Disclaimer: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and all related characters belong to Nickelodeon.
Warnings: Overall story, little bit of foul language and mentions of past character death. Unbetaed.
Summary: Lost and alone in another reality, one turtle must try to find his way home. All while trying to forge a place amongst a family who lost one of their own under horrible circumstances and seemingly resents his very presence. No OC's. Set: 2k3 up until 'Good Genes'. 2k12 up until 'The Good, the Bad and Casey Jones'.
Comments, thoughts and concrit is always welcome.
A/N: So this story was recently nominated for 'Best Tragedy' in the TMNT Mature Fanfic Awards and it came in second place. The certificate is beautiful and can be seen on my DA profile. Thank you to everyone who voted for this :-)
Honestly, I was surprised to even have anything nominated for that competition in the first place, (3 of my stories were nominated in 4 categories, thank you!) as I didn't think any of them were even suitable for the Mature fic competition XD
For those who haven't realised it yet, I have finally started writing the 2k12 side of this story (AOtGO - Aftermath) and will be doing my best to alternate updates for both this story and that one. Also, a couple of people in the past expressed a desire to have 2k12 Mikey meet 2k3 Leatherhead. Your wish has been granted. It's a 2-parter published within 'Tales from AOtGO' called 'Besties' and set not long after 'Far From Home'. Greys-Giovana over on Deviant Art drew two wonderful art pieces for that, one for each chapter. The second image gives me chills just looking at it XD
Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, faved or followed this story. You really make my day!
jgrasper22 - This story and 'Aftermath' are separate stories, yet connected. You don't have to read both to understand the other, it's merely that this story focuses on the 2k3 side of the story and 'Aftermath' on the 2k12.
Cutegenius - It's not that Raph wasn't interested in hearing how Leo was felled by a little girl, it's more that I was only showing snippets of their conversation. Most of us already know what happened from watching the episode 'Slash and Destroy', and I'm not a fan of rehashing too much what we've seen, so that conversation was held between the scenes.
TheRedScreech - Sorry, but Raph's spluttering happened between scenes XD As for Mikey working out the voice in 'Far From Home', well, who knows. Something may come from that one day but if so, that's a story for another time *winks*
DragonChild157 - Hehe, yes, we'll have to wait and see what Mikey dredges up from within that room now he has Raph's permission XD 2k3 family, beware!
ShadyFool, Kneazle-Chan, TheMaskedTimelord, Bookworm1978, Rhodesincolumbus, Guests - Thank you :-)
And One to Grow On
Ch 25
Date : 12th Sept
"Was... this dude responsible for what happened to your bro?" Mikey asked fearfully.
"No, he wasn't. However, due to Mikey's friendship with certain members of the Justice Force, we were co-operating on a mission when... it happened." Donnie clenched his hands tightly together, the blood draining quickly and his knuckles paling. "Though they never revealed Mikey's true identity as a mutant turtle... they did hold a public memorial for him..."
"So that's how Himbo knew?" Mikey gasped in surprise.
"Himbo?" Donnie questioned. He'd heard Mikey refer to Hun like that before but wasn't quite sure why he did.
"Hun... he's got long, blond hair and he's not that bright, but since he's a guy, not a girl, it's Himbo," Mikey explained with a shrug and a proud grin.
Donnie cracked a small, sad smile. "Fitting. Yes, he would know us well enough to have seen through my brother's costumed identity easily enough."
At that moment, Mikey wanted so badly to reach over and comfort Donnie the way genius had tried to do for him not long ago, but he knew from past experience it was better that he didn't, and it killed him to know he couldn't help. "I'm really sorry, Don..." he murmured quietly, knowing those words wouldn't cut it, yet not knowing what else to say.
Donatello shook his head and turned back to his computer, closing off the rare photo on the monitor. He gave a tight nod. "We made so much fun at his expense for his 'Secret Identity', but it's comforting to know that because of it, so many people thought of him as a hero and actually cared about what happened to him." Then in a voice so low Mikey could barely make out the next words, Donnie added bitterly, "Though they never would have had they known what he really was..."
-:-
Leo looked up as Michelangelo quietly exited the lab. "You were a lot longer than you thought you'd be. Was Don actually willing to talk?"
Mikey made his way over and sat in the chair near Leo's. "Yeah," he nodded. "Nothing in depth but he did tell me a lot."
