#And Raph and Mikey are practically just side characters compared to Leo and Donnie? I literally could not tell you their personalities

[captainsweet]

This is just going to be me ranting about something that particularly annoys me, so don't take it too seriously, but it drives me up a metaphorical wall.

But, the thing is, I just finished reading some new parts of a Rise fic I really liked, it was funny, and a good story sure, until I saw the word 'twin' be thrown around about five times in one chapter.

I honestly thought I was exaggerating, so I continued, and the word 'twin' just kept on appearing. So I just decided to count how many times it comes up just to see if I was being crazy, y'know?

In the course of a couple of chapters, the word, 'twin' is thrown around 64 different times. Not accounting for any notes, tags, or the latest chapter they posted since it wasn't an official one.

To make this clearer, the word twin, referring to Rise Donnie and Leo specifically, was mentioned 64 different times. One chapter holding 13 mentions of them being twins alone.

Now, I don't know why in the world it needed to be mentioned 64 different times, but hey, it's none of my business. And I really wouldn't be bothered if being twins wasn't their one specific trait, especially around each other.

And it only gets worse in the new chapters. Everytime they mention each other it's like they are incapable of not calling the other their twin, and.. this thing annoys me to my goddamn core.

It doesn't matter, I know that, but it's so annoying to see people make Donnie and Leo being twins their one special thing even though they're not even twins in the dang show. Normally that wouldn't bother me, and it doesn't, but for you to reduce a character to a trait they canonically don't even have is just bizarre.

I'm not gonna mention the writer, and I hate criticizing writers or artists like this in general, but it's so unbelievably mind numbing to see Donnie and Leo get reduced to being twins over and over again as if it actually matters? All it is, is the day they were born. That's it! That's all, yet so many people are obsessed with making it an important factor?

They are so much more than just twins, and have so much more to them than a couple of traits in the show. Yet so many people just, ignore that? Especially in some fics?

Not to mention in the particular story, Raph and Mikey hardly ever appear unless it's for the same couple of jokes, and just leaves me longing for more development on them but nope! Gotta shove some more twin content in there!

I have absolutely no problem with people liking the Disaster Twins, and making stories centered around them, but they are so much more than just twins, and so much more than their relationship with each other. They have other family members too, acknowledge them.

This is not only with this particular author, this has happened multiple times and it's just plain annoying. If you like Leo and Donnie more, just say that. There's no reason you should add their brothers in, and then just discard them to the point they don't even seem like they are siblings anymore. They're just close friends at that point, and it's just angering for me.

I don't see it all that much anymore, but so many people still make Leo and Donnie being 'twins' in Rise this big thing when they aren't even twins, and probably wouldn't mention the fact they are if they weren't explaining their ages because it literally means nothing in the end. They're just brothers that happened to be born on the same day, that's it.

I'm not a twin myself, so I obviously can't speak for actual twins, but even the twins I've known personally hardly mentioned the fact they were twins other than to make a couple of jokes here and then. In no world should them being twins be so important to you that it's mentioned 64 different times. That's just insane.

It is different than simply having a sibling, I get that. Being twins is definitely different in a way, and comes with different experiences, but it should never be that important to the point they mention it 13 TIMES IN ONE CHAPTER.

Skipping past the slightly serious part, 64 different times?? Would they, like, forget if they didn't say it? Fr 13 times in one conversation? I don't think I've even done that with my proclaimed Twin before, because that's, that's just crazy.

