Chapter 18: Set Back
Danger. Danger. He thought he was safe here but danger came in. Others didn't stop. Smallturtle and Snakelady were the only ones who were safe. Snakelady had disappeared a little while ago. Maybe she was making them go away. Smallturtle was rubbing his shell. It felt nice but he was too scared to enjoy it.
The memories were hard to reach but he could feel the panic and pain from encounters with three of the arrivals. Badturtle and Sharpteeth needed to be stayed away from at all cost. Hairyman also needed to be avoided. Birdman was…. Okay. He didn't feel as safe as Smallturtle but just that he didn't need to express his fear toward the strange creature. Although, the human smell to Birdman through him off.
With a whimper, the turtle crouched down, pressing himself into Smallturtle's legs, letting the other turtle know he was afraid and wanted comfort. Maybe Smallturtle could get Alpha and Loudvoice to get them to go away.
Michelangelo's eyes pinched as Donatello let out a whimper, pressing himself into his legs. His large brother was shaking and the growls were replaced with whimpers. Donnie was scared and there seemed to be nothing he could do. Mikey continued to gently pet Donnie, hoping to calm him down some. It had been really scary to watch his normal brown eyes be replaced by the burning red ones. It had truly been a nightmare.
"You know you're safe, don't ya, D?" Mikey softly said, petting the shaking turtle. Donnie only let out another whimper, now pressing himself to the floor. Mikey sighed and sat down, hoping that his presence would be enough to sooth his older brother.
"So, that's Donnie?"
Mikey looked up at the voice to see Pigeon Pete, standing that the threshold, watching the two carefully. Mikey nodded. "Yeah. Shredder put him in some mutagen and this is what happened." Donnie had peered around Mikey's legs and up at the mutant in the doorway. His eyes were steady in watching Pete but he didn't show any negative reactions. "If you want, you can come closer. I think Donnie isn't afraid of you." Pete paused for a moment, trying to decide what to do. "I can get some bread once he's calm."
"Bread! Alright!" Pete took a few steps into the room, hesitant, but the prospect of bread was too much for the pigeon. Donnie kept himself pressed to Mikey but seemed to study Pete as he got closer. The red eyes locked on the bird, watching as he crept closer into the room.
"Hold on. Stop right there and hold out your hand," Mikey instructed. Pete nodded and knelt on the ground, holding out his hand to the large turtle. Donnie lifted his head, gazing at Pete, watching him for a second before scooting over slightly, sniffing the air and left his head just a breath away from the hand.
Donnie was still shaking slightly with nerves but slowly pushed his snout into Pete's hand. Mikey laughed, gently petting his brother while Pete squawked in happiness. Donnie pulled back slightly at the sound before pushing back in for affection.
"All he really wants is love, doesn't he?" Pete asked.
Mikey nodded, sitting next to Pete and Donnie. "Yeah. We've found that when he feels safe and calm, Donnie will get control over his mind."
"Why would he react so negatively to the others but not with me?" Pete asked.
"I think it's because you've never really attacked Donnie," Mikey answered. "He does the same thing with Leo, Raph, and Master Splinter. It's sad."
"Do you think we'll ever find a cure for him?" Pete asked.
Mikey shrugged. "Hopefully Rockwell will be able to help. If we can get Donnie to calm down, it will help greatly."
"Yeah! The Doc can do anything!" Pete cried out. Donnie grumbled at the loud noise before settling down next to Mikey, ready to enjoy the affections from his brother.
"So, if you want to, you can use Donnie's lab," Leo suggested, motioning toward the back of the lair.
Rockwell nodded. "It won't be idealistic but Donatello has been working on a retromutagen, correct?"
Raph nodded. "Yeah. I think his notes are in there somewhere. I know he won't mind."
"I think it would help to get a good look at Donatello," Rockwell mused.
"That will have to wait until Donatello is calm and is back to himself," Master Splinter stated.
"Hey, where's Pete?" Slash asked, glancing around the room for the mutant pigeon. The group glanced around the room, looking for the pigeon. Karai and Leo looked at each other before walking over to the dojo, having a feeling of where Pigeon Pete went to.
The two peered into the dojo to see Mikey and Pigeon Pete talking over a sleeping Donnie. Leo turned slightly. "Found him." The sight confirmed that Donnie remembered those who hurt him. They needed to keep him calm.
Author's Note: It's been a busy weekend for me. Sorry about the late update. We're almost at 100 reviews! Special thanks to Pilyartquitect, Sonic155, BipperCipher3, and .52 for the reviews and for staying with for so long.