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Description
Title: Understand
Rating: PG?
Pairing: Donatello/Casey Jones

Summary:

"Frozen. Leonardo was utterly frozen, paralyzed, immobile- all but his eyes. His eyes followed Donnie without fail, tracking his blind movements as he staggered away. Raph’s arm shoving him back hardly registered. This was all a dream, right? Yes, Leo would wake up soon and walk out of his room to see his little brother, smiling softly and nodding his head in greeting. But Donnie’s piercing shriek jerked him. No. No nightmare could ever be so cruel."

_______________________________________________________________

He didn’t understand.

He hurt. He hurt all over, and everything seared his nerves. Why did he hurt so much?

After a second, he eased his torso up and dragged his hind limbs underneath him. There. That didn’t hurt a lot. Not anymore.

He shifted his gaze downward and saw some bizarre bluish substance. Like ooze. Its acrid scent stung and burned the inside of his nostrils. He bounded back to get away from the worst of it.

But, then, something- someone- behind him exclaimed. He whipped his head back, lip curled in a silent snarl.

Three strange creatures who were green and clad in bright colors stared back at him. Scared. They’re scared. He knew that.

One uttered, “Donnie?” He blinked and perked up. Donnie. That was familiar. Right. Donnie.

Another said something else, but he couldn’t comprehend anything but a second “Donnie” among the gibberish. But his tone was quiet and reassuring. That meant something.

Donnie(?) began reluctantly toward them. His head was clearer. Now that he thought more, they were also familiar, and all instinct told him to trust them. Perhaps they had weapons ready at their disposal, but no threat could ever look so… sad. So defeated- heartbroken. Lost.

Donnie didn’t pause or falter and came right up to them. They started talking in their language to him and to each other. He could pick out his name and “Casey” and “Mikey” and “Splinter.”

The one in orange- Mikey- kneeled down and murmured something. Donnie could only stare blankly.

Mikey’s face morphed into something like concern. He tried taking Donnie’s light green hand, but he pulled it back instinctively. Now Mikey looked anguished, and whimpered a noise that remotely sounded like the beginning syllable of “brother.” It made Donnie realize he loathed that expression on Mikey’s features. Attempting to make up for his mistake, Donnie let out a quiet rumble and pressed his head to Mikey’s plastron. He didn’t receive a physical response.

He lifted his head expectantly when Leo said his name, but he, again, didn’t comprehend the rest. Donnie’s shoulders fell forward. They were acting like he should understand. Should he understand?

His composed act visibly slipping, Leo said something else, more frantic. And that didn’t help. He suddenly paused and looked away, blinking rapidly.

After a moment of silence, Raph flung something to the ground, and a sharp, metallic noise reverberated and pierced Donnie's ears.

Donnie mewled and jerked back before shrinking away farther. He was confused and scared, now more than ever. Why was Raph angry? Did Donnie do something wrong?

Mikey had returned to his feet, and his startled gaze was alternating in between Leo and him. Leo looked to Raph. And Raph only met Donnie’s eyes briefly before looking down and murmuring. He then sank to his knees and extended a hand, trying to beckon him back.

Donnie wasn’t certain. What was stopping Raph from throwing something again? But Raph’s look shortly drew him back. He didn’t allow Donnie to nuzzle his hand.

Raph stood, and all three looked up at him sullenly. Then, after a brief swapping of words, they waved and clucked and started to walk.

Donnie whined, then roared. Were they just going to abandon him?

They whipped around and made a strange almost hissing sound, and Mikey put a finger to his lips. Bewildered, Donnie shut his jaws and stared at them. Raph’s gaze darted around briefly before he patted his thigh. When Donnie took a step forward, they slipped out of a doorway without a problem.

But when Donnie tried to exit -prompted by his brother to follow- he had much trouble, struggling to haul his lower body free. His ivory talons scrabbled for any kind of hold to help him.

And Donnie felt like all his energy and will had been consumed when he finally triumphed. He doubted his limbs had gone unscathed. They stung. Just as he started to crane his neck, somebody called his name.

