((A.N - Well, I decided to bold out my 'notes' because it'll make then easier to read (and tell apart from the story)... I hope. Anyway, here's the end! The final chapter! I've been working on this since school started (and during), so it's really weird to finally be done. But my other story will still be going on, Talons, traitors and turtles. I hope you give that one a chance too! As always, constructive criticism is welcome, as well as correcting my spelling/grammar! Thanks for reading!))


"And that is the end of that," Donatello reported, carefully placing the chained nitrogen canister into the freezer. Though the nightmare seemed to have ended, there was still the matter of no longer becoming startled at the sight of the living, tri-flavoured mass of ice cream which once had been April's cat... She was a harmless feline-thing… but it was just so... unnatural. Then again, with the mess of events leading up to the Drip's eventual capture, he had been rather sleep deprived and jumpy. She seemed to have noticed the slight hesitation in Donatello's movements as he set the canister down beside her, and the feline meowed. A faint smile ghosted over his face at the sound, and with a final, disheartened look at the tank, knowing that all his attempts at creating retromutagen would be locked away along with the little mutant, he closed the freezer door. Donnie sighed, his brain receiving mixed emotions of both relief that the situation was finally over, and sorrow for the same reason; the Drip could've been on their side and it showed great potential in a fight. What did I do to provoke it? What... what did I do wrong?

His hand was still idling on the smooth exterior of the freezer door, somehow feeling as though a part of him would be disconnected if he let go. But the anticipation of what his family would think of him now that the problem was over and done with outnumbered his sadness. Moreover, the unnerving feeling of eyes burning into the back of his shell had returned. He knew that this time it wasn't a deranged mutant staring at him from the shadows, planning his ultimate demise; it was his brothers, his sensei... and this factor somehow made him feel slightly worse, more afraid of the consequences and punishments his father could dish out. And so, he took a moment to compose himself before turning to face them. His hand slid off of the freezer door.

"Guys... I know I've said this before, and there's really no excuse for my mistake but... I'm sorry for all this." He took in a breath. "Especially you, Leo. I totally lied to you with a straight face. I should've come clean earlier on. Maybe then this whole thing wouldn't have happened."

He looked up, head slightly hanging in a partially hopeful, and partially fearful gesture, wondering what their reactions would be. Much to his own surprise, though, his father gave him a look of approval from where he stood by the stove, most likely brewing hot tea for later. Leo and Raph, on the other hand, were huddled around the table, exchanging glances that appeared to verge on telepathic communication. With Donnie's first apology, the two hadn't forgiven him straight away as both Mikey and Splinter had, and when they spent the rest of the day cleaning up the lair, Donnie had the suspicion they weren't going to... and he couldn't blame them. But once everything had been put back into its designated place; the things that could be fixed up stashed away into his lab for later, and whatever junk that was irreparable thrown into the junkyard, his older brothers finally accepted his mistake and apology (though Raph had given him a rather hard punch to the shoulder before accepting it, and Donnie was sure it was going to leave a very visible mark for quite a while) - with a catch.

"You have all earned a rest, my sons," Master Splinter's voice held traces of approval, but it intertwined with something that made his statement more of a command rather than a suggestion. Thus, it didn't take long before his gaze rested on his second youngest son. It was a stern gaze, but not angry in the slightest. "Especially you, Donatello."

And so, knowing it would be in his best interest not to argue, Donnie simply nodded at his words, feeling the pressure on his shoulders relax ever so slightly; He was able to stand a bit taller than before and hadn't even noticed that his mouth had curved into a thin smile.

However, it faltered when he heard Leo warily chuckle, the sound borderlining on something along the lines of "but here's the catch". Their leader's wordless conversation with Raph seemed to have been put on hold, and when he spoke, he sounded a bit... concerned.

"So... remember, Don, no more-"

"I know, I know, no more experiments for at least a week," Donatello finished (or rather, interrupted) with an exhausted grin of his own, mentally hoping he'd never have to go through something so unnecessarily troubling ever again. He figured that, for once in his sixteen years of existence, he'd take a break from inventing. Though totally aware of how many downsides there were to denying himself access to his lab, Donnie figured at least this vacation would give the new blisters on his hands time to heal over. He didn't even know he could get those anymore... then again, they had been earned from not working all night, but rather scraping the ground while the Drip dragged him off, but he decided-

"Donnie?" A small voice severed his thoughts from his mind, and he blinked several times, almost frantically, as if he wasn't exactly sure where he was at the moment. Leo was eyeing him from where he sat, a few feet away. Donnie nervously grinned; he had zoned out again. He constantly rambled on and on in the safety of his thoughts without taking into consideration how it would affect the others on the outside- in reality. Then, he noticed the eyes of his family, unsure and disconnected.

Jeez! He mentally cursed himself as he forced an awkward grin, face burning from embarrassment. I literally just did it again! Quit zoning out, Don!

"Yeah... I'll take a break, I promise this time-"

"Speak for yourself, bro. Science waits for no man."

It was only when the familiar voice hit Donnie's ears did he realise that Mikey hadn't been in the kitchen the whole time. In fact, he couldn't recall the last time he had seen his baby brother after cleaning up the entire lair. He sort of... vanished. But now, as Mikey made his dramatic entrance into the kitchen, followed by an odd, greasy and pizza-y smell that overpowered the surrounding air, Donnie slightly wished he had just stayed hidden. The sight, was not much more pleasing than the odour; Mikey paraded into the kitchen, a great smile on his face, in such a bold fashion that should not have come from someone in his position. Raph covered his mouth while Leo cringed at the sight. Donnie froze and Splinter sighed, shaking his head.

For whatever reason, on top of Mikey's head was his treasured blue plaid hunters cap... and taped to it were several slices of pizza, dripping grease and cheese. What on earth?

"Behold! My latest invention!" Mikey proclaimed proudly once all eyes were on him. Unbeknownst, though, they weren't out of awe... rather, confusion and repulsion. With one hand on his hip, almost in a power stance, he peeled off a piece of pepperoni and ate it without even flinching.

"Yeah... we don't know what that is." Raph remarked, his confused gaze partially switching between Leo and Splinter, as if expecting some sort of explanation. But he didn't have to wait long.

"It's an edible pizza hat!" Was the immediate answer as Mikey seemed to mistake their disgust for interest. In fact, he was already smiling much wider than before. "I call it the Pizza Hat!"

Donnie looked away, not sure whether he should hide his amusement or growing second-hand embarrassment, all while avoiding the blissfully ignorant eyes of his youngest brother. He decided it would be for the best to try and not gag from the smell, and so he turned his head, thus leading him to lock eyes with Leo. His deadpan expression spoke more than volumes as he motioned for Donnie to come closer. It was an order quickly obeyed. I might as well follow Leo's orders this time. It's the least I can do.

Once the genius turtle was within earshot, Leo cupped once hand around his mouth to keep his comment from travelling. His voice was barely above a whisper:

"Maybe next time you only flood Mikey's room." He jokingly suggested as his face mirrored an attempt to silence laughter. It was unlikely that the others heard Leo's comment, though, because Mikey was throwing a loud racket, complaining rather comically about 'hot grease in his eyes'.

Whilst contemplating Leo's request, Donnie let out a chuckle, glancing up to watch Mikey for a few seconds. He couldn't help but humour his oldest brother by replying with a grin;

"Yeah, I'll work on that." Donatello promised. "In a week."


((A.N - Thanks for reading! I hope to see you in my other stories!))