#1987 and 2003 tmnt are awesone

[catbowserauthor]

Blame @brightlotusmoon for getting my #TMNT and therapist brain going regarding Michelangelo. (Not that I mind!) But I thought it might be fun to actually do some diagnosing on ADHD for #Michelangelo.

Wouldn’t do this on real people because, well, ethics but either way fictional turtles it might be fun! Anyone want me to run 2003 Leo through the PTSD diagnosis?

Only doing 1987 and 2003 Mikey for now. Mainly because 2012 and Rise were already confirmed by the creators. 2003 and 1987 Mikey were before the disorder was really being used actively in media, at least compared to now.

So, basically the way ADHD is diagnosed is symptoms are split between inattentive and hyperactive. If you get 6 or more in inattentive you’re “predominantly inattentive type.”

If you get 6 or more symptoms on hyperactive, you’re “predominantly hyperactive type.”

If you get 6 between the types or 6 or more on both sides, you’re combined type.

The diagnosis criteria is pretty long so while I won’t list every one, I figured it would be fun to see what we got. Again, this is just for fun and normally, you do not diagnose someone you haven’t met or spoken with/had a therapeutic relationship with but since we dealing with fictional characters here, I think we’re good.

So, my initial thought was Mikey was absolutely going to be hyperactive type. Especially 2003 Mikey.

But…

Both 2003 and 1987 Mikey got combined type. Go figure.

For those wondering, here’s how the numbers panned out:

1987 Mikey

Inattentive symptoms:

6 out of 9

Hyperactive Symptoms:

6 out of 9

So, 1987 Mikey is literally split right down the middle. This actually makes a lot of sense to me as he was definitely not as outgoing as the more recent versions.

As for….

2003 Mikey:

Inattentive Symptoms:

6 out of 9

Hyperactive Symptoms;

8 out of 9

So, 2003 Mikey leans a bit more to hyperactive but is still absolutely a combined type.

Both of them did NOT have the “lack of attention to detail” symptom. In fact, I’d argue they’re very detail oriented.

ADHD presents so differently among people and I’m always glad to see it given some recognition with characters people relate to. Both 2003 Mikey and 1987 Michelangelo are amazing fighters, creative minds and just such sweethearts…

[catbowserauthor]

*grin* I may be writing my first 03/87 #TMNT crossover. Cause I love them both.

And I say first because…well, this is too much fun not to keep doing.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/65103334/chapters/167427178

A lot of being a fan of multiple TMNT iterations is wishing for your favorite version of the turtles would meet all the other versions of turtles, but accepting that it probably won’t happen and trying to settle your craving with fanfics.

Unless you’re mainly a 1987 TMNT fan. Then you also wish that one of the crossovers you got was more accurate to their characters.

[catbowserauthor]

The Most Certain of Uncertainties

So there's a hurt/comfort prompt list floating about and I wanted to do it. We’ll be trading off between 1987 and 2003 verse because those are my favs. I suspect this will be heavy on Michelangelo. I'm aiming for 1000 words or less but we’ll see…

Amid a world of uncertainty, the turtles know one thing that is rock solid is their bond with one another.

Chapter One: 1987 “I Know You’re Hurt”

Walking was excruciating.

Michelangelo wasn't sure when in the last battle his ankle had taken a hit but it sure had. Not enough to stop him, though.

Shredder and his minions had fled back into the earth, just like they always did. A victory pizza at Vinnie’s, just like they always did. April playing damage control just like she always did.

The slow walk home through the sewers.

Michelangelo had dropped into the waters, despite his brothers sticking to the walkways. The cold water eased the pain, if only a little, and with all the stuff in the water, his limping was far less noticeable.

Leonardo leapt down beside him, suddenly pulling Michelangelo’s left arm over his shoulder.

Well, he thought it was less noticeable.

“Compadre, I’m okay--”

“Don't lie to me.” The rare ‘I’m the leader and Big Brother’ tone had entered his voice. “I know you’re hurt. We’ve been watching you limp for long enough.”

“We?”

Another splash and his right arm was thrust over another shoulder.

“Yeah, we. You aren’t the best actor, Michelangelo.”

Raphael. With an odd note of concern in his voice.

A third splash and Donatello was knee down in the gunk, prodding at his ankle that had started to swell and turn a lovely shade of blue.

“Definitely sprained. Don't think it’s broken but we’ll need to check it better once we get home. For now, stay off of it.”

As if on cue, Leonardo and Raphael lifted and Michelangelo gave a half sigh of both resignation and relief as the pressure on his ankle vanished.

Feet dangling a few inches above the ground, Michelangelo confessed as his two brothers carried his weight inside. “Sorry, amigos. Getting hurt is not bodacious and was not on my to-do list today.”

“Never is,” Raphael remarked. “Wish you'd told us earlier--”

“I was—”

“—I wasn’t done. I can't clobber the one that hurt you if I don't know you're hurt!”

An odd warmth settled in the surfer turtle’s chest. Maybe a little odd to associate threats of violence with love but it wouldn't be Raphael otherwise.

“Why didn't you tell us, Michelangelo?” Leonardo’s calm voice pulled his attention back. His older brother’s eyes held all the comfort of the universe right at that moment. Enough warmth to melt the Arctic.

“Didn't wanna be a bother. My own fault. Wasn't paying attention--”

“Oh, you know that's not true,” Donatello called back from ahead, opening the door so they could maneuver inside. “I saw you, Michelangelo. You were doing great! The bad guys just got a lucky hit in.”

Raphael and Leonardo settled their brother on the couch, pushing over the old ottoman to rest his foot on. As Donatello took to rotating the ankle this way and that (with a “sorry!” every time his brother winced or yelped) the older two vanished into the kitchen.

By the time Donatello finished his examination with, “Not broken but a pretty bad sprain, stay off of it,” Leonardo was back with an ice pack, bandages, and Raphael with Tylenol, soda, and a slice of pizza.

Michelangelo took it all wordlessly for a moment then with a smile, “Thanks, amigos.”

After binding the ankle and settling the ice pack firmly, Leonardo handed him the remote and took a seat on the couch. Being careful to leave enough room to not jostle his leg, he let Michelangelo lean against his side. A hurt Mikey was a cuddly Mikey.

Donatello selected one of the tapes that had seen this most wear, even though he was fairly certain they could all recite it in their sleep. Lifting it, he asked, “The Thing Versus Bugman in Zombie LA?”

His younger brother’s eyes lit up. “Tubuloso pick, Dude! That's a classic!”

“Naturally.” Inserting the cassette, Donatello took a seat on the chair closest to the kitchen—to retrieve meds or snacks as needed.

Raphael stood for a bit but ultimately shrugged, killed the lights, and plopped down on the armrest, closest to Michelangelo.

As the opening credits began to roll, he nudged his youngest brother who tilted his head up, curiosity on his face.

“Next time,” Raphael said sternly with no kidding on his face, “Those bozos show up…you tell me who did it, got it?”

With a smile amid the low light, as Michelangelo made himself comfortable, the youngest replied:

“Promise.”

[catbowserauthor]

Some Things Are Universal

Chapter 2

2003 Universe

The night was dark, overcast with storm clouds and not even the moon shone through. A dark and sinister feeling crept over the city, despite the artificial neon lighting and constant horns that promised shelter.

The perfect night for a turtle run if ever there was one.

“And Silver Sentry said they haven’t met duplicates of themselves! The Turtle Titan has one up on the Justice Force!”

Donnie shook his head. “Mikey, aren’t you part of the Justice Force?”

“Yeah but this is different!” He grinned, did a front handspring as he landed atop a laundry line between buildings.

Raph and Leo exchanged glances with a roll of the eyes.

“You know, I wouldn’t exactly be bragging about little you,” Raph remarked as he leapt over his brother’s tightrope walk. “He had less brains than you do. And I didn’t even think that was possible.”

“Raph…” the warning in Leo’s voice went unheeded. If anything, it just added to the fire.

“Oh, don’t play all innocent, Leo.” His voice broke into a laugh. “I think they drove you more bonkers than anyone else.”

A twitch of the eye but nothing else. Leo couldn’t exactly deny it. They had driven him crazy.

But they had courage. Less than he thought a ninja should have but maybe he was being unfair. Their worlds were completely different.

“They might have been…tiresome but they were fighters. They’re the reason the Prime turtles survived Ch’rell.”

“I call it dumb luck.”

“You’d know about dumb—“

“Hey, Sam and Diane, are you done or should we come back later?” Donnie twisted his Bo around his wrist as they ran, seemingly immune to the poisonous glares his brothers gave in unison. “Cause there’s a Purple Dragon get together happening and I really don’t want to wait for the next one.”

Leo and Raph stopped mid-insult as Donnie took off at a run.

Mikey joined Donnie’s side with a spring in his step. “Cheers, bro? Really?”

“I was just glad Master Splinter didn’t insist on General Hospital.”

OOO

Hun paced, watching with a careful eye while being vigilant about the tight fit of his mask about his face.

Honestly, there was no need for it. The orbs being made now were false—pink coloring and nothing more but they looked real. They looked important. So, as bothersome as the mask was , it completed the illusion. Deception was the heart of all dealings in this city.

This other world Shredder was not shy about sharing resources but he was also cautious. The flowers provided were so rare that only four smoke bombs had been able to be made. All four of those sat in Hun’s pouches.

But four was all he would need.

Hun stared down at his human skin. Every so often, a green sheen would take it, a reminder of what still lingered, just barely kept out of reach.

He was human…for now. But this other Shredder had been very clear: failure would mean he would not deliver the second dose required to make the de-mutation permanent. He was not going to give away gifts.

Fitting, maybe. Perhaps all Shredders had that arrogant power trip to their character.

But Hun was more than happy to fulfill the requirements. Become human again by eliminating the ones responsible for taking his humanity away?

He had his doubts, his suspicions. Past experience with other Shredders had long since taught him to expect nothing that was promised.

But the prospect of the turtles’ demise was too tempting to pass up, even if he ended up doing it for free.

A sound. Scrapping, though faint among the ceiling tiles. The kind of sound you would have missed entirely if you weren’t listening for. And so faint that even someone with his skill…

No even someone beyond his skill couldn’t have heard it.

He’d added the water enhancement sensors (who knew something as simple as water could heighten surveillance?) after one too many ambushes, courtesy of Karai.

“They’re here. Remember your roles.”

OOO

“Purple Dragons are losing their edge.” Mikey leapt from the roof to the highest beam, swinging up to press against the ceiling. “I mean, this was sloppy security.”

“I agree. It’s too easy.” Leo frowned, leading the way onto the uppermost floor, his brother following one by one, “I smell a trap.”

