Well, this will be the most interesting story I will have ever written. This story will take place during "Lilianna," but in that story, this hasn't happened yet. I did a lot of thinking about how it would end over the past year and I am getting pretty close to it. I'm currently in the year 2059. So, beware, this story will be a SPOILER ALERT for "Lilianna," but also a little test to see if this is good enough to proceed with the eventual ending or if I need another idea. The "Mutant Apocalypse" episodes will happen in "Lilianna." I have no doubt about that, and the story is already told through Raph's eyes. I am trying to find another angle to tell the tale from one of Donatello's descendants because my version of the story will be a tad different. With that said, I hope you'll enjoy this one if you choose to read it.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to "TMNT." I own Little Donatello and Lilianna. Song is named below.

P.S. If you wish to wait until I have reached this point in "Lilianna," then please come back later. This story has been published: July 1, 2024

Songs: "Through the Fire and Flames" by DragonForce

Family: Raphael, Little Donatello, and Lilianna

Timeline: December 25, 2066

Setting: Wastelands, USA, Earth

POV: Little Donatello

I woke up. I stretched my legs out. I turned on my mind and my eyes. I stood up, not appreciating my robot legs in the moment.

"On a cold winter morning, in the time before the light, in flames of Death's eternal reign, we ride towards the fight."

Today was supposed to be Christmas Day. But that didn't exist anymore. There were no more pine trees. No more colorful lights. No more bells. No more singing... well, except for my mother's.

"When the darkness has fallen down and the times are tough, alright, the sound of evil laughter falls around the world tonight."

There were advantages to being in this strange new world. The Shredder was now gone for good. So were the Foot Clan, the Purple Dragons, and the Vizioso mob. There were no more secrets. No more wars. Everything that had happened in this world over the course of time was all but a memory.

"Fighting hard, fighting for the steel through the wastelands evermore, the scattered souls will feel the hell, bodies wasted on the shores."

There were only a few of us left. Humankind and practically every single animal and bug had become extinct. As far as I was aware, it was only myself and Great-Uncle Raphael in these wastelands. Everyone else in my family had either ascended into heaven, died, or were scattered around the globe.

"On the blackest plains in hell's domain, we watch them as they go. In fire and pain, now once again we know."

June 1, 2065. That was the worst day of my life. My grandfather had shown up in the lair in what was New York City and revealed the news that my mother had been killed. The day after, the mutagen bomb went off in the skies and changed everything forever.

"So now, we fly ever free, we're free before the thunderstorm. On towards the wilderness, our quest carries on far beyond the sundown, far beyond the moonlight, deep inside our hearts and our souls."

I gazed outside at the ever-changing moon. The moon was damaged as the result of the blast and we collided with it, destroying part of the Earth in the process. All Great-Uncle Raph and I could do was move forward. We drove in the Shellraiser, trying to find any fuel and water to help us survive. Well, the water was for Raph and the fuel was for the Shellraiser since that kind of electricity no longer existed.

"So far away, we wait for the day, for the lives all so wasted and gone. We feel the pain of a lifetime lost in a thousand days. Through the fire and the flames, we carry on."

I wished I was dead. Truly. My hell started when the Shredder killed my father and made my mother a widow. My family was forced to move into the sewers as a result. And then, just a couple years later, my mother was killed trying to stop the mutagen bomb from going off. And to think my last words to her were made of anger. Oh, I deeply regretted spending our last moments together arguing.

I had done some terrible things since my mother's murder. And perhaps I earned becoming a robot. My body was severely damaged in the blast. Had Raph not found me, I would have died. But I remembered him telling me in my first days as a robot that someone in Donatello's line needed to survive, and I was it.

"As the red day is dawning and the lightning cracks the sky, they'll raise their hands to the heavens above with resentment in their eyes."

My father. My mother. Grandma and Grandpa. My cousins Athena and Venus. My godmother and godfather, Anna and Jasper, and their daughter Charity. Even my friends, the Robinson family, were all in heaven. And I was angry.

"Running back through the mid-morning light, there's a burning in my heart. We're banished from a time in a fallen land to a life beyond the stars."

Words could not describe how much I wished I was out there in space just like my grandparents were all those years ago. My grandpa told me there was a being called the Fugitoid who had inspired him to start building another robot. I felt honored to help him build it, but never did I imagine I would become that robot. It was the only thing I could really smile about, even though I can no longer physically smile.

"In your darkest dreams, see to believe our destiny this time. And endlessly we'll all be free tonight."

According to my great-aunt Renet, the Hamato Clan was supposed to become a legend. My family saved the world from time to time, and it all started with the Turtles. Each Turtle lived fulfilling lives, whether they saved the world or if they spent time with their loved ones. Their destiny was to keep the world safe, and they had done just that, even when the mutagen bomb went off. But now, a year and a half later, were we truly free?

