I do not own the TMNT.
Enjoy.
Decisions
Epilogue"He will decide what is best for him," Master Makota said from behind me startling me at his presence and that he had read my thoughts, "Mikey has already discussed his worries with me. I sense that you and yours will support him in his decisions. No?"
"Yes we will," I said honestly, "This is about Mikey and what he wants. We will allow him to choose his own path in life.
"Absolutely," Donnie said startling me once again.
"Ya got that right," Raph said smirking from beside Donnie.
"Good," Mikey said causing everybody, including Master Makota to start in surprise, "Because I think I know what I need to do now."
"You have given your decision great thought?" Master Makota asked our little brother calmly.
"Yes I have," Mikey said softly, "I have decided to…"
He's coming home today! He's coming home today. It has been over a year since we have seen him. Everybody has missed him terribly. We all got together to plan a surprise "Welcome Home" party. Of course we had to load a table down with his favorite foods such as ding-dongs, french fries…PIZZA. Lots and lots of pizza!
April agreed to pick him up from the airport and bring him down to the lair where we will ambush him. Will he be surprised or what? I wonder if he will notice that things have changed a bit while he was gone.
"When's he goin' ta get here?" Raph asked eagerly.
"Any minute now Raph. Calm down," Donnie said chuckling at our usually grumpy brother's perkiness.
"I nevah thought I'd miss him so much," Raph said, "It just hasn't been the same without him."
"I agree," I said flashing a smile at Raph as I listened for April's signal.
"Well my sons," Splinter said chuckling, "Absence does make the heart grow fonder. I have greatly missed his 'exuberance' myself."
"Quiet! Here they come," I said as I turned out the lights and we all ducked into hiding places.
"Right this way," we all heard April say as she led the guest of honor in.
"April I don't think anybody is home," we heard him say with disappointment.
"SURPRISE! WELCOME HOME!" we all shouted as we turned the lights on and jumped out from our hiding places.
"Jeez!" he gasped placing a hand on his chest as we all laughed at the expression on his face, "Give a guy a heart attack why don't you? Aren't you guys a sight for sore eyes?"
We all laughed as we greeted him. There was much back, and shell, patting as well as hugs of greeting. I laughed when his eyes widened in shock.
"MIKEY?" Casey asked bewildered, "What in the hell happened to you?"
Mikey burst into laughter at Casey's shocked expression. We all had to fight hard not to crack up.
"What?" Mikey said slyly striking a seductive pose, "Don't you like the way I look?"
"Um…is there something I'm missin' here?" Casey said getting annoyed, "Why is Mikey practically reflectin' like a mirror?"
We all lost it at this point. I don't think I have ever laughed so hard. Poor Casey looked so confused.
"A lot has happened since you went to visit with your parents in Detroit," Splinter said wiping tears of laughter from his eyes, "We have quite a tale to tell you."
Casey, April, and my three brothers gathered around Sensei as he began the tale of what happened with Katsuro. I stood back merely observing, but my eyes continued to stray towards my little brother. He must have felt my eyes on him because he turned and smiled at me before returning his attention to Sensei. I couldn't help myself from staring. It was so good to see Mikey as he was meant to be…a turtle. Yes friends, Mikey had chosen to return to what he had been born to be, a turtle. Not just any turtle mind you, but a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.
Mikey had decided that he was not meant to be a human. He told us that if that was his destiny, he would have been born a human with us as his human brothers. Since we had all been born turtles, then his destiny meant for him to live as a turtle. I was elated and so were Donnie and Raph. When the bright light cleared after Master Makota cast the spell, there stood my little brother just as green as ever. He never looked so good.
After his transformation, Mikey discovered two things. One, Klunk loved him no matter what form he was in, much to Mikey's delight. Two, he no longer had the ability to sense the elemental magic around him any longer. Master Makota said that the Earth herself allowed Mikey to develop Jinchuu abilities to defend himself against Katsuro's evil. Now that Katsuro was gone, Mikey no longer needed to use magic. He was no longer Jinchuu. I was afraid this would devastate Mikey, but to my and my brothers' surprise, he was not upset at all.
"I want to go home," he said to Master Makota, "I wouldn't have been able to finish my training to be a Jinchuu. I hope you are not upset with me Master."
"Not at all," Master Makota said, "Your destiny does not lie here in Japan. It is time for you to go home."
All the Jinchuu said their good-byes on the day of our departure. They all said that they would greatly miss Mikey, especially his young students. Master Makota and the Jinchuu cast a spell on all four of us that would make others view us as human. It was only an illusion that would disappear once we reached our lair, but we were able to fly home thanks to a Jinchuu member that had a cousin who was a pilot for a commercial airline. We were all excited. This was the first time we could really participate with humans without fear and I had always wanted to fly in an airplane. I'm embarrassed to admit that we all took full advantage of the illusions, to fulfill some of our dreams. You might not want to believe it, but I Leonardo can cut a rug at a dance club!
When we got home, April and Sensei were delighted. Splinter was so happy to see everyone home safe he even allowed Mikey to keep Klunk. The welcome was very warm and Mikey cried at the sight of Splinter. He had really thought he would never see his father again. We all once again told our stories of what happened. Mikey left out a lot, but quickly signaled to Raph, Donnie, and I that he would tell Sensei everything else in private. We respected his wishes. Mikey had proven that he was more than capable to decide what was right for him on his own.
It had been only a couple of weeks later that we had gotten the message that Casey was finally coming home from an extended visit with his family. It was Mikey's idea to have the surprise party. Once again, my eyes strayed over to Mikey. He had changed a lot since the start of this tale. He was a little quieter now, but still the same old Mikey that loved life and loved being a turtle. I knew that Sensei was having counseling sessions with Mikey over what Katsuro tried to do, but I know that Mikey will be just fine. He is made of very strong stuff, my little brother.
Oh. And if you are wondering about what made Mikey look so different to Casey, I'll have to tell you that it is all Raph's fault. The secretly very tenderhearted turtle is so excited that Mikey is back to normal again he can't stop polishing Mikey's shell. My little brother's shell is so shiny now you can practically see your reflection. I think Raph is just assuring himself that Mikey is really back and I think Mikey understands because he never complains when Raph starts polishing.
As I join the group surrounding Sensei, I can't help feeling very, very content. It's good to have the family together again. It is my responsibility as elder and leader to protect my clan and that is just what I plan on doing for the rest of my life. I failed once, but I will never fail again. Sayonara friends!
The end.
Well it has been quite a ride. I have really enjoyed writing this and I hope everybody enjoyed reading it. Review and let me know how you like the ending. Some may have wanted to hear what Mikey had to say in the last chapter, but this saga began with Leo's telling of the story and I felt it was appropriate for Leo ending the story. All in all, the basic message of this story is to love your family and friends. One never knows when they or you will need someone the most.
Peace out friends.
Love,
Green-Writer
P.S.
I still haven't received the picture of a human Mikey yet, but as soon as I do I'll let all of you know. :D