Mistaken Loyalties

Disclaimer: I don't own the TMNT Franchise. I make no profit from my stories so please don't sue me.

Author's Notes: In this particular story, the boys are twenty years old. Italics will denote character thoughts. For those of you who remember my story "Death, Destruction and Darkness", a lot of things were left open. So Mistaken Loyalties was supposed to serve as its companion piece. See my profile page to see what became of Death, Destruction and Darkness. Although Mistaken Loyalties could very stand-alone, for the sake of clarity I will admit that this whole story is a what if scenario.

Beta Read by the super talented Dierdre!

Chapter 1

Donatello's point of view

The events of the last two years have meant nothing to my brothers. While they were indeed overjoyed to have Mikey back, after a while things went back to normal. Leo and Raph still fought and argued over the smallest things. Master Splinter still served as our sensei and father.

And me?

I'm tired. I am completely and thoroughly fed up with life. I'm sick of fighting, sick of arguing and sick of the Foot. I'm beginning to think that I'm even fed up with my brothers. It's almost like they don't appreciate the fact that we're all alive and that we have one another. That's why I am walking around Central Park right now, trying to clear my head of such negative thoughts.

It didn't make any sense to dwell on the past, since it couldn't be changed under any circumstances. So why can't I come to terms with where my life is now? I have my family once again. We're alive and healthy. The Foot hasn't even been up to much lately.

You're jealous, Donatello. You feel as though that your family has forgotten about the bleeding scars and wounds of two years ago. Two years ago, when you almost lost him. You couldn't stand the fact that he was gone, could you? And now you can barely stand to be in the same room with him, because for once you're not using your head. He survived and came back to you and everyone else. Why can't you let go of these angry and guilty feelings and move forward in life?

"That's easier said than done," I mumbled to myself.

I continued walking until I found a bench. I sat down and sighed heavily. Normally I didn't let myself fall victim to these kinds of feelings. I always managed to suppress or even ignore them, but today they were just too strong.

I looked up at the moon, and for a minute a small smile graced my features. It was breathtaking. The moon was half hidden behind some grayish violet clouds, while a vast collection of stars danced across the skies. In that moment, I wished that I could disappear. That everything I've been feeling over the last two years would just vanish.

Little did I know that tonight, my wish would be granted.

Leonardo's point of view

As I sat in the lotus position, meditating on the day's events, the soft and comforting glow of the lit candles gave the dojo a sense of serenity. The lingering and calming scent of incense added to this tranquil environment. As I pulled myself away from my meditative trance, I suddenly felt overwhelmed by an intense and strange feeling of impending doom. I left quickly in hopes of discovering the source of this seemingly urgent feeling, paying no heed to Karai as she entered the dojo.

First, I went to the kitchen to check on Mikey, who was in the process of making dinner. I would have smiled at the sight before me, but I was a little too worked up to do so. He was currently in the middle of preparing a salad while softly humming to himself. Right before I left, I noticed that he spaced out for a moment, but then he quickly shook it off and went back to making dinner.

Next, I went to the living room and saw Raph watching television. He was flipping through the channels, looking utterly bored, until he decided to put it on ESPN. As he placed the remote beside him on the sofa, I briefly noticed that he didn't seem too interested in the boxing match scheduled to start in the next ten minutes. Instead his thoughts seemed to be elsewhere.

Those two instances alone were enough to assure me that my brothers must have been aware of what I had felt only moments ago. I turned on my heel and was already walking towards the elevator when Master Splinter's voice made me pause.

"Leonardo, be safe."

As our eyes locked, I knew that he also sensed danger and that he was entrusting me to come back with Donatello. I nodded briskly, threw on my trench coat and fedora and punched in the code to the elevator. I went inside as soon as the doors slid open, and then waited impatiently for them to close, feeling that this was a race against the clock. If I didn't hurry, then I just knew I wouldn't like the discovery I was bound to make. Once the doors opened and allowed me access topside, I began my search.

All of my muscles were tense and my throat suddenly felt like a desert. My heart seemed to thump loudly within my chest as I slowly began to sweat.

As I quickly walked the streets of New York City, I kept hoping and praying that my sixth sense was wrong. Donnie surely wasn't in trouble or in danger. He was probably heading home right now. But if that were really the case, then why did I have that familiar sinking feeling in the bottom of my stomach?

I was barely covering any ground on foot, so I hit the rooftops, hoping that I would find something. After thoroughly checking all of Donnie's favorite spots and coming up empty handed, though, I knewthere was only one other place he could be. Whenever one of us was upset or just wanted to spend some time alone, we always went to Central Park.

As I made my way to Central Park, I was the under the impression that if there was ever a time to believe in miracles, then now was that time. I could not and would not deal with another emotionally draining ordeal like the last one. I was still trying to heal my wounds from that particular event.

As I ran, all sorts of thoughts passed through my head:

Donnie, please be okay. You've got to be at the park, sitting on one of the benches, thinking whatever it is you think of when you're alone. Please be all right. I can't stand the thought of losing you of all people, Don. You're the only one who really understands me, the only one I can really relate to.

Those horrible, cold and dreadful feelings were getting stronger as I approached the park. I slowed down and began walking hurriedly down the gravel path. Faintly, I could hear some thunder rumbling in the skies. Regardless of whether or not it was going to rain, however, I had to find Donnie.

As I continued walking, I saw the occasional homeless person, a couple holding hands, a girl taking her dog for a walk, and an old married couple sitting on a bench… but I didn't see Don anywhere.

I was about to give up when something caught my attention. I went to one of the unoccupied benches and looked down, noticing blood on the ground and crimson droplets on the bench.

I followed the trail and at the very end of it, I saw Don's staff broken into countless pieces. A cold chill swept through me as I struggled to breathe and my hands began to shake violently. It felt like someone had knocked the wind out of me, and then proceeded to beat me senseless.

I sunk down to my knees, slowly reaching for his bo staff, but stopped and suddenly looked up at the skies. A bitter and unquenchable rage began to spread throughout my body, making my blood boil.

Why do you always have to torment us! What did we ever do to you! We didn't ask to be mutated! Why can't we just be accepted for what we are instead of being condemned and shunned for our very existence! Why can't you just let us live in peace! I silently raged to whomever or whatever was listening.

I hung my head in shame and let loose the tears I had held at bay for two years. How could I go home and tell the others that Don was gone? That there was a strong possibility he was dead?

I felt so old and defeated as my anger slowly dissipated. As the tears continued to roll down my cheeks, I picked up the remains of his staff and headed home.

It was going to be a long night.