#tmnt mikey is a force of nature

[turtleblogatlast]

[ cw: death mention / sibling death mention / isolation / ]

Thinking about how Leo’s portal and teleportation powers have both directly (and in one instance, indirectly) been the cause of him being separated from his brothers at least four times now.

There’s that time in Portal Jacked, where his inexperience leads to his portal being messed with and his brothers ending up in Tahiti.

There’s the Bad Timeline, where Leo’s portaling led to them losing the Key, therefore indirectly leading to the apocalypse and in turn, ending with Leo being the last of his brothers alive (though just for a few minutes.)

There’s him teleporting him and Krang into the Prison Dimension, cutting him off from his family so wholly that the only way to fix this was a literal mystic miracle.

Then there’s the comic, where Leo’s powers act up again and make him lose months of time completely isolated from everyone and everything he knows.

Just, looking at all of this, it’s like the universe gave him the powers of distance on purpose to test him (and his bros), literally seeing if they can overcome unimaginable space and still make it back together. Imagine if it doesn’t stop here, and Leo has to learn to either deal with the occasional complete isolation or deal with time travelers coming back to stop some terrible event his powers (whether directly or indirectly) have caused, events that always lead to separation in some way, shape, or form.

It’s worth noting, too, that his portals often led to accidental separation, but his teleportation was the one power of his that was used to isolate himself on purpose…and was also the one that in any other scenario would have been the most permanent.

[emeraldtortoiseshell]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - All Media Types Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Michelangelo & Raphael (TMNT) Characters: Michelangelo (TMNT), Raphael (TMNT), unnamed bullies Additional Tags: Good Sibling Michelangelo (TMNT), Protective Michelangelo (TMNT), Raphael Needs a Hug (TMNT), Bullying, standing up to bullies, Metaphors, Electricity as a metaphor, Brothers, Family Feels, Self-Doubt, Self-Esteem Issues, Sibling teasing Series: Part 4 of Natural Forces Summary:

Sparks are gonna fly when Mikey hears you dissing his brother!

And here’s the last in the series. Thank you all so much for your support and encouragement :)

[brightlotusmoon]

February 2024: Whoa, was it that long ago?

Update: I no longer like Joseph Campbell.

So, I woke up from an odd pain-filled dream. I was back in my early twenties. And I was hanging out with Bayverse Mikey, now a Young Adult Mutant Ninja Turtle. He had given me a shell back ride to a rooftop so we could talk.

I was quieter than usual, so he rubbed my back, and suddenly I burst into tears and confessed that nobody really liked my writing and readers were just being polite.

He took my face in his hands and said, "Those are blinking slices of your own dopamine deprived amygdala and adrenal medulla crying out for healing. Don't berate yourself for these roller coaster moments of anxiety, but rather ask your centers of emotions what they need to be relieved and less inflamed."

I joked that he could be Donnie's assistant at this point, and his eyes darkened slightly, with a mischievous glint. He gave a half smile and said, "But I am. I have been for a long time."

He started quoting Joseph Campbell, "The Hero With A Thousand Faces" and then slipped into Terry Pratchett, "Hogfather" and it made me grin because those are two of my favorite books.

"Maybe," he said, "You and I can study psychology together, because neuropsychology sounds awesome - and didn't you and Master Splinter keep saying I'm empathic? And clairvoyant? We could work on that!" And he gave me a hug, engulfing me.

I opened my mouth to say something, and I woke up.

I'm still feeling weird and kind of sad about my fics getting very few comments, but damn if I feel a lot better about my own mental blocks and illusions and my own depression's attempts to make me dislike myself.

[cloudgremlin-creations]

I wrote a (very badly formatted) essay on the characterizations of the tmnt boys and I probably won’t post it bc it is sloppy and rambly BUT I ended it with the conclusion that Michelangelo is the “Puck” of the team and I will die on this hill. This child points to Mikey can literally influence what genre the show is when he’s on screen and MORE THAN ONCE has exposed the narrative to the audience, he is a force to be reckoned with. There are so few times the story (no matter what iteration) is able to reign in Mikey, meanwhile the other three are being bashed to bits by the plot rip them Mikey is built different

[belleyellsaboutturtles]

memes pt. ?? (credit to @graham-cracker-guillotine for third one)

[damniteggs]

Follow-up to my last post thanks to shit interns say when they think your noise cancellation is on.

The answer? I was out sick.

[delulu-julia]

Hi! This is my first time requesting on this blog, so I hope I do it right 🙏

I have two requests but you can choose whichever you want and go from there!

First one: TMNT 2012 boys and what would their type be? I know all of them had at least one love interest in canon, but I'm wondering what do you think that would both be good for them and/or that they would find attractive.

Second: What would a foreigner reader dating/being in a relationship with TMNT boys include? I would really appreciate an 'as long as it goes' kind of hc post with lots of fluff, but please don't force yourself to meet those!!

Good day/night/noon and happy writing hehe 👉👈

Tmnt 2012 boys and their Ideal type

I LOVE both ideas, so I might do the second one when I’ll get more time, thank you for requesting!! Also, it’s just my opinion, nothing more but silly headcanons, I can be wrong

But let me be clear here. It seems to me that love is a very vague feeling that consists of many factors. First impression, further interaction, your role in the story, attitude to things and so on. As for me, it is impossible to fall in love AT FIRST SIGHT ,, I don’t know why I write this, nobody cares about it anyway. So, enjoy!!

Leonardo

What he needs:

Leo is very responsible, and he always thinks for others. He carries the weight of leadership on his shoulders, so he needs someone who can ground him—a partner who is patient, understanding, and can remind him that he doesn’t have to bear everything alone. Someone who respects his dedication but also encourages him to relax

What he finds attractive:

Confidence, but not arrogance. He admires people who are sure of themselves. Also he respects those who are self-assured without feeling the need to announce it constantly

Graceful, composed individuals who can keep their cool in stressful situations immediately catch his attention. He is drawn to people who can think rationally, understand others emotions, and avoid impulsive reactions. He doesn’t mind disagreements, but if someone starts yelling and throwing words around in anger, it turns him off immediately. He needs someone who can have a conversation, not just try to “win” an argument

Small gestures of affection — a hand on his wrist, a soft gaze, a gentle smile in his direction — ignite a deep sense of warmth inside him

He’s not looking for a genius, but he appreciates a natural curiosity about the world. If someone shares new knowledge with enthusiasm, he’ll listen with genuine interest. A love for reading, deep thinking, and exploring different cultures (especially Japanese culture) will immediately intrigue him

Leo is used to being responsible and needs a partner who trusts his decisions but isn’t afraid to speak their mind. Respecting his role while also being able to gently point out his mistakes earns his deep admiration

A partner who isn’t afraid to challenge his ideas also captivates him. Hearing “Are you sure about that? What if you look at it this way?” never fails to impress him. He doesn’t want someone who simply nods and agrees with everything he says. He seeks balance — a calm but confident individual.

