Here comes my least favorite part...
"The whole point of using bow and arrows is to keep the distance from the enemy. Tell me why you still got blood all over your face."
He felt bad that their precious water was used to clean his wound. The graze was nothing serious, the bleeding already stopped, but Leo wasn't happy. Mikey thought since he messed up he should be a good little brother and listen to his brother.
He sounds like Master Splinter. Is this a part of his plan not to make me feel homesick? 'Cause you know, it surprisingly works.
"Well?" Leo quirked his eye ridge, waiting for his upcoming excuse.
"It's one of my off-days, okay? I didn't act fast enough when two guns pointing at my back." He wasn't going to tell him that he was distracted by the shiny bomb. No, never.
"You let them sneak up on you?"
Oops. He didn't mean to tell that, but Leo caught it quickly. Mikey expected another hour of lecture and internally groaned.
Leo chuckled instead. Now he was annoyed. He was hurt and his brother was amused!
"What's so funny?"
"I don't know. How about the fact that they're like an amateur, and you, are a trained ninja."
Mikey gave him a sullen face. He couldn't act tough like Raph, he couldn't come up with a good explanation like Donnie, so he just pouted. Mikey wasn't his usual target for lecturing. Then again, here there was only one turtle Leo could talk to. He rubbed his cheek again. "It's just a scratch. There, see?"
He didn't expect his big brother to lean forward, resting his forehead on Mikey's, eyes soft and voice soothing.
"I know. Be careful next time."
Leo held him for a moment before he let go. Mikey blinked, and mumbled. "Got it."
The sound from another side of the room reminded them that they weren't alone. Sam quietly arranged the stuff in his backpack and Henry sat near him. From the corner of his eyes, he caught Henry staring at them. The man quickly held his hands up.
"Sorry. It's like if I close my eyes I can't tell any difference. You sound like… human."
Mikey tilted his head, glancing briefly at Leo. He wasn't sure how to answer that. It bugged him a bit when he didn't know what to say. Mikey always had something to say regardless of the situation. Perhaps it was because he hasn't thought they were different. It had been too long since he met a new human.
"We're the same. Only our appearances are different from you." Leo answered with a gentle smile.
Mikey opened a can of blueberries. Their foods were running out soon since they had to feed four members. He sighed sadly at blueberry in his palm. "We could use real human foods too. Why is this place so terrible? No anchovies and sausages, no crispy bread, no candies..."
"It's been like for almost two decades, I wish I could have real foods too," Henry replied absently before turning to Leo with determination. "You said you want some answers."
Leo nodded, his leader mode was on. He sat in front of him with all serious business. "You could start with those infected that are lurking in this city."
"Mushies!"
"Munchies?"
"Zombies," Leo corrected. He earned a glare from Mikey.
Henry crossed his arms, amused. "I see they are similar, but they don't eat humans. They don't eat anything. Those infected people are clickers, and they ain't not only in this area. They're everywhere."
Mikey dropped the can with a shocked face.
"Clicker? That thing already has a name?"
Leo cut in before Mikey could interrupt. "What is the cause of infection?"
Henry frowned and looked at them skeptically. "Before that question, you sure you're not infected?"
"We encountered some of them and managed to escape. I assure you, we're clean."
"Not only a bite from them, if you inhaled the spores you already got it."
Leo's eyes widened. His small reaction caused Henry reached behind to grab a gun, Sam quickly stood and took a few steps back from him.
"Damn," Henry muttered, gun already in his hand.
"No, no, wait!" Mikey held his arms between them, suddenly needed to explain for his brother. "You mean the yellow fog is the spores? We have filtration units Donnie made for us to breathe in Dimension X. We're fine!"
"Unit what?" the man exclaimed. "How long's it been since you met those clickers?"
Leo, who hadn't uttered a word during the fuss, calmly spoke. "Three days ago."
Henry pondered a piece of information for a minute, then he sat back. "Hmm, then I think your alien units work. It takes around six hours before you enter the first stage."
"Phew," Mikey wiped the imaginary sweat away from his forehead.
"I thought you're infected for a second."
Leo shook his head. "My apologies. I haven't thought that we could get infected so easily just by... inhaling spores. This is worse than get bitten."
"Yeah, that's why half of the world is dying. No cure yet."
Leo thought of something then whispered to Mikey. "We're not out of the wood yet. I don't know if our mutant blood will react the same as human's."
Leo was speaking the truth, but Mikey knew better to doubt his brother. "You know Donnie's machine always works."
"But-"
"Donnie created it. It works, bro."