Inclining his head, Donnie caught sight of his brothers above on a roof, encouraging him to jump. (That’s what he guessed. He still didn’t understand). He had nothing else to do and nowhere else to go. He grumbled and prepared to leap.

Donnie assumed they hadn’t anticipated his landing to be so eye-catching and loud. Perched on the edge of the roof, he looked down at them as they wildly glanced around. Donnie lowered his head and made a guttural noise of question. But they made that same hissing sound. He drew his head back and started to grumble again. It was cut off abruptly when Raph clamped his jaws shut, and Donnie got the idea.

Still holding his snout, Raph hastily led him to the opposite side and thrust a finger to the alley below. Donnie pulled away and peered down. He didn't understand the rush, but one of the last things he wanted to do was displease them. So he slipped into the space.

The excess room for him to maneuver was scant, and his face met the wall. He painfully turned, knocking a stray trash can over with his tail in the process. He glanced over absently, then back up when he heard the deliberate hiss. But why did he need to be quiet? Were all the strange creatures he could scent dangerous? He swallowed a growl. He wouldn't let them hurt his brothers.

As though summoned by the vow, they had joined him in the alley, tensed up in anticipation by his forelegs. Donnie, preparing too, lowered his body and bared his teeth and growled and unsheathed the entirety of his claws.

Mikey began to rub Donnie's arm and made the “shhh” sound. But it was a lot softer, kinder, without any frustration or panic. Donnie allowed muscles to relax a bit from their stressed way.

They made Donnie stay in the tight space for some more minutes before scaling the wall and coming to another roof. Donnie raised his head and whined. He doubted there was enough room for him to leap up.

But they encouraged him nonetheless. Donnie tried to move into a position from which he could join them and crushed the can underneath a hind foot. He winced and stared at his brothers forlornly.

Raph looked at Leo and said something lowly. Donnie blinked and returned to attempting to turn himself back to his former position. He knew for certain he couldn't jump up when his snout scraped the wall. With a puff, Donnie reared on his hind legs. He could only just reach the roof edge. He pushed up and, within four tries, managed to drag himself onto the roof.

Donnie didn't rise to follow them, so they retired to the smooth concrete next to him.

Mikey murmured to their older brothers as his eyes hovered over Donnie. Then, cautiously, he reached out and lay a hand on his cheek. So, naturally, in response, Donnie brushed his fingers with his tongue.

Mikey, first, let slip a crackling chuckle, and Donnie didn't think much of it until it abruptly evolved into tears.

Donnie, alarmed and confused and hurt, tried to nudge Mikey and soothe him, but he shied away. Donnie resorted to looking to his older brothers for reassurance, but they disregarded him and went to embrace and console Mikey.

Donnie whimpered.

He didn't understand.

Donnie had to crouch low to trail after his brothers like a lost puppy once they reached the sewers. It was clear they were more at ease below the bustling surface, though Donnie despised the smell and hoped wherever he was being led was more spacious.

Shortly, the shallow channels full of sludge and soiled water dispersed, and, ahead, Donnie could see with his sharp eyesight an opening partially blocked by turnstiles.

Leo uttered a command, and Mikey took off toward the room. Donnie paused, observing inquiringly until Raph clucked and urged him forward.

They took far longer than Mikey, and, by then, three, remotely familiar creatures accompanied him.

As soon as Donnie struggled over the turnstiles, he crept right up to the humanoid rat and delicately sniffed him. Leo started to say Donnie's name but broke off, so he was ignored.

The rat tensed, and Donnie, shortly satisfied, needed only to barely raise his head to meet Splinter's gaze. His father let out a kind of choked noise, and Donnie decided it wasn't worth trying to decipher it.

When he glanced left, he saw a human staring so imploringly it felt imperative that Donnie go to him.

He meant to nudge him fondly, but he instead was pushed back with contact. But he almost promptly bounced back, leaning forward and holding his head tenderly. The boy- Casey, he recalled- brought his forehead to his own, murmuring sweetly in a way Donnie somehow identified as uncharacteristic. Donnie rumbled in delight, pleased to finally be receiving some affection.

