Here it is! The last chapter! Thanks for staying with me guys! I had fun writing this story! Leave a review for me and tell me what you thought!
If you're reading any of my other stories, there's a poll on my account page asking which one you want me to update next. So far, the next one will be 'Lost' :)
I DON'T OWN TMNT!
Enjoy! :D
Donnie blinked tiredly as he stared at the Kraang contraption on his desk. After he was sure Leo had checked on him and then gone to bed himself, Donatello had snuck down to his lab, wanting to finish the project that would return his little brother back into his over protective, hotheaded, shot tempered, and stubborn older brother. The one that usually occupied the 'sick' bed. The one that always would help Don in the garage; talking to him, actually talking to him as they would take turns scooting under the Shell-raiser and asking for a wrench. The one that would always run head first into a battle; taking down as many enemies as he could so his brothers would have less of a chance of getting hurt.
The one who knew how to be a brother when needed.
Donnie quickly grabbed his coffee as he felt the late hours and cold start to nag at his brain; begging for sleep. His body was shutting off, but he had to keep going. He was so close…
Donnie's tongue stuck out as his eyes squinted in concentration. He prodded at the machine with a screwdriver. Sparks suddenly appeared from the device and Donatello quickly dropped the screwdriver. He stared at the machine, wondering if he broke it, before his eyes widened.
"I… I-I did it." He mumbled as he gently picked the Kraang device in his hands. "I DID IT!" He yelled happily as he ran out of his lab and stumbled up the stairs; not bothering to stay quiet anymore.
Leo was going to kill him for being up so late, but the stretched smile on the purple-clad turtles face told that he did not care.
Raphael yawned and rubbed his eyes as his family talked and stood in the living room. He glanced up at Donatello and Leonardo as the explained what was going to happen. He tried listening to them, but his ears weren't awake yet and everything around him was fuzzy as his mind begged for him to drop down and sleep.
"We can turn you and Raph back to your regular age!" Donnie explained once again as Leo stared at the device.
"And you're positive it's going to work this time?" Leo questioned.
"Yes! You and Raph will be 17 again in the matter of seconds! Fascinating really…" Donnie mused over the machine.
"Leonardo." Splinter called. Leo quickly obliged to the simply commanded as he went over to his father. "What does Donatello mean by Raphael AND you will be 17 once again?"
Leo rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, you see Sensei, Raph… Is obviously 13, but I'm… I guess… 15. The machine didn't end up working the first time. But Donnie says he's got it down this time."
Splinter stroked his goatee before nodded. "Hmm, I see. Then, shall we continue?" He asked.
Leo looked over to Donnie. "Everything set up Don?"
Donatello nodded and then looked down at Raph who looked asleep on his feet. He quickly looked up at Michelangelo's room. They hadn't bothered waking up their outgoing brother because of his injury. He needed the rest. Don smiled when no commotion came from the prankster's room and then turned back to Raph. "Ready Raph?"
"Ready for what?" Raph asked through a large yawn. Donnie started the gun and aimed at Raphael. The said turtle's eyes widened as he took a step back. "D-Donnie?" He looked at Donatello; his eyes showing slight fear. "What are you doin?" He quickly glanced at Master Splinter and Leo for help. His nightmare running through his head.
"It's alright Raph." Leo coaxed gently. "Every things going to be ok." He gave a reassuring smile. "I promise. I'm doing it right after you."
That seemed to help. Raphael nodded slowly before looking at the Kraang gun Donatello held. "W-what does it do though?"
Donnie smiled. "It's going to fix things for us."
"What needs to be fixed?" Raph asked.
Donnie looked over at Leo; asking with his eyes what they should tell him. Leo smiled; reassuring Donnie that he knew how to answer. There was nothing wrong with Raphael, but they needed their 17 year old brother back. Not the 13 year old one that they had already lived with. "Raph," Leo said, drawing the young turtle's attention. "There's absolutely nothing wrong with. Nothing at all." He explained. "This won't change that at all. I promise."