At first, Leo might be seen little cold, but he’s not. He’s just reserved. The ability to bring out his genuine smile leaves an unforgettable impression on him

He especially enjoys witty humor—clever jokes and light sarcasm. Mikey’s silly memes? Not his thing. But sharp remarks and playful teasing? He notices them, and he might even return the favor

His ideal partner is someone who is emotionally mature but has a playful side when he needs a break. Leo values depth—in both emotions and thoughts. He needs someone who can be strong yet gentle, confident yet understanding, intelligent yet humble. And if you can make him trust you and smile, he’s not going anywhere

Raphael

What he needs:

Raph needs someone who can stand up to him but isn’t reckless. He’s drawn to people with a backbone—someone who won’t let him push them away when he’s frustrated but also won’t enable his worst habits

What he finds attractive:

He’s used to people being intimidated by him, so when someone doesn’t flinch at his temper and instead calls him out on his nonsense? Instant attraction. Meeting his fiery nature with a smirk instead of fear or annoyance instantly catches his attention

Passion. Whether it’s for fighting, art, music — just something that drives you

He lives for banter. Matching his sarcasm and teasing him back earns his silent respect. He might roll his eyes or pretend to be annoyed, but if you catch him smirking afterward? He loves it.

Raph is protective to a fault, but he’s not looking for someone fragile. He wants a partner who can stand on their own, who doesn’t need him but chooses to be with him. Handling your own battles while still allowing him to step in when things get really tough is a quality he deeply admires

Loyalty is everything to him. When you prove that you’ve got his back, no matter what, he’ll be hooked

He’s drawn to people who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty—someone who won’t hesitate to jump into battle beside him or stand up for what they believe in

If you ever physically shield him from danger, even for a second? Expect his heart to race in ways he won’t say.

Initiating affection casually, without making a big deal about it, completely melts him. Just don’t expect him to ask for it outright — he’ll stubbornly wait for you to do it first

Protective instincts. Raph is usually the protector, but when someone looks out for him? Yeah, he’s gone

Raph doesn’t just want anyone—he wants someone who can handle him, who can stand beside him, not behind him. Someone who gives as good as they get, but also brings out his softer side. If you’re loyal, strong, playful, and willing to call him out when he’s being an idiot — congrats, you’ve just won over the hot-headed tough guy with a heart of gold

Donatello

What he needs:

Donnie isn’t someone who falls in love easily, but when he does, he falls hard. He doesn’t just want a pretty face (let’s just ignore the “April incident” here, mmokay? I'm inclined to think that Donnie fell in love with April JUST because she was the first person he saw, and like she was in trouble and he wanted to save her and blah blah so on. He didn't fall in love, but wanted to be something important and necessary for her. But I think, love is not built on the desire to save someone, but on deep mutual understanding. Donnie paid attention only to how he felt next to April, but not to how she herself thought, how she treated other people, what her dreams, values, and outlook on life were. Over time, it became clear that they didn’t have much in common. If Donnie were really looking for love, he would choose it not by first impression, but by the criteria that are important in long-term relationships. I will write about them below, but this applies to all turtles. Each female character in the show, in my opinion, was not love, but simply a first crush, and these are different things. As i wrote above, donnie's love for april is empty, like a soap bubble, there’s no good intersection, just good first impression. That’s why i call it “April incident”. Because april was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, by incident, and ended up in donnie's attention. if it was any other pretty girl/guy in her place, donnie would have been so crazy about them too. It’s wasn’t April, it’s was his inexperience. But If we're talking about the real slow burn without external factors, and the deep, strong love, then) —he’s drawn to depth, intelligence, and a connection that stimulates both his heart and mind. He’s spent so much time feeling like an outsider that finding someone who truly sees him? That’s what will steal his heart.

What he finds attractive:

Being a genius isn’t necessary — having a deep passion for something is more than enough to captivate him. He loves deep conversations. If you randomly drop a philosophical question or nerdy fact into a conversation? He’ll notice it. He finds it insanely attractive when someone can keep up with him mentally — or, even better, teach him something new

Donnie pours his heart into his inventions, and nothing makes him feel more valued than someone who cares about what he creates.

If you ever watch him work, ask him questions, or genuinely compliment his skills, he’ll get all flustered. Bonus points if you say something like “You’re a genius, Don! ” with total sincerity — his cheeks will glow

He’s used to being the ‘background guy’ — the one who isn’t as loud or attention-grabbing as his brothers. He needs someone who sees his worth without him having to prove it. If you’re the kind of person who listens when he rambles about science or tech, who waits for him to finish his thoughts instead of cutting him off, he’ll treasure that

He’s attracted to kindness, to people who have a warm and understanding aura. As long as you’re patient with his occasional awkwardness, you will have a special place in his heart

Donnie is a thinker, but he also wants someone who helps him feel more. If you’re open with your emotions, he’ll admire that. When you get vulnerable with him, or you trust him with your deepest fears or hopes, he’ll cherish that trust more than anything

He won’t say it, but he loves being taken care of, even in small ways. It makes him feel safe. He’s always looking out for his brothers, always overworking himself. Someone who gently reminds him to rest, eat, and breathe? He melts.

You place a snack near him while he’s working, drape a blanket over his shoulders, or run your fingers through his bandana when he’s stressed — he’ll fall for you so fast.

He acts like he’s fine without it, but if you casually touch him — placing a hand on his shoulder, brushing his fingers when handing him something — he’ll get flustered. He’s not great at asking for affection, so if you initiate it, he’ll be so happy. The first time you hug him without reason, just because you felt like it, he won’t know what to do with himself

Donnie is drawn to intelligence, kindness, and emotional depth—but more than anything, he falls for someone who makes him feel understood. Someone who listens when he speaks, encourages his passions, and reminds him that he doesn’t have to carry everything alone. If you do that, congratulations—you’ve just stolen the heart of the most inteligente turtle in New York

Michelangelo 

What he needs:

Mikey may seem like the type to fall for anyone who gives him attention, but in reality, he craves something real. He wants a love that’s fun, passionate, and full of life, but also one that grounds him. He falls for someone who embraces his playful nature but also understands that beneath all the jokes. He has a heart that loves deeply

What he finds attractive:

Mikey needs someone who gets his jokes, or at least enjoys them. You actually match his humor, throwing back jokes and playful teasing? He’s already crushing. He’ll adore you even more when you can keep up with his energy—whether it’s dancing, parkour, or spontaneous fun

People often underestimate Mikey, treating him like just the “goofball” of the team. But he’s more than that — he’s creative, emotional, empathetic and incredibly loyal. He’s drawn to someone who sees his depth, who recognizes that his joy isn’t just silliness — it’s his way of dealing with the darkness around him

If you ever say something like “You’re not just comic relief, Mikey. You’re the heart”—he might actually cry

Being an artist isn’t necessary. Mikey just loves people who appreciate creativity. If you enjoy street art, cool music, or even just doodling on napkins, he’ll feel a special connection with you. Even join him in one of his creative hobbies —painting graffiti, cooking weird food or writing dumb rhymes —he’ll be smitten

Mikey wears his heart on his sleeve, so he’s drawn to people who aren’t afraid to express their feelings

If you’re the type to openly tell him you care, give him random hugs, or shower him with compliments, he’ll thrive. If you ever casually say “You make my life better just by being in it, Mikey” — expect him to cling to you forever

Mikey’s life is unpredictable, and he loves people who can roll with the chaos. If you’re open to trying new things —whether it’s exploring abandoned subway tunnels, testing out crazy food combos, or pulling harmless pranks — he’s all in. When you say “Let’s do something fun and kinda reckless” he’ll grin and respond something like “You’re speaking my language, angel”

For all his confidence, Mikey does get insecure sometimes—about being the youngest, about not being taken seriously. He needs someone who reassures him without making a big deal of it.