But then Leo called him over, and, despite not wanting to leave Casey's grasp, he gingerly pulled himself away and returned to his brothers’ side.

The female approached him this time, carefully. Donnie bowed his head to better smell her, but she took his head in her hands before he properly got the chance. He didn’t mind much until she dug her blunt nails into his temple and searing agony erupted in his skull.

Donnie jerked his head free with a roar. He staggered away, trembling, and shook his head first, then his entire body. After a moment, weakly, he raised his head to send April a wounded expression. He trusted her, and she hurt him.

She tried coming nearer, her hands raised in a conciliatory manner, but Donnie retreated with a cautionary growl. At that, her face fell, and she buried her face in her hands.

Donnie only hesitantly permitted Leo to come up. He muttered softly, motioning to the floor. When Donnie blinked and merely shifted his attention the ground briefly, Leo allowed a patient exhale and kneeled, patting the area beside him. Reluctantly, Donnie lowered himself onto the floor. After a second, his brother nodded and rose. So Donnie began to rise as well before Leo pushed down on his carapace.

Strongly encouraged to remain down, Donnie’s gaze swept over them all. Shortly, though, it fell to his distinctly lighter green hands. He rumbled softly, lifting one and flexing the pale-hued talons. They were so… long. Acute. Dangerous- especially taking into consideration that his brothers didn’t possess any claws whatsoever.

His brothers- why did he deem them so? He was nothing like them. Glancing over, they were speaking with Splinter, their attention occasionally flicking to him. Otherwise, they didn’t pay him much mind.

Splinter. He baffled Donnie even more. His mind told him he was his father. But he saw a rat, and his brothers were humanoid turtles, and he was…

What was Donnie?

He didn’t know, and he couldn't wrap his mind around the notions.

Donatello reluctantly uncurled himself from the comfort of the tree, pushing forward to investigate the curious food item Mikey presented. After only sniffing once, he recoiled in disgust. It appeared unappealing first, of course, but it impossibly smelled worse. The best thing he could compare it to was soggy cardboard.

Mikey’s grin turned down into a frown. He held it out farther, but when Donnie growled, he pulled back and muttered a word Donnie indistinctly recognized to be, “Okay.”

Once Mikey had devoured the slice, he tried reaching out to Donnie, but he refused to allow any contact while his fingers were infected.

They’d been trying to feed him all day- two days after he followed them home. He didn’t appreciate it. Nothing they brought was appetizing.

If only he could understand and speak in their language to tell them what he wanted exactly.

Donnie doubted they’d let him have it.

Wound around the tree behind Father, Donatello watched his brothers “train,” as they referred to it as. Leo had repeated it to him, but Donnie didn't connect until they began. He was concerned at first until he took notice of their boisterous laughter and light voices and respect with which they regarded each other.

So they didn't mean it. Okay.

He didn't quite understand the point.

But what did Donnie understand?

Donnie understood affection and the fact that Casey was great at giving it.

The boy seemed to know every spot that made Donnie melt in his hands. And, at that point, Donnie’s head took up and hung over his lap. The purrs and rumbles that rolled out of his throat were thick and guttural and drowsy. They only increased in volume when Casey's nails dug into an area just below his jawbone.

Raising his head, Donnie nudged his snout under Casey's chin and hooked his three right claws- excluding his dew claw- in his sleeve. With a distinct increase in his purrs’ volume, he tugged gently and nuzzled impossibly closer.

The boy chuckled lightly, taking his head and bringing his to Donnie's level. He smiled warmly, moving his hands to Donnie's cheeks. He said something, but Donnie hardly acknowledged it, let alone bothered to try to make sense of it.

But then Casey sobered, and his grip tightened, and he uttered something else fiercely.

Donnie, a bit uncertain and concerned, was about to pull away until Casey leaned forward and wrapped his thin arms around Donnie's neck.

Donnie could comprehend “okay.”