#I truly mean no hate to the author I'm talking about. And I honestly have no real problems with their story I just find it annoying now #There's practically a twin joke every chapter and it's no longer funny at this point it's just expected. #I'm probably going to stop reading it but I just really get annoyed when chacters are reduced to specific traits. like they're so much more #And Raph and Mikey are practically just side characters compared to Leo and Donnie? I literally could not tell you their personalities #They're like ghosts. Hallucinations. Hardly there. And it's kind of sad because of how often people do that and ugghh #I have so many thoughts. #But really this was something that just bothered me and I decided to get it out because it happens so much #tmnt #rottmnt #teenage mutant ninja turtles #stupid rant #sorry for the rant #rant #I'd live input because I feel like ass saying this.. but my main gripe is people reducing Donnie and Leo to being twins #“It's because they're twins!” HUH? Honey that's quite literally magical that has nothing to do with their twinnage please explain #If I'm in the wrong I'll admit it but I don't think I am so that's why this is just something that annoys ME and I hate encountering #If people love them being twins snd make something centered around it that's awesome and I've loved some stuff like that myself! #But they aren't ONLY twins and seeing this story mention the favt they were at every turn practically reduced them to nothing BUT twins #Raph and Mikey are sidelined so much it's crazy and it feels like they hardly exist sometimes compared to Leo snd Donnie who always appear #That's all really. It's just annoying. That's it so I ranted about it. I'm just going to draw more after this tbh #Okay.. actually much hate to the author because they're a TCESTER and blocked me which was very nice of them so.. yeah #Just don't hate on other people who do what I said in the main post but THAT WAS A PLOT TWIST I BEVER SAW COMING I'LL SAY THAT #I no longer feel bad for making fun of them this is the greatest turn of events that could've ever happened to me LMAO #But genuinely I still see that twin stuff a lot past the weirdo so I feel I'm still valid #long rant

[void-inked-pen]

2012 Raph vs Rise Raph - Weapon Analysis

*Slams hands on table*... I’m in a mood and I need to rant.

SO! you all have been waiting for me to continue this series on comparing weaponry and skill between the two series and now it is time for me to discuss my second biggest pet peeve in the entire franchise: Raph’s weapon of choice.

Now, my biggest pet peeve would definitely have to be how 2012 treats the Bo staff as a weaker weapon when it is a staple in martial arts for a reason. Its not weak, its actually quite difficult to learn how to use as you will CONSTANTLY be hitting yourself with it in training just like you would with nunchucku.

However, how 2012 treats the Sai is a WHOLE other misconception. And that would be: the Sai isn’t a practical weapon that should be used as a primary weapon against other martial artists, especially in TMNT.

How could this be the case, you might ask? well, let me explain...

1) The Sai is built primarily for defense

One look at a Sai and you’d obviously assume “oh, that’s meant for stabbing!” but you would be incorrect. The Sais main purpose is to deflect, defend, and manipulate another persons weapon so you can get a hit in. Yes, a lot of counter moves that the Sai have in its arsenal is to try and stab your opponent but that hardly ever works.

Not only is the Sai built specifically to deflect moves, but guess what the weapon was primarily built to defend against?

It was made to deflect Bo staffs and Katana.

That’s right, the weapon is literally supposed to counter Leo AND Donnie’s weapons. Kinda makes you wonder whose weapon is ACTUALLY “superior” don’t it?

Now, I’m not going to say any weapon is better than another, but I am trying to put into perspective how stupid it is to think a Bo staff, which is a STAPLE in martial arts around the globe, is seen as a weaker persons weapon just because it doesn’t have a blade. Treating it as such isn’t smart in ANY form. The instant you underestimate a staff user is the moment you’re unconscious or possibly fatally wounded. Don’t mess with someone who wields a stick.

My main point, after that long tangent, is that Raph in 2012′s whole fighting style is supposed to be based around defense, not offense. That actually, deep down, is the primary instinct of Raph as a character in most iterations. He’s the shield, the defender. But the main issue with 2012 is that they characterize him as someone who “charges in” to a fight. Any other version of Raph, 2003, IDW, or Rise, don’t do that. 2012 Raph basically is trying to fight offensively with a weapon whose role, is defense. And does so poorly at that.