You just sit with him when he’s feeling down, no pressure, just presence? He’ll remember it forever. You casually run your fingers through his bandana while cuddling? Yeah, he’s in love.

Mikey lives for unexpected moments, so when you do something totally random —like breaking into dance in the middle of a fight or making up a ridiculous nickname for him — he’ll adore you. You’re the type to start a food fight just because? Or you wake him up at 3 AM just to say “Mikey, do you think pigeons have deep thoughts?” — he’ll be like “We’re soulmates”

This boy loves for physical touch. Hugs? Yes. Hand-holding? Absolutely. Cuddling? Mandatory. If you randomly tackle him in a hug, drape yourself over his shell, or hold his face in your hands? Prepare for giggles and happy squeals. If you ever kiss his cheek and say “You’re my sunshine” he’ll be so gone for you.

Mikey doesn’t just fall for someone fun — he falls for someone who sees him, someone who embraces life the way he does but also makes him feel safe. A playful, affectionate, and slightly chaotic nature, combined with kindness and understanding, is enough to steal his heart

[alwerakoo]

as tall as you think

Tales of the TMNT Leo & Raph word count: 2k CW: anxiety disorder (aka: Leo has anxiety - the fic)

AO3

---

There are glow-in-the-dark stars taped to the bottom of Mikey's bed.

They're so old he can't remember if it was him of his brother that insisted on it, and they're so old he never once considered taking them off – carefully taping his posters and pictures to the space around them. It's like a game at this point – finding any leftover room for new things.

Raph traces them with his gaze, his fingers laced across his stomach.

Leo's mattress squeaks as he shifts in his bed again, his feet brushing against the brick wall.

Raph bites on his cheek.

Mikey can fall asleep anywhere at any time, and Donnie's brain doesn't shut off without something absurdly loud blasting in his ears. Raph can hear it even now, music faintly bleeding out of his headphones.

But Raph and Leo have always been light sleepers at best – borderline insomniacs at worst. It's one thing they have in common, and like all the things they have in common – they're so different in it at the same time.

Raph's body feels electric, his veins all adrenaline and excitement – no blood. He spends many nights restless, the last one to go to bed and the first one to rise.

He trains, the line between his fingers and sai always blurry; he paces around the lair; he runs along rooftops, feet dangling off the edge. And then his body shuts off, as sudden as a car shutting down on a red light, and he passes out – dead to the world.

He runs himself dry, and then he picks himself up again, over and over again.

When Leo stays up, he's a shadow of himself the next morning.

Raph sighs, quietly, his mind ticking away the minutes till he'll be able to sneak out of the room without Dad sitting right on his tail.

In his bed, Leo shifts again.

Raph sighs again, louder this time.

“You up?” He asks, voice lowered.

Leo's quiet for a moment, his shell turned to Raph, until he finally exhales, giving in.

“Yeah.”

Raph sits up, shifting to his knees. He takes his pillow with him, tucking it under his chest as he turns, facing Leo's bed without a moment of hesitation, like its second nature.

At this point, it might as well be.

It's an old tradition of theirs – maybe even older than the stars on his ceiling.

All four of them have been sharing beds, rooms, spaces for as long as he can recall. It's not home without his brothers, even if Mikey has a tendency to snore, the light from Donnie's phone or computer woke him up on more than one occasion, and Leo never quite grew out of the habit of borrowing things without asking.

The room is all of theirs, but late nights belong to him and Leo only.

Raph and Leo never had that much in common, always opposites in some way or another, like two puzzle pieces from the same box, but not made to snap together.

When Raph was younger, he never had patience for puzzles. He'd push the carton and paper squares until they fit, by sheer force and spite alone.

He'd make Leo cry with that, because his brother always did when they broke the rules to any game, which made him a rotten playmate, but taught Raph the valuable skill of never quite letting Leo know when he was making up new ones.

Sometimes, during late nights, in the glow of Leo's fairy lights and Raph's stars, he's doing it again.

But he doesn't think Leo minds this time around.

They've spent hours like this, and sometimes, Raph thinks he wouldn't mind if this was the rest of his life.

Sometime ago, April asked them what they thought their heaven would look like. It was a silly question, related to some show that Raph was only half paying attention to. He can't quite remember what he answered, something related to this or other celebrity.

It was a lie anyway.

He thinks it would be this.

Leo shifts, turning to lay on his stomach, arms crossed under his chin.

“What's up?” Raph asks.

Leo's fingers drum on his forearms, and he takes a deep breath, like he has to steady himself.

“Nothing,” he says, and he's a bad lair. “Just... Hanging out.”

“Hanging out?”

“Yeah,” Leo says, and Raph can almost hear his mind racing.

He's barely exaggerating.

His brother's brain always seemed to work a mile a minute, too fast for his own good, his thoughts too big. He knows Leo struggles to catch up with his own mind sometimes, words spilling out of his mouth like he was going to swallow down his own tongue.

He thinks it might be even worse when he's staying quiet.

“You're getting worked up about something again,” Raph huffs.

Leo raises his head, frowning, probably to feel a little taller than him.

He's been outgrowing Leo since they were toddlers, and he doesn't think his brother ever quite got over it.

“I'm not,” Leo says defensively, his fingers flexing against his pillow.

“Yes, you are,” Raph says. “Look at you, you've got the shakes.”

Leo looks down at his own hands, like he just noticed them.

He shifts, intertwining his fingers under his chin, then turns again, laying them flat on the pillow, not helping his point in the slightest.

“Come on, man. Work with me.”

Raph puts his elbow on his pillow, cheek resting against his palm.

He's known Leo all his life, and knows his tendency to work himself up to the point of boiling, always over nothing, like the back of his own hand.

Leo tried explaining it to them, once.

How he runs something over and over in his mind, until it takes on a completely new shape, until he can't remember what parts really happened and what parts he's scared of happening.

How he can lay out every reason why he shouldn't bother himself about it, but his fingers still go numb and stiff, and his heart races in his throat like he's going to choke on it.

How he gets sick on his own thoughts.

Raph never quite got it.

But Donnie must've, because he pulled Leo into his tent that evening, their voices hushed and the light from the computer's monitor bright.

That night, Leo didn't take his mask off to sleep, and he chewed on the ends of it until they frayed.

Raph doesn't remember ever finding out what they talked about, but he knows that after came a lot of ''articles'' that Donnie was sending and that Leo never read. They argued about it some.