Leo was relieved to hear it, "That's good to know." Then he noticed how quiet and still the other-dimensional turtle seemed, "Are you alright, Michelangelo?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, dude, just really tired," Mikey admitted reluctantly. That and some of what he'd just learned had been a lot for him to take in. "I don't get it! I should have energy to burn, especially after so much... uh... sleep the last two days." Mikey coloured, as he remembered the reason for all that enforced sleep.
"Master Splinter mentioned your first astral training session," Leo offered by way of explanation. "He was quite impressed, you know."
Mikey looked away from Leo to stare at the television monolith. "We didn't do much..."
"For your first time, especially without your meditation skills being very strong, you did a lot, Michelangelo," Leo gently assured the younger turtle. "You picked up on things none of the rest of us ever have so it's no wonder you're so tired. It really does take a lot of mental energy to use the Astral Plain, especially when you aren't used to it."
"I guess..." Mikey agreed, unable to prevent himself from yawning and not bothering to even try to cover it.
Leo moved immediately, swinging his legs off the couch, "Would you like to trade places so you can nap a while?"
Whipping his head to face Leo in alarm, Mikey exclaimed, "No way, dude! You need the couch!" he protested, shaking his head vigorously.
Chuckling slightly, Leo said, "I can prop my leg up on the coffee table from the armchair just as easily."
"Nuh, stay there," Mikey insisted. In a flash, he was out of his seat and on the ground, laying plastron down. "I'll just nap like this, I did it lots when I was younger," he added, smiling brightly up at Leo.
"Okay," Leo replied dubiously, watching Michelangelo settle into a supposedly comfortable position with his head cradled in his crossed arms. Then he heard a sigh and so quiet he wasn't sure if he was hearing things...
"Sorry you have to watch me when I know there's other things you'd rather be doing instead..."
-:-
Mikey shifted uncomfortably, finding his face laying in a wet patch on his arm.
"You always drool so much when you sleep?" A rough voice asked in disgusted amusement from somewhere behind him.
Mikey wearily pushed himself up to a seated position and turned to see Raph sitting where Leo previously was. "Only when I'm dreaming of jalapeno, anchovy and jelly bean pizza," Mikey quipped with a grin as the look of disgust deepened. "It's sooo good, dude! Think we can get April to pick up the ingredients for me to make some?"
"Not a chance in shell, brat!" Raph immediately retorted. "Since you're awake now, get up and get ready."
Mikey bounced lightly to his feet, looking curiously at Raph. "Ready for what, bruh?"
"Just get cleaned up and grab your gear," he grunted, refusing to answer.
For one brief moment, Mikey felt the terror that Raph was going to make good on previous threats at last and kick him out because everyone had finally had enough of him, but then he saw the amused, slightly fond look in Raph's eyes and relaxed again. "I told you this morning Raph, until Donnie says I'm clear, I'm not packing."
Rolling his eyes, Raph retorted, "And I told you that it's not gonna happen again. Besides, I can handle a brat like you any time with my eyes closed and my hands tied behind my back."
Mikey grinned cheekily and leaned towards Raph as if mocking, "I'd believe half of that."
"And the other half?" Raph asked, his tone disbelieving.
"If we both had our eyes closed, I'd kick your shell but good, dude!"
Raph snorted derisively and pushed Mikey towards the bathroom. "I'd like to see you try!"
"As would I," Splinter suddenly spoke from the doorway across the room.
"You really wanna see him embarrass himself that badly, Master Splinter?" Raph asked, looking Splinter's way in surprise.
Splinter chuckled, "From what Leonardo told me of an incident a couple of weeks ago, I am most curious as to whom would actually embarrass whom."
"What happened a couple of weeks ago?" Raph asked, turning to Mikey who only shrugged in confusion.
Splinter gave a polite nod and continued walking through the room towards the kitchen. "Have fun you two, but stay alert."
Mikey looked up at Raph, "What's he mean?"
"Just get ready and you'll find out."
-:-
Refreshed at last, Mikey returned a few minutes later to find Raph waiting impatiently by the door, fingers of one hand tapping staccato on the door frame. As Mikey made his way over, Raph turned and stepped through, calling over his shoulder irritably.
"Took ya long enough!"
"When a turtle's gotta go, he's gotta go, dude."
"Yeah, and I don't need to know."
Mikey grinned and ran to catch up, finding Raph leading them into the garage. A moment later, Raph stopped by a tucked away corner and motioned Mikey to it.
