help, but I could see that this was already taking a toll on him. After we returned home, I retreated to my room and pulled out my T-Phone. I pulled up my inbox and keyed in Leo e-mail. It was time to talk to my brother once and for all.
Dear Leo,
I know you're probably having an awesome time in Japan, but I thought I would write to you anyway. Things aren't going well here, and I feel like the family is falling apart. Donnie was just appointed leader in your place, and it's not going well. He needs help, and since he won't write to you himself, I figured I'd do it instead. I know he'll be pissed at me that I interfered, but I can't stand seeing him so stressed. Raph's changed, dude. He mouthed off to Sensei and even stormed away from patrol. He's joined the Mighty Mutanimals now and thinks he's better off with them. I want to get your advice on what Don can do to stop Raph from acting like this. What would you do in Don's place, Leo? I really need to know before this family goes crazy.
Don got a tech support job so he can earn money, and I'm doing birthday parties for little kids. It's pretty cool even though the kids can be brats at times. At least I get money and free cake. I gave my cake to Master Splinter, but Don wasn't happy about that. Did I tell you Sensei had a mild heart attack a few months ago? He's fine, but Don's all touchy about what he eats now. It's pretty annoying. I mean, we're all gonna die someday, right? Why not just live a little?
Anyway, I hope you answer this soon, Leo. I miss you and Karai. Tell her hi from me and that I wish you guys would come home.
Love,
Mikey
I hit Send and set my phone down. I wasn't sure if he'd reply or not, but at least I took comfort in the fact that I had the courage to do something about the problem. I sighed and settled down to sleep, hoping that I'd get a reply in the morning.
When I woke up, I looked at my phone to see if Leo had replied, but there were no new messages. And for some reason, that made me feel awful to know that Leo had ignored my cry for help. I had to wonder if our family would ever be the same again and if we'd ever go back to where we were before.
A/N: So that's the end of another chapter. I really hope you enjoyed it. The next chapter will be Leo's again, and we'll see what he and Karai are up to and why Leo hasn't answered any of his brothers' messages. Feel free to leave a review and have a shelltastic day.