But what Raph does know, is that there's no real calming when Leo gets like this. It's best to let him run his course, let him spill over – his worry and nerves deep but not endless. Or so he hopes.

“I'm just...” Leo says finally, drumming his fingers against his palm, seemingly completely forgetting about keeping them still. “It's kind of stupid.”

“You are kind of stupid,” Raph says, on instinct. Leo sends him a glare, and he raises his hands up in a defensive gesture. “Alright, alright, just shoot.”

Leo bites his lip, lowering his gaze.

“I just keep thinking...” He doesn't look at Raph when he says it, but there's a certain panicked quality to his words, like he's scared he's going to run out of them at any second. “We almost died, Raph.”

Raph blinks.

He shifts a little in his place, mulling over Leo's words, until he finally says:

“Well, yeah. Which time specifically?”

Leo's neck straightens, and there's a new expression on his face, something open and wounded.

“That's the thing!” He catches himself raising his voice, and lowers it again. “So many times. Like, that's not...” He takes a shaky breath. “What if something happened to any of us? Any of you?”

Instinctively, Raph reaches back, tracing his fingers over the healed shell – a leftover scar from splitting it in half.

“But we didn't. Die, I mean,” he says.

It is true.

There's a certain gratefulness he carries with himself nowadays. Every day he gets to wake up and eat breakfast next to his family, every day he gets to bicker with his brothers in the evening, every day he gets to stretch his back and feel the ache in his shell slowly fade away.

He doesn't think about the 'what ifs'. They're not worth it.

He tells Leo so, but his brother only scratches at his arm, his shoulders raising, like he's trying to hide away.

“It's not that.” He huffs. “It was real. That's not a 'what if', it's an 'almost reality'.”

“Yeah, that's what 'what if' means, dipshit.” Raph scoffs.

He's not really annoyed, more so confused.

“You don't get it.” Leo sounds more upset now; he speaks a little faster. “We could've died, Raph. Isn't that terrifying?”

Raph sucks on his teeth.

Right, maybe he is a little annoyed. But only on Leo's behalf, for the way his stupid brain functions.

“I mean... It was, in the moment.”

He winces a little, seeing the face Leo pulls at that.

“Yeah. And it still is!” He doesn't bother lowering his voice anymore. “You're telling me you never think about it?”

“No,” Raph says, which is mostly true. “I try not to,” he adds, which is a little more honest.

“Well, that's what I'm trying to do!” Leo turns suddenly, laying with his back flat on the bed. “But it keeps catching up to me.”

“Seems like you're not trying hard enough,” he says.

He knows it’s a mistake the moment the words leave his mouth.

Leo's fingers squeeze his blanket so much they shake. His throat bobs, and there's a certain twitch to his lips that Raph knows all too well.

It makes something in his chest squeeze painfully.

“Are you going to cry?” He says, and it's a genuine question.

It doesn't really sound like one, he realizes.

There's a sudden flash of anger on Leo's face, and he raises his hands, throwing them in the air.

“Well, I'm sorry?” His voice pitches, all wobbly. “Sorry for having emotions! God, you're such an asshole.”

Leo pushes his palms against his wet eyes, taking in a shaky breath.

They lay in silence for a minute or two, taking in the quiet beat of Donnie's music and Mikey's soft snore.

“Sorry for caring about you.” Leo says finally, putting his hands down.

He sounds wet and fragile, and petty as hell, which Raph supposes he can't blame him for.

This is the thing, he supposes. It's how it goes with them.

Leo used to always cry whenever one of them did; those big, sad tears that used to annoy Raph to no end, because what does Leo have to cry about?

He started to understand it more as they got older.

He likes when Leo cries holding him, when Raph's own emotions get too big to carry. It makes him feel cared for, in a way. Validated, maybe.

He thinks about that now, watching his brother sniffle, and says:

“Well, I'm sorry, too.”

Leo turns to look at him, his cheek on the pillow.

Raph turns away, just so he doesn't have to endure Leo looking at him with those eyes.

And damn it, he's always had the biggest, saddest eyes.

He thinks about Leo when they were younger, how much he cared for things like rules, and putting their toys away at the end of the day, and keeping out of the places Dad told them to stay away from. And how much he cared for them.

Leo cares for all of them so much, and this is how he shows it.

Raph is grateful to still get to fall asleep next to his brothers every day. Leo is scared, that one day he won't.

“... Apology accepted,” Leo whispers, wiping his nose on the back of his hand.

Then he grimaces, as if disgusted with himself.

Raph shifts on his bed, pushing his shell up the wall.

“Come here,” he says, pulling his covers away.

It's been a while.

They're both bigger now, and Leo's shell doesn't fit fully on the bed, and his knee digs into his thigh, but it doesn't really matter, because Raph doesn't need their puzzle pieces to fit perfectly to make his point.

“I'm here,” he tells him. “So I can't be dead, right? That's what matters. This the 'actual reality', Lee.”

Leo sniffles once again.

“Yeah,” he says, quietly. Then, very suddenly: “Donnie says it's anxiety.”

Raph frowns.

“What?”

“My...” He stops for a moment, like he's considering his own words. “When I get the shakes.” He decides on, finally.

“Oh,” Raph says. “Okay.”

“He says I should talk to a doctor about it.”

They've been to the doctors a few times now – once they figured out that for what it was worth, veterinarians have a better general understanding of turtles. But he's not sure how much vets could know about Leo's brain.

“Do you want to?” He asks instead.

Leo shrugs, and that's that. Raph doesn't push.

They don't say anything after that, and Leo curls up on his side, his forehead touching Raph's elbow.

Raph watches the stars on his ceiling and the posters surrounding them.

He's still able to make space for them. He's making them fit.

And he'll do the same for his brother.

Every time.

[dysfunctional-doodle]

Just watched Mutant Mayhem, here are my thoughts!

Overall: Yes, very good I suggest everyone watch it when they can or I will break your knees :)

I’m going to end up rambling far too much unless I split this properly, so I’m going to break it down into sections starting from what I believe is most important in a movie.

This post is still going to be a mess ngl

Story: 8/10

The story is actually very good! It was paced very well and ended in a very touching way. No character interactions or plot beats felt forced or cliché, and no forced identity politics which is always a plus.

The action scenes - of course they were amazing. Paired with the stellar animation, each action scene was brilliantly directed and choreographed. The start shows the turtles’ origin story is similar to most of the iterations with its own unique factors - in this case the ooze was created by Baxter Stockman.

The conflict of the plot was well written, the final act was great and ends with a hopeful and satisfying ending (there is a mid credit scene that teases something big for the series though!).

If it’s any consolation, it’s also very friendly to new fans of TMNT - I went with someone who has not seen any TMNT media before and they really liked it and understood it easily.

Characters: 9/10

Needless to say, all the characters were very well done. Despite its run time and large cast, each one feels grounded with their own unique personality.