2) Raph uses Sais incorrectly

In the 2012 series, Raph uses his Sais incorrectly in so many ways. Several moves he doesn't appear to even use and he also NEVER HOLDS THEM CORRECTLY! Like, one key thing you have to be able to do with Sais is flip them around A LOT. But I don't remember ever seeing him flip them around into their proper holds.

How 2012 Raph holds them is like this whenever he starts a fight:

How you’re actually supposed to hold them is like this:

Notice the difference? You never point the prongs out in front of you, you ALWAYS keep the longest point flush with your forearm as a means of defense. In this position, its easier to twirl and move your Sais around in the way they are supposed to move.

How 2012 Raph is holding them is primarily the position the Sai takes during a counter. The way he’s holding them is also in general incorrect even in THAT position.

When you aim a Sai towards your attacker for a quick counter stab, you’re supposed to hold it like this because its easier to keep the momentum of the Sai going this way and gives you a steadier and controlled grip. You’re less likely to drop it. You can still hold it by the handle, but its NEVER for a starting position.

This in general is just bad to see. He, like the rest of his siblings, are literally supposed to be close to master level and the fact he makes such beginner mistakes and is so aggressive about it is seriously irritating. he might as well be using salad tongs for how effectively they are used in the series.

Now just as a quick disclaimer, I am not an expert at the Sais and I haven't seen much of Raph past halfway through season 2 so he could be using them correctly later on and I could be incorrect on that side of analysis, but that doesn't mean his weapon of choice is practical.

3) 2012 Raph, and other iterations, weapon of choice is impractical

Yep, this is the main reason I dislike raph in 2012 as well as other versions. The Sai is practically useless in modern day street fighting like this especially with mutants and other random stuff.

Not everyone wields a sword or staff. There are projectiles, claws, and various other craziness out there that they have to deal with... Which is why the Tonfas are technically more practical in a fight!

The Tonfas are meant to do things in a similar fashion as the Sais but the skill and use are slightly different.

The whole point of them is to protect the forearm and add a little extra OMPH when you punch and guard. Not only that, but the way they are shaped adds a little extra length towards the top, so if you’re punching and normally might miss, it adds just a bit more length so you can make contact easier.

Not only that but you can spin the Tonfas and add more force to hit someone hard in the face. (We don’t really get to see Raph do these kinds of moves in Rise which is unfortunate but that’s fine.)

Because Tonfas are also always used in pairs, you can cross them like this to stop stronger blows.

They also are in general a better fit for Raph’s fighting style. Because Raph’s main focus is hand to hand combat and defense, having some extra protection for his arms, a slightly longer reach, and extra force behind hits can go a long way. He can still deflect swords and the Bo staff just as easily and without the overly aggressive appearance of the Sais getting in the way.

The fact that Rise Raph also uses Tonfas is a homage to the old TMNT comics where Raph never used Sais to begin with.

In comparison to the Sai, Tonfas are also a lot easier to animate and you can still do some crazy stuff with them. Overall they suit Raph’s personality far better as well and if we wanted to go deep into a character study aspect of weapon choice, later iterations of Raph using the Sai seems more like he’s weaponizing his aggression vs using his strength to protect.

And this concludes my analysis of the two weapons...

I hope this all makes sense and that I didn’t rush it at the end or anything, I might have forgotten a few things in regards to the Tonfas but all the stuff with the Sais should be there.

Thanks for reading! and I’ll link to the previous studies I did about Donnie and Mikey~ (if you have any questions my asks are open) 2012 TMNT Fight Incorrectly

2012 Donnie vs Rise Donnie

Rise Donnie Fighting Analysis

2012 Mikey vs Rise Mikey

#pen talks #analysis #fight choreography #tmnt #tmnt 2012 #rottmnt #riseofthetmnt #tmnt raph #weapons #im sorry I needed to rant about this because I personally dislike the weapon choice of the sai for raph #to clearify #raph is literally my second fav character and they did him dirty #enjoy!

