Chapter 19: The Decision
-conversation between brothers about leaving or staying. Their place of belonging is back home. In their world. With Casey, April, Mona Lisa, ext.
"So, we could stay?" Michelangelo's baby blue eyes held a myriad of emotions as the youngest weighed the possibilities and what they entailed.
"Master Splinter said that we would be welcome here" Leo repeated, watching each of his brother's expressions.
"Well..it would be cool to have a twin" Michalangelo mused.
"You wouldn't have to carry everything any more," Donetello commented, looking at his older brother. "Since Sensei passed you have taken on so much more."
"Don't let that be a factor, Donetello. Yes, taking on extra responsibilities after..after Splinter left was a lot but we have come a long way since then. We have found a balance since then and if we choose to stay we will find a new balance here as well. But I don't want that to be the deciding factor."
Donetello nodded as the genius continued to process, like his other two brothers quietly thinking and letting the myriad of emotions and factors wash over him in waves. Leo was quiet as the minutes ticked on, silently observing his brothers absorb and process the information.
"It would be nice to have a father again," Michelangelo whispered.
"But he is not our father!" Raphael exploded, turning to face his brother. "He is a father but he is not our father!"
"Your right Rapheal" Leo answered after a long moment of silence. " This Master Splinter is not our father and although it would be nice to have a father figure again he never would replace our father, I don't think he intends to either."
Raphael seemed to calm at the statement but the red clad turtle continued breeding his entire being, radiating his discomfort at the conversation.
"It has been nice having a Master Splinter this last few weeks" Michalangelo commented with a smile. "But you're right Rapheal, he's not our Master Splinter, our Dad."
"If we chose to stay. We'd never forget that" Donatello added. "But I do get what you are saying, I am going back and forth as well as grateful as I am to have had this time with Master Splinter and as much as I would like to visit here again I've been anxious to get home."
Michelangelo nodded. "I do like it here but it's not home. It feels like home but it's not."
"Home is where Casey and April are," Raphael added, his arms crossed.
"And Karia, Murakami-san, and Ice Cream Kitty," Michelangelo added.
Leo nodded in heart feeling the same anxiousness to return home to the loved ones they had left behind.
"We shouldn't leave what we already have to replace what we lost," Donatello commented sagely. "I do like it here and it's nice to hear that we are wanted and welcome but I would miss April and Casey. They are not going to want to leave their world and home. I wouldn't oppose visiting here but it's not home."
Leo nodded before turning to Michelangelo and Rapheal.
"How are you feeling about this? We don't have to decide right away. If you need more time to think about it." Leo tried to sooth.
"No, I've made up my mind." Michelangelo sighed. "As cool as it would be to have a twin, I mean I can already imagine all the pranks we could pull…this isn't home..this isn't where we belong. We belong back in our world."
"You already know how I feel" Raph mumbled, his eyes angled away. "I don't need to get all touchy feely or whatever. I've cast my vote and that is to go home."
Leo nodded. "Okay then it's settled." The leader smiled at his brothers. "We're going home."
"Alright no more exchanging recipes this time" Raphael mumbled to his brother as the group prepared to leave once more. "We have to put up with your cooking already, I don't want any surprise recipes about what your counterpart deems food."
Michelangelo snickered. "Oh come on Waphy, Mikey was telling me about this gummybear chicken-pie surprise that sounded totally awesome! Two turtle chef brains are better than one right?"
"Not when those two brains think candy should be in food" Raphael argued back.
Standing off to the side Leo snickered knowing that the two orange turtles had already written down and swapped a variety of recipes that Leo had no-doubt Michelangelo would be trying out once they got home.
For three of the returning brothers it was a moment of deja vu; having tried to return home once before but for Wind and Leo this farewell and departure was for the first time.
"It was an honor working with you" Donnie smiled as he parted ways with his counterpart.
"I am excited to try out those anti gravity boots you mentioned" Donetello added glad to have had some time to discuss different inventions with his counterpart.
Watching the exchange from the side two blue clad turtles basked in the feeling of belonging as their respective families exchanged their goodbyes.
"Well, are you ready for all the Shenanigans these three are going to pull you into?" Leo asked his counterpart with a raised eyebrow.
"Probably not." Wind snickered. "But I will be prepared to protect them from whatever trouble they find for themselves."
Leo met his counterpart's gaze knowing the truth in the words. "I know you will have their backs, just as they will have yours." He gave Wind a firm patt on the shoulder, relieved beyond words that three was once again four.
Wind's eyes were thoughtful as he spoke. "You know when we met in the woods I thought I was helping you get home..not the other way around."
"I think we both helped each other" Leo responded.
"I can't believe that while I was helping you find your brothers, I found mine." Wind smiled to himself as he absent mindedly fiddled with the tails of his mask.
"You know, blue is a good color on you." Leo complimented.
"Alright slow pokes enough with the good-byes." Raph commented as he aimed to direct the group toward the lab.
As Donnie went to double check the trans-dimensional machine, the Ninja Master approached the four departing turtles.
"I will respect you four's decision but please know you will always have a home here" Master Splinter's eyes were sincere.
"Thank you Master Splinter" Leonardo bowed.
Opening his arms the four brothers didn't hesitate to rush forward and embrace the group hug.
Pulling back from the tender moment the four brothers gave a respectful bow before heading into the lab.
"The reading all looks correct. You should arrive back in your world having the same amount of time pass as it has here." Donnie noted as he double checked a few more settings.
"You sure it will send them back this time?" Mikey asked.
"Well they are all here, aren't they?" Raph shrugged.
"I could get into the schematics of it all but it would seem that it was Leonardo we were waiting for and with his and Wind's return there shouldn't be any difficulties."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Raphael asked. "Let's go home."
"Let's go home." Leo echoed.
The four turtles grabbed hands as Donnie once again booted up the machine.
A light covered the room, wind started to blow, sending loose papers whirling about the room. Leo closed his eyes as a low humming sound started growing louder and louder. Suddenly it stopped.
Leo opened his eyes.
"I don't think we are in Kansas any more," Michelangelo commented with a smile.
"We're home." Raphael breathed out in relief.
The four brothers exchanged a relieved glance.
"Guys?" a voice called from the living room. Suddenly the lab door swung open and a very worried April rushed forward to envelope the brothers in a crushing hug. "Where have you guys been?!" the Red head demanded. "We have been worried sick!"
"Long story," Leo explained.
"Casey they're in here" April called over her shoulder and moments later the bawler came rushing into the lab with his own questions.
"Dudes! We couldn't get a hold of you, couldn't even track you on your T-phones with Donnie's safety system. Where have you been?"
"Far far away" Mikey commented "but it's all good, we're back where we belong."
"Yep, back where we belong." Leo smiled.
Wow! Finally done! I worried about finishing this story. I am both relieved and sad that it's finished.
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