For starters: the four main boys! They were done brilliantly - Mikey being hopeful and optimistic whilst naturally being empathetic, Raph channeling chaotic good energy with his iconic rage personality not being over the top, Donnie being a geek in the best way possible, and Leo trying to be a good leader and anxious, always looking out for his brothers but not a complete teachers pet. All very likeable, and I can’t wait to see them in the series!

Splinter: probably the best since 2003! Openly caring of his sons and worries a great deal about how humans will perceive them. Has his own trauma from his experience with humans so he tries to protect his sons by isolating them completely, but eventually realises that his own view of humans should not affect his son’s happiness and lets them fulfil their dream of trying to be accepted by humans even if he will never like humanity himself. Peak character development, 10/10.

Villain/s: all of them felt fleshed out and I look forward to seeing them in the series! Posed their own genuine threats with varying levels of morals. Again, all were fleshed out quite well and played a role in the story.

April: honestly, she didn’t have too much in it compared to the others but does play a key role in the final act and the ending itself. An interesting iteration of April, curious to see more of her.

Animation: 10000000/10

It was brilliant. What else can I say? Though inspired by Spider-verse it is its own style which is amazing to look at. It thrives in action scenes and landscapes. Another groundbreaking style that I hope to see influence others.

Music: 8/10

It slaps. Almost all of them I will be playing for the next week or so. The soundtracks really set the mood beautifully, especially the sombre track. Paired with the animation - ugh - chefs kiss

Overall Rating: 8/10

I am usually very very harsh with films, so for me to rate anything above a seven is basically unheard of. Probably my favourite movie of 2023, and my favourite TMNT movie. 2003 only just beats it overall but that’s mostly because I’ve known it for longer - who knows, a few more rewatches and it might overtake.

[thefiercest]

TMNT Name meanings

Leonardo - The name Leonardo means, (and I am pretty sure you can all guess), "Brave Lion."

For a fearless leader, the name Leonardo, was perfect for Leo's character. It suits him well in every TMNT that has ever been, even in the 2018 version.

Being fearless is what Leo is most known for, it is why his younger brothers look up to him and why Raph nicknamed him, "Fearless."

Raphael - The name Raphael means, "God has healed"

Even though I doubt the turtles were raised to believe in God and were more raised in buddhism since that is most likely Splinter's religion. I think the name Raphael is suiting for a protector like him.

Think about it, "God has healed" meaning, God is always watching over you and is always ready to help you when you need him.

You just got to have a little faith.

Even though his brothers questioned him sometimes because of his lack of control over his temper, you can still always count Raphael to be there to stand beside you and protect you when you are in danger.

Donatello - The name Donatello means, "Given; Gift from God"

As we all know Donnie if very gifted, so this name is very, very suiting and you know what, not just that but he is like a gift to the world. With Donnie and his brains, he holds the power to change everything.

Make the world a better place and is always able to find a solution to problems. Without Donnie and his gifts, his brothers wouldn't have the equipment they needed for the Kraang or any other threat and they could have come home dead without Donnie's doctor skills.

So yeah, Donnie is gifted but he is also a gift for everyone else.

Michelangelo - The name Michelangelo means, "He who resembles God"

This name is really, really suiting for Mikey. I know a lot think Mikey is just the goofball in the group, but he isn't.

He isn't the weakest link, he isn't just the baby brother, and he is not useless.

Mikey does a lot more than others think. He gives his family hope and faith when they can not find it for themselves. He is his brothers' strength. Mikey is always there to make sure no one falls in despair and keeps them forward.

He gives his family constant support, comfort, and he always watching their backs.

April - The name April means, "To open." - O'Neil - and the name O'Neil means, "Champion."

April I think is a good name because, "To open" meaning the opening of Spring which means like rebirth.

Think about how April was just a normal girl who had a normal life but then she meets the turtles and suddenly her whole life begins to change but she does as well. She went from a normal teenager girl to a half alien, psyche power kunoichi with mutant friends.

As for O'Neil, I think that is suiting as well because we all know that April is driven, and she will not stop until she becomes victorious.

(Pretty sure Casey's first name is Arnold so going start from there)

Arnold - The name Arnold means, "Ruler, strong as an eagle" - Casey - The name Casey means, "Brave in battle" - Jones - The name Jones means, "Son of John or Yahweh is gracious"

Arnold is suiting because despite his flaws and over-confidence, he is as strong as an eagle. He is full of freedom and holds the power for this need to protect others. He is always keeping a watchful eye, like many Vigilantes.

Casey, is always Brave in battle. He never shies away from it, only straight towards it.

As for Jones, Casey is gracious he is kind and courteous.

Monalisa - The name Monalisa means, "Beauty." - Painting represent - Cosmic link connecting humanity and nature

Monalisa is a beautiful woman, not just in appearances but spirit as well. She is so brave, so straightforward, and selfless. A true warrior.

As for the name painting, she is named after, even though Mona is not human, she still represents humanity.

Shinigami - The name Shinigami means (Which we all know), "Angel of Death."

Shinigami is a true force to be reckoned with, even though we have never seen her do it, she is shown that she will not hesitate to end someone's life and she seems to be the type who does not fear death for herself either.

She is not evil, just has evil traits and she only brings the fear of death to those who deserve it.

You know I had to save the best for last...

Miwa - The name Miwa means, "Beautiful Harmony" Karai - The name Karai means, "Spicy, sever, hot."

Miwa, I think was the perfect name for her! I know a lot of people like Karai and believe that she would never change her name to her real name, but I believe otherwise.

The name Miwa is way more suiting for this character than Karai. It may not sound as evil or as cool as Karai, but that name is suiting for the past Karais before 2012.

For this version of Karai, Miwa is better and I think I know why they chose that for her real name.

"Beautiful Harmony,"

Karai is Harmony. She is always in between, never one or the other.

What I mean is, she is not quite Foot Clan but not Hamato Clan either, she is not really a villain but not really a hero, and she is not really mutant but not really human either.

Everything about this Karai is always in the middle! She is everything! She is Foot and Hamato. She is a hero with villainess traits, and she is a mutant that can transform back into human!

I like to think that while Karai does not think or love Shredder as her father anymore, I like to think of her as the daughter of three clans, (including Tang Shen)

She has the spirit of her mother which we all know, but she has the heart of a warrior like her father, and she has the skills of a Foot solider like Shredder.

I believe Karai will accept the fact that she can not escape the things she has learned for Shredder, but she can take what she has learn and make it better. I don't believe Karai would want to stay Karai because Karai is no longer who she is.

Karai was a ruthless vengeful villain, she was Shredder's daughter, and a powerful weapon for the Foot clan.

Miwa is no longer vengeful or hateful, she was Hamato Yoshi's and Tang Shen's daugher, and she was no one's weapon or tool.

Miwa is Karai's future and Karai is Miwa's past.

(I love Karai so much as you can probably tell)

I do not like the name meaning for Karai, I don't really think they thought that name through either like Saki's name. The only one I agree with is sever, that's suiting. But spicy and hot?

I don't know. I don't like it.

So that's the end of that.