[criminalmutantsins]

My Version of the Hamato Family

Hi everyone! Thank you for reading and liking part one. It made my day!

So, this is where I shine in writing. I love creating characters and their backstory; it’s so fun. I think it is more important to focus on characters than the plot since a character can create the storyline- well at least for me.

I’m excited to share! Hope you enjoy!

Comment your thoughts! It would be cool to read them! 😁

……………………..

 Leonardo:

We’re starting with the usual leader-in-blue!

Although I adore Leo, his “perfect” personality can get a little boring. His versions usually have flaws, though they are the kind that makes you sympathize with him rather than feeling indifferent like with Raph’s anger issues.

Season 1 Leo would be a toned-down Rise Leo. He can be cocky when he succeeds over his brothers and would jokingly comment how he is Splinter’s favorite. However, it doesn’t come without hard work. Leo trains the most out of his brothers and spends most of his time studying fighting techniques. He is not naturally talented in ninjitsu like the past incarnations. Also, Leo’s motivations for training very hard and wanting to be leader is more for himself than anything.

Compared to his brothers, Leo was relatively average. Donnie was extremely smart, Mikey had his kind and joyful soul, and Raph was naturally a great fighter. Leo felt left out and decided that training to be a hero would be his way of standing out. He also believed that being special like his brothers was the only way to get Splinter’s attention; and it kind of worked. With all the progress Leo made, Splinter praised him, and they had a way to connect.

Around the beginning of S1(maybe ep. 5), Leo became the leader though how was different. Instead of Splinter deciding, the brothers did; the explanation was the turtles were a team and should make a consensus as one. This news made Leo ecstatic; he was finally living his dreams. Even so, he didn’t realize the baggage and responsibility a leader had to shoulder. Over the course of the story Leo grows as a great leader and fighter.

The Karai/Leo subplot will follow the 2003 version. He is convinced that Karai is a good person and tries to have her switch sides. There will be romantic feelings but its not the main motivation for both of their actions. I can’t say too much since this plot revolves around Karai more.

   Donatello:

Donnie is a blend of 2003/12 versions. He is intelligent with an extremely high IQ and was a gifted child. However, his intelligence came with a cost; making connections with his brothers and father was really tough for him because of their different interests. This left him withdrawing from everyone and focusing on his inventions. His social skills evolve once the turtles visit the city and meet April. The increasing danger of the Kraang further builds his relationships since communication is important in teamwork, and Donnie’s talent in inventing grew more in the spotlight.

Because of her fascination with Donnie’s smarts and inventions, April and Donnie become good friends as the story continues. Donnie also gets close with April’s best friend, Irma since they are science lovers. At first, Casey irritates him as they have clearly different personality; Casey’s impulsive and extroverted attitude conflicting with Donnie’s plan-based mindset.

Donnie’s love for his family is showcased after witnessing a terrifying, apocalyptic future where his family suffers. Paranoia sets in. His work to calculate the cause of this terrible, and its solution leads Donnie to rarely take care of his needs. He has to learn to trust in others instead of doing things alone.

 Raphael:

Unlike Leo, Raph is instantly gifted in fighting. He has more physical strength than his brothers and would constantly beat them in practice. Since childhood, Raph was Splinter’s “favorite” in the dojo and that definitely got into the red-banded turtle’s head. He would brag to his brothers and jokingly poke fun at their techniques. It wouldn’t affect anyone. Except for Leo.

Raphael’s ego started taking hits once Leo caught up to him and beating him in practice once in a while. It turned into anger after noticing Master Splinter praising Leo more. The tension soured their brotherhood. Unlike most versions, Raph’s anger is fueled by insecurity. He believes that fighting is the only thing he is good at and will get territorial if his spotlight is threatened.

Throughout the story, he learns to move on from his demons and realize his worth.

Family is important to Raph. He can be hard on his brothers yet will do anything to keep them safe, especially Mikey- his positivity must be protected. Casey and Raph become best friends for their similarities and love for fighting- they are impulsive bros.

