It was a dreary day in the Manhattan sewers. Well, it was always somewhat bleak and grey down there, but today seemed particularly horrible. It was the equivalent of one of those ancient silent movies from two thousand years ago. No bright colors, no sound, no wacky characters. Because there was nothing to do. Or rather, there were things to do, but nothing that interested Michelangelo.
He had reread all of his comics, skateboarded on the drain pipes half a kazillion times, ate more pizza than he could stomach, and played way too many games on his T-Phone until his brain was ready to explode. Soon he was running out of ideas to do by himself.
Luckily he wasn't by himself. He had three whole brothers that would be dying to spend extra time with him!
"And I know exactly who to go to first!" He proclaimed, speeding to the hall of bedrooms, he flung open the nearest door with such force that the knob nearly popped off. He had the widest grin on his face, ready to have enough fun and excitement to fill an entire stadium.
"Heya dude!" Mikey sang, already making himself comfortable as he plopped down on a beanbag chair. He nearly missed the seat, as his hotheaded brother always kept the lights off. He insisted it was because of the faulty wires or something, but Mikey was more observant than that. He knew Raph simply preferred the dark.
Raphael was on his bed, focusing intently on the tip of his sai, currently being sharpened by the blade of a butter knife. Hearing his brother enter, his eyes snapped up, glaring with fierceness at his goofy intruder. "Mikey!" He roared. "How many times have I told you not to enter my room? How many times?" He held up his half-sharpened sai threateningly.
"Um, at least twice." The orange masked turtle chuckled nervously.
"At least have the decency to knock first!"
"I just wanted to know if you wanted to hang out, like bro bonding. Ooh! That movie you love, the one with the lady with scissors for hands who kills her ex-husbands is gonna be on soon." He nudged his brother. "I know how much you love all those gory flicks. The more blood the better, right-"
"Can't you see I'm in the middle of something? I don't wanna watch some stupid movie with you." Raph interrupted his babbling, already turning back to his weapon. "Go bother Donnie or something."
"But I picked it because you like-"
"I said no! Get out!" He flung his other sai towards Mikey, who ducked inside his shell just in time. The sai landed stuck on the other side of the wall.
"That's cool. Talk to you later bro!" Mikey tripped over his oversized feet as he made a tactful retreat away from the enraged terrapin. Raph however didn't chase him, and instead slammed the door directly in his face. "Jeez, talk about a drama queen. Now, who am I gonna hang out with?"
He glumly walked towards the pit, mentally debating on just taking a nap on the couch when he heard clanging noises coming from the lab. Followed by some fumbling and various swear words that would surely make Master Splinter gasp.
"Go bother Donnie or something."
"Aw yeah, I know just the turtle to hang with! The second half of the A-minus team!" He didn't know why he didn't think of his brainy brother in the first place. It was no secret they were the closest, being the youngest and spending more time together out of all the siblings. Mikey was always eager to help Donnie with any projects. Usually by handing him tools or energy drinks. But any help was help, and Donnie showed his appreciation by doing whatever shenanigans Mikey was up to. Mostly involving video games or skateboarding.
Though lately, Michelangelo had been seeing less and less of Donatello. After Kirby O' Neil had been transformed back to a normal human, Mikey had been hopeful that meant Donnie would be spending time with him again. But alas, the smartest turtle had returned to shutting himself back in his lab.
This time he knocked on the lab doors, not wanting to make the same mistake that he did with Raph. Both of his middle siblings were known for being the most temperamental of the four brothers. His knocking resulted in no responses, and after half a minute of waiting, Mikey barged in like he owned the place.
Donatello was hunched over, welding two metal bars together, the rest of the invention hidden by a tarp. He seemed deep in concentration but still made an effort to wave one hand in acknowledgment of his brother entering.
"Hey Mikey." He grumbled, covering whatever he was working on with the remaining tarp. As if the invention was a secret.
"Woah, you're good." Mikey's bright blue eyes lit up. "How did you know it was me? You were facing the other way! Are you psychic?"
Donnie removed his goggles, turning around with a lazy shrug. "Just had a feeling. What do you want?" He looked and sounded irritated, but Mikey didn't back down.
"Nothing I just wanted..." He reached a curious hand out to touch the tip of the mysterious invention. Unfortunately, Donnie already saw that coming too and slapped his hand away. "Hey!"
"If it's nothing, then I should get back to work."
He sighed. "Okay, you got me. I just wanted to hang out with you. We can do whatever you want! We could eat your favorite pizza or watch that boring documentary you like. The one about the elements!"
"I'd love to, but I'm working on this really important project." Donnie gestured vaguely.
"What is it?" He tilted his head. "Can I watch?"
"No."
"Puhleeeeeeease?" His eyebrows furrowed into his signature puppy dog pout. Unfortunately, Donnie was immune to such extreme tactics. "I've got an awesome memory, you know that! I could help!"
"Still no. Not this time anyway."