Mikey spoke with unusual seriousness, looking into the leader's eyes as if to challenge him to come up with contradiction. Leo opened his mouth to say something but decided to let it slide, shutting his eyes and sighed.
"You're right."
"Of course I am." Mikey smiled, and he was glad to see Leo smiled back.
Leo contemplated his next question for a moment. "Those guys mentioned about chasing off the tourists. Did they mean you and your brother?"
Henry glanced at Sam, hesitant to reply back. "They mean our group. We come from Hartford zone. The military left that area so we had to get out. Actually, they're more of us last week until the hunters found us."
"I'm sorry," Leo said quietly.
"We want to escape," Henry continued. "The situation here is getting worse. The fight between military and Fireflies broke out before we come and now those hunters claimed this area. But it's only a matter of time since those infected begin to get out of control."
Mikey perked up at the odd name. "Why did the military fight against fireflies? They don't like bugs? But they're just puny little bugs." He got an idea and leaned towards his big brother. "Do you think they have bug issue like Raph?"
"What is Fireflies?" Leo ignored him.
"It's the name of the rebelling group trying to save the world by researching for a vaccine. The government doesn't give a shit about us anymore; they only care about themselves. At least there's hope in Fireflies."
Leo nodded in understanding. He was about to ask another question but Mikey waved madly in front of him. "Me, me! Let me ask the last question,"
Reluctantly, Leo shifted aside to give him some spaces. Mikey picked the Kraang's robot head out of his backpack. "Do you know this robot?"
"No, never seen them." Henry shook his head. "Is that from your world? So you're trying to find your lost spaceship?"
"Portal, actually," Leo said, he was so tired of alien stuff.
There was a hint of amusement in Henry's tone when he asked. "Why did you choose to come to this shitty world?"
Leo's expression was blank. "We didn't have a choice."
Mikey was disappointed that after all they had done they still didn't know the way to get home. He tried to push away the idea that they might get stuck here forever. "You know, we've never had a trouble finding the Kraang before. We could find them every weekend. I know they always up for something on Saturday night..."
"Kraang?" Henry asked.
"You know them?" Suddenly Leo's eyes sparkled with hope.
"That's… the name of a high member in Fireflies." Henry recalled. "Last year Fireflies and Kraang teamed up to bring down the military bases in Colorado. It's pretty big because they actually did beat all of them within a month."
"The Kraang cooperate with Fireflies?" Leo clenched his hands on his lap. Mikey looked at him, worriedly. They knew from the past experience that whatever they were up to couldn't be a cure for the world.
But from Henry's point of view, they were the saviors. So they couldn't say anything.
"Look, we're going to join Fireflies. Rumors say that their bases are somewhere on the west. Check this out," Henry showed the map of the city to them, pointing at the tall building outside the city. "This is our meeting point, an abandoned military radio station. Any survivors from our group were supposed to meet us there - tomorrow."
Leo was deep in thought, tapping his index on his lap.
"So what's your plan?" Henry asked enthusiastically.
Mikey knew it was the only way to get their tickets home. It was the first clue that the Kraang did something here. I bet the Kraang created those stupid mushrooms! He thought angrily.
"We have to find the Kraang. I guess that includes finding Fireflies." Leo said, calm as ever. Mikey thought Leo must feel the same way as he did, except Leo wouldn't slip his emotion out to the surface. "We can help you get out of the city."
Henry stared at them. "I'm gonna say you're not just normal alien kids."
"We're far from normal as you can see."
"Who would have thought one day I'll side with aliens." Henry wondered out loud. "In the world like this, E.T. might be the best ally."
"I start to get offended. We're turtles, and proud to be ones!" Mikey playfully remarked.
"Sorry, Michelangelo." Henry grinned, "So can I ask you? Are you really a giant talking turtle?"
Mikey groaned. Another serious talk was coming. He was bored so he would let Leo do the explanation. After all, Leo was better than him, and he wanted to do something else like getting to know another little brother. Mikey turned away from them and sat near the boy, offered his friendly smile.
"Sam, right? Want some blueberries?"
Sam, who hadn't talked much since they met, looked at him with wide eyes. "Wow… your hands are big."
Mikey laughed. "I'll tell you, five fingers are overrated."
Leo roused him from his sleep. He opened his eyes and saw Sam curled next to him. He didn't remember when they lied on the floor with blankets on them. It was probably Leo who brought them.
"It's time," Leo told him briefly before he left. Mikey stretched his arms, still felt sleepy. He was on auto-pilot to grab his backpack. In the next room, both big brothers were standing near the table in the dim light checking the map for the last time.