“Donnie!”

Donatello had caught Mikey's approach, but only then shifted his attention toward him. He clutched a strange plastic red oval with a handle and had his typical grin plastered on his face. Donnie’s gaze hovered over the object momentarily before he rose to properly greet his brother.

Mikey patted Donnie's arm affectionately. Donnie retired to his haunches nearly promptly, lowering his head and purring.

Mikey clucked to get his strict attention. His grin had diminished slightly. And, after reluctance, he turned the object around.

Alarmed, Donnie roared and drew back, snarling. Mikey took a deep breath and said, “No, Donnie.”

Uncertainly, slowly, Donnie slunk back and glared at the unfamiliar beast. It had a green head with a lighter- nearly white- snout and large, icy blue eyes surrounded by distinct purple markings. From its neck, he saw darker green and far lighter green splotches dappling its scales and overlapping.

He raised a hand, furious to see the creature mimicking him. When he snarled, it snarled. Enraged, he was prepared to give it a good smack before Mikey pulled the object away and the beast vanished. Mikey, again, told him no.

Donnie was baffled. When he bent down and sniffed once, he only detected himself and his father and his brothers and Casey and April, like the other animal was never present. Donnie looked to Mikey for an explanation.

And Mikey slowly revealed the crimson object’s opposite side once more, but now murmured reassuringly. Donnie couldn't think why until he caught sight of the monster again.

But Mikey said it was okay. He wouldn't lie, right?

So Donnie stared at it silently, more thoroughly taking in its pale blue irises that consumed the complete visible eye and the many separate veins of blues and the light flare surrounding a narrow pupil. Gently, he brought his hand up again and tapped it once. Donnie was surprised to find there was a solid surface. The beast had copied him and now looked very puzzled. Was it trapped?

Donnie lowered his head and, after sniffing once but not catching any unfamiliar scent, nudged the cold surface. That was when Mikey pulled it away again, looking utterly defeated and broken.

Donnie whined, picking up on his brother's anguish.

But Donnie didn't understand.

Description
Title: Understand
Rating: PG?
Pairing: Donatello/Casey Jones

Summary:

"Frozen. Leonardo was utterly frozen, paralyzed, immobile- all but his eyes. His eyes followed Donnie without fail, tracking his blind movements as he staggered away. Raph’s arm shoving him back hardly registered. This was all a dream, right? Yes, Leo would wake up soon and walk out of his room to see his little brother, smiling softly and nodding his head in greeting. But Donnie’s piercing shriek jerked him. No. No nightmare could ever be so cruel."

_______________________________________________________________

He didn’t understand.

He hurt. He hurt all over, and everything seared his nerves. Why did he hurt so much?

After a second, he eased his torso up and dragged his hind limbs underneath him. There. That didn’t hurt a lot. Not anymore.

He shifted his gaze downward and saw some bizarre bluish substance. Like ooze. Its acrid scent stung and burned the inside of his nostrils. He bounded back to get away from the worst of it.

But, then, something- someone- behind him exclaimed. He whipped his head back, lip curled in a silent snarl.

Three strange creatures who were green and clad in bright colors stared back at him. Scared. They’re scared. He knew that.

One uttered, “Donnie?” He blinked and perked up. Donnie. That was familiar. Right. Donnie.

Another said something else, but he couldn’t comprehend anything but a second “Donnie” among the gibberish. But his tone was quiet and reassuring. That meant something.

Donnie(?) began reluctantly toward them. His head was clearer. Now that he thought more, they were also familiar, and all instinct told him to trust them. Perhaps they had weapons ready at their disposal, but no threat could ever look so… sad. So defeated- heartbroken. Lost.

Donnie didn’t pause or falter and came right up to them. They started talking in their language to him and to each other. He could pick out his name and “Casey” and “Mikey” and “Splinter.”

The one in orange- Mikey- kneeled down and murmured something. Donnie could only stare blankly.