I just love it when names fit the character, that's why I am always so nit-picky about names and why I always change them, is because I want it to be perfect for the character. I don't like picking random names just because I think it sounds good.

When you make a character, you can't just like throw stuff together, you know?

You have to think it through. You got a think about appearances, personality, the clothes they wear, the things they like, physical movements, their name!

Every little thing is important. It makes the character who they are! That's why when I watch shows or read books, I pay attention to every little detail. I don't just like the character because they are strong, or I think they look cool; I have to like everything about the character.

People put so much thought and work into their characters and for people, like my dumb brother, to say that's my favorite character because they look cool and are a lot stronger than the others. I think is just disrespectful to the creator. I do.

There is so much to the character than just looks and fighting abilities. I lot of things that they worked hard on, so you can get to know the character, you know? They make the character to be someone you can relate to.

Like Karai is my favorite character, not because she is a badass but because I relate to her so much! I never been through the amount of what she has been through, but I know what is like to have an unloved parent, to be in someone else's control, for your whole world to fall apart in an instant, to lose someone important to you, and to be angry and hateful.

I had to rediscover myself because I never had the chance to before and I am still trying to figure myself out.

Karai was my comfort character through those times because watching her, going through worse than me and still going on fighting, just gave me hope. I know that may sound stupid, because she is not real, but it is true.

(Sorry if I was too much there, I am just really passionate about stories and characters)

[hostdoozy]

I am putting this thought here cause I think a lot about the Kraang and it is sad to see that the Rottmnt community reduced them to nothing more than set pieces or a hivemind (when they're clearly not)

I want to delve into Kraang3's abilities and how they differ from his elder siblings. so let's focus on the most DANGEROUS one out of the trio

Before I continue I do want to emphasise this point cause i cannot stress this enough, the Kraang themselves are NOT a hivemind. 1 & 2 throughout the movie have many instances of being individualistic, acting upon their own desires- the slight expectation being 3, who is obedient and restrained.

Does this mean 3 is not his own character? nope- he's still his own individual. Kraang3 is a loyal soldier awaiting commands from his Eldest brother 1 but with this being said, he's still capable of acting upon his own volition if the situation calls for it. (I.e protecting the key from Leo, then later on his confrontation with Donnie & mikey within the technodrome. )

"But Brew! How does this tie into Kraang3's abilities?"

You might be wondering. Well, my dear reader- it actually does, in some way. Now that I established that the Kraang themselves are NOT a hivemind. Kraang3 on the other hand, is capable of making them but out of other species.

The Kraang are (while not in a traditional sense) a parasitic-like race. They come to other planets for the pure purpose to conquer... to consume.. to mould the inhabitants into their ideal image.

Anything caught within it is assimilated and turned into a mindless drone. However, there is a slight flaw within 3's biomass. Which is the effects heavily vary upon the individual. Some are mutated beyond recognition- while in other instances- it merely clings itself onto the victim's flesh, invading their minds. The changes heavily vary from person to person. We don't know how far his hivemind can go- but his drones are capable of taking commands from his elder siblings at least. (side note: Biomass contains empyrean, the source of yokai and mutants.)

now, What kind of hivemind does 3Kraang create? The answer is kinda unclear. In some instances where YES, both the biomass and the drones act as an 'extension' of himself but in other moments, they're like worker bees protecting their queenbee. (the queenbee in this case, being the actual kraang, not just 3)

3's biomass can also possess machinery, creating unholy and terrifying abominations against nature. With machines- there is no will to conquer. Furthermore, 3's biomass once it reaches a certain point, can drain energy from an entire fucking city and redirect it into a MASSIVE portal into the sky.

ALL of that- is 3's doing. His siblings are incapable of doing this and are aware of it.

So before I get into that- just what the 1 & 2 abilities are? Allow me to break it down into a simpler list. we know that

Both Kraang 1 & 2 have some Shapeshifting properties. While they are not capable of changing their forms entirely, they can at least shift parts of their anatomy. This aids them in combat outside of their suits (I.e extending their limbs or shifting the density of their flesh)

Krang 1 can peer into his victim's mind. This can only be done physically and through his tendrils. It allows him to dig through their memories and gather intel. The process is evidently painful for the victim causing them to pass out upon kraang 1 retraction. (not canon however, it is worth noting that within a deleted scene. Kraang 1 instead forged a false dream in Raph's mind in which Raph "escaped" and ran back home. This was how the kraang were going to discover Tmnt's home initially)

Kraang1 can block mystic powers. Using his frills- Kraang1 can make a specific soundwave that blocks out his enemy's powers- forcing his opponent to face him and rely on their physical prowess rather than "tricks"

Both Kraang 1 & 2 are highly durable. They had buildings, wrecking balls, fucking 'acid'- thrown at them and while the experience is indeed painful, They manage. They quickly recover from that experience and press forward. They're relentless.

3's siblings never showed any signs of the same powers as he does.

Kraang1 knows this.

Throughout the entire movie. He is seen accompanying 3 the whole time, safely guarding his little brother and dictating his every move along the way. 1 knows how important 3 is to their future empire because neither he nor his sister, have what 3 has. It was not just the Technodrome they needed- it was also 3.

So even when the Technodrome was destroyed. it wasn't just the ship he was pissed about. he was also pissed about his little brother possibly perishing. 3 was IMPORTANT to their conquest, without him, They wouldn't be able to finish what they started all those centuries ago. 3's powers are crucial for their empire.

"you ruined everything!"

1 truly meant it when he said that. He admitted to defeat but retracted that statement with "You think you've won, you wretched little pest." - To sum up this moment, The dude is seething. He is coping that some teenagers outwitted him and killed his little brother, putting a cork in HIS plans. Even with the knowledge that his sister is alive back on earth. There won't be any way for her to 'reclaim' earth- since the two most essential things have been blown up to smithereens.

To conclude this weird tangent.

While Kraang1 is the eldest sibling/the leader. Kraang3 is the more dangerous one because of how he unique abilities. Without him, things would turn out very differently

also- completely unrelated, 3 reminds me of the homophobic dog meme.

okay, that is all. for now.