"What about the tunnel?" He heard Leo asked.
"I don't want to take a risk with spores."
"Then we'll have to cross the bridge," Leo concluded, strapping the scabbard on his back. "We'll follow you."
Sam was walking towards him, Mikey moved a bit so Henry could see him. The man reached to his little brother. "Sam, we have to move fast so you stay close to me, okay?"
"'Kay"
He thought Leo would do the same, but his brother didn't say anything, only held his hand and led him to the door. He guessed that Leo was occupied with million thoughts in his head again.
It was night time, but he didn't need the light to see that the city was wrecked. They usually stayed on the top and looked down to the street. Now when they actually walked on the street it gave horror atmosphere. He had seen similar sight when they hid from the Kraang in New York city during the invasion. Except there were less dead bodies. People in New York were mutated and sent to Dimension X. Here? Their bodies were left decayed either on the ground or… on the tree.
Mikey swallowed hard and clung to his big brother's arm when they passed the big tree on the intersection. The person was hanged on the tree with a wooden sign. No, definitely not his city. This is a nightmare. He had to wake up.
"Don't look," Leo told him softly, his gaze still fixed on the path in front of them. It seemed he was the only one that had this problem. Sam was younger than him and he hardly flinched when he saw it.
This is like walking in the haunted house. I have to be strong, remember? No more screaming. Mushie- Fine, clickers will come to you. Ugh, I shouldn't think about them. Now I feel sick. I'm gonna-
"Calm down."
Mikey was amazed at his own brother. "Did you read my mind? How do you know I'm going to freak out?"
"You're shivering." Leo pointed out. He probably felt it because Mikey still attached to his arm. "Just don't look at them. You'll have a nightmare again."
If I don't want to think about clickers or humans, then I have to think about something else.
"Hey, Leo" Even if he didn't turn to face him, Mikey knew he was listening. "It's gonna be our first time outside New York. Are you excited?"
"I don't know why you're excited since we've already been to another dimension and space."
"It's not the same! You know what?" He kept his voice low and serious in very un-Mikey-ish way. "We can practice the trip!"
Leo snorted. "Why on earth do we need to do that?"
"Well, before we take the first trip to Florida, we can practice by going out of the city first."
"I gotta ask the kid to quiet down. Hunters are around the bridge, and clickers too if we're lucky."
Henry's voice came from the front. Mikey clamped his mouth shut, glaring at the man's back. His big brother and he were discussing an important topic here! But Leo seemed to agree with him.
"Focus, Mikey. Those things are dangerous. We couldn't let our guards down."
I feel like being scolded by two big brothers...
They had to hide among the abandoned cars since the hunters were guarding the bridge. There was a large gate blocking the path to the bridge, too many guards walking around. Eventually, they had to get through the building to reach the side of the bridge. A few hunters were gathering around the fire, talking in low voice.
"Let's take them out quietly," Henry whispered. Leo nodded and turned to him.
"Mikey, stay here."
"What! Why? I can fight!"
Leo tilted his head towards Sam. "You have to take care of him."
"I'll be fine," Sam said from behind, but Henry had the same idea.
"Stay with Michelangelo. We got this."
Mikey hid behind the table, looking out for them. He was upset to be left behind. He could help! Why wouldn't they let him help? He could do stealth attack too. The boy, however, didn't seem to be bothered at all. Sam found it was easier stay behind adults and let them do their jobs. Mikey glanced at him, even if they were around the same age but they were so different.
"Don't worry. We're on B team together."
Sam looked confused. "B team?"
Before he could explain how awesome it was, he startled when heard a thud. Leo knocked them unconscious with the hilt of his sword, while Henry put the guard into a sleeper hold.
Despite having a weapon, Leo only used the hilt to get the guards down. Henry was curious. "You don't kill?"
Suddenly he paused his step, not meeting Henry's eyes. "It won't be necessary for now."
Henry looked at him with an unreadable expression before turned back. "Fine. Let's get moving."
After half an hour, they were on the other side of the gate, out in open. They hid behind the cars.
"Careful. They got a light here."
Mikey saw the spotlight on the gate, few hunters were talking. They were so close to the way out when Sam fell on his knees. Mikey was the closest so he helped the boy get up and run to his brother. Then the spotlight turned at him. He froze mid-step, the audible gasps coming from the hunters.
"Shit-!" Henry quickly grabbed Sam and ran towards the bridge.
"That's the green clicker we saw this morning! I told you it's real!"
"What!? New type of infected?"
"There's two of them!?"
Leo muttered. "Oh boy."
"Don't let them get away!"
And here I thought I won't mess up again. Today is definitely my off-day!