Mikey’s face morphed into something like concern. He tried taking Donnie’s light green hand, but he pulled it back instinctively. Now Mikey looked anguished, and whimpered a noise that remotely sounded like the beginning syllable of “brother.” It made Donnie realize he loathed that expression on Mikey’s features. Attempting to make up for his mistake, Donnie let out a quiet rumble and pressed his head to Mikey’s plastron. He didn’t receive a physical response.

He lifted his head expectantly when Leo said his name, but he, again, didn’t comprehend the rest. Donnie’s shoulders fell forward. They were acting like he should understand. Should he understand?

His composed act visibly slipping, Leo said something else, more frantic. And that didn’t help. He suddenly paused and looked away, blinking rapidly.

After a moment of silence, Raph flung something to the ground, and a sharp, metallic noise reverberated and pierced Donnie's ears.

Donnie mewled and jerked back before shrinking away farther. He was confused and scared, now more than ever. Why was Raph angry? Did Donnie do something wrong?

Mikey had returned to his feet, and his startled gaze was alternating in between Leo and him. Leo looked to Raph. And Raph only met Donnie’s eyes briefly before looking down and murmuring. He then sank to his knees and extended a hand, trying to beckon him back.

Donnie wasn’t certain. What was stopping Raph from throwing something again? But Raph’s look shortly drew him back. He didn’t allow Donnie to nuzzle his hand.

Raph stood, and all three looked up at him sullenly. Then, after a brief swapping of words, they waved and clucked and started to walk.

Donnie whined, then roared. Were they just going to abandon him?

They whipped around and made a strange almost hissing sound, and Mikey put a finger to his lips. Bewildered, Donnie shut his jaws and stared at them. Raph’s gaze darted around briefly before he patted his thigh. When Donnie took a step forward, they slipped out of a doorway without a problem.

But when Donnie tried to exit -prompted by his brother to follow- he had much trouble, struggling to haul his lower body free. His ivory talons scrabbled for any kind of hold to help him.

And Donnie felt like all his energy and will had been consumed when he finally triumphed. He doubted his limbs had gone unscathed. They stung. Just as he started to crane his neck, somebody called his name.

Inclining his head, Donnie caught sight of his brothers above on a roof, encouraging him to jump. (That’s what he guessed. He still didn’t understand). He had nothing else to do and nowhere else to go. He grumbled and prepared to leap.

Donnie assumed they hadn’t anticipated his landing to be so eye-catching and loud. Perched on the edge of the roof, he looked down at them as they wildly glanced around. Donnie lowered his head and made a guttural noise of question. But they made that same hissing sound. He drew his head back and started to grumble again. It was cut off abruptly when Raph clamped his jaws shut, and Donnie got the idea.

Still holding his snout, Raph hastily led him to the opposite side and thrust a finger to the alley below. Donnie pulled away and peered down. He didn't understand the rush, but one of the last things he wanted to do was displease them. So he slipped into the space.

The excess room for him to maneuver was scant, and his face met the wall. He painfully turned, knocking a stray trash can over with his tail in the process. He glanced over absently, then back up when he heard the deliberate hiss. But why did he need to be quiet? Were all the strange creatures he could scent dangerous? He swallowed a growl. He wouldn't let them hurt his brothers.

As though summoned by the vow, they had joined him in the alley, tensed up in anticipation by his forelegs. Donnie, preparing too, lowered his body and bared his teeth and growled and unsheathed the entirety of his claws.

Mikey began to rub Donnie's arm and made the “shhh” sound. But it was a lot softer, kinder, without any frustration or panic. Donnie allowed muscles to relax a bit from their stressed way.

They made Donnie stay in the tight space for some more minutes before scaling the wall and coming to another roof. Donnie raised his head and whined. He doubted there was enough room for him to leap up.

But they encouraged him nonetheless. Donnie tried to move into a position from which he could join them and crushed the can underneath a hind foot. He winced and stared at his brothers forlornly.

Raph looked at Leo and said something lowly. Donnie blinked and returned to attempting to turn himself back to his former position. He knew for certain he couldn't jump up when his snout scraped the wall. With a puff, Donnie reared on his hind legs. He could only just reach the roof edge. He pushed up and, within four tries, managed to drag himself onto the roof.