“I think you’re smelling more than a trap, bro. I don’t think hygiene is high on gangsters’ to do list.” Mikey grinned as he dropped next to his brothers.

Raph knocked him upside the head as he brought up the rear.

“Ow!”

“Ain’t high on your list either, Chucklehead—“

“Hush.” Leo raised a hand and slipped ahead. “There’s a group just below us.”

Raph huffed but lowered his voice. “Gee, thanks for the tip. In case you forgot, we’re ninjas too, Leo.”

Without missing a beat or even turning to look at him, the oldest quipped.

“Then act like it.”

Commotion below stopped any further argument and Donnie slid a panel to the side, just enough to give them a clear view.

Rows of men and women with lab coats and studying different vials. Some small, some large but all with a bright pink shade.

Raph sxratched his head. “Since when do these guys make Pepto Bismol?”

“I doubt it’s something that innocent. Why bothering with all the sneaking?” Leo turned to his purple banded sibling. “Donnie?”

“Could be a few things…phenolphthalein, cobalt chloride, or maybe…some compounds with lithium. But, I can’t think of any purpose any of those would serve for Purple Drgona.”

“New name?” Mikey grinned.

“Mikey!”

“Ow!”

But even as he rubbed his head, the youngest turtle said, “I dunno guys. This feels wrong.”

“Wrong?” Donnie asked. “What do you mean?”

“It feels…fake.”

Anything further was put on hold when that criminal above their heads suddenly exploded and gravity did the rest.

FRED WOLF UNIVERSE

Michelangelo froze, mid kick.

Raphael swiped his foot out from under him, landing his youngest brother on his back before he realized his opponent hadn’t just stopped on purpose.

“Not the best time to zone out, Michelangelo.” Offering a hand to his brother, Raphael frowned when it took nearly two minutes for the younger one to accept the gesture.

“Hey, time out a minute!” Calling to his other brothers, Raphael moved to a set of chairs at the wall as Mastet Splinter made his way over.

“What is it, Raphael?” Donatello asked.

“Ask him.” Raphael grasped Michelangelo’s shoulder. “He’s the one that went blue screen of death on me.”

Splinter frowned, as his youngest had yet to say a word. The old master gently clasped his hands over the turtle’s. “My son,” he spoke softly. “What troubles you?”

Quiet for a moment then kind snapping out of a dream, Michelangelo grasped at his chest. “Something’s wrong, dudes.”

“What? What is it?” Leonardo leaned forward.

“I…I dunno Dude. But something is happenin’ and it’s totally bogus. Something bad, real bad.”

Leonardo and Raphael exchanged glances. While they certainly did their fair share of teasing their family had learned that Michelangelo had a spiritual sense that was to be believed. It was “untrained and young” according to Master Splinter but definitely there.

It’s what let him just know what people were feeling (and a lot of the times why). It was why after every battle, he was emotionally spent even without much physical action.

It let him understand animals. Pete the Pigeon was just the most obvious.

It alerted him to danger, even if it was not always precise. They likely would have done better if they’d paid his feelings more heed.

And when he did share his “bizarro” dreams, they were too on the nose to be coincidence.

So, if Michelangelo said something bad was happening, they believed him. If it hit him hard enough he lost focus, it was even more prevalent.

But narrowing it down…there in came the hard part.

“My student, I know your preciseness with such feelings are still developing.” As always, no judgement in their Master’s voice. “All the same, I need you to try. Emotions are easiest for you. Can you use that as a guide?”

“I dunno Master…” he began.

Leonardo smiled, “Guve it a try, Michelangelo!”

Donatello nodded. “You’ve gotten better at it. I may not understand how but I know it’s there.”

Raphael snorted, crossed his arms. “It sure isn’t gonna be any of us that can narrow it down. Give it a shot, Professor X.”

Michelangelo winced, more out of doubt at himself but how did yiu turn down confidence like that?

Master Splinter gently patted his hands. “I have complete confidence in you, my student. Please, try.”

“Well…okay.”

Closing his eyes, Michelangelo tried to feel out that emotion. That emotion so deeply tied to that sense of dread. It was like trying to out a puzzle together without the picture. The more he dug, the more pieces he found. But yes…yes, he knew this emotion.

“It’s Leonardo…”

Eyes immediately swerved to their leader but Michelangelo wasn’t finished.

“And Donatello. And Raphael. Master…all of you. All of us.” His eyes flew open. “But not this version of us.”

[catbowserauthor]

Some Things Are Universal

Prologue

@brightlotusmoon I finally decided to finish that 87 and 03 crossover that wouldn’t leave me alone!

FRED WOLF UNIVERSE

Failure was not new.

In fact, failure was one of the few constant things in Shredder’s life. For all attempts, all his schemes, all Krang’s inventions, the one thing that could always be counted on was that the turtles would defeat him.

And apparently when the multiverse became involved, that was true ten-fold. It wasn’t enough to be defeated by the turtles of his universe—-he had to be defeated by two others.

And he didn’t even get to utilize the upgrades his other self had woven into the Technodrome. Without the source Utrom technology, the weapons and armor broke down. It became necessary to strip it all away before it infected the rest of their equipment.

Watching the lasers, plates, weapons tossed away was such a horrific waste. They could have given him the entire world. The deaths of his enemies.

But once again, it was taken from him.

Just like his other self usurped everything. Seeing him obliterated in the fiery rays of his own weapon had been immensely satisfying. So much so that Shredder had even praised and awarded his two dunderhead mutants for it.

Yet, something had changed in those moments. Something inside him. He had dismissed it at first but now, as he spent the late night hours thumbing through every dimension they’d uncovered, it was evident—

Something had latched onto him in those final moments. When that Utrom Shredder had disintegrated.

Shredder knew his own rage, his own innate desire for revenge. This was similar, a burning fire deep in his gut, but it was also separate. Different.

Alien.

“I ought to cast you out.” Speaking aloud amid the empty control room as he flipped through dimension after dimension gave a sense of control, however askew it might be. “If there were something to cast out.”

There was no inner voice, no alternative presence. His mind was his own and his alone.

But there was an essence. A sense of lethality, of utter relentlessness that he knew was not his own. The deep ancient sense of revenge that even his own rival with the turtles and Splinter did not reach.

This was hatred that had been stewed in centuries.

Ch’rell might have perished in the prime dimension but it appeared his desire for revenge had not.

Much like the spirit of an Onryō would latch onto a place, Ch’rell’s desire for revenge had latched onto the closest thing that shared its trait—Shredder himself.

As if any other fate would be expected…

Much as the ninja master loathed the idea of that alien having any presence within him, when it came to a desire to destroy their enemies, they were in agreement.

Oroku Saki stopped in his cursory examination when the view screen settled on those older, taller turtles. The ones who had teamed up with his adversaries. The one Ch’rell had failed to defeat.

Without Bebop and Rocksteady around to draw his attention or Krang to ignore his ire, the ninja master thought.

He thought long and hard.

How close had he come and why had he failed. What was his enemies’ weakness?

As he watched and rewatched, his mind slowly began to scheme. To consider.

Throughout it all, one thing seemed to stand out—no matter what dimension, the turtles’ sole distraction…the thing that would cause them to falter and abandon all reason…

Was one another.

He saw it with his turtles. With those darker turtles, with the prime turtles. And as he perused the dimensions, that remained the most prominent constant.

“Their weakness is one another.”

Coloring all those thoughts was the poison of Ch’rell’s hatred and his desire to not just kill but to cause infinite suffering.

“Poison…”

Shredder grinned, a deep and maniacal one. He had nearly eliminated April O’Neil with poison once. One of his more diabolical attempts.

“Poison is one of the most ancient ninja tricks.”

The turtles had defeated him because every poison had an antidote.

“But what if…I used it in a world where not even the poison exists? How would you fare, my enemies, with no means to undo it?”

The spirit of Ch’rell laughed.

[catbowserauthor]

Some Michelangelo/Mikey about Big Brother Donnie

Because I can’t wait to share _some_ of when I cross over 87 and 03 TMNT again. Maybe we’ll get a glimpse of another universe? Maybe…

@brightlotusmoon

“Just let go, Dude!”

Mikey tightened his grip but there wasn’t much else he could do. Hanging off a crumbling wall of a skyscraper, far from his family—his captured family—

Outnumbered, outgunned, and with nowhere to go…

Well, technically there was down but it was a long way down. With nothing to jump to or catch a rope on or anything. He was barely holding as it was and his counterpart had a slippery grip on his free hand.

If the wind blew any harder or if those foot ninja happened to catch their shadows…

What a choice. Stay here and get caught like the rest of their group or let go and splattered. Mikey didn’t even know which one was worse.

“Let go?” Was his counterpart completely mental? “Let go? And go where? I’m not about to become street pizza!”

“We won’t, Dude!” He lifted up his other palm, where a small metal rod sat. “I’ve got Donatello’s dimensional key, remember? We can jump to another dimension where we aren’t so mondo high!”

Right. The Donatello whose lab was full of scorch marks. The one whose inventions they had to hit or rewire to get any response.

Mikey’s stomach twisted. “Uh…well, I mean, have you seen your bro’s track record?”

Michelangelo scowled. A dark look so unsuited for his face. “Hey!”

“Just stating facts!”

Silence and they both held still as shadows passed below them. Luckily, arrogance was a common weakness of their enemies and they stayed undiscovered.

Made their situation even more precarious though…

“I know Donatello isn’t that impressive to you guys.” Michelangelo had a deep emotion to his voice. “But you don’t know him like I do. He gave me this thing just in case we needed to escape. So we could regroup and come back with a better chance. My brother wouldn’t give me something that important unless he KNEW it worked.”

Mikey stared at his counterpart, more out of the passion he heard than anything else.

“My Don gets excited.” Michelangelo said, soft and clear. “He can’t wait to test theories and he’s so mondo proud of them…he doesn’t wait, doesn’t like to run tests before he calls us in to see them. But if it’s something we rely on—the turtle van, our blimp, medicines…if it’s something that has to work…”

A light laugh from the teenager. “Well, let’s just say they wouldn’t dare not work.” Michelangelo looked up, locked eyes with Mikey. “My brother is a version of your brother. Don’t you trust your brother?”

Mikey tightened his grip on his doppleganger’s hand.

Did he trust his brother? Sure, Donnie drove him crazy sometimes but he would move the rules of science if he had to in order to help them. He _had_ on several occasions.

My brother is a version of your brother. Don’t you trust your brother?

Mikey squeezed his eyes shut and let go of the wall.

[catbowserauthor]

Some Things Are Universal

Chapter 5

“I forgot how dark this world was.”