"I know your board's wrecked, so choose something else," he commanded, reaching out and grabbing his roller blades. "These are mine though and your feet won't fit 'em anyway."
Mikey stared into the corner, seeing another skateboard, smaller than his own, a scooter with a blue handle, and a purple BMX bike.
"The scooter's Leo's and the bike's Don's, but they won't mind if you wanna use 'em."
"I've never ridden a bike or scooter before," Mikey said softly. "You're sure they won't mind?"
Raph shrugged. "They're sittin' here gatherin' dust anyway. May as well make use of 'em."
Mikey gazed down at the orange skateboard, an ache in his chest as yet again, he remembered the nightmarish fight three nights ago, and reached out for the bike handles instead. "Do you know how to ride this?"
"Yeah."
"Is it hard?"
"Nuh," Raph laughed. "It's as easy as fallin' off a bike."
"Bad choice of words, dude," Mikey said solemnly.
For a moment, the two other-dimensional brothers looked at each other and then both laughed. "Bike it is," Mikey exclaimed cheerfully as his laughter began to subside. "You can teach me!"
Raph attached his blades to his belt at the back of his shell and went to the door leading into the sewers.
"So where are we going anyway, Raph?" Mikey asked, curiosity fighting his trepidation. "I... I'm not supposed to leave the lair or anyone's sight right now."
"Relax already," Raph snorted derisively. "I can just as easily watch you out there as I can in here."
"Does Leo know?"
"Don't be ridiculous. If Fearless knew he'd never let you leave!"
Mikey froze, uncertainty tearing at him. His confidence in himself, already lower than he liked to let on to anyone ever, had taken a massive nosedive in the last few days and he didn't know what he should do.
"Don't you want to get out and have some fun?" Raph suddenly asked, eyes intent on Mikey. "Or would ya rather stay cooped up here, sittin' and starin' at the walls?"
Mikey gripped tighter at the handlebars, staring longingly at the door.
"Look, Master Splinter knows and he's fine with it," Raph added, fighting back a sigh. "You heard him tell us to have fun."
That convinced him and Mikey flicked his eyes up to meet Raph's, suddenly wondering if they were as bright a green behind that mask with its blank eyes as his own brother's, and he smiled, decision made.
-:-
Fifteen minutes later as they raced through the sewers, Raph suddenly slowed and Mikey shot past him by several metres before stopping and turning back perplexed. There didn't seem to be anything in sight other than walls, pipes and shadows. Mikey was about to question Raph when the older turtle jumped across the stream of filthy water and slipped into one of the deep shadows. Moments later, Mikey followed.
Peering intently into the gloom, yet unable to make anything out, Mikey heard Raph moving behind him, so still holding onto the handlebars of his borrowed bike, Mikey turned around again. Seconds later, the noises stopped and lights flickered on behind him.
Raph grunted, nodding towards the closed door. "So no one sees the light and decides to look closer."
"Oh cool!" Mikey was in awe, even as he wondered just why it mattered. After all, while growing up, he and his brothers had had the run of the sewers yet never bothered with such concerns.
Raph stalked past, pushing him aside, but Mikey recognised none of the usual roughness that would have been there only a few days ago and turned after him, only to stop and blink at the sight of a large, bowl shaped, yet dry drainage area.
"Not long after we moved where we live now, Mikey and I were scoutin' the area and found this place," Raph explained, his tone tight. "We figured it'd be a pretty good spot for hangin' out with our wheels if we ever got the time. Once things settled down, I got Don to help me set it up with better lightin', the hidden door and a new grate to cover the hole in the middle. The original was too badly rusted. Also makes a good bolt hole in case we run into trouble but can't make it home."
"Did you ever use it?" Mikey asked curiously, taking a step further in.
"Coupla times," Raph shrugged. "We were gonna do more to the place, like our old, underground skate park we had years ago, but never got the chance."
"Do more like what?"
"Jumps and stuff."
Mikey grinned, he could definitely see the potential of the place. He noticed a small room above with an overlooking window and Raph caught him looking towards it.
"Old control station from when this place was still in use before they built better, automated ones. It's been mostly gutted but we set up some supplies and stuff there in case of emergencies."
"Cool!"
Raph reached behind his shell for his rollerblades and put them on as Mikey continued to gaze around, taking in the mostly austere area. One wall though, had the beginnings of a painting on it and he recognised the style as similar to that in his own borrowed room.