 Michelangelo:

Mikey’s role is to be the positive and glue of the team. He loves to make people happy and would always do something goofy or kind to do that. His family have nothing bad to say about their youngest member and are very protective of him. The youngest brother doesn’t take ninjitsu as seriously as skateboarding, dancing, or just general fun. Though, he will be serious when the situation calls for it, such as the fate of his family and the world.

Although being an open ear to anyone, Mikey is not open to expressing his negative emotions due to his fear of damaging the family dynamic. It is noticeable when he is upset because he jokes more often and not focus. A lesson he must learn is to accept the good and the bad. Mikey can be reckless, mostly when his brothers rarely let him participate in missions. He wants to prove to his family that he is strong enough to protect himself and others. Reading people is his best skill and takes great pride in it, usually taking on the role of a therapist.

 Splinter/Hamato Yoshi:

I really wanted to take Splinter’s role in the Shredder’s descent to evil in the grayer area. He is usually the victim/innocent party of the story, which can get boring after a while.

Hamato Yoshi was born as the heir to Hamato Clan and childhood best friend of Oroku Saki. The Hamato and Foot clan were allies for centuries and would usually fight by each other’s side. Matters changed when the Foot’s beliefs grew more sinister. This left the Hamato Clan to eradicate their former ally. Splinter saved Saki before he could be killed, though, it came with consequences. Oroku Saki vowed to exact revenge for his fallen home. Growing up, Splinter became one of the strongest martial artists in Japan and married a woman named Tang Shen, later becoming a father to a girl. His world ended once he saw his clan destroyed and his family killed by the renewed Foot Clan.

Yoshi decided to move to New York and forget his old life. Years later, the martial artist noticed strange people caging defenseless animals. He would fight them long enough to protect four humanoid turtles, deciding to keep them after a moment of compassion. Splinter would continuously fight the strange men until a strange liquid turned him into a rat. This turning point banished Splinter and the turtles to the sewers for protection.

Splinter equally loves his sons. He would always make sure to give them equal amounts of love to avoid lasting issues. Though, he has made some mistakes. Emotions were rarely discussed because of Splinter’s unintentionally withdrawn attitude. The rat master wouldn’t instantly notice problems between his sons, and usually didn’t know how to resolve them. No matter what, Splinter is proud of his children and would do anything to keep them safe; sometimes not realizing that it could hurt them.

Hamato Yoshi’s guilt and trauma over the terrible moments in his life would be the main focus of his development.

#teenage mutant ninja turtles #tmnt #tmnt 1987 #tmnt 2003 #tmnt 2012 #rottmnt #tmnt leo #tmnt donnie #tmnt raph #tmnt mikey #tmnt splinter #tmnt hamato yoshi #tmnt idw #tmnt mirage #character development #storytelling #tv reboots #tmnt series #tmnt fandom #tmnt 1987 leo #tmnt 1987 donnie #tmnt 1987 raph #tmnt 1987 mikey #tmnt 2003 leo #tmnt 2003 donnie #tmnt 2003 raph #tmnt 2003 mikey #tmnt 2012 leo #tmnt 2012 donnie #tmnt 2012 raph

[remmushound]

Radio Hearts, chapter 4!! @scentedcandlecryptid @digitl-art-monstr

Shelldon woke up.

The sleep passed by as quickly as it always did and the first thing the drone did was go quickly over to the mirror to see if anything about him had changed. He didn't feel any different, but it could never hurt to check, right?

Shelldon gasped when he saw himself. Then he gasped again when he realized he was able to gasp. That wasn’t a recording— that was a new voice. His voice? The reflection staring back at him was a new one; colored a bright purple with streaks of pink going along his sides and on the ridges of his shell. At first he thought his propellers gone, until he located them again. They had been moved; where there had once been only one on his shell, there were now four in the places of his flippers. He moved one, and then the other. And then he moved all four, all independent of each other. He had never been able to do that before!