“Raphael “ Donatello gave his older brother an exasperated look. “We’re in the sewers.”

“Still darker than ours.” He swung his flashlight about, minding his steps as they went. “This whole world is a color palate that ranges from black to grey.”

Michelangelo, perhaps because being of an artistic inclination, huffed, “There’s color here, Dude. You’re just being a jerk for some reason. Our other bros need us. You didn’t have to come.”

Raphael maintained a scowl but seemed to drop some of his ire. “Like I’d leave you bozos to do this alone. I’d lose my big brother AND ninja card.”

his world freaks me out.

“And different doesn’t mean bad, Raphael.” Leonardo stayed out front. “We just need to reorient. We learned our world, we can learn this one too.”

Raphael went quiet. He didn't want to learn. He didn't want his brothers to either.

In all honesty, the dark was easier to work with. Staying out of sight and hidden was harder in a world full of light.

The only reason they managed most of the time was because most New Yorkers were too wrapped up in their own lives to pay much mind unless it directly concerned them. The ones that did pay attention were pretty easy to slip past.

But they’d learned over the years how much of their skill was required. Splinter was a harsh and thorough teacher. He’d taught them—and continued to teach them the full extent of ninjitsu even if they didn’t think it necessary.

Raphael knew how to kill with his sai. With his kicks and punches. He was the strongest of his brothers, just naturally but his desire for physical movement contributed to that strength being naturally honed.

But in their world the extent of that strength was rarely needed. Half, if that, was sufficient to end threats or stop an assault. In fact, it had become so common to use half strength that Raphael sometimes forgot he was stronger. He sometimes forgot he could be faster. More lethal.

He was perfectly content not killing, thank you very much. Perfectly content to be a hero who received no thanks and would much rather focus on his own hobbies. Keep that soldier he was fully capable of being hidden away, tucked into memories of how good he could be. Of how good his brothers could be.

The other versions of them...the whispered insults. The exasperation. It had almost been enough to tempt them. To draw that skill out.

They'd resisted. Raphael had refused. Shredder’s ray had made it easier to forget. Made it easier to forget what they were capable of—

This world made him remember. This world made him USE it.

The sooner they solved whatever mess was happening here, the better.

“Where to from here?” Donatello glanced around. “No easy way to approach them but—”

“We should head for their Lair,” Leonardo offered, his eyes already focused and alert. ��Maybe their Master Splinter is there. He might help serve as a mediator.”

Michelangelo headed toward the east. “It was around this way, Dudes. Toward the park. Can’t remember specifics though.” He paused, seemed to narrow in on Raphael specifically. “Theyll do whatever they hafta do for their bro. Can you try to be positive? They're gonna need it.”

“This world doesn't lend itself to optimism, Michelangelo.” But the red-banded turtle went quiet and fell in pace behind him.

Call him a coward if you wanted but Raphael would gladly go back to his world where life and death were not decisions he had to routinely make.

He'd seen the scars on their dopplegangers. Not just physical though they'd certainly had no shortage of those. But the darkness in his other self’s eyes. The guilt and weight in Leonardo’s…

His own brother had shadows of that. Faint and fleeting. So far, they'd been lucky enough to always drive those lingering doubts away. It they'd ever become permanent…

The other Donatello had a responsibility to him, a duty he held so deep that it burned. He tried to hide it with the utter joy of science but if Raphael saw through it, he knew others did. Michelangelo had tried to linger around him but he'd been rejected.

Speaking of his youngest brother…

Michelangelo…if there was a shining star to be had, it was him. Even amid the chaos, this world’s Mike had maintained his bright outlook, their optimism.

But Raphael seen a weariness to him, the same way that his own brother put everyone else before himself. No matter what personal cost.

He never wanted to see his own Michelangelo’s eyes darken like that. That world heavy weariness…it didn't fit Michelangelo.

This world…he didn't want its dark tendrils in his brothers any longer than necessary.

“Im not trying to be a downer here.” He dropped his voice, letting his fingers run along the wall as they walked. Where sight failed, touch and hearing would prevail. “But our skills hafta be at their peak here. We've gotten so used to not needing to use all we can do... can't do that here.”

They stopped, having come to a division in the sewer system. One to the left, one to the right.

In their world, they knew it so easily. No effort needed to follow anyone.

“Like I said…” Raphael shrugged. “Our best here has to literally bd our best. Guess we get to polish up those skills we rarely get to use, eh?”

Leonardo gave a nod but said no more. He dipped to his knees, studied the water and grim and trash. His brother was right. Their world required so little of them, in comparison.

But the skills Master Splinter had taught them would serve them well. Leonardo’s eyes sought out any imperfection, any disruption amid the environment.

One way was absolutely more well worn than the other. But subtly. As if trying to cover tracks.

He stood, pointed to the left and led the way.

[catbowserauthor]

Some Things Are Universal

Chapter 3

2003 Universe

Raph was in heaven.

He always was when there was a fight involved. One would think he’d grow tired of it but not Raph. When the Purple Dragons swarmed in like flies, he just twirled with sai with a sadistic, “Come get some!”

Leo was not as thrilled. Aside from losing the element of surprise, he agreed with Mikey, much to his surprise. This whole set up felt staged. From the lack of security to how easy it was to follow the signs.

They’d thought their skills had just sharpened but as Leo dodged one kick and delivered another, his ego took a hard hit. These fighters were good. Not on their level but certainly good enough that the added numbers made this hard.

And they still had no idea what they were even doing with these chemicals.

Donnie landed hard and Mikey followed suit. They stood, shell to shell, weapons out.

“Hey Donnie, does any of this stuff blow up when you hit it?”

“I don’t know, Mikey. I don’t even know what it is!”

“Oh…well, most science stuff does, right?”

Jumping into a front handspring, Mikey landed behind of the tables, kicking a scrambling scientist on his way down. They ducked under the table, shaking.

Poking his head down, Mikey gave a sympathetic smile, “Sorry, you were kinda in my way.”

The young man couldn’t have been more than twenty. Less even. Wait…

“Hey, are you a real scientist?”

As he spoke, Mikey kicked off an attacker from behind and swept his arm over the table, sending the vials crashing to the floor.

The mam huddled under the table didn’t even flinch.

“Hey!” Mikey straightened up. “This whole thing is a farce!”

There were a few chunks of material giving off steam or smoke. He saw some floating in the remains of the broken vials.

Curiosity doing its job, Mikey reached out, fingers gingerly testing it, at least until a wooden bo snapped onto his fingers.

“Ow!” Knowing the source before even looking, he whined, “Donnie!”

“First rule of science, Mikey, don’t touch the smoking element unless you know what it is.”

Frowning, the younger turtle gestured around them. “Then why aren’t they wearing gloves?”

Donnie blinked, took a cursory look around. His brother was right. None of them had gloves on, or even eye guards. Masks over the nose and mouth yes but nothing else.

While part of him felt inclined to say that the Purple Dragons weren’t exactly known for being top notch in anything they did, there was an oddness to this he couldn’t ignore.

Poking the smoking item with his bo, Donnie’s grown deepened. “Dry ice. Performative. Gives the appearance of smoke…”

“Then what’s this stuff?” Mikey dipped his finger in the pink substance, gave a sniff and after a moment, stuck it in his mouth.

Much to his brother’s terror

“Mikey! Stop! You don’t know what that is! What if it’s acid or—“

“Bro.” Mikey gave him a look that was complete deadpan. “Being the hysterical” He elbowed someone sneaking up behind them with his left elbow and swung his nunchucks as he leapt upward with his right, knocking two others out. Coming to a landing, he finished. “It’s pink lemonade.”

Donnie stopped, almost got hit in the skull if not for his older brothers making quick work of everything that remained, and blinked rapidly three times.

“Pink lemonade?” He parroted.

“Yep.” Mikey polished off the remaining residue. “I think it’s the brand Jay’s uses.”

Donnie called over, “Leo, there’s nothing scientific about this! It’s a set up!”

“Shell,” his brother cursed, knocking out two goons with the hilts of his blades as he ran another straight through. “That means…”

“A trap.” Raph finished just as the entryway darkened with a very familiar figure. “Hun.”

FRED WOLF UNIVERSE

Michelangelo hadn’t budged from Donatello’s lab, staring at the dimensional portal he’d made like he could make it work by will alone.

“So…you want us to use this thing, willingly?” Raphael asked, ignoring the dirty look his genius brother directed his way. “Doesn’t it decide to blow up half the time?”

Donatello huffed. “I’ll have you know, Raphael, I’ve made a ton of improvements to it, especially since the last mishap.”

“Improvements that work or just improvements?”

Splinter cleared his throat. “Raphael…” the warning was said without any words and the hot headed turtle went silent.

“I dunno…” Leonardo frowned, rubbed his chin. “And I don’t mean about the portal Donatello. I mean, just the dimension hopping again. Let’s face it, last time it led to a mess.”

Michelangelo snorted. “Woulda been a bigger mess if we didn’t dimension hop, Dude. Like, if the universe ending kind!”

Fair.

Master Splinter made a low sound under his breath. The sound he always made Welles thinking. “This is not a simple decision to make, my students. We have much to consider.”

“Like, no offense Sensei, but I disagree.” Michelangelo swallowed as it was rare he spoke back or against his father even in dire circumstances .

But because of that, everyone went silent and Splinter regarded him with an open and understanding air. “Why is that, Michelangelo?”

“Well,” he stammered, a bit nervous. “I mean, I know there’s like a ton of stuff that we don’t know what’s gonna happen or things that might be a little risky—”

“You call universal contamination a little risky?” Donatello mused, mostly to himself. “Hate to see what you call a major risk.”

If Michelangelo heard his brother, he ignored it.

“But I mean, the bottom line is those other us’es are in trouble. They're my bros too. And if my bros are in trouble, the risk doesn't matter ‘cause we’re going.”

There was a moment of contemplation, of excgsngjng glances before Leobardo smiled, “You’re absolutely right, Michelangelo.”

Splinter chuckled, a warm and comforting sound. “Indeed. Thank you for reminding us, my son, that some answers are truly simple.”

Leonardo turned to Donatello. “So, can you sync it up with their dimension?”

“I think so. Will take a little bit to calibrate it but…” he fiddled with the knobs, examined the wires then said, “Give me a half hour.”

Raphael stretched, “Half an hour our time or Donatello time?”

Grinding his teeth, the mechanic responded “Thirty minutes.”

“Okay. So, everyone grab a snack, go to the bathroom cause there’s no pulling this car over.” Heading out of the lab, Raphael remarked. “And if I remember that world, an extra set of weapons won’t hurt either.”