"Doesn't it make you uncomfortable being here?" he suddenly asked without thinking.
Raph turned to look at Mikey sharply, seeing where his gaze was directed. He shrugged. "There's other places that're worse," he admitted.
"Like my room," Mikey observed quietly. "Whenever you have to come near the door, you always walk as close to the other wall as you can."
Raph stared in shock. He'd never noticed, but now that it was pointed out to him, he realised the brat was right. "Yeah, but this place was meant for all of us, to relax and have fun in."
"Even Leo?" Mikey asked in disbelief.
Raph barked a harsh laugh. "Yeah, if we could ever get him to pull that stick out of his arse long enough."
Mikey laughed too, "Yeah, he's pretty intense. Way more intense than my Leo."
Raph gave Mikey an incredulous look. He knew Mikey and his brothers were several years younger, and that would account for some of the difference, but his own Leo had been intense even before they hit their teens. As a result, it was hard for him to imagine a Leo that wasn't.
"How about I give you that ridin' lesson and then you can tell me about your family while we ride."
Mikey grinned, excited and happy to realise Raph was actually interested.
-:-
"Seriously? Your Leo's a damn Trekkie?" Raph laughed. He tried to imagine his own brother as one and failed miserably.
"Nooo... Not a Trekkie, we don't have that back home, he's a Spacenick! They're kinda similar but there's big differences between the shows," Mikey snickered, wobbling slightly as he rode his borrowed push bike. He'd managed to get the hang of riding it pretty quickly, but every so often his concentration lapsed and he had to fight to keep control.
"Don and Mikey, they were Trekkies, though Don hasn't watched an episode since..." Raph trailed off before he could mention that horrible day. "Neither Leo or I were ever interested in it though. Shell! It's hard enough gettin' Leo interested enough to watch anythin' other than the news! Guy never lets up! The only time we ever watched any was if one of those two chose one of the movies for movie night and that was usually Mikey to torture us, if he wasn't pickin' B grade crap instead."
"Movie night?" Mikey perked up, excited at the thought. He wondered if he could talk them into having some movie nights while he was around. "You dudes have so many movies in this dimension I've never heard of before. Games and comics too!"
Raph glanced over at Mikey as he skated, impressed, but not overly surprised, at how he was handling the BMX so quickly. "Maybe when you finally get to go home, Don can give you a hard drive with a buncha stuff loaded."
"That'd be pretty cool," Mikey admitted, a smile playing his face. "Then I can show my bros too. It'd be like a cultural exchange or something."
"Except only one way."
"Yeah..."
Raph saw Mikey's eyes slide over to him as he spoke, causing him to lose control and the bike to wobble badly once more.
"Watch what you're doin'!" Raph reminded him sharply as Mikey nearly crashed into him.
"Oops!" Mikey fought to get the wheels back under control again, grinning as he quickly recovered. "Heh, sorry! You know though, this is actually pretty easy."
Raph nodded wordlessly. He preferred his rollerblades for that very reason. That and the streamlined speed and manoeuvrability he could get with them; it was the only way he'd had a chance of truly competing with his skateboarding brother over the years.
"Too easy," Mikey continued in a sly voice that would have raised the hair on Raph's neck had he any. "I'm gonna try something!"
And before Raph could voice protest of any kind, Mikey was off his seat, standing and pedalling for all he was worth.
"So to do a flip, all I've got to do is jerk back on the bars, right?" Mikey called over his shoulder.
-:-
"...ease! I know you can hear me! Donnie! Leo! Raph! Anybody, please!"
Donnie shot up with a gasp, shaking and sweating. "It was just a dream," he kept whispering to himself, over and over once he gained enough breath back, "just a dream..."
As he sat there panting and trying to calm down, he realised he couldn't remember what actually happened in it, only that it had been one of the worst ones ever, full of desperate terror, screams and somebody sounding suspiciously like his dead brother calling frantically for him.
He couldn't take this any longer... the dreams, while they had settled for a while, had returned in the last couple of days with a vengeance. Maybe both Raph and Michelangelo were right after all; he needed to talk to someone, and more so, he needed to get a good night's sleep. Donnie glanced anxiously over at the clock on the wall above his computer, and as it was still relatively early, made up his mind to seek out Splinter.
-:-
"Damned little idiot!" Raph swore, putting on the speed to get to Mikey. He slammed his skates side on, skidding to an abrupt halt by the unmoving turtle and hauled the bike off him, throwing it carelessly to the side. Raph immediately dropped down to his knees beside the younger turtle.
