Chapter Text
"Mikey! Mikey, stop, he's gone!"
Raphael grabbed him by the shoulders.
"LEO!"
Mikey growled, begging the tiny orange circle of light to grow bigger. He could see Leo's shell, he was so close!
Donnie raced in front of him and cupped his cheeks.
"Michael, look at your arms! It's not working, it's over."
Mikey sobbed, falling to his knees. His arms felt like they were on fire, scales blew away behind him in chunks.
"LEO! Just- just a little more, I can reach him!"
"I'm not losing another brother today." Raph picked Mikey up, grunting softly as he dragged him away from the roof.
The portal fizzled and disappeared, showing one last glimpse of Leo's bloody face.
"April's bringing the turtle tank over right now. Angelo, we need to wrap your arms-"
"I don't care! We can't give up on Leo!"
Raph frowned and hugged Mikey closer. He nearly fell out of his arms from the force of Raph's shaking. His voice cracked, barely holding back tears.
"We're not giving up on him, Mikey, I promise. But this ain't working. Come on, we'll- we'll regroup, find Barry. He's bound to know more than we do about this stuff."
"Leo doesn't have that kind of time! He's all alone with those- those things, he won't survive!"
Donnie's fingernails dug into his arms, refusing to look at his brothers. "Leo's strong. We just need to have faith."
Mikey whined and leaned into Raph's chest, clinging tight. His voice cracked and Raph was struck with the reminder of how young his little brother is. "Donnie, what if he dies in there?"
Donnie froze for a moment, silent, then sighed.
"Then we bring his body home and give him a proper burial."
Their communicators buzzed and April's voice rang through.
"Guys, I'm right under you with the tank. I've got CJ and Splinter, too."
"Thanks, April. Everyone alright on your end?"
"Nothing a couple days rest can't fix. You?"
"Donnie's shell and Mikey's hands need to be looked at."
"What about you, big guy?"
"Nothing that can't wait until we're safe for the night."
Casey's voice chimed in softly in the background, "Sensei…"
Raph tightened his grip on Mikey. "We'll figure something out, we'll bring him home one way or another. Hang tight, we'll be down in a few."
Draxum frowned, kneeling in front of Michelangelo.
"I need to see your wounds."
Mikey crossed his arms and burrowed into his hoodie. "I'm fine, Dad already looked them over."
"Your father is not familiar with mystic injuries. I know you are hurting, Michelangelo, but if your hands are as damaged as I fear, they will only get worse if I don't treat them now."
Mikey sighed and reluctantly held his arms out, looking away.
"Thank you, " Draxum carefully rolled up his sleeves and unwrapped the bandages. He sighed, examining closely, "The damage is intense, but not quite as bad as I feared. You and your brothers are far too careless with your powers. It's a miracle you're even alive right now."
"I had to, Leo-"
"Leonardo knew exactly what he was risking when he entered that portal. Opening a portal into that place takes mystic strength like you couldn’t imagine. Even I am not strong enough on my own.”
“Then who would be?”
Draxum sighed, re-wrapping Mikey’s arms. “Big Mama may be, but it would be a struggle even for her. I’ll begin researching tomorrow, for now we all need to rest.”
“How long do you think it’d take for you?”
“Three months, at the least.”
“Leo doesn’t have that much time.”
Baron cupped Michelangelo’s cheek, sorrow and pity filling his eyes. “All we can do for now is heal and keep hope. …I’ll be back with food in an hour, just try to breathe.”
With a pat on the head and a squeeze of his shoulder, Draxum once again left Mikey alone. Mikey waited until he heard the clicking of hooves against the tile kitchen floor before standing and grabbing his nun-chucks.
He was gone before anyone noticed, leaving behind a note on a scrap of torn sketchbook paper.
‘Leo never gave up on us, I’m not giving up on him.
I’m sorry.
Love, Michelangelo.’