2003 Universe

“Hun. Back to your old ugly self, I see.” Twisting his sai, Raph sneered. “I’m tellin’ ya, the turtle look was an improvement.”

“On your guard, guys.” Leo leveled his swords. Hun was no pushover.

“Yeah, great makeover.” Mikey grinned. “Who’s your plastic surgeon?”

“Let’s just say I had a little alien help.” Hun approached, his hands bound into tight fists. “And I don’t recall inviting ninja turtles to our little party.”

“We like to just drop in,” Mikey beamed, his nunchucks already swinging about. “Keeps things interesting.”

“Hey, we ain’t here for no get together.” Raph narrowed his eyes. “So, how you wanna do this Hun? The easy way or the fun way?”

A roar and charge forward answered that. The four turtles scattered and black, white and pink smoke exploded where they’d once stood.

“Pink ninja smoke?” Mikey curled his beak. “I mean, I’m not judging but…”

Donnie laughed, a bit nervously. “Guess even the Purple Dragons have budget cuts. I’d have gone with purple myself.” He touched his bandana.

Hun charged again, little else said. Luckily, when there were four opponents, it made catching one of them so much easier.

Unfortunately, Hun wanted them all.

Anger was the best thing to ruin one’s skill.

His second strike ended with a blow from Donnie’s Bo and kick from Raph. Ducking down narrowly kept him from Leo’s blade and his second burst of smoke exploded on the empty, broken tables.

Mikey’s ambush from behind sent him spiraling and Hun made a decision.

Gathering the two of the four orbs he had left, Hun thrust his fist right toward Raph.

Nimble as ninja, the red banded turtle avoided him, giving a firm series of kicks to the back, sending him spiraling forward.

Mikey took the moment to spring forward, slamming both his feet against the human’s broad chest. As the man stumbled backward, his large hand grabbed the turtle by the ankle.

Amid Mikey’s high pitched yelp, Hun slammed his fist straight into Mikey’s beak and a puff of black and pink smoke almost blinded him.

[catbowserauthor]

Some Things Are Universal

Chapter 8

“Dokku plant. Gazi leaves.” Donnie blinked once then twice at the dimensional twin of his youngest sibling, gently pulling away but focusing most of all in the idea of cure. “I've heard of a lot of different plants," he admitted, still not taking his eyes off his youngest brother, lying dead still (no, not dead, use another word, Donnie!) on the cot in his lab. The entire group had somehow crammed into the small space and Michelangelo (oddly) and Leonardo were intent on looking over his still sibling. "But not that one."

"Not surprised." Donatello tried to reassure him. He pointed to the computer screen the talker Donnie had been slaving away at. “You were super thorough. It doesn't look like it exists in your world. Either of them.”

Raph snapped "What the shell is a Dokku plant?"

Leonardo looked up, "It's a rare plant even in our world. Only exists in the Eastern Hemisphere now."

Michelangelo spoke up "It's the pollen that's lethal, Dudes. And your Mike totally got a huge whiff of it. Bet his mutation is what’s been keeping him from slipping into a deeper coma. Can me and Leo—“

“Leo and I,” both blue banded leaders corrected in unison. Looked at one another. Then face palmed in unison.

“Whatever. Can I see the heartbeats and stuff? I know your Donnie has been tracking it—“

Raph narrowed his eyes "Why?”

Michelangelo snapped "Do you not understand the word 'lethal' Dude?!" He stood up and addressed his alternate dimensional family "This stuff KILLS! It's poison. It slows and then stops the heart by keeping the mitochondria in the heart cells from firing. And if your bro hasn't succumbed yet then he still has time and we needa know how much! So, think you could jump off your high horse long enough to help?!"

The entire room went dead silent. Leonardo reached out and lay a hand on his brother's shoulder "Michelangelo..."

"No, I'm fine, Leonardo," he replied, shrugging his leader's hand off. "I know our worlds are mondo different but poison is STILL poison and poison KILLS. I KNEW something was totally off and I didn't drag us here to watch Other-Me die."

Raph had paled, went quiet. When he’d heard it was a poison from their world…he’d thought that meant…

"I...I thought that your world..." he trailed off. What could he say? He thought there was no danger in their world? No threat? No death? No way to say that without sounding insulting. This other Michelangelo's sharp passion had silenced his tongue.

Leonardo responded, "In our world, poison is still poison." He laid a wet cloth on the unconscious Mikey's forehead. Seeing him…a version of his brother…so still, so pale. The older brother in him couldn’t stand it. All he wanted to do was make it stop.

Raphael added, folding his arms "And death is still death." Watching Leonardo with their Mikey was playing games with his heart too. His job was to stop his brothers from hurting. Standing here, arguing, what was the purpose?!

Donatello fiddled with the machine some, then started rattling off some numbers. Logical had always been his safe haven. What was needed, how to achieve it. At least this was something he could do.

Michelangelo took this in stride, jotting them down.

Donnie approached, elbowing Raph in the ribs as he went.. “Forgive my loud mouth of a brother. We’re all a little tense here.”

Tense. Frightened. Terrified. Heartbroken.

“Indeed.” Splinter said with a soft sigh. “But we must not let our hearts dissuade our course of action.”

A nod among the entire group.

“Right,” Raph folded his arms, inhaled deep. It was easy to take anger out on someone else. Easier than thinking about all the what ifs. All the should haves. “Sorry about…well, everything.”

“I know.” Leonardo gave an encouraging smile to their other selves. “We would be driving ourselves mad too. But I trust Michelangelo to be able to give us a good time frame. And then we’ll fix this.”

“Your Donnie ain’t your medic?” Raph asked suddenly. There was hesitation in his voice as he watched Michelangelo. But it was a little like watching Donnie. There was clear focus in his actions. Similar to how their Mikey would help Donnie except now…it was Michelangelo leading.

Weird.

Yet the question seemed to connect. As if it made something clear. A vast difference between their worlds? Or just such a break of routine it was unsettling. Even Splinter seemed intrigued.

“My son means no disrespect.”

Seeming to catch on, Raphael chimed in. “Our Donatello used to. But about a year ago, Dr. Doolittle here took up Dr. Goodfellow’s offer to be an apprentice at her vet clinic.”

There was definite pride in his voice.

“So,” Donatello added as he withdrew from the machines after making sure they were still monitoring as before. “Michelangelo is the only one of us with true medical training.”

Raph blinked once then twice then a third time. The idea any version of his baby brother could commit to such a thing was baffling. Though, should it have been? He’d seen Mikey focus…truly focus before…

A light ‘mew’ broke the tension in the room.

With a light bounce, a bundle of ginger fur took position on the bed, nuzzling her unconscious owner, purring all the while. When she got no response, she curled around his head, licking his cheek.

Michelangelo reached out and scratched her head with a low ‘new’ in his throat. The cat eyed him, tilted her head to one side but then seemed to nod and curl tighter into the unconscious turtle.

Right. All this stuff was just details. What was important was Mikey. That was their focus.

Their only goal.

Michelangelo eyed Leonardo after looking over the data for a minute. "10 hours, maybe?"

Leonardo nodded, his eyes focused "Donatello, can you reconfigure that portal to take us to Japan?"

Donatello gave a half smile. “Do turtles have shells?” He paused in mid step “I can but it’ll be faster if I can use the portable one.”

Donnie clapped a hand to his shoulder, “I’ve still got it. Give me a moment.” He went to his desk, rummaging through a collection of metal and wires before returning with the portal stuck in hand. “I may have stabilized its internal structure a little. Haven’t had the time to really work on it.”

“Great!” Donatello slipped into the nearest chair, picked up the nearby wrench and set to work.

Donnie let him be, slipping through the overcrowded room to Mikey’s side again, a blank and haunted look to his eyes.

The others let him.

Leonardo took command again. “Okay so given what Michelangelo says about your brother’s condition, we have ten hours to get ahold of the cure and administer it."

Raph blinked, surprised. "You're gonna help us?" It wasn’t their brother, wasn’t their fight…

But they were here, weren’t they?

Michelangelo stood taller, his eyes narrowed "Of course. What kinda question is that?" He gave a faint smile to the stronger turtle, "We're not gonna let your Mikey die, Dude."

Leo smiled faintly "Your optimism is encouraging..."

"Not optimism," Michelangelo corrected "A promise."

OOO

Everything seemed to fade away. The other Donatello worked on the portal stick, Leo, Raph and the other Leonardo went to gather gear and weapons.

Michelangelo went to refill water and make some type of mixture to administer to Mikey that might buy time. “Not a guarantee but worth a shot,”

Anything. Everything they could do.

That left the smaller Raphael, Splinter and himself here with Mikey.

Klunk hadn’t moved and none of them were about to change that.

“Gonna go out in a limb and guess that’s Mikey’s cat?” Raphael asked, more to break silence than anything.

Splinter smiled. “Yes, it appears all versions of my son have an affinity for animals.”

“He came home on Christmas with him about…two years ago?” Donnie shook his head. “Flat out offered to surrender any gifts he received just to keep him. Your Michelangelo doesn’t gave a Klunk?”

“Not yet.” Raphael shrugged. “He tried a bird for a while but that didn’t work out. I thought I’d found kitten for him on one of our try-to-escape-with-your-life field trips but by the time I got back, someone had already claimed it.”

Donnie smiled, a sad smile. “Not proper for a Michelangelo to not have a Klunk. You should remedy that.”

“Maybe I will.”

They went silent, contemplative.

“I know you all probably don’t have a lot of faith in us.” Raphael said suddenly. “Last time we met, we found out our Shredder had hit us with…something and it made us…a bit…incompetent.”

Raising an eye ridge, Donnie asked, “Incompetent?”

“Well, more than incompetent. A little drunk. Ask my Don if you want the details. Drunk is the closest I can get to describing it. But we aren’t like that now.”

“I’d noticed you were different.”

Raphael huffed. “I’m not good at this mushy stuff.”

“I think that’s a universal thing with Raphs. If I find a Raph who’s in touch with his feelings, I’d expect him to be a snapping alligator turtle or some weirdness like that.”

“Our lives are nothing but weird…”

“Fair point.”

Raphael wrung his wrists. “I guess, I’m just…I just want you to know…your Mikey is gonna live. No matter what. No matter what it takes. I promise.”

Splinter hummed lightly under his breath. “A lovely sentiment. I appreciate your devotion to my son but I advise you against making promise you cannot keep.” A warm smile, “Though I have nothing but faith in you all.”

Splinter did not want to think of such things but he did not believe in being blindly optimistic either. And making such a promise and then…if they were unable to fulfill it, the resulting guilt would destroy more than one.

He could not bear that thought either. He had seen how it had almost eaten his eldest son alive. This Raphael while smaller and so different was also his son.