Raphael gave a small smile. Then the room lite up in a red glow.
Leonardo and Raphael both sat on the couch holding their heads. Growing up sure did make you dizzy.
"Wait… so you're telling me that I was… 3?" Raph asked as he blinked at Donatello.
"And then 13, yes."
"Well that's stupid." Raph grumbled. Leo bumped him with his shoulder.
"It's good to have you back." He stated.
Raph smirked. "Good to be back, I guess." He stood up and swayed slightly before regaining his balance. "But if I hear one word from any of you about how awful I was or whatever garbage you want to rant about, you can forget about being able to walk!"
"Yep… real good to have you back." Leo laughed as he also stood up and then clamped his hand onto Raph's shoulder. "We weren't going to say anything about that."
"We weren't?" Don asked; giving a confused glance at Leo.
"No. We weren't." Leo said. "… but you sure were cute Raphie."
Raph growled and jerked his shoulder away from Leonardo's grasp. "I'm goin to bed." He shot before stomping up the stairs.
Leo laughed and looked over to Donnie. "Now, I want to talk to you about sneaking around and staying up late."
Donnie groaned as he fell to the couch. He folded his arms and placed them on his lap before bending over and burying his face in them. Preparing himself for the lecture he knew was going to be long. "It's great to have you back too Leo." He grumbled.
Mikey moaned and struggled in his blankets. His eyes squeezing together as he tried to get out of his nightmares. He finally shot up with a gasp; his eyes searching around his dark room. He tried to control his breathing as his body shivered continuously.
He quickly scrambled out of bed when he realized he didn't want to face this alone. He opened his door quietly and blinked rapidly when he was met with blazing light. He heard whispers coming from downstairs and stealthily walked over to the railing to see Donnie and Leo having a 'chat'. He breathed heavily when he realized Leo nor Donnie would be able to help him face the dark fears that scattered his mind.
He quickly went to his second eldest brother's room. About to open the door, he paused. His brother was 13. He wouldn't know how to help Mikey with the awful nightmare that prodded his brain.
Mikey shivered and instinctively rubbed at his wounded shoulder. He shivered again before opening the door to his hotheaded brother's room. He blinked a couple of times, adjusting his eyes to the darkness. He spotted the figure that was now sitting up in bed and rubbed his eyes. "Mikey?! What the heck are ya doin up? What do ya want?" He heard the grouchy deep voice of his older brother Raphael.
"Raph?" Mikey asked as he squinted into the darkness.
"What?" Raphael grumbled.
"Raphie!" Mikey suddenly shouted as he bolted into the room and jumped onto Raphael. Big mistake. His shoulder roared in pain and Mikey let the small shriek out of his mouth as he grabbed and held onto the bullet wound.
"What the heck!" Raph shot before realizing his brother was hurt. "Mikey! Are you ok?!"
Mikey nodded and quickly made himself comfortable next to Raphael; forcing Raph to scoot over in the bed. "I'm so happy you're back." Mikey whispered as he rested his head against Raph's plastron.
"Uh, me too." Raph gave his little brother a skeptical look. "Hey, Mikey, are you all right?"
Mikey nodded and curled deeper in to the blanket. He felt Raph's arms come around and hug him tightly. His shivers stopped as they kept each other warm. "Don't become little again." Mikey mumbled. "I like being the youngest."
Raph smiled. "Good. And don't worry, I'm never doing any of that EVER again."
Mikey laughed tiredly. "… I wish I took more pictures though." He said.
"Why?" Raph asked; on the verge of sleep.
Mikey smiled. "Cause… you sure were cute Raphie."
Raph grunted. "I thought you were supposed to be the 'cute' one."
"And don't you forget it." Mikey whispered before falling asleep.
Raph shook his head and laughed softly.
Falling asleep quickly, he didn't notice his oldest brother smile softly and shut the door.
End