Chapter 21: Lectures and Lost Pets

A/N: Hey, I know it's been a while since I updated this story, but I had to make sure my plot was sound in my head and I had a lot of sinus problems. Still do, but I'm updating anyway because I'm sick of leaving you guys hanging like that. When the pizza delivery kid appeared in the latest episode, I yelled, "Tony's back!" I know he acted weird in the episode, but I have a good explanation for it in this story since in this universe he already knows about the mutagen canisters. Thanks to all of those who have read and reviewed. It means so much to me.

Disclaimer: TMNT belongs to Nickelodeon. I'm just borrowing them for my own amusement

Note to self: Never cram for a math test late at night. I had stayed up most of the night because I was so nervous for the upcoming math test, and I really wanted to pass. So I ended up being really tired when I woke up for school. I took the test and went through the day yawning a lot. I knew I needed to sleep, but I had to work that night, so I didn't have time to really get some sleep before my shift. Work went as usual until I encountered one of the mutagen canisters. In my sleep-deprived state, I thought it was some sort of energy drink and put it on the back of my bike. Then I continued with my shift and forgot about it. After I was done, I noticed the canister was gone and figured that maybe someone had stolen it. Deciding not to worry about it, I finished my shift and headed to the Lair, ready to go to sleep and make up for the sleep I'd lost the night before.

When I got inside, I saw that the Turtles were really beaten up. What had happened to them? Then Leo looked at me with a very stern look, a look that said I'd done something wrong.

"Nice of you to join us, Tony," he said.

"Yeah, work was really rough," I replied. "What happened to you guys out there? Did the Foot ambush you or something?"

"No, it was something else, but we'll talk about that in a minute," Leo answered. "What I want to know is what would possess you to grab a mutagen canister? You know how dangerous they are. Why would you even think it was an energy drink it in the first place?"

Then I realized why Leo was mad at me. How could I have been so stupid? "I'm sorry, Leo, but I was tired," I told him. "I stayed up all of last night cramming for that math test. I swear it won't happen again. Did you get the canister back? It was gone when I finished my shift."

"Oh, I got it back," Leo replied. "But the point is that you almost took it and drank it, Tony. Do you have any idea what could have happened if you did that?"

"Yeah, I do, and I'm sorry, Leo," I said. "I'll be more careful next time, okay?"

"You had better be," Leo said sternly. "We can't afford to have something happen to you, too."

"So, what happened to you guys?" I asked them.

"We were beaten up by Spike," Mikey replied. "He got into some mutagen and turned into a turtle like us. But he wasn't very nice and beat us all up."

"Whoa, I'm glad I didn't see that," I said. "So, how's Raph taking it?"

"I think he's still upset," Leo answered. "I mean, he seemed okay while we were playing video games, but then he wanted to go to his room for a while."

"I'll go talk to him," I said. "Maybe I can help him snap out of it."

"Tony, I wouldn't do that if I were you," Don cautioned me. "Raph just might beat you up for invading his space."

"I have to try and snap him out of it," I replied. "It'll be fine, Donnie. Just leave it to me."

"Well, okay, but don't say I didn't warn you," said Don.

I smiled and headed to Raph's room. I knocked softly and said, "Raph, are you in there? It's Tony."

"I'm not in the mood, Tony," said Raph.

"Look, I heard about what happened to Spike," I said. "I want to talk to you about it."

"Well, I don't want to talk about it," said Raph stubbornly. "Besides, you don't know what it's like to lose a pet of your own."

"Actually, I do," I said softly. I heard footsteps and then Raph opened his door. I could tell he'd been crying, but I knew better than to comment on that.

"Cone on in," he said.

I stepped inside and sat down on Raph's bed. "I do know what it's like to lose someone you love," I told him. "I had a dog named Rocky once. He was my best friend, and we did everything together. When I would come home from school, Rocky would be waiting for me at the door like he knew exactly when I was coming home. He slept on my bed at night and followed me everywhere. I really loved him and thought he was the best dog ever. One day, we were out playing, and I threw a stick for Rocky to chase, but I threw it into the street by accident. Rocky went to chase it and got hit by a car that was speeding down our road. I was so scared, and I didn't know what to do. We took him to the vet and just hoped he'd be okay, but he died. I was so crushed about it and cried for days. Mom and Dad wanted to buy me a new dog, but I said I didn't want another dog ever again, and I never got one. I just felt that no one could replace Rocky."

"Wow," Raph said softly. "So you had a best friend, too."

"Yeah, and I even talked to him like you used to do with Spike," I said. "It was like he knew what I was saying and could understand. When I was sad, he was sad and when I was happy, he was happy, too. I definitely know what you're going through, man, and it sucks. But just know that I'm here for you if you need to talk."

Raph smiled at me, his green eyes showing that he understood. "Thanks, Tony," he said. "I guess I just have to move on. But I definitely don't want another turtle. It's just too dangerous with all these mutagen canisters we have lying around."

"Yeah, I get that," I said. "So, are you feeling better now?"

"Definitely," he said. "Just don't tell the others that I was crying, got that?"

"Got it," I said. "Well, I'd better get to bed so I don't lose any sleep like last night."

Raph laughed at that. "You really thought the mutagen canister was an energy drink?"

"Hey, I was out of it!" I protested. "Good thing Leo had my back."

"Well, we both sort of had the same idea, but it didn't work out," Raph told me. "At least it's over with, and you avoided trouble."

"I hear that," I said. "Goodnight, Raph. See you tomorrow."

"Goodnight, Tony," Raph replied. "And thanks for everything. I know who to talk to if I ever feel down about Spike."

"No problem, man," I answered. Then I headed to my room to get the sleep I knew I needed. I could tell Raph was feeling better, and I hoped that what I said did the trick. Sure, Slash was still out there somewhere, but I knew that Raph would be able to deal with it, and if he couldn't, then he could always come to me for support. With that last thought in my head, I settled down to sleep, hoping that the next day would be better for all of us.

A/N: And another chapter is done. Glad I got it out when I did. I may do a Christmas chapter to commemorate the holiday as well as a New Year's chapter if I can think of one. If not, then after the Christmas chapter, this story will be on hiatus until new TMNT episodes come back. Feel free to leave a review, and have a shelltastic day.