Wisdom Comes In Time
Disclaimer: If you recognize it then I don't own it.
A/N: For Whumptober 2023 #18 "I tend to deflect when I'm feeling threatened." Blindfold
Mikey woke surrounded by darkness, something soft but tight cut into the side of his head covering his eyes so securely that not a beam of light entered his sight. He couldn't talk on account of another cloth biting into his mouth as well, it pulled his face back painfully. He wasn't sure where he was or how he'd gotten to wherever he currently was. He didn't know the identity of the various voices around him. He was unable to move his body, he was tied tight, hand and foot. He didn't have a weapon or way to escape on him even if he could move. He did know with a certainty that settled like a large rock in his stomach that he was in fact in a lot of trouble. And at the moment he didn't know how to get out of the mess he had somehow found himself in.
Slowly the events leading up to his capture came to him as he lay ignored in the hustle and bustle of the bad guys' operation. His brothers were going to kill him when they found him. He wasn't supposed to go above ground. The four teenage ninjas had been grounded to their sewer home. Their Sensei had deemed them too reckless after one too many close calls with being spotted by the humans that lived above them.
The turtles had been on the trail of Purple Dragons, noticing an increase in their criminal activities. Leo had been sure they were up to something big and wanted to stop them before they could succeed in their nefarious plans. Raph just wanted an excuse to beat even more of them up. Donnie wanted to try out a new piece of tech he invented. And Mikey was just having a blast fighting side by side with his bros. The four of them had been so focused on their mission that they ignored everything else, including a curious bystander with a phone. When a poor resolution shaky video showed up on the news that night of four strange creatures attacking people, Splinter had not been pleased.
They had been grounded to the sewers. Leo had been meditating, Raph had been training and Donnie had been tinkering. Mikey had been bored. There were only go many video games, TV shows, cooking, and art he could do before he started going stir crazy. Just the fact that Splinter had forbidden them from going topside made it that much more desirable. He had finally grabbed his skateboard and headed out the door. All three of his brothers told him to stay in the tunnels. He grumbled about bossy older brothers but waved that he heard.
He was awesomely shredding down the tunnels, trying to ignore the manholes calling his name above him. The smell of cheesy pizza waffing down to him was almost his undoing but he stayed firm. Refusing the sirens call he continued on his ride. He would have stayed underground except for the cry of a distressed cat followed by cruel laughter.
He had screeched to a stop and was up the ladder before he could think of the consequences of his actions. The scene before him made the most mild turtle's blood boil. Two Purple Dragons were tormenting a defenseless alley cat. One held it down, yanking on its tail while the other human pulled out a lighter. The flames danced in his evil eyes as he moved the fire closer to the flammable fur. Mikey hadn't grabbed his ninja weapons, not needing them to skateboard, he was unarmed but not defenseless. He had been trained for years in the art of ninjitsu. He wasn't supposed to be topside but he refused to let this cruelty continue.
"Hey!" He called out, "Pick on someone your own size."
The humans were startled at the challenge. They looked over at the turtle and let the cat go as they made their way over to accept his invitation for a fight. Raph was usually the brother who went and looked for a fight but Mikey felt confident he could easily end this one and get back underground before his family was aware he had left its safety.
It went well at first, the Dragons were no match for his skills. Mikey had always been a fluid and unpredictable fighter, making him a formidable opponent when he was focused. Nothing focused him quite so well as stopping bullies. He had quickly downed the two Purple Dragons and had turned to attend to the injured cat. He was crouched down holding out a nonthreatening hand for the cat to rub against when a shadow rose behind him. Pain exploded in his skull as he fell before the hissing cat. He felt his orange mask being ripped from his face and his belt removed as the world darkened around him. In the shadows above him as he faded away stood a large menacing figure.
He had come back to consciousness alone and tied up at the mercy of his enemies. He was defenseless, stripped of all his weapons, including his most powerful one his words. He could distract, enrage, divert, confuse, and annoy all with just a few sentences spoken. In his current condition, he was completely vulnerable and useless.
He heard the humans discussing his fate above him. Some wanted to throw him in the river, others thought a bullet would solve the problem easily and even a few wanted to sell him to the circus. Each new suggestion filled the young turtle with a growing fear. He just wanted to go home. Why wasn't that one of their options?
His brothers didn't know he even left the sewer, let alone that he had been captured and desperately needed them to come save him. He was alone with no way out. Splinter had been right. They had become too cocky and reckless in their recent victories. Taking unnecessary risks and allowing the feelings of being immortal and untouchable that most youths enjoyed cloud their judgment. They all still had much to learn, especially Mikey. But it didn't seem like he'd get the chance to grow in wisdom. He had always thrived as the baby of the family, embracing his own immaturity and love of life. Bringing smiles, laughter, fun, and fond exasperation at every turn. He didn't want to leave his brothers and Sensei behind to grow without him. He didn't want to die, he had so much living yet to do.
His despair was interrupted by the sound of a cat outside the building. The muffled meowing was loud and persistent enough that it seemed to bother the humans around him. The sound of a door being opened and then there was a tense beat of silence before chaos exploded around him. He felt himself panic at the unknown until he felt a soft small body curl against him with a growing purr.
He tried in vain to follow the fight taking place. He wished he was free so he could help take down the bad guys. He could pick out his brothers and Splinter's voice in the melee and his heart soared. It didn't matter if he was grounded forever, his family was here. He would live to learn and grow and fight another day.