[shaotie]

Welcome to the Circus Warnings and Tags (contains spoilers)

available to read on ao3

rated mature, see tags below for more info.

no romantic relationships

Characters:

Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, Raphael, Splinter, April O'Neil, Agent Bishop, original human characters, Draxum, Earth Protection Force, mentioned Casey Jones, mentioned Cassandra Jones, mentioned Krang Prime, mentioned Exploding Frankie, mentioned Sunita

tags are in no particular order, this isn't an exhaustive list, I might have missed some

Tags:

tags have spoilers, post movie Rise of the TMNT, Leo-centric, angst, heavy angst, Leo angst, angst with a happy ending, angst and hurt/comfort, angst and feels, kidnapped Leo, hurt Leo, humiliation, public humiliation, embarrassment, threats, threats of violence, death threats, intimidation, psychological torture, threats of harm, anxiety attacks, psychological trauma, traumatized Leo, Leo needs a hug, emotional/psychological abuse, emotional hurt, animals, animal attack, psychopathology & sociopathy, confinement, dehumanization, handcuffs, cages, darkness, mocking, animal abuse, degradation, control issues, manipulation, emotional manipulation, good sibling Donnie, good sibling Mikey, protective Donnie, protective Raph, circus, mental anguish, ownership, master/pet, tiger, concussion, injury, major character injury, near death, food, animal death, sweet sweet angst, threats of gun violence, starvation diet, Leo is treated like a freak of nature, Leo is gawked at and put on display

🔹🔹🔹

🎪 Welcome to the Circus masterpost

[fairly-odd-takes]

Never thought I do these again but

Fairy Godsiblings Winn and Jas Pt 3:

-If they didn't pick Hazel and went with policy, their assigned Godkid would be Dev, and after day 1, they would've broke within an hour

-If they didn't get the godparenting gig, they would've gone with their second dream job, to be Fairyworlds greatest comedy duo (They would've been the Terrance and Phillip of Fairyworld with a mix of Sans and Papyrus), they already make small shows for younger kids and are a massive hit with them

-Their dynamic is like a mix between Sans and Papyrus, and Mikey and Donnie from Rise of the TMNT, typical polar opposites dynamic, but become an unstoppable force of nature when they work together (Peak Sibling Dynamic)

-Since they're young, they have a better resistance to magical backup compared to adult fairies, and during Battle of Big Wand in this AU, they actually escaped their cage to help Hazel.

.

[tiny-paws]

Pinned post! :3

Hello!! This is a blog run by a few members of our system ( @the-honey-system ) who wanted a space for agere and therian content. We take requests for moodboards, outfits and bags!

Please read our DNI near the bottom of this post before interacting!

introductions, request info and DNI below the cut!! ^^

(divider by @firefly-graphics)

Introductions!

Mikey (he/art/paint) - rottmnt fictive

- age regressor (5-9)

Bee (they/hon/paw) - brainmade

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The Doctor/Ten (any pronouns)

- doctor who fictive

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- hermitcraft/life series fictive

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Requests:

We take requests for agere and otherkin/therian related moodboards, outfit boards and bags!

We will do:

✅ fandoms: ben and holly’s little kingom, bluey, bnha, celeste, doctor who (nuwho up to s7), D20 fantasy high, glitter force, hermitcraft, life series, minecraft, mlp, nimona, pokemon, rottmnt, rpf (only some—mainly alpharad and his circle—but ask!), studio ghibli, the magnus archives, tmnt 2012, turning red, zelda botw/totk

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✅ moodboards: a collection of photos with a theme, meant to look nice!

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✨ be as specific as you want with requests, although if something’s too specific we might not get it perfect. if your request is very general, we may take artistic liberties!

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if you are/post any of these, please do not interact. we will just block you.

(dni banner used in our posts made by @little-catgirlboy)

Tags list!

#mikey chirps — mikey’s posts/rbs

#bee meows — bee’s posts/rbs

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Userboxes!!

(theyre very fun so we have lots hehe)

(userboxes, in order, made by: @empyrangel, @me-and-the-squad-being-otherkin, @chronicallylav3nd3r, @xenohunt, @inclusysboxes , @very-normal-userboxes, @sweetpeauserboxes, @strwbubs, @strwbubs, @scungledfiles, @lil-kibby-zone, @pumpkinangelminnie, @sweetpeauserboxes, @sysboxes, @scungledfiles, @bi-lesbian, @sweetpeauserboxes, @cutevintagetoys, @tazmaboxed, @sysboxes)

[celtrist]

Wanted another creature design for my portfolio, and this is a creature design I'm still pretty proud of (it was just very out of my usual designs, Other than being semi-cat-like lol)

This is a creature I actually made up for a fanfic year back, wouldn't you know? A TMNT 2012 fanfic of all things. And while I'm not sure I'd go back to that fic, I CERTAINLY would love to use these guys again. Whether in a fanfic or an original thing. (and if anyone else is intrigued by the idea of these guys, feel free to yoink it for your own ideas!) Below is a summary of what they were (or what I had in a Google doc) and three of the important ones that are flat out "characters". The above design is a bit of what the general population looks like!

So, to have a quick background: I wanted a story where the happy-go-lucky character (in this case, Mikey from TMNT) went mute. I really like mute characters and had (and still sorta do) a guilty pleasure of putting happier/innocent characters in situations where they're sorta disabled. Paralyzed, deaf, blind, and of course mute. But I wanted to be fancy, I guess, and give a potential in-world reason why Mikey would go mute. And I had the bright idea that "turtle can't talk without vocal cords". Do turtles have vocal cords? NO MATTER BECAUSE I MADE THIS WHOLE ALIEN SPECIES JUST TO MAKE THE HAPPY TURTLE A SILENT, MISERABLE TURTLE. So this is sorta made in mind to torture any happy sort of character, forcing them to go mute and traumatize them.

These guys are an alien race called "Nectrids". A name that was not set to be final, but I never came up with another name. Something about it just sounded offensive, and I wasn't sure why, so... sorry if it is. They come and go to different planets and steal the vocal cords of organisms. I also had it originally that they stole other organs, but it's the vocal cords that are important here. They steal vocal cords because the race naturally having none. This, as a result, makes them pretty much unable to speak to others and move forward as their own culture… thing. Thus, they’ve developed technology that allows one to take the vocal cords of an individual and place it into someone else without issue. The race itself has a telepathic hive mind, however, it only goes between their own race. In the OG story, there's news about people disappearing for differing number of days, only to be found alive (sometimes dead because aliens are inconsiderate about putting unconscious people somewhere safe) with thick black stitches across their necks and their vocal cords missing, in turn making them mute. I like to imagine they'd call this mysterious person "The Siren" on the news. But little did anyone know it wasn't one person but all the gosh dang Nectrids doing this. And they had an interesting way of selecting individuals who would get their vocals stolen.

To just yoink out of the Google Doc I have here: "Once finding a target, Nectrids normally plant a tracker on their target and carefully study them before instigating phase two of the cycle. Phase two involves invading their home with an aroma/chemical/gas that causes anyone who inhales it to slowly become irritable, the longer they breathe it in. The smell isn’t lovely, just thought I would note that here. Once the smell begins to fade out with the implanted chemicals that begin to strengthen the victim’s or anyone around them's feelings, they begin to lash out more openly and release all their festering irritability. The results vary between people, but the ideal situation is to have the victim either leave or be left alone completely as well in a state where they’re either disoriented, not thinking straight, or tired as those can be the three after effects after the release of the chemical/agitation of a victim’s body (as well as the build up such as some may find it far too difficult to sleep and lose sleep because of it)." I don't know if that all makes sense, but the idea (that was in the story) was for those around the victim (in this case, Mikey from TMNT) to grow irritable and short with them to the point the victim would leave their home or somehow be isolated from everyone else. I think the after effects of disorientation, tiredness, and whatever else it was affect both the victim and anyone else who was affected by the chemicals. This was 2020-

2020?!