Then he noticed his sensors; no, not sensors. Eyes. Expression-filled, bright yellow eyes that stood out against his color scheme. Pupils that dilated and constricted and spiraled on his command. And his mouth was almost like a screen! Just like with his eyes, he could flip between various expressions of joy and sadness and anger. Genuine expressions of his own!

“Woahhh…” Shelldon’s voice sounded strange to him, new and almost vibrating within him, but he didn't mind. He had a voice! A voice all his own!

Donatello walked up beside Shelldon with a soft smile; not one of the fake ones he’d often force upon himself, but a real smile. He reached over and touched Shelldon on the head, giving him a gentle scratch just like Splinter always did.

Shelldon almost collapsed with the vibrating euphoria of the touch. He had felt touch before, but never in such an intense sensation that made his motor rumble, and his eyes take on a mind of their own. Though he could still see out of them, the sensors showed his eyes shut and a smile on his face that almost resembled a W. The touch felt nice!

“You like that, Shelldon?”

Shelldon found himself rubbing against Donatello’s hand with much the same affection that a cat would.

“I’m going to take that as a yes.”

***

“Hey Mikey!” Donatello called as he and Shelldon approached the mutant. “Mind if Shelldon plays a few rounds with you?”

Michelangelo caught his ball and gave an uncertain whine, hugging the toy tightly to his chest. “I don’t know, Dee. I just got this ball…”

“I’ll get you a brand new one if anything happens, which it won’t!” Donatello declared, adding the second part quickly when Michelangelo seemed uncertain.

“Please?” Shelldon asked, and his eyes went circular and watery in a begging expression..

“Awww….” Michelangelo cooed, and then seemed to brighten. “Okay. Go over there.”

Shelldon looked to Donatello for permission before drifting over to the place that Michelangelo had indicated.

“Okay…” Michelangelo gave his new ball one last hug before he threw it to Shelldon.

Shelldon was ready. He did the same move he had done before, realizing a little too late that the move had been one of his many faults before. The ball struck home and Shelldon awaited the violent pop, but it never came. Instead, the ball bounced effortlessly off of Shelldon’s carapace and flew right back to Michelangelo. Michelangelo gave an excited squeal as he caught the ball and held it tightly to his chest a moment before tossing it right back to Shelldon.

***

Donatello let Michelangelo and Shelldon play their catch game for almost twenty minutes before he and Shelldon moved on. Shelldon felt… happy. He had never felt emotions as genuine and strong as he had since he woke up the previous time. He couldn’t help but wonder if Donatello had been the source of that. Either way, he stayed close to his maker even as his eyes tried to linger on almost everything they passed.

“Hey Raph!” Donatello called as they entered the weight room. “Leon!”

Raphael gave a curious hum as he looked over at Donatello and Shelldon. “Oh. Hey…”

Leonardo was spotting the snapper and he seemed far more excited to see his twin and the drone. “Hey! There’s my main man! And Donnie.”

“Brothers, you remember dear Shelldon.” Donatello smiled and motioned to the drone, pointedly ignoring Leonardo

“Yeah…” Raphael’s head started to sink into his shell until he got a better look at Shelldon. “Hey. He looks different.”

“Yep. Gave ‘em a few new upgrades. You like?”

Raphael pursed his lips as he leaned in closer to look at Shelldon. Then he smiled. “He’s got eye’s now!”

“He’s always had eyes.” Leonardo pointed out.

“Yeah but they’re like… like real eyes! Not weird eh… blank ones.”

“And he can talk.” Donatello gave Shelldon a pat on the side. “Go on Shelldon. Say something.”

Shelldon hesitated. “Something.”

Raphael gasped. “Aw! Your voice is so cute!”

Leonardo butted in, leaning his head into Raphael’s shoulder. “Does it like, change or something?”