But a light burned in those eyes and the smaller turtle met the old rat’s eyes. “I don’t make promises I can’t keep. And I promise.”

There was that Raphael fire Splinter knew so well.

Donnie reached out, clasped his other brother…his younger older brother, by the forearm. “So do I. So do we all.”

He pulled away, knelt by his sickly little brother, ran his hand over his burning head. “You hear that, Mikey? You're gonna be okay. You’re gonna be fine. Bi...Big brothers are gonna get you the medicine you need and you're going to be fine." He laid a small kiss to his sibling's hot forehead "I promise. So you don't stop fighting on me..

[catbowserauthor]

Some Things Are Universal

Chapter 7

“What are they doing here?”

Raph’s voice was harsh but he didn't move far from Mikey’s bedside. If anything, he just shifted his position to keep his brother behind him.

He couldn't say he thought their other selves would harm Mikey—the idea of ANY version of their family doing so was asinine—but it gave him something he had control over.

Smaller Raphael folded his arms. “Nice to see you, too. Sorry, that personality hasn't improved any.”

“Raphael!” Leonardo’s tone was in full-leader mode. “Not. Helping.”

Michelangelo pushed forward before anything else could be said to sour the situation. “What’s wrong with your Mikey?”

Master Splinter made his way around to the front, easing Raph’s protective stance with a hand on his arm.

The visiting turtles, even Raphael, immediately straightened, giving a deep bow of respect that Splinter returned.

“Welcome to our home.” Splinter lifted his head. “I regret it is not under better circumstances. You are correct. My Michelangelo has fallen quite ill.”

“They knew,” Leo remarked. “Well, they knew something was wrong.”

Raph’s eyes narrowed and the skeptical and distrusting part of his brain immediately skipped to the idea that they knew because they had something to do with it but luckily, he held his tongue in time for common sense to catch up.

They wouldn't be here if that was the case.

And not with those eyes. Those eyes that said they would move heaven and earth if it would make an iota of a difference. The look he'd seen in his own brothers’ eyes since Mikey collapsed.

“How’d you know?” Raph found himself asking. Not accusatory. “Why’d you come here? Why now?”

The four smaller turtles exchanged glances and it was Leonardo who spoke.

“Michelangelo has some sort of spiritual sense. It's underdeveloped but our Sensei has been working on it with him.”

Raphael interjected. “If Michelangelo gets a feeling, it usually means it’s worth a look. And he wouldn't shut up about there being something wrong.”

Michelangelo ducked his head and even seemed a little embarrassed. “It wasn't, like, super precise but…I knew something was up.”

Donatello stepped forward. “Ergo, we came to help.”

Splinter looked at the other-dimensional version of his youngest son. “And we are deeply grateful. Any assistance you may offer will be treasured.”

Donatello, as always, was right to business. “So, what do you know?”

“That it is unlike any poison I've ever seen.” A new voice joined the conversation as Donnie entered the room. To his credit, he took their dogglegangers in stride, his focus entirely on the poison. All that gave away he was even surprised at all was a slight widening of his eyes.

“What do you mean, Donnie?” Leo asked, stepping aside to let him through. Even as the genius turtle talked, he approached Mikey’s bedside, checking his vitals, making notes, and wringing out the towel to dab their brother’s sweaty forehead.

“I mean, there's no record of anything like it. Not anywhere. Not even in the more ancient poisons. I've programmed the computer AI to do questioning and searching for me and it's still coming up blank.”

The frustration and powerlessness betrayed itself by how rigid and tight his muscles were. Ready to snap at a moment’s notice.

“I hear a fear in your voice, my son,” Splinter said softly. “And not just out of lack of knowledge.”

Heaving a sigh, Donnie pulled his eyes away from his way-too-still little brother. “Only thing I can think of then is it was genetically created. And if that's the case, I might have to dissect its code before I have a real idea what to do.” He bit, then chewed, his lower lip.

Raph frowned, “What aren't you saying, brainiac?”

The hesitation was tangible. Truth be told, Donnie didn't want to say it. Saying it made it real…

“He's afraid there's not that much time,” Michelangelo said softly. “That he won't be able to make a cure before your bro…” He refused to finish.

Leo caught his breath in his throat, hardened it, and swallowed. “Donnie?”

A simple nod. Head down, still watching their comatose brother.

“No way.” Raph’s voice could have melted fire. “No, there's gotta be something we can do.” His left fist slammed into his right palm. “I ain't sitting here and lettin' him die!”

Donnie snapped, “I’m not saying--”

“What do you know about the poison?” Leonardo spoke up. “We’ve got more heads here now—”

Ralph scowled, though not as harsh as he might have before. “Not sure you guys are gonna be much help--”

Nothing to lose though...

“It was a pink smoke,” Donnie interrupted. “And Mikey said it smelled…florally.”

“Florally?” Donatello perked up. “Tell us everything.”

Raphael left them to do their brainstorming, gently walking to the bedside of this world’s Mikey. He wouldn't be much good, let the geniuses and the leaders do their thing.

Master Splinter spared him a smile, despite everything, and offered him a vacant seat. Raphael took it, sliding in with a thunk.

He'd thought this wouldn’t affect him that much. Thought it would be sad, discouraging, but nothing beyond that. (He wasn't heartless!)

After all, this was another world. It wasn't his brother…

Except it was.

Staring down at the pale green face, the sweaty skin, the still body…all Raphael could see was his brother. Another form of his brother but his brother nonetheless.

The same goofiness. The same wild energy. The same bleeding heart.

He clasped the hand nearest to him. Cold, clammy. It fell limp to the bed when he released it.

No. This Michelangelo could not…would not!…die.

But…he’d seen this. This type of coma before. When—

Pink smoke, floral scent...

“Hey!” He shouted to be heard over the discussion. “How soon after the smoke did your Mikey conk out?”

Donnie turned. It was odd to be looking down at a version of his older brother. But there was passion in that voice. A passion that said ‘hope.’

“Not long. Maybe…half an hour?”

“Less,” Leo interjected. “Fifteen, maybe twenty max.”

“With pink smoke, a floral scent…Leinardi!”

“Yes?” Two voices responded, almost in unison.

Raphael slapped his forehead. Thus was going to get confusing. “No, my Leonardo. The short one.”

That glower would have brought him so much joy on another day. Any other day.

“We've seen this before. These exact symptoms. With April.”

Realization spread over Leonardo’s face.

Donatello snapped his fingers. “Of course! It makes a perfect weapon!”

“What does?” Raph folded his arms, realized how much he resembled his counterpart and dropped them to his side.

“A poison that doesn't exist in your world.” Leonardo clarified.

Michelangelo spoke out, “The Dokuu plant. Everything matches up, dudes! The symptoms, the timing. And what a gnarly way to guarantee your victory… the poison doesn't even exist here!”

Donnie looked pale, sick even. “I was looking for something I’d never find...”

“But—” Leonardo clarified. “It does in our world.”

Raphael stood, determination painting his eyes. “And so do the Gazi leaves.”

Leo frowned, trying to absorb everything being discussed.

Donnie was knee-deep in the discussion, all kinds of possibilities flying through his brain. “And what are gazi leaves?”

Michelangelo beamed, with the light only hope could bring, and embraced the taller, science-minded turtle with the enthusiasm they all needed right then.

“A cure, Dude.”

[catbowserauthor]

Some Things Are Universal

Chapter 6

“How is he, Donnie?”

Leo set a fresh mug of coffee on the nearby table. Black, like his brother liked. He felt helpless. Their father and Raph were glued to Mikey’s side.

Father had already tried every herbal remedy he knew to revive him. No success. Raph had been oddly silent, staring at their youngest brother as if he could slaughter whatever was attacking him with just his presence.

If only he could.

Sitting back, the chair squeaking under his weight and years of overuse, the purple banded turtle gave a sigh full of frustration. “I analyzed the residue I found in his nose and on his skin. It’s definitely a poison but I can’t find anything that matches it in any database.”

As if to prove his point, he turned the computer screen around. Rows and rows of numbers, letters, all streaming down like an endless waterfall.

Leo waited a moment. Be calm, collected. Focus on what’s at hand.

“Can you counteract it? What’s it even doing?”

Taking a swig of coffee that turned into downing the entire cup, Donnie set the mug down with a clang. “I’m still figuring out exactly what it’s doing. Definitely some kind of neurotoxin but it might be a hemotoxin too so I don’t want to try something that makes it worse.”

Nodding, Leo gathered the mug in hand. “So you can’t counteract it until you know what to counteract.”

“Exactly.”

Turning around, Donnie tapped a few keys, bringing up the analysis of the samples he took. “So, I keep searching.”

OOO

Raph hadn’t moved.

Even since they’d come home, informed Master Splinter and set Mikey on a bed, Raph had fallen into vigil at his side.

It was no secret Mikey and Raph loved to antagonize one another but over the years it had become their secret language. Not one to be openly affectionate most of the time, Raph’s insults, teases and even light slaps (they didn’t really hurt, he knew how much force was too much) had come to mean ‘I care about you.’

Mikey’s constant nagging, joking and pushing of Raph’s buttons had become ‘Aw, I love you too, you big softie.’

Mikey was still.

Mikey was never still.

Raph kept his hands busy—checking the machines Donnie set up even though they’d already been property calibrated. Refilling the water bowl on the side table so they could keep a damp cloth on Mikey’s skin. Never mind it had lost less than inch of water in the past two minutes.

Raph felt helpless. He hated being helpless. One reason—shell, the main reason—he kept up his muscle training so much was so he could protect his brothers, his father, his family. If something attacked them, they had to go through him first.

He couldn’t attack a poison.

“Talk to me, my son.”

His father’s voice was a welcomed distraction. Though he knew it was rude, Raph couldn't peel his eyes from his brother.

So damn still. And quiet. Mikey wasn't supposed to be quiet.

He shoulda intervened. Shoulda put Hun into the ground before he even got near Mikey. That was a big brother’s job. That was HIS job.

A furry hand gently grasped his chin and a moment later, Raph was staring into his father’s warm eyes.

“Do not blame yourself, Raphael. This was not your doing.”

“I shoulda protected him, Father!” While his voice came out harsh, anyone who knew the red banded turtle knew the pain it tryed, unsuccessfully, tonhude. “I knew somethin’ fishy was up with the whole gig. We all did! I shoulda—”

“Your brother is a ninja, as are all of you,” Splinter interrupted. “For all his foolishness, Michelangelo knows how to handle himself in battle. He does not need a bodyguard.” He smiled amid Raphael’s attempt at protest. “You have always put your brothers before yourself. As Leonardo does. It is an admirable trait, Raphael, looking out for your brothers’ well-being. But you are but one person, my son. You cannot always be there, just as I cannot.”