Okay, so I guess it just maybe made more sense in my head. Maybe it has something to do with emotional intelligence? Because we are about to get into that aspect of the species. And to put it bluntly: they don't like high emotional intelligence. It is really counterintuitive to their hive mind way of life. They try to avoid prey with high emotional intelligence because something about the Nectrids steals an organism's vocal cords, leaving a potential for that Nectrid and the Organism to form an emotional bond (including the ability to use telepathy between the two parties). And the higher the emotional intelligence, the likelier that bond would occur and emotions seep into the Nectird... I guess. Hey, don't look at me, this is 2020 me talking. The thick lines you see across the Nectrid's design above is actually stitches! Reflecting the Nectrid having successfully stolen some vocal cords for themselves that allows them to speak aloud. Nectrids that haven't gotten themselves a pair of vocal cords just don't have the thick lines in that neck area. Their victims also would have thick stitches across the neck. But to show off some of the "characters" I had:

This is Renegade. They get their name since they broke off from the hive mind and is, well, acting as a renegade. Their color shifts from purple to orange to reflect Michelangelo, as that was where they stole their vocal cords from. They more or less jump-started the story. They're relatively young (not a kid, maybe a teen/young adult?), and more or less messed up their hunt. Going for the individual with high emotional intelligence rather than someone else. As a result, after kidnapping and getting their victim (originally Mikey from TMNT 2012, just as a reminder), they began having feelings outside the hivemind, sharing their victim's emotions. I guess during that time, the purple in their eyes, nails, and slits changed from purple to orange because of that.

In the original story, Renegade was planned to meet up with Mikey, they form a little friendship, get the gang together, and form a plan to take down the system of Renegade's home planet to stop what they're doing with the vocal cords. Blah blah blah, story stuff that no one cares about, kicker at the end was despite everything and their close bond/friendship: Renegade was never going to give the vocal cords back to Mikey that would allow him to speak again. I think I had it that they wanted them because they were gonna be the new leader and needed it to speak with other alien races, but I mean... overall not cool probably. So the end of the story left Mikey still mute and him and his family and friends more or less not cool with Renegade. Which fair. My guy stole the kid's vocal cords, grew a conscience about it, and still wasn't giving them back.

This is The Vescraal (you know, because of the thing I wrote in the bottom left). The Vescraal is essentially the leading general of the army/hive and right hand to The Nahvid. Ves here is closest kin to Renegade and was meant as a reflection of the turtle brothers and Mikey's relationship (with one underestimating the other, Ves didn't really think much of Renegade). Just to take a snippet from the OG doc again: "The colors the two characters have lowkey represent this sort of mirror. Renegade - after aligning themselves and bonding with Mikey (not physically seeing as they have the following color once they meet properly) - have bright orange coloring to match Mikey’s chi, or aura, or whatever. Vescraal obviously isn’t bonded to Leo, Raph, or Donnie, but his colorations in different parts represent each. There’s the typical coloring of the eyes and slits and nails of nectrids being purple - with adjustments so that it’s more vibrant and darker than normal nectrids - and he has an eyepatch that’s made of a bright blue flower, and his wrappings that show his status is red. The gem that’s stitched into his throat is also green, though this isn’t to symbolize anything necessarily."

The Vescral has red bandages, the gem, and I think the flower, all to signify their position as general. They're very strong, as seen with the subtle glow to the purple of their nails and slits.

Ooo... we at big boi. This is The Nahvid. The Nahvid, if you couldn't tell, is the "queen bee", so to speak, of the hive. The king, hence the big ol' crown on their head. The Nectrids are already preeeettttyyy big on average, but the Nahvid is a very big one. The biggest even.

Let's start at the neck here. The Nahvid, being the king person, has implanted themselves with many MANY vocal cords. Thus all the heavy stitching around the neck area, both front and back. I believe the idea was that in addition to speaking, the Nectrid's bodies react to vocal cords in a way that they could potentially screech a la Black Canary style. The Nahvid, having so many, has probably got some power in their lungs. I've always imagined them having a multi-layered voice, just sounding like a bunch of voices talking at the same time because of this. While I always had it where the upper arms are meant to be longer than the lower pair (something I did not take into account with the new design, sad), the Nahvid's arms were always meant to be seen as bigger than your average Nectrid's. They're also missing an arm, don't know how that happened! Maybe some sort of battle, as indicated by the tail on their left, missing a part of it. The Nahvid just sorta grew differently, never put much thought into why other than "they just did". It was probably similar to how bees feed larvae something called "royal jelly" so those larvae would grow with the traits of a queen bee rather than a drone bee. Anyway, this guy was just meant to be an irredeemable and final boss of the story.

In retrospect, I don't know why only two Nectrids have actual mouths (like the Nahvid, sure, could be like the queen bee thing, and they gave that guy some sort of "royal jelly" thing that made him grow differently). But the Vescraal was meant to be just a guy who was promoted. I guess the promotion was so good they were allowed a mouth?

Anyway, that's sorta what I shoveled up from the more or less dead Google Doc I had for this old fic idea. There are definitely holes, and I didn't even share everything (there's some more world stuff about their planet and the procedure they do to take vocal cords and stuff, but I don't think it's a lot or worth noting here.) Again, I'd like to use these guys again, if in part with me, maybe being a bit too proud of the designs (they were my first out of my wheelhouse designs), and I DO still like the premise I had going on.

Maybe just not for TMNT if I do another fanfic thing with them? I think I could make them from another dimension rather than the alien planet route. Original story route, no clue. They're definitely more of a "new arc to a story" thing rather than "they're the whole story". I couldn't use them for Hazbin if I wanted to, I know that. Been into Gravity Falls but y'know, even then it's kinda eeehhhh. Like, I guess aliens were more or less a confirmed thing in the show? I dunno, would probably feel better if they were alternate dimensional beings in THAT show rather than aliens, but maybe I'm crazy there. Going that route feels like it'd only work in an AU of another AU "Drifting Stars". That or just, it only happens to one character?

I dunno. Either future me can figure that out or, if this inspired anyone for literally anything, they can knock themselves out using these guys for a fanfic or something. Alternate things to fit with the world better, I do not care. To be honest, I really don't see myself using these guys OUTSIDE of the fanfic space. I-I'll update if that changes, I guess, but I doubt it. Usually not into alien stuff :/ This was a bit of an "all over the place" post, but congrats if you read all the word vomit up to this point.

[chaos-potat]

whats the old popular 2012 tmnt comic? if you want to share?

Okay, so it's a really edgy comic about 2012 Mikey realizing that he's been mistreated by his brothers. So naturally he joins forces with the foot and a demon mutant to kill people and give the turtles emo face scars and traumatize Donnie :]

There are a few oc, Nigtorra is my favorite, she's a cutie patootie (the demon mutant)

I think the only way to read it is by downloading it from Ko-fi. The creator made it when they were like 13-14 in 2013, you can tell they're young by the writing but the art slowly improves over time.

Tbh, it's my kind of thing, best comic ever in the history of 2012 fan comics

They have warnings before each section so I'll let that do the talking (Mostly blood and gore)