"Kid! You okay?" Raph asked anxiously, reaching out to grab Mikey's wrist. "Mikey! Answer me dammit!"
Mikey moaned painfully. "Ow... What hit me...?"
"The ground and the damn bike ya little twerp!" Raph growled, relieved to hear the younger turtle speak. Mikey went to sit up but Raph planted a hand on his upper plastron, making sure to avoid the large dark purple bruise which was only just beginning to yellow at the edges after three days. "Don't try to get up yet. How do you feel?"
"Like I was run over by Slash..." Mikey groaned, blinking up at Raph blearily. "I'm okay, just a bit sore. Really, I promise!" he repeated, seeing the concern written on the hot head's face.
Raph just gave him a dirty look and checked to make sure nothing was broken before letting him sit up at last. "What the shell were you thinkin'?" he snapped angrily.
"That I wanted to do a trick?" Mikey questioned.
"You only just learned to damn ride!" Raph exploded furiously. "You coulda gotten yourself killed pullin' a stupid stunt like that!"
Mikey's first instinct was to ask, 'Would anyone here have even cared?' but he saw the look on Raph's face, recognised the tone of his voice, and was both chilled and warmed all at once by the realisation that at least one turtle truly would have. "I'm really sorry, Raph..." he muttered.
And he was.
He didn't mean to scare the other turtle like that. In fact, it amazed him how Raph could go from seemingly hating him to actually caring what happened to him in so fast a time.
"I do flips all the time so I..."
"In ninjutsu, and your damned skateboard!" Raph snapped, still angry. "You've had years of practise for those!"
Raph sighed, rubbing a hand down his face as he suddenly reigned in his temper. "Look, Kid, I've got no doubt you could pull it off after probably only a few days, but start smaller! Learn to fuckin' jump first and wear a damn helmet!"
Mikey blushed and nodded furiously. "I promise I will next time, Raphie."
And Raph was so relieved he never even noticed the name.
-:-
Exiting the lab once he collected himself, the first thing Donnie noticed was how quiet everything seemed. The second thing he noticed was Leonardo, defying his medical orders and pacing, exuding a mixture of worry and anger.
"What are you doing?" Donnie demanded, his nightmares immediately forgotten. "I believe I told you to rest if you want your ankle to heal any time soon."
"Raph and Michelangelo aren't in the lair. What if..."
"What do you mean they're not in the lair?" Donnie interrupted him. "It's Raph's turn to watch him."
"Just what I said. I've looked everywhere, but they're definitely not here. I even called April and Casey to see if they've seen either of them, but they haven't," Leo explained anxiously.
"Well, with the fact that neither are here, at least that means it's likely they are together," Donnie pointed out, wanting to get Leo calmed down enough to sit again.
"And both know very well they aren't supposed to have left the lair, especially Michelangelo!" Leo scowled.
"You know what Raph's like," Donnie said tiredly. "You can't cage him for long and he's been cooped up far too often lately as it is. I wouldn't worry too much, Leo. I doubt they've gone far."
Leonardo turned and raised an eye ridge at the genius, noticing just how haggard he appeared.
"I gave Raph a couple of tranquilliser darts earlier when he asked for them in case they were needed. I guess he had flying the coop in mind at the time," Donnie continued, seeing he had Leo's undivided attention at last.
"And you didn't think to ask why he would need them?" Leo couldn't help but accuse.
"Of course not! I just figured it was a precaution since Raph doesn't want to have to hurt Michelangelo again if it comes down to it," Donnie retorted, for once not bothering to hide his exasperation. "Now, please sit down and put that leg up, before you exacerbate your still healing injuries further."
Leonardo gave Donatello a reproachful look, but did as he was bade. "Can you track Raph's Shell-cell?"
"Did you try calling him first?" Donnie asked flatly. The last thing he wanted was to invade his brother's privacy again without good reason.
"Of course, and typically there was no answer when I tried."
"I understand that you're worried, Leo, but they are both trained ninja, and more than capable ones at that," Donnie reminded him, coming over to sit in a nearby chair and keep Leonardo company.
"I know that," Leo admitted softly. "I'm just concerned in case Michelangelo..."
The door abruptly opened and they looked up to see the two turtles in question entering the lair.