Donnie didn't rise to follow them, so they retired to the smooth concrete next to him.

Mikey murmured to their older brothers as his eyes hovered over Donnie. Then, cautiously, he reached out and lay a hand on his cheek. So, naturally, in response, Donnie brushed his fingers with his tongue.

Mikey, first, let slip a crackling chuckle, and Donnie didn't think much of it until it abruptly evolved into tears.

Donnie, alarmed and confused and hurt, tried to nudge Mikey and soothe him, but he shied away. Donnie resorted to looking to his older brothers for reassurance, but they disregarded him and went to embrace and console Mikey.

Donnie whimpered.

He didn't understand.

Donnie had to crouch low to trail after his brothers like a lost puppy once they reached the sewers. It was clear they were more at ease below the bustling surface, though Donnie despised the smell and hoped wherever he was being led was more spacious.

Shortly, the shallow channels full of sludge and soiled water dispersed, and, ahead, Donnie could see with his sharp eyesight an opening partially blocked by turnstiles.

Leo uttered a command, and Mikey took off toward the room. Donnie paused, observing inquiringly until Raph clucked and urged him forward.

They took far longer than Mikey, and, by then, three, remotely familiar creatures accompanied him.

As soon as Donnie struggled over the turnstiles, he crept right up to the humanoid rat and delicately sniffed him. Leo started to say Donnie's name but broke off, so he was ignored.

The rat tensed, and Donnie, shortly satisfied, needed only to barely raise his head to meet Splinter's gaze. His father let out a kind of choked noise, and Donnie decided it wasn't worth trying to decipher it.

When he glanced left, he saw a human staring so imploringly it felt imperative that Donnie go to him.

He meant to nudge him fondly, but he instead was pushed back with contact. But he almost promptly bounced back, leaning forward and holding his head tenderly. The boy- Casey, he recalled- brought his forehead to his own, murmuring sweetly in a way Donnie somehow identified as uncharacteristic. Donnie rumbled in delight, pleased to finally be receiving some affection.

But then Leo called him over, and, despite not wanting to leave Casey's grasp, he gingerly pulled himself away and returned to his brothers’ side.

The female approached him this time, carefully. Donnie bowed his head to better smell her, but she took his head in her hands before he properly got the chance. He didn’t mind much until she dug her blunt nails into his temple and searing agony erupted in his skull.

Donnie jerked his head free with a roar. He staggered away, trembling, and shook his head first, then his entire body. After a moment, weakly, he raised his head to send April a wounded expression. He trusted her, and she hurt him.

She tried coming nearer, her hands raised in a conciliatory manner, but Donnie retreated with a cautionary growl. At that, her face fell, and she buried her face in her hands.

Donnie only hesitantly permitted Leo to come up. He muttered softly, motioning to the floor. When Donnie blinked and merely shifted his attention the ground briefly, Leo allowed a patient exhale and kneeled, patting the area beside him. Reluctantly, Donnie lowered himself onto the floor. After a second, his brother nodded and rose. So Donnie began to rise as well before Leo pushed down on his carapace.

Strongly encouraged to remain down, Donnie’s gaze swept over them all. Shortly, though, it fell to his distinctly lighter green hands. He rumbled softly, lifting one and flexing the pale-hued talons. They were so… long. Acute. Dangerous- especially taking into consideration that his brothers didn’t possess any claws whatsoever.

His brothers- why did he deem them so? He was nothing like them. Glancing over, they were speaking with Splinter, their attention occasionally flicking to him. Otherwise, they didn’t pay him much mind.

Splinter. He baffled Donnie even more. His mind told him he was his father. But he saw a rat, and his brothers were humanoid turtles, and he was…

What was Donnie?

He didn’t know, and he couldn't wrap his mind around the notions.