Raph bit back a response. Much as he hated to admit it, Master Splinter was right. His brothers were admirable fighters. Different from him, but strong in their own ways.

Shell, much as he'd never admit it out loud, Mikey was probably better than him. Skillwise.

That didn't mean it didn't crush him that he was so close and yet unable to save them.

But…like Leo had learned from the Ancient One…if there was nothing more you could have done, why do you punish yourself so?

Mikey’s breathing was shallow. Steady but shallow.

Because blaming himself was easier than thinking about what if Donnie couldn't find a cure—

Of course, he will, it’s Don.

Blaming himself was easier than the silence. The horrible, dreadful silence that wasn't filled with Mikey laughing.

He'll be laughing again by morning. And totally eating up all attention…

Blaming himself was easier than considering…whst if there is no cure.

Then we’ll create one. If we hafta find Bishop or Stockman or…the Ninja Tribunal even. I'll drag them back here myself if that's what it takes.

We found a cure when Donnie was mutated. We will here too.

Raph clung to that. It was true. It had to be true.

OOO

Leo took a deep inhale and let his senses reach out.

He was little use inside. Donnie was running his tests, running his research and Leo was known for being…well, not necessarily machine friendly.

Much as he wanted to be by Mikey’s side, Splinter and Raph were by his side. The gods themselves wouldn't be able to get through that.

He could have been there but he wanted to do something. Contribute something. Be useful in some manner.

Part of him—a rather large part, actually— wanted to ransack the Purple Dragons’ headquarters and pull the info they needed from anyone he could get his hands on.

Painfully, if necessary.

Honor dictated no.

Never before had he been so solely tempted to abandon honor. His little brother lay inside with almost no sign of life to him.

Faint breaths. A heartbeat more fitting of a coma patient.

…was he a coma patient now?

Focus!

With that rest of the family preoccupied with Mikey, their defenses were not being monitored like they should. As good as Donnie’s warning system was, there was no substitute for good surveillance.

This was where he could serve.

Closing his eyes, Leo focused. Sight was only useful in certain circumstances. In the sewers, it was limited. All others were far more useful—smell, touch, hearing, even taste.

There. Faint. Not even the whisper of a heartbeat. If he’d not focusing, he likely wouldn't have caught it.

Hand to his nearest katana, Leo began to ease the weapon loose. His eyes opened and all his senses went to hair trigger.

Toward the dark of the sewer tunnels he went, footsteps silent as snow.

There!

Metal hit metal and a not-so-unfamiliar voice called in Japanese “Nakama!”

Ally. Friend.

Leo caught his breath and from the shadows came…himself. The smaller version of himself they'd met not so long ago.

But the glee and playfulness he'd seen the last time they met were gone. In its place was sheer will, sheer determination and…

Fear. Empathy. Pity?

“Dude?”

From just behind his smaller self came the other three turtles. The one that spoke was…Michelangelo.

The other version of his littlest brother.

And those blue eyes... those bright blue eyes…saw right into Leo’s soul.

“It’s your Mikey, isn't it? We're here to help.”

Leo sheathed his weapons and gestured them inside without a word.

[catbowserauthor]

Some Things Are Universal

Chapter 4

2003 Universe

Very few things in the universe, any universe, can truly be applied equally. There are always exceptions, understandings of difference, variations. It’s as well understood as any phenomenon in the world.

However, there were two things that applied no matter what the situation:

1. Only older brothers are allowed to hit, punch, kick, or otherwise injure their younger brothers. This is what is known as the Sibling Rule. Failure to adhere to this rule shall result in utter mayhem in the form of enraged older brothers.

2. Enraged older brothers with a common target are a well oiled machine.

Mikey had barely hit the ground, coughing and grabbing his face, and the smoke had only barely dissolved into air when Donnie came charging Hun.

His bo swung and hit.

Once to the temple, another jolt to the rib before Donnie used the Bo as leverage to kick Hun right into the scorpion pit that was Leo and Raph.

So fast and so fierce the blows came that Hun couldn’t get his arms up to block. There was little to see, with so fierce the blows came.

The bruises and blood were the only proof until a solid blow to the temple sent Hun to the ground in a thunderous thud.

One minute, tops.

Raph kicked the human in the ribs for good measure then joined Leo’s stride toward the other two.

Chest heaving, Donnie ran to his sibling. “Mikey?”

Sitting up, Mikey stared at his brothers even as Donnie immediately launched into medic mode. “Bros, that was so cool!”

Snorting, Raph shook his head. “He’s fine.”

“Didn’t look like it broke anything…” Donnie remarked, even as he examined his brother’s face with his hands. “But I wanna look closer. Somewhere safe.”

Leo nodded. “Right. Nothing here worth sticking around for. Let’s move.”

Silent as shadows, the four brothers disappeared out through the ransacked roof, losing themselves amid the noise of the city.

When they’d cleared enough distance to stop a moment, Donnie rushed immediately into doctor mode, checking his little brother over with a detailed eye, searching for anything that could possibly be deemed out of place.

“Man, why’d Hun have to go for my face? Adorableness like this is hard to come by, you know.”

Raph dat down on the roof, leaning against one of the protruding air conditioner units. “I’ll let you know when I see it.”

“I’m worried about whatever was in that smoke more than I am the punch.” Sheathing his swords, Leo smirked at his youngest brother’s pout. “Because I know you can take a punch, Mikey.”

Mollified a bit, Mikey nodded. “It was like a smoke bomb but it was different too.”

“How can it be both, numbnuts?” But Raph had little venom in his voice.

“It…I dunno.” With a shrug, Mikey let Donnie continue his exam, despite how thorough he was being. Did he have to look that close and mess with his eyes and beak so much? “It felt like a regular smoke bomb. Stung the eyes and all but it smelled different.”

Donnie frowned, lips pursed. “Smelled different?”

A quick nod. “Yeah. Most of the smoke bombs don’t really smell or they smell oily. This one smelled…flowery.”

“Flowery?” Leo repeated.

Mikey stood, now that Donnie seemed satisfied he wasn’t going to keel over right in front of him. “Yeah. Like…lilies almost.”

There was hesitation to his description. Everyone felt it.

“And?” Raph pressed.

“And what?”

“C’mon Mikey,” Donnie patted his arm. “You’re doing that I don’t want talk about it thing you do.”

“Well, I dunno what to say. There wasn’t anything else I can figure.. it just feels bad.”

“Bad how?” Donnie jumped into analysis mode. “You said you felt fine—“

“Chill out, Donnie.” Raising his palms in defeat, Mikey clarified. “Not bad like hurting or sick. Bad like…I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

Leo let the moment sit then said, “Any way to try and analyze that stuff, Donnie?”

“Maybe. Mikey probably had some residue on him, especially up the nostrils.”

Leo, Raph, and Mikey made a face. “Gross.”

“Believe me, not my idea of fun either.” Donnie stabilized his bag on his shoulder. “But it’s likely our best bet.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do.” Leo set his youngest brother with a fierce glare. “No arguments, Mikey.”

“Easy for you to say, you don’t get to be a guinea pig for Dr. Donnie.”

But he didn’t say anything else. The twist of uncertainty and fear had already taken root in his gut.

What was that stuff? Why had Hun bothered to create a whole facade to lure them in? Why didn’t he have more of them? (Wouldn’t it have made more sense to flood the air with the stuff? Yes, yes it would have. They didn’t so ergo—they didn’t have enough) If it was rare, why? And why use something they couldn’t replace unless it was going to do something worthwhile?

Sometimes, he loathed his imagination.

Details did not escape Mikey.

“Good, then let’s get the shell out of here.” Raph took off at a run towards home. After a brief pause, his brothers followed.

Mikey stayed close, a lot of his rambunctious energy subdued.

Maybe they hadn’t taken him being a mutant into account. Maybe it didn’t even work (certainly wouldn’t be the first time) or maybe if it did work, it was something they could handle?

Mikey’s gut argued with him—though how much of that was genuine understanding and how much was anxiety as his brain turned against him, he didn’t know.

A hand fell to his shoulder and Mikey whipped his head over, more startled than he should have been.

Donnie smiled. “It’ll be okay, Mikey. And if I have to use needles, they’ll be the little ones.”

Donnie. Yeah, Donnie would fix it. He could fix anything, right?

FRED WOLF UNIVERSE

“Be careful, my students.” Splinter stood at wait by the side of the dimensional gateway. “And remember…patience is key to any victory.”

Raphael folded his arms. “If they even let us help at all. Last time, they seemed pretty high up on themselves…”

Leonardo rolled his eyes. “And with how we were acting, it’s hard to blame them. But they need us, Raphael. We don’t do the things we do for thanks.”

“Indeed, Raphael.” Splinter advised. “I hear your frustration, my student but you must remember your control lies only over yourself.”

Donatello turned “And wouldn’t you want someone to come help you—“

“I know, I know. Just wish they’d lighten up.” He dropped any further complaining.

Michelangelo rubbed his forehead.

“Michelangelo, are you alright?” Splinter inquired.

“Yeah, I’m okay Sensei. It’s just whatever I’m sensin’ is getting, like, major league strong.”

“Then we better not waste anymore time.” Leonardo gave a nod to his engineer brother.

With a twist of the knob, the portal grew white. Donatello turned to their master. “I’ve made adjustments so I can recall the window virtually, Master Solinter. So you don’t have to stand guard.”

“All the same, I believe I will. Go swiftly and use caution, my turtles. Remember, their world is not our world.”

“Don’t we know it—“ Raphael began but suddenly Michelangelo was leaning on him and plowing forward, screeching loudly. As if the fabric of the universe itself was tearing asunder.

“We gotta go now!”

The youngest of them vanished through the window. Leonardo followed, then Donatello and with a sigh of resignation, Raphael leapt through. “Wait up, guys!”

The dimensional gate closed behind them.

2003 Universe

The running across rooftops was something Mikey had done dozens upon dozens of times. It was routine.

But the further they ran, his body protested. Not in pain, but rather…exhaustion. It was beginning to feel like he’d been running all night. Like he’d swam a hundred miles and couldn’t catch his breath.

Focus, he coached himself. Home isn’t far. Not far at all…

Mike's knees trembled a bit as they landed on the next roof and his vision was starting to become woozy, shifting back and forth, like he was crying but he sure wasn't. All the same, it was getting impossible to see straight. His muscles started to feel like jelly. This was wrong, this was wrong...

What had that smoke done to him?

He could barely make out the red coloring in the brother in front of him and called, "Raph..."