His legs sprang to life when the machine gun shooting at them. Mikey squeaked. "They sound real mad! Run!"
They jumped over the car to evade the bullets. As he bounced off a car roof, Mikey spotted the hunter running from the side with a gun pointing at them, but his big brother didn't seem to notice. He did backward flip and threw a shuriken at his hand holding the gun. The man fell with a loud cry. Mikey spared a second examining his brother. Leo looked kinda out of it, he didn't notice his attack at all. Not only this time, on that day Leo should have evaded the laser from the Kraang easily. Something was on his mind and it clouded his concentration.
It's cool. I got his back. I have to.
The bridge has long been broken. The gap was too wide. Humans like Henry and Sam couldn't jump over. The hunter was driving the truck after them, causing the bridge shook dangerously. The bullet whizzed over their heads. He was ready to switch to kusarigama to use a chain when he heard Henry yelled.
"We have to jump!"
Mikey couldn't comprehend what happen next. It was very high and the current was strong, but Henry grabbed Sam and already drove into the water. A second later Leo grabbed him from behind and jumped after them. Mikey didn't even have time to catch his breath when he hit the water.
"Ugh. I hate this world."
He was drenched from head to toes. Water splashed under his feet every time he moved. Everyone learned to ignore his complaints by now. They were all wet and wandered in the darkness, trying to find the way to reach the radio tower. At least they were safe since the hunters seemed to not care about them anymore.
"You okay Sam?"
Leo heard Henry's voice and glanced at the boy with concerns. "Are you alright?"
Sam was nervous when he became the center of attention. He spoke under his breath, trying to make himself smaller. "Yeah, it's kinda scary because I can't swim."
The man draped his arm around his little brother's shoulder, pulling him close. "Sorry, buddy. You know I got you."
"Yeah..."
Mikey watched them from behind and wondered why no one asked him if he was alright. He was little brother too! He was about to stomp on a little water puddle under his feet in hope to splash some water on Leo when he heard his name.
"Mikey?"
Is that… big brother's concern he heard!?
"Can you help me lifting the sewer grate?"
Mikey made a long, disappointed face.
"Ugh. Sure. Fine."
Finally, his big brother noticed something was off. "Are you okay?"
Oh, now you ask me!? Mikey snapped internally. He was going to say something but stopped himself.
Well… come to think of it, I'm actually okay. Only drenched all over my shell. Other than that? I'm good.
But I hate it when Leo doesn't care about me…
That's not true. Of course he cares. Remember the tree where-
No, no, don't think about it!
The image of hanged man came into his mind and he couldn't help but shudder. Leo stared at him but Mikey averted his eyes, sighing. He didn't know how to explain his feeling. Wow, he never had this problem before. He didn't like what he felt right now. Before Leo could ask him further, Henry interrupted them, thankfully.
"Hey, good thinking. I think it goes all the way through."
Mikey pretended to interest in the grate in front of him, but standing next to Leo made it impossible to avoid him. His big brother never backed down from what he wanted.
"Mikey… Are you injured?"
"No..."
Henry turned to look at him. "You alright, kid?"
I don't understand. I craved for their attentions a moment ago. Now I don't want it. What's wrong with me?
"Yeah… I'm just… hungry." Not entirely lie since he always hungry. Heh.
"Hey, when we reach the tower there will be full of supplies. Just wait for a little longer." Henry tilted his head towards the grate. "Leonardo, give me a hand."
When they were inside, Henry turned on his flashlight, allowing them to see the large place inside the tunnel. There was a big hole in the ceiling, rusted cars in the water, under the hole the big tree stood tall in the sewers.
"Sewer sweet sewer…" Mikey murmured.
This was their territories. This was where they belong. The air flow in the sewers was surprisingly clear which meant there won't have spores in here. Entering the familiar place made his previous thoughts went out of his head, replacing with loneliness.
I miss home.
"Let's find the way to the other side."
"Don't worry. We're sewer experts." Leo said confidently. He probably thought the same as him. They obviously missed the sewers that didn't have clickers.
Deep inside the tunnel, they found someone set the home here. It was like the lair in stadium size, like the entire sewers turned into living place. There were shelves and tables and chairs along the way. Mikey reached the tunnel on the right and found a small room with colorful tables and whiteboard on the wall.
"They set up the school here. They must have children!"
Leo observed. "It seems they already left this place. Maybe they find another shelter or..."
"...infected found them" Henry finished. "Let's hope it's the former."
Leo tensed a bit. They hadn't heard any sound since they came through so he hoped those things were not in here. Most of the time the sound came from his baby brother.