Donatello reluctantly uncurled himself from the comfort of the tree, pushing forward to investigate the curious food item Mikey presented. After only sniffing once, he recoiled in disgust. It appeared unappealing first, of course, but it impossibly smelled worse. The best thing he could compare it to was soggy cardboard.

Mikey’s grin turned down into a frown. He held it out farther, but when Donnie growled, he pulled back and muttered a word Donnie indistinctly recognized to be, “Okay.”

Once Mikey had devoured the slice, he tried reaching out to Donnie, but he refused to allow any contact while his fingers were infected.

They’d been trying to feed him all day- two days after he followed them home. He didn’t appreciate it. Nothing they brought was appetizing.

If only he could understand and speak in their language to tell them what he wanted exactly.

Donnie doubted they’d let him have it.

Wound around the tree behind Father, Donatello watched his brothers “train,” as they referred to it as. Leo had repeated it to him, but Donnie didn't connect until they began. He was concerned at first until he took notice of their boisterous laughter and light voices and respect with which they regarded each other.

So they didn't mean it. Okay.

He didn't quite understand the point.

But what did Donnie understand?

Donnie understood affection and the fact that Casey was great at giving it.

The boy seemed to know every spot that made Donnie melt in his hands. And, at that point, Donnie’s head took up and hung over his lap. The purrs and rumbles that rolled out of his throat were thick and guttural and drowsy. They only increased in volume when Casey's nails dug into an area just below his jawbone.

Raising his head, Donnie nudged his snout under Casey's chin and hooked his three right claws- excluding his dew claw- in his sleeve. With a distinct increase in his purrs’ volume, he tugged gently and nuzzled impossibly closer.

The boy chuckled lightly, taking his head and bringing his to Donnie's level. He smiled warmly, moving his hands to Donnie's cheeks. He said something, but Donnie hardly acknowledged it, let alone bothered to try to make sense of it.

But then Casey sobered, and his grip tightened, and he uttered something else fiercely.

Donnie, a bit uncertain and concerned, was about to pull away until Casey leaned forward and wrapped his thin arms around Donnie's neck.

Donnie could comprehend “okay.”

“Donnie!”

Donatello had caught Mikey's approach, but only then shifted his attention toward him. He clutched a strange plastic red oval with a handle and had his typical grin plastered on his face. Donnie’s gaze hovered over the object momentarily before he rose to properly greet his brother.

Mikey patted Donnie's arm affectionately. Donnie retired to his haunches nearly promptly, lowering his head and purring.

Mikey clucked to get his strict attention. His grin had diminished slightly. And, after reluctance, he turned the object around.

Alarmed, Donnie roared and drew back, snarling. Mikey took a deep breath and said, “No, Donnie.”

Uncertainly, slowly, Donnie slunk back and glared at the unfamiliar beast. It had a green head with a lighter- nearly white- snout and large, icy blue eyes surrounded by distinct purple markings. From its neck, he saw darker green and far lighter green splotches dappling its scales and overlapping.

He raised a hand, furious to see the creature mimicking him. When he snarled, it snarled. Enraged, he was prepared to give it a good smack before Mikey pulled the object away and the beast vanished. Mikey, again, told him no.

Donnie was baffled. When he bent down and sniffed once, he only detected himself and his father and his brothers and Casey and April, like the other animal was never present. Donnie looked to Mikey for an explanation.

And Mikey slowly revealed the crimson object’s opposite side once more, but now murmured reassuringly. Donnie couldn't think why until he caught sight of the monster again.

But Mikey said it was okay. He wouldn't lie, right?

So Donnie stared at it silently, more thoroughly taking in its pale blue irises that consumed the complete visible eye and the many separate veins of blues and the light flare surrounding a narrow pupil. Gently, he brought his hand up again and tapped it once. Donnie was surprised to find there was a solid surface. The beast had copied him and now looked very puzzled. Was it trapped?

Donnie lowered his head and, after sniffing once but not catching any unfamiliar scent, nudged the cold surface. That was when Mikey pulled it away again, looking utterly defeated and broken.

Donnie whined, picking up on his brother's anguish.

But Donnie didn't understand.