His voice was wrong—weak, pinched. Barely above a whisper. Like when you were asleep but not asleep and wanted to shout but no sound came out.

He caught a faint shift as his brother turned but his vision was already seeping into black oblivion by that point. He didn't even hear Raph scream his name and hitting the rooftop in a dead fall was beyond his senses.

"Mikey!!"

Leo and Donnie had leapt back as soon as they heard Raph's cry and by the time they reached the strongest of them, he was knelt on the ground, his youngest brother cradled in his arms. Mike was pale, much paler green than he usually was and his body flopped like a rag doll's when Raphael shook him,

"Mikey! Mikey! This ain't funny! Wake up, knucklehead!"

Please let him be joking. Raph would kill him but oh, let this be a joke. So soon after exposure to that smoke…

For once, chucklehead, please be busying our chops.

Nothing, not a laugh, not a chuckle, no change at all.

Donnie knelt, looking their sibling over with critical eyes. He took hold of the younger's wrist and his heart raced. "His pulse is slow. It shouldn't be this slow. This is like...just woke up in the morning slow..."

Leo frowned, reached out and gave a firm rub to the center of their sibling's chest, right over the sternum.

Nothing.

The dead silence that passed over the three siblings could have froze water. A sternum rub was not something you could fake. If you were conscious, it was extremely painful and Leo was very particular about making it hard and firm. If Mikey didn't respond, it was because he couldn't.

"Donnie?" Leo asked simply. “What’s…”

"Insufficient data, Boss." the purple banded brother replied. "Raph can you carry him? I need to get him home...now.”

The tallest of them had already stood, his youngest brother cradled against his chest. His arms draped, dead and Raph was having to support his head. He looked...dead. No, not dead. Don't think that...

"Way ahead of you, Brainac" was all Raph said before jumping off the roof for the ground, for the streets.

They needed speed…secrecy be damned.

[catbowserauthor]

Some Things Are Universal

Chapter One

FRED WOLF UNIVERSE

Leonardo hadn’t left the dojo, willingly, since they’d returned home from their multiverse journey. And even then, it was brief and he was in full “training perfection” mode. It had been a while since he got sucked in this hard.

Michelangelo had been perched just outside the door, watching without so much as a word. He had plenty he wanted to say but it wasn’t the right time. When his oldest brother slipped into this kind of dedication, he heard nothing until he was half exhausted.

Given he had been going since breakfast and had yet to pause or slow down, even Leonardo’s stamina would begin to crack eventually.

So, the youngest turtle was content to wait. He knew what to look for.

So, when Leonardo’s left foot drifted to the left instead of firmly planted to the dojo floor, Michelangelo stood and walked in.

“Dude, you’ve been going for hours. Don’t you think it’s time for a break?” He felt inclined to add, “Your body’s, like, gonna self destruct.”

“No time for that.” Leonardo corrected his stance, nearly overcorrected it. “I’ve gotten sloppy. We all have.” His tone said it all—I won’t force you to practice but you should know you need to.

That wasn’t what Michelangelo focused on. He’d heard that tone before and while annoying, it was easy enough to deal with. But the fervor, the flavor to Leonardo’s voice..that was something else entirely.

The shame in his voice was unmistakable.

“Dude, is this about our adventure with our Cowabunga cousins?” Michelangelo’s counterpart had used that term and he was quite fond of it.

And judging by how rigid a stop his brother came to, he’d hit the target.

“We made fools of ourselves, Michelangelo! We brought shame on ourselves, on our Sensei!” Desperation, of a sort, danced in his eyes. “I can hardly believe that was me! How was I being so foolish, making such asinine decisions? We dishonored ourselves!”

Dishonor? Even Michelangelo’s stomach turned at that word and his brother’s emotions were so intense, so vibrant, he couldn’t have kept them at bay if he wanted. Might as well try holding back a tsunami with sand bags.

Michelangelo drowned in it. Feelings of inadequacy, failure, disappointment and shame nearly pushed him to his knees.

Being the most sensitive turtle had its downsides. It let him connect with people, with animals, even places sometimes but that also meant he didn’t get a say in whether he wanted to connect or not.

The fact that he’d been replaying their adventure over in his head and fighting back embarrassment himself was NOT helping.

He’d tried the best he could in the moment but hindsight was always a bleaker picture. With Leonardo’s words, he saw it all again—laughing the face of utter disaster, playing around in a battle that required focus, not offering helpful suggestions…

As fun as discovering the multiverse had been (and how terrifying) Michelangelo’s face burned red the longer he thought about it. Ignoring the less-fun aspects only lasted so long.

“It might not have been our fault, Leonardo.”

A new voice joined the conversation. Donatello slipped in behind Michelangelo with Raphael right on his tail. The latter tossed a canteen of water to their leader and to his credit, he accepted it.

Thank goodness for distraction!

“What do you mean, compadre?” Michelangelo asked. “About it not being our fault?” Maybe he sounded a bit too hopeful, a bit too anxious but the prospect was enticing.

Donatello held up a print out, the long papers wrapped over his forearm. “Do you remember the explosion in the Technodrome right before we wound up transported to that other world?”

Raphael arched an eye ridge. “Oh, you mean you don’t start off every day with mayhem and fireworks? Must just be me then.”

Ignoring his younger brother’s antics, Leonardo left the exercise mats, focused on Donatello, “Of course I remember. Hard not to.”

“Well, I have reason to believe when that tank exploded, it wasn’t just debris we were hit with.”

“Well, it sure wasn’t confetti.” Raphael folded his arms but his words lacked their usual bite. Wouldn’t have been Raphael to not get at least one jab in though.

“Then what was it, Donatello?” Michelangelo leaned in, pulling at the long print out. “Does it have something to do with this fabulously long list?”

Yanking it out of his brother’s fingers, Donatello gave a light swat to the younger turtle’s fingers. “Yes, it does.” Turning his attention back to Leonardo, the genius turtle continued. “I grabbed a sample of the debris before we left the Technodrome and it definitely had some kind of residue. So, compared it to swabs I took from each of us—“

“Hey!” Raphael interrupted. “You’ve been swabbing me without asking?”

Giving a teasing grin, Donatello countered. “You’re a ninja, Raphael. Didn’t you notice?”

“I did.” Leonardo gave a nod to continue. “And what did you find out?”

“Well, it’s some sort of compound designed to reduce the firing of neurotransmitters, especially GABA and glutamate. Thereby, it makes those affected more subdued, more relaxed, less able to focus. More reactive to pleasant stimuli…”

It was Leonardo’s turn to arch an eye ridge. “Are you saying it made us drunk?”

Donatello paused then waved his hand in a ‘kinda’ gesture. “Not exactly but it sure mirrors it. My guess is that on normal humans it would knock them out but because we’re mutants and because our adrenaline was firing, it had a subdued reaction.” He paused, “I think even Shredder and Krang got a whiff of it, just not as much as us.”

“Well,” Michelangelo offered, “We all did kinda crash once we got home, remember?”

Raphael gave a low laugh. “Swell. Our first time being drunk and we didn’t even get to sample any drinks to get there. What a rip off.”

Leonardo sighed heavily. “If it’s supposed to make me feel better about our performance, it doesn’t. A multiverse level calamity and we show up drunk—“

“Not technically—“

“Close enough. No wonder our counterparts thought we were fools.”

Quiet reigned a moment before Michelangelo threw an arm around Leonardo’s neck and one around Donatello’s. “I mean, it’s mondo embarrassing sure but there’s a silver lining to this, compadres!”

Much as he wanted to ignore his brother’s attempts to cheer him up, not even Leonardo was immune to his brother’s enthusiasm. “Oh? Like what?”

“We still kicked shell! Our cowabunga cousins _needed_ us, Dudes. We wouldn’t have beaten that slimy Utrom Shredder without all of us there.” The youngest of them grinned widely. “We were able to still kick some major alien tail…even drunk!”

Donatello bristled a bit because ‘drunk’ wasn’t exactly what they were but he didn’t have a better word currently. But his brother was right. “Well, sure, we might have done a lot better without the influence of one of Shredder and Krang’s crazy inventions but…”

“We still served up a nice helping of turtle power.” Raphael laughed a little. “Heck, that’s actually kind of impressive—stop a multidimensional threat but don’t try to drive!”

Gradually, Leonardo followed the subtle (and not so subtle) hints to leave the dojo, wrapped up between brothers. Having an explanation helped—though only somewhat—and even he had to admit there was some pride to be had in doing as well as they did while incapacitated.

“So, why don’t you stop beating yourself up before your body gives out completely?” Donatello’s voice rattled his ears.

Michelangelo grinned, “Right on, Donatello. Now, come on, Fearless Leader, let’s celebrate right this time, huh?”

“I just wish we’d gotten a chance to really show them what we could do.” Shaking his head, Leonardo stripped off his weighed wristbands, rubbing the sweat off in the nearby sink with cold water. “I enjoyed meeting those other versions of us.”

Michelangelo squeezed his brother’s shoulders. “Hey, you never know! We might team up again sometime!”

“I don’t think so, Michelangelo,” Donatello led the way into the kitchen, tossing cold soda cans to his siblings. “Prime Leonardo was right, dimensional hopping is really dangerous.”

Raphael slid into a chair. “Which is why Shredder has a VIP card for it. Ten dimensional rifts and your 11th is free.”

Leonardo sat himself as Michelangelo dug through the freezer for some pizzas. “Shredder. We haven’t heard anything from him since we got back. Him or Krang.”

“Uh, but like, isn’t that good?” Pushing some pies into the oven, Michelangelo joined his siblings at the table. “Maybe meeting his crazy counterpart weirded him out, you know?”

“Maybe…” But there was no conviction in Leonardo’s voice.

2003 Verse

Hun was silent, watching what remained of the Purple Dragons re-organize. While their world had been restored, the damage done to them—and him—by the mutagen remained.

Scientists were scarce in the Purple Dragons’ ranks, at least the type that would be useful. Chemists, geneticists, they were all in short supply. And while threats and physical damage certainly worked wonders, it was all but impossible to get a viable cure from someone by force.

No guarantee of it being cure or poison. If it was the latter, no means to punish for it once administered. Loyalty obtained by fear was only strong while the fear-maker was alive.

The turtles, as was their way, had vanished and despite Hun’s attempts to track them down, they eluded him. As they always did. It did little to quell the desire for revenge.

Stuck as he was, a horrendous, mutant freak…

From behind, a swell of light and heat pulled Hun on his heels, new claws immediately drawn. Stepping through the glow came a figure wrapped in cloak and blades.

“You!”