"Look, they have football!" Mikey held it in his hands, showing it to everyone.
"Wow..." Sam hesitantly touched it, so Mikey encouraged him by giving it to him.
"You know how to play right? If you don't, I can teach you!"
"I know a bit… Can we play it? Can we keep it?"
Sam beamed at the idea, but Henry killed his enthusiasm quickly.
"Drop it. We can't take it."
"Yeah, I know… sorry."
Mikey looked crestfallen when he saw the boy's sad eyes. Sam obviously wanted to play with him. So Mikey would find another chance to play next time.
"Stay close, Sam"
"I know."
"Well, someone's finally learning."
From what he'd gathered, Henry was more strict than Leo. The cruel world shaped him into overprotective big brother. Maybe because Sam couldn't fight like him and needed protection. He was grateful that Master Splinter taught all of them to defend themselves. Otherwise, he would be in Sam's state. He looked sadly at the ball on the floor one last time before Leo pat his shell gently, guiding him to the next tunnel.
They were trying to find the right path leading to the outside. His eyes caught something on the wall. A button. Hey! It's a button! And it looked like home-made button because who would put it in the middle of sewers? He looked at the locked wire door on the other side of the room and thought maybe it was a switch for the door.
So he pressed it.
"Mikey!?" Leo shouted at him but it was too late.
It was definitely the switch for the door, except it was not for wire door. The large safe gate fell from the ceiling, dividing the group into two. The ground was shaken by the impact. Mikey startled, slowly turning to see the damage. Did he kill anyone!?
Fortunately, he didn't. Everyone was alive. But he saw Leo and Sam on the other side of the gate, trapped in the room with wire door, while Henry stuck with him.
"Sorry! My fault, I… I set off the trap."
No, please, not again. Why do I have to mess up every time?
But Henry seemed to disregard him, he scrambled to the gate and looked at his little brother through the iron bars. "Sam, you're okay?"
Still shocked by the loud noise, Sam nodded shakingly. "I'm… I'm okay."
Mikey wanted to check on his brother too. He couldn't see Leo from where he stood. The gate had a small square hole with iron bars, judging by the gap he probably couldn't put his hand through. But then he heard the clicking sounds from the right. It was the first time he heard something in the sewers. "What's that noise?"
Henry turned his head at the familiar sound and quickly grabbed his gun. The loud noise from the fallen gate lured those things here.
Mikey screamed when the first mushroom head running to him. "Ahh! It's coming!"
"Mikey!"
He heard Leo rammed the gate but it didn't move an inch. Luckily Henry shot it in time, but the sound of the gunshot was calling other clickers to come.
"Henry, the gate is too heavy! You have to get out of here before they come!"
Henry grabbed the bar on the gate and looked at them. "Sam, stay with him. And you, if you let him get hurt..."
"I won't allow it. You have my word. Just… take care of him for me." Leo sighed in defeat, not liking the situation at all, then he turned to Michelangelo. "Mikey, Mikey! Listen to me. Don't panic. I'll find another way to meet you."
He tried to calm himself. He failed. He was too scared and totally forgot to fight back when he had to. Leo and he got separated! How can-
But I can't watch your back if we get separated! You're not being yourself! I know you're thinking too much you can't concentrate! What if something happens when I'm not around! This is one of cliché in horror movie, we got separated and then bad stuff happen. No no no! Stop thinking Mikey! I'll be fine and Leo will be fine too. Just have to focus on finding the way out.
Mikey had too many words in his head and all he could utter was,
"Leo! Focus!"
Completely bewildered, Leo blinked stupidly at Mikey who was on half way screaming and running from a horde of clickers. He was speechless and stunned until Sam tapped his arm and told him to move.
Of all the people, Mikey told him to focus?
Author's note: Fixing errors. Thanks for reading!
Just finished IDW#61. Wow... Leo and Mikey's argument about foot clan. I'm with Mikey 100% even if I'm Leo fan. Leo, how could you! You're dishonorable!
And Nick's "Mutant gangland" is fffffff superb! I really love their fighting scene and how the story developed into more mature way (mafia fight!). I noticed they always pair Leo/Mikey just for a small moment. It doesn't happen much in last 3 seasons.
Off topic, Last of Us: Days Gone is coming! I want to know its story so much... And Last Guadian, Bioshock remaster are also coming. But I won't disappear, I'll try to update this fic as much as I can. Actually, games don't consume much of my time because I mostly watch gameplay. It's my part time job that takes all my time...
Oooh and for the sake of Bioshock, would you kindly leave a review? XD