"And on the wings of a dream, so far beyond reality, all alone in desperation, now the time has gone. Lost inside you'll never find, lost within my own mind, day after day this misery must go on."

Perhaps I was insane, especially since I was a robot who would forever be a fifteen-year-old soul who relied on his mother's voice to stay alive. Great-Uncle Raph was no help. He was even more grumpier because he lost the memories of his youth. Unfortunately, I lost my psychic abilities when my body was damaged, so I was unable to help him.

"So far away, we wait for the day, for the lives all so wasted and gone. We feel the pain of a lifetime lost in a thousand days. Through the fire and the flames, we carry on."

I walked over to my uncle and shook him awake.

"It's time to wake up. Merry Christmas, Raph."

"Bah humbug!" Raph grumbled. "I'll take the wheel."

"I'll enjoy the view," I replied sarcastically.

I took the platform to the roof of the Shellraiser and watched the red sun rise above the horizon with turquoise skies behind it. So many of the songs my mother made covers for meshed together in my mind. She was the only person I had thought about since her death, and she was the only reason why I was still alive. I remember her telling me to not wish my life away but to live each moment in joy.

"Heh, easier said than done," I grumbled.

But then, I realized her last words to me were not made of anger. Instead, they demonstrated her love for me one last time. While I could not shed tears anymore, I cried anyway. I wondered what she would do if she was still here. How would she adapt? Where would she be? What would she mutate into?

I let out a scoff. My mother was born a mutant of Donatello and April, whom were both mutants themselves. Which meant she would no longer have been human here. She would become even more of an animal.

I let out a sigh. Perhaps my mother was better off dead, as much as I hate admitting it. She was truly an angel during her time here on Earth, always willing to show compassion and kindness to everyone around her.

"You are not alone, Donatello."

"Huh?"

I glanced to my left and saw...

"Mother? What are you doing here? You're... you're dead!"

"No. I'm still alive with you, Donatello. You kept me alive all this time, and I am forever thankful that you are my son."

"I'm so sorry, Mother. I wish my last words to you-"

She caressed my robot cheek and I glanced at her. She wore white robes with her long red hair loose. Come to think of it, I had never seen her red hair in that way before. She truly was free where she is now.

"I understand. You have shown you care about me with your worry. Before I was called home, my last thoughts were of you and Mika, how much I loved you both. You are forgiven, Donatello, for everything. But your journey here is not over yet. Your sister is still alive."

"What? How?"

"She will be revealed in a way you have never imagined it. But until you find her, do not give up hope. And even when you find her, do not give up hope. For there is more to this journey than meets the eye."

"But where do I go? What do I do?"

"Follow your heart, Donatello."

I scoffed.

"What heart? I'm a robot."

"That hasn't stopped you. The soul is its own entity. The soul does not need a heart to survive. But having a good heart is what makes the soul stronger, and you, oh my sweet, sweet Donatello, you still have a good heart. Do not ever let the past affect who you are. Instead, learn, forgive yourself, and move forward. I will always be with you, Donnie. I love you."

She disappeared and, once again, I gazed out at the red sun.

"I love you, too, Mother. And I mean every word."

I stood up, suddenly having a newfound hope in me.

"Now here we stand with their blood on our hands. We fought so hard now, can we understand? I'll break the seal of this curse if I possibly can for freedom of every man."

I am a sinner. I turned away. I spilled blood and still carry it. I was punished for my sins. My brain became a part of Metalhead the Second and I was cursed to live forever on this godforsaken planet.

"So far away, we wait for the day, for the lives all so wasted and gone. We feel the pain of a lifetime lost in a thousand days. Through the fire and the flames, we carry on."

But now, I felt a new hope. My mother forgave me, and our lord forgave me, too. Maybe life doesn't have to be like this. Life doesn't have to be a race for survival. Life isn't all gas and water and old grumpy Turtles.

I grinned inside. My mother became a martyr for trying to protect the planet. And now she gave me a new purpose: to live. Not just survive. Live. I had to have confidence there were still some family left on this earth, especially if my sister is somehow among us.

"Donnie, scan the area."

I chuckled, bringing myself back to reality.

"Scanning now."

I used my robot abilities to scan the area within a very wide radius for fuel.

"Sorry, Raph. No fuel for the next hundred miles."

"Just our luck. How's your mom doing?"

I smiled, placing my hand over where my heart would be.

"She's alive and well, Uncle."

"Merry Christmas, Donnie."

I laughed. He still believed, after all. We both looked ahead at the horizon as the skies turned yellow and the red sun was well above the ground.