-:-
"Let's not tell them exactly what happened," Raph suddenly spoke up, breaking the tension as he and Mikey walked home. "But you're still gonna have to get Don to check you over."
"Do I have to?" Mikey whined, wincing at the thought. It seemed like all he was doing since coming to this reality was causing problems for everyone, especially Donnie, and he was sick of it.
"Yeah," Raph replied. "You were knocked out for a few seconds, and if Don finds out you didn't go to him, he'll be pretty pissed."
"But I wasn't..." Mikey tried to protest, only for Raph to keep speaking, either not noticing or caring that Mikey had something to say.
"And trust me, while Don's pretty mild most of the time, you do not wanna get on his wrong side."
Mikey shrugged. "I'm used to a Donnie who snaps and nerd rages easily anyway. It's no big deal."
Raph gave Mikey a side on look, before leading them around the bend in the tunnel.
"Raph?" Mikey ventured, quickening his pace to keep from being left behind. When Raph glanced at him questioningly, Mikey continued, "You guys didn't tell me about last night. Did you find him?"
"Hun?" Raph grunted questioningly.
"Yeah," Mikey nodded. "What happened?"
"Not much," Raph muttered in disgust. "He was long gone, but he left a trap for us. Lured Don in with the promise of information, then while we were caught up tryin' to get it, had the place blown up."
Mikey stopped in shock and stared at Raph in worry. "Were any of you hurt?" he asked in a small voice.
Raph barked a laugh. "Did we look it today?"
Mikey shook his head slowly.
"Nuh, we had Leo playin' lookout. He warned us and we got out just in time. Little singed, but nothin' a hot shower didn't fix."
Mikey's eyes closed in relief. "That's good. I don't want you and your bros getting hurt again because of me."
"Not your call to make," Raph said, shooting Mikey a sharp look. "Besides, that bastard needs takin' down once and for all."
"When are you guys going after him again?"
Raph scowled. "Dunno. Probably not until after Leo's healed. Don's gonna start tryin' to track him by hackin' into the city's CCTV. Hopefully we'll find him before he does anythin' big."
"Sooo..." Mikey began thoughtfully, "if you guys are waiting for Leo to heal, that means I'll be clear too."
"So?"
"So I'm coming too," Mikey declared in a determined tone.
"No you ain't!" Raph laughed and began walking away again.
Mikey bristled at the abrupt dismissal. He'd been training all his life too, just like them. It's just his life hadn't been as long as theirs yet. "This is my fight too, Raph!" he insisted. "After what he did... after what he made me do, I need to be there!"
"You can't take him, Kid," Raph sighed, wishing he wasn't having this conversation. It was why none of them had mentioned it earlier in the day. "Look at how easily he dosed you up the second time."
"That's not fair, Raph!" Mikey cried. "You weren't there! You don't know what happened!"
Raph stopped walking once more and faced the distraught other-dimensional turtle, "No, but Casey was and he saw enough to give us an idea."
"No one could have avoided that..." Mikey said miserably. "I doubt even Sensei could have."
"Uh huh."
"I was chained up, dude!" Mikey retorted. "I had no where to go, no way to escape him!"
"That chain was pretty loose around the pole," Raph pointed out. "You had plenty'a room to move."
It wasn't often Mikey let his anger surface, especially in the presence of a friend or family, but right then, he couldn't help but allow it to flood into him. "You seen the muscles on that creep?" he asked hotly. "And all he had to do was grab hold of that chain and haul me in like a helpless fish on a line! Did you even think about that, Raph?" Mikey spat furiously.
"... No, I didn't," Raph admitted, seeing the hurt making the younger turtle shake as he spoke.
Mikey gave a sudden nod, and just like that, his anger was spent. "So like I said, I'm coming too!" He began walking again, seeing the lair's hidden entrance come into view.
"We'll see," Raph acknowledged, following. "Either way, that's something for Leo to decide when the time comes."
"If he doesn't let me come, I'll just go on my own anyway," Mikey retorted obstinately.
"Somehow, I believe it, Kid," Raph said dryly. He shifted the loose brick hiding the control panel and keyed in the code for the door, then the two stepped inside.
"Where the shell have you two been?" Leo demanded, his voice full of barely restrained anger as he stood and strode towards them as best his crutches would allow.
-:-
to be continued
* If you ever see my stories posted anywhere other than under the name Zelgadis55 at Deviant Art, FFNet, AO3 or Live Journal, then they have been stolen. Please report them.