He deflated. "Fine. I've got loads of other things I wanna do anyway. So many things, that you're gonna be so disappointed that you weren't there to experience it." He started to turn away, hoping that might have won Donnie over, but to his disappointment, his older brother was already back to work. "Leo, Sensei, and Ice Cream Kitty are starting a band with me!"
"That's nice." He said dismissively.
"A-And April is gonna join too! She's coming over soon to practice." He was now shouting over the sound of a power drill. "SHE'S PLAYING THE ACCORDION!"
Donnie paused, smirking. "Nice try. She told me she's having a sleepover with her friend Irma tonight. Now if you excuse me, I have some work I need to do. Important work." He patted Mikey's head condescendingly.
He growled in frustration. "But I just wanted to-"
Donnie went back to drilling as if to drown out any further protests. The conversation was over. So Mikey left the lab, now more dejected than ever.
"Now what am I gonna do? No Raph, no Donnie, no..." He almost perked up, thinking he could ask Casey to chillax with him, but then he remembered the teen had hockey practice on Mondays. Of course. "Darn it! I hate Mondays." Slumping his shoulders, he continued to wander around the lair until he was nearing the dojo. "Wait for a second! How could I forget!
"Leo!" He chirped as he practically zoomed into the peaceful room. "I wanted to- aw sewer apples."
The oldest turtle was currently sitting crossed-legged on a tatami mat, eyes closed and in a deep trance. If one didn't know any better, they would assume he was fast asleep.
"Dude I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt your zazen." He grinned sheepishly, already tiptoeing backward to avoid another brother yelling at him. "I'll just go."
Leo smiled softly, opening his eyes. "Don't worry, I just started." His voice sounded relaxed and serene as if all tension had left his body. It was nice to see the leader not be so stressed. "What do you need?" He patted the ground, inviting Mikey to join him, to which he happily obliged.
"I just wanted to know if you wanted to hang out with me."
Because he was expecting a no, he nearly fell backward on his carapace when Leo replied with a, "Sure. Why don't you join me in this meditation? Close your eyes and soothe your mind."
Mikey immediately stood up, staring at his wrist for an invisible watch. "Well, wouldya look at the time! I have the stuff to do! Important stuff! I don't have time to sit and meditate."
"Oh, well maybe we could-"
"Bye Leo!"
"And that's why I came to you," Mikey said, sitting at the dinner table with his head in his hands. "Nobody wants to hang out with me anymore! They're all too busy. I just wish they wouldn't shut me out. We were all so close when we were little." He huffed. "Sorry girl, I'm rambling again, aren't I? But you understand, don't you?"
Ice Cream Kitty licked her strawberry-flavored paws thoughtfully from her icebox. "Mrow mew..."
"I know right? It's bad enough they always think I'm a screw-up, but now this?" He let the mutant cat lick his cheek. "I'm not super smart like Donnie, I'm not strong like Raph and I can't focus like Leo! Maybe that's why they never want me around. They don't even want to have fun with me. And I'm the fun one! The social one! How the heck am I supposed to be social when my own brothers don't want me around? What if they think I'm annoying and that's why they're always avoiding me?"
Ice Cream Kitty stared at him with her sweet chocolate chip eyes.
"You're right. Maybe I'm being a little dramatic. But at least I have you, kitty." He nuzzled her. "And I'm not gonna sit around and sulk. I can have tons of fun on my own. Hey, maybe we can play some video games together!"
"Meow!"
"Uh, Mikey?"
The once chipper turtle glared at his three brothers who had entered the kitchen without making a sound. He pretended he hadn't noticed, and turned back to Ice Cream Kitty.
"Mikey!" Leo repeated, exasperated.
"Oh, now you want to hang out with me? Well, I'm so sorry, but as you can see I have a very busy schedule."
"Cut the passive-aggressive crap." Raph rolled his eyes, unaffected by his baby brother's unusual display of attitude. "It's patrol time."
His cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "Uh, yeah I knew that. What's going on?"
"The Kraang orb is freaking out again," Donnie explained. "I think they've got something planned. Something big."
"Where?"
"According to my extensive research, it should lead us to these specific coordinates." He said, showing Leo his notes.
"Let's go then." The leader in blue nodded firmly.
"Broadway? The Kraang invaded Broadway?" Raph exclaimed in utter disbelief. They were currently hiding behind a dumpster at the back of a theatre. Aside from the foul stench, there didn't seem to be any problems. "What the shell would they be doing there?"
"I hate to agree with Raph, but are you sure this is the right place? I mean, it doesn't seem very Kraang-esque," said Leo, perplexed. "Maybe this is the wrong location."
"Maybe the Kraang wants to watch a musical!" Mikey said, humming along to some show tune as they approached the doorway.
"Or, they wanted a place that no one would suspect," Donnie concluded, preparing to pick the lock on the door. "In this case: The Brooks Atkinson Theatre."
"Wait," Leo stopped him. "You can't just stroll into a crowded play, Don. Humans, remember?"
"Plus I'm pretty sure you don't have a ticket." Raph quipped.