Shredder dodged the first two strikes, jumping off the larger man-turtle’s bicep to land behind him. He had never fought Hun but his moves felt familiar. Perhaps some influence from the lingering alien presence and Shredder meant to use it.

Down. To the left. Behind. Hun was top heavy, relied on raw strength. Utilize speed. Agility. Stamina.

When an opening presented itself, Shredder pulled a ray gun from his waist band and fired.

Hun hit the ground when his hulking turtle body crumbled away, leaving behind pale human flesh.

The scales…gone. Spines gone. The green skin gone. Hun stared, ran his hands over his arms, legs, his face…

Human.

With a clatter, Shredder dropped a plastic box in front of the stunned man. While it was impossible to see through it entirely, the color of pink and green bled through.

Flowers and leaves.

“Now, would you like to hear my proposal?”

[catbowserauthor]

1987/2003 TMNT Crossover Bit

@brightlotusmoon Need to work on this again some more...here’s some pieces of a crossover I started a while ago and really wanna get started on again. Incomplete as of now and fractured but thought I’d share it.

***

2003 Universe

The running across rooftops in pursuit was something Mikey had done dozens upon dozens of times. However, something was off. The smoke from that smoke bomb maybe? It had smelled odd, different from what the Foot normally threw but his brothers had been on the other side of the roof when they threw it. They hadn't smelled any thing so he couldn't exactly ask them... Mike's knees trembled a bit as they landed on the next roof and his vision was starting to become woozy, shifting back and forth, like he was crying but he sure wasn't. All the same, it was getting impossible to see straight. His muscles started to feel like jelly. This was wrong, this was wrong... He could barely make out the red coloring in the brother in front of him and called, "Raph..." He caught a faint shift as his brother turned but his vision was already seeping into black oblivion by that point. He didn't even hear Raph scream his name and hitting the rooftop in a dead fall was beyond his senses. "Mikey!!" Leo and Donnie had abandoned their pursuit as soon as they heard Raph's cry and by the time they reached the strongest of them, he was knelt on the ground, his youngest brother cradled in his arms. Mike was pale, much paler green than he usually was and his body flopped like a rag doll's when Raphael shook him, "Mikey! Mikey! This ain't funny! Wake up, knucklehead!" Nothing, not a laugh, not a chuckle, no change at all. Donnie knelt, looking their sibling over with critical eyes. He took hold of the younger's wrist and his heart raced. "His pulse is slow. It shouldn't be this slow. This is like...just woke up in the morning slow..." Leo frowned, reached out and gave a firm rub to the center of their sibling's chest, right over the sternum. Nothing. The dead silence that passed over the three siblings could have froze water. A sternum rub was not something you could fake. If you were conscious, it was extremely painful and Leo was very particular about making it hard and firm. If Mikey didn't respond, it was because he couldn't. "Donnie?" Leo asked simply. "Insufficient data, Boss." the purple banded brother replied. "Raph can you carry him? I need to get him home..." The tallest of them had already stood, his youngest brother cradled against his chest. His arms draped, dead and Raph was having to support his head. He looked...dead. No, not dead. Don't think that... "Way ahead of you, Brainac" was all Raph said before jumping off the roof for the ground.

 ----

You don't have Dokku plants here?' Donnie blinked once then twice at the dimensional twin of his youngest sibling, "I've heard of a lot of different plants," he admitted, still not taking his eyes off his youngest brother, lying dead still (no, not dead, use another word, Donnie!) on the cot in his lab. The entire group had somehow crammed into the small space and Michelangelo and Leonardo were looking over his still sibling. "But not that one." "Not surprised." Donatello tried to reassure him. He pointed to the computer screen where he had been hacking into every database possible. "It doesn't look like it exists." Raph snapped "What the shell is a Dokku plant?" Leonardo looked up, "It's a rare plant even in our world. Only exists in the Eastern Hemisphere now." Michelangelo spoke up "It's the pollen that's lethal Dudes. And your Mike totally got a huge whiff of it." Raphael locked eyes with his bigger self "How long ago did your Mikey conk out?" Raph narrowed his eyes "Why?" Michelangelo snapped "Do you not understand the word 'lethal' Dude?!" He stood up and addressed his alternate dimensional family "This stuff KILLS! It's poison. It slows and then stops the heart by keeping the mitochondria in the heart cells from firing. And if your bro hasn't succumbed yet then he still has time and we needa know how much! So, think you could jump off your high horse long enough to help?!" The entire room went dead silent. Leonardo reached out and lay a hand on his brother's shoulder "Michelangelo..." "No, I'm fine, Leonardo," he replied, shrugging his leader's hand off. "I know our world's are mondo different but poison is STILL poison and poison KILLS. I KNEW something was totally off and I didn't drag us here to watch Other-Me die." Raph had paled, went quiet "I...I thought that your world..." he trailed off. What could he say? He thought there was no danger in their world? No threat? No death? No way to say that without sounding insulting. This other Michelangelo's sharp passion had silenced his tongue. Leonardo responded, "In our world, poison is still poison." He lay a wet cloth on the unconscious Mikey's forehead. Raphael added, folding his arms "And death is still death." Leo, who had been quiet for a long time, finally spoke, "We brought him home about two hours ago. It took us...maybe a half hour to get home, Donnie?" The genius nodded "Something like that." He felt useless... Michelangelo eyed Leonardo "So...what? 10 hours, maybe?" Leonardo nodded, his eyes focused "Donatello, can you you reconfigure that portal to take us to Japan?" Donatello gave a half smile "Do turtles have shells?" He took out his wrench and quickly approached the small portal stick laying on the table. Leonardo turned to his other self "Just like there's Dokku plants in our world, there's also the counteragent, the Gazi leaves. If it's been 2 hours since your brother collapsed, we have ten hours to get ahold of the cure and administer it." Raph blinked, surprised "You're gonna help us?" Michelangelo stood, his eyes narrowed "Of course. What kinda question is that?" He gave a faint smile to the stronger turtle, "We're not gonna let your Mikey die Dude." Leo smiled faintly "Your optimism is encouraging..." "Not optimism," Michelangelo corrected "A promise." Donnie watched his counterpart work and he worked quickly before kneeling next to his ill brother "You hear that, Mikey? You're gonna be okay. Bi...Big brothers are gonna get you the medicine you need and you're going to be fine." He lay a small kiss to his sibling's hot forehead "So you don't stop fighting on me...

[catbowserauthor]

@brightlotusmoon Found this little piece tonight and thought you’d like it, short as it is:

“Wait...YOUR Mikey is gonna infiltrate and let us in?”

Leonardo gave a firm nod as his brother disappeared skyward. “He’s the quickest and it’ll get us to where we need to go.”

Raph eyed his three brothers. “Might as well come up with our own plan, Fearless.”

Mikey looked hurt but covered it quickly. “Hey, what does that mean?!”

Raph rolled his eyes. “Means some things are universal knucklehead. Leo, how ‘bout Don and I—“

“Hey!”

The group turned to find their counterparts making their way into the opened panel in the wall. The smaller Raphael remarked, “You coming?”

Michelangelo gave them a wave from his position on the wall. “Hey, Dudes...just, word of advice? You might try trustin’ your Mikey. Maybe he messes up because he knows he’s bein’ judged before he does anything. Just...a thought.”

[catbowserauthor]

87/2003 TMNT Crossover Bit—and Angry Mikey

So, this is another piece from some crossover ideas I’ve been batting around. @brightlotusmoon Some emotional and angry Mikey for your pleasure...

***

It took a moment for everyone to gather their breath back. The turtles of this world had to admit, they had majorily underestimated the Technodrome. It looked so silly to them but oh, it was hardly silly inside! Traps, technology, and an endless supply of soldiers. Granted, they were robots but even if they were easily to take care of, you could only do it for so long.

Eventually, Leo had called them back, ordered a withdraw. Raph and Mikey had grabbed Michelangelo and literally pulled him out right before the whole war machine vanished into a portal. For a moment, they had spied Michelangelo's brothers at the top of the thing, Shredder was obviously dangling them there for emotional effect. It had worked but the situation had not allowed them to press on, not right now.

"Now what, Fearless leader?" Raph's tone was snarky. "I mean, if we're done risking our shells against a white Death Star."

Leo glared at his brother, "We regroup. We get reinforcements, we get some insight from Master Splinter." He eyed Donnie and Mikey, who were both knelt next to Michelangelo who had yet to look up. "We have to move."

Donnie frowned but he knew it was true. "Should I bring out that portal stick their Donatello made, to track this thing?"

"IF we can track it," Raph remarked. "Don't you think their Shredder, if he has ANY sense, would have found a way to block that thing?"

Leo groaned, rubbed at his eyes, "Raph, I hope not because otherwise we'll be searching blind through the whole multiverse." He frowned, "Which could take time we don't have."

"or we could have kept going," Raph challenged. He hated running from a fight and running was what they had done. "You're the one that called us back."

"I had to! It was that or get our shells creamed!" He protested, narrowing his eyes.

Donnie and Mikey rolled their eyes. Never failed, those two always got into it. They-

Their thoughts were interrupted when the smaller Michelangelo suddenly leapt to his feet and charged the arguing two. It was Leo, Leo he was aimed at and he found him, hard with a hard sock to the left cheek that left the leader stunned before he barely managed to dodge the second blow. "Teme! Sekai de ichiban daikirai!" he snarled, "You made me leave them! You made me leave them!!"

Raph recovered his senses and physically yanked the smaller turtle off his brother, surprised at how much strength it took. For a smaller one, he was strong when he wanted to be.

Leo, a bit stunned, nonetheless recovered quickly and set his eyes on the other dimensional version of his brother. A version who had tears running down his face, whose voice was breaking, who was shaking. "YOU MADE ME LEAVE THEM! SEKAI DE ICHIBAN DAIKIRAI! BAKA KA!"

Donnie stepped inbetween the two, took the younger turtle's face in his hands, "Michelangelo, we won't do them any favors if we die ourselves. What good will it do if we get slaughtered before we even get to them? Hmm?"

Gasping down some tears, he protested, "I...have to get them back."

Raph, his voice oddly soft, said "And we will, kid. We will."

The wind blown out of his sails, Michelangelo went limp and slumped, lifted his head slightly to look at Leo who had a pretty nasty bruise forming on his cheek. Lowering his eyes, he sniffed, "Sorry...I...it's not your fault, I...I want them back. I need them back."

Leo approached, put a hand to his cheek and gently tilted his head up, "And we will. Do you remember what I told you when you first came to us?"

He was quiet a moment then said, "You said I wouldn't be going home without my brothers."

"And to that, I hold."

NOTE: No idea if the Japanese I looked up is accurate but it supposedly means “I hate you the most in the world”