"There won't be any humans. Broadway theatres aren't open on Mondays." He wiggled the paperclip in the lock for a few seconds before it popped open with a click. "Got it!"
"Woah!" Mikey immediately ran towards the posters and shimmering lights above the theatre, amazed. His eyes were practically popping out of his head.
One by one, they entered the empty building, though in Raph's case he had to drag Mikey inside.
"Focus guys," Leo murmured, unsheathing his katanas. "And be quiet. Don't forget to silence your phone, Donnie." He added, earning a glare from the purple masked turtle who begrudgingly obliged.
"Jokes on you, I already turned it off before we walked in!" He retorted.
Easing their way past the concession stands and ticket booths, the four ninjas found themselves in the center of the building. At least thirty Kraangdroids were communicating on top of the dimly lit stage, surrounding a strange glowing object. Leo beckoned his brothers towards the orchestra pit to hide, watching with interest to see if they could figure out their plan.
"Kraang has completed what is known as 'a test run' in preparation for the final project of Kraang's." One drone concluded in its robotic voice.
"The portal leading to Kraang's homeworld will open soon if the plan has truly finished."
"Plan? What plan?" Leo thought aloud.
"What are they babbling about?" Mikey whispered to Donnie who facepalmed.
"They're practicing making portals!" He said. "For some kind of plan to destroy us all I bet."
"There must be something we're missing here. Some ultimate goal besides making portals..." Leo frowned.
"Who cares! Let's go already and bust those bots before they can cause any more problems!" Raph smirked devilishly, sais already drawn.
"No, Raph we have to be quiet!" Leo snapped, voice raised. But of course, in an ironic state of events, it was the leader's own yelling that had alerted the Kraang.
All of the robots looked below at the brothers, hearing their voices immediately. One of the robots hid the mysterious device behind its back. "It is the ones known as the turtles!"
"Aw fu-"
"Nice going!" Raph snarked, stabbing the nearest Kraangdroid to his right. "What's the plan now, Fearless?"
Through a kerfuffle of shouts, lasers blasting and dodging said lasers. Leo attacked two robots simultaneously with his swords, slicing them in two equal halves. "Donnie, can you grab that device that one is holding?" He pointed towards the middle Kraang who seemed to be trying to make an exit.
"I'm on it!"
"I gotcha D!" Mikey hollered, following his older brother to chase the runway Kraang.
"No, I've got this-" He shoved the smaller turtle aside.
"If you just let me-"
"I already said no! You'll just mess it up!"
"Just let me help, brah!" He swung his nunchucks around, smacking the droid directly in the face. "Ha, how's that taste, lame-bot?" The attack caused it to fall back, the device in its robotic hands to fling through the air, spiraling in an endless rotation. It spun for a bit, then landed safely in Mikey's palm. He squealed, holding it up victoriously. "Well, well, looks like I did it! This calls for a victory dance!" Just as he started to shake his groove thing, the device fell from his hands, landing with a loud crash. "Oops."
"Mikey!" Leo exclaimed. "Look what you did!"
"Chillax dude, I just dropped it." Mikey assured him, picking up the circular object. "See? Not even a scratch. Now you can study it!"
"Not that, shellbrain!"
"It's shaking!" Donnie shrieked in horror. "Hit the deck!"
"What do you mean? It's not..." He trailed off, watching as the device was now growing and contorting before his very eyes. Before, it was about the size of an apple. Now, it was about the size of /him/. "Uh oh."
"The turtle known as Michelangelo has opened the test portal doors to the alternate universe."
"Uh oh." He repeated, backing up slowly. The machine whirled, spinning faster and faster. He was frozen in place, both in wonder and in fear. He didn't know what to do. Could this day get any worse?
"Get back!" roared Raph, running forward. The portal was shaking and spinning, and now fully resembled a magenta doorway that was only growing bigger by the second, and was now sucking everything inside with its power. "Mikey, hurry!"
"I'm coming!" But the doors were starting to pull the youngest turtle inside as he stumbled backwards. He reached a desperate hand to grab Raph, who was being held by Donnie and Leo. "Dudes!"
"Hang tight, we gotcha!" Raph assured him, using all of the strength he had left to pull back Mikey from being swallowed whole. His grip was getting weaker, like an invisible rope was stringing them away. "We gotcha Mikey, don't let go, little brother!" The last glimpse of hope flickered in his wide, emerald eyes. "Don't let-"
'Please. God, just hang on Mikey. Just a little longer. We'll get you out of here. I promise.'
The last standing Kraangdroid approached from behind, ready to attack his older siblings with the laser gun. No matter how weak the droid was after the battle, it would easily overpower his brothers with its gun. He couldn't let that happen.
So he let go.
"Look out!" He screamed, pushing Raph backwards so that the trio of turtles flopped on top of the robot, essentially crushing it with their weight.
"MIKEY!" Donnie screams rang through Raph's ears, as they helplessly watched their baby brother fall through the portal and disappear in sight.