“Shelldon has exactly 16 different emoticons to express different emotions he may be feeling at any given moment.” Donatello explained. “He can also switch between them at will if he ever needs to manipulate, but you didn't hear that from me.”

To show off Donatello’s work, Shelldon rapidly flicked between all the expressions at his disposal. Both Raphael and Leonardo seemed to share a similar awe, leaning in closer to get a better look at Shelldon.

“Snazzy~!” Leonardo exclaimed.

“He’s like the roomba but cuter!”

Donatello gasped and grabbed Shelldon, hugging him close. “Don’t you dare compare him to the roomba!”

“He’s got hands now too?” Leonardo got closer so he could touch Shelldon’s front hovers.

“Technically, they’re flippers.” Donatello corrected, sticking his nose in the air.

“Eh, hands, flippers, whatever.” Leonardo moved and shifted the hover around to look at it closely.

“It’s never bad to be accurate.” Donatello scowled.

“What kinda turtle is he based off of anyway?” Leonardo slid to behind Shelldon to play with his back flippers.

Shelldon whined and tried to pull his feet away. Donatello noticed immediately and yanked Shelldon away from Leonardo’s curious touch.

“He’s based off a mix of softshell and leatherback.” Donatello explained proudly.

“Really?” Leonardo returned to stand once more beside Raphael. “But his nose is small, and so’s his forehead.”

“Nardo leave my forehead out of this.”

“I mean, that thing’s so big even Dora can’t explore it. Mountain climbers are too scared to try and surmount it cause they could never bring enough food for that journey!”

“That’s tough talk for the eighth forgotten dwarf.”

Leonardo gasped loudly. “Don’t you dare talk about my height!”

“Well don’t bring my forehead into this!”

“Guys.” Raphael got between the two of them before it could go any further. “Don, your toy’s cool. Please go somewhere else before Leo brings out the mad scientist jokes.”

“Speaking of mad scientists” Leonardo started.

“No, no no no no.” Raphael corrected, pushing back against Leonardo when the slider tried to resist him. “None of that. Don, go now.”

Donatello took his brother’s advice and left with Shelldon. Shelldon looked back at Raphael and Leonardo, his screen showing a frown and sensors showing sad eyes.

“Toy…?”

***

As usual, when the time came where the brothers had to leave, Shelldon was left in the loving care of Splinter. Splinter was thrilled when he realized Shelldon could talk back now, and their discussions after each movie increased tenfold now that Splinter was actually getting responses. Shelldon couldn’t remember ever seeing the old man smile so much; it made him smile in turn. Seeing Splinter happy made him happy. Somehow the movies seemed even clearer than they had in Shelldon’s previous upgrade. He had a better understanding of the words and their meanings, and when emotion spilled into the characters voices, Shelldon could feel it too.

When Splinter pet Shelldon like he did every day as they spent time together, it felt even more euphoric. Each gentle stroke and rub sent shockwaves through Shelldon’s wires and that gentle rumbling returned like it had when Donatello had pet him.

“Are you purring?” Splinter commented, looking over Shelldon with a wider smile creasing across his face. “That’s adorable.”

The compliment only made Shelldon purr even more. Yes, he was purring! He wondered for a moment why Donatello would bother with what must have been a useless upgrade, but then Splinter started to pet him again and all his thoughts were lost with the love he felt both from Splinter and in his own chest.

***

“Shelly…”

Shelldon’s sensors came to life from his charging at Donatello’s gentle urging. He was confused. Checking his charge, it was just barely halfway. It was hours before he was set to wake up, and Donatello had never woken him up so soon before. He barely had enough energy to hover, but he tried. Donatello picked him up immediately so he wouldn’t have to expend the power.

“Easy, Shell.” Donatello smiled, giving the drone a gentle stroke on his head, “I have a surprise.”

“A surprise?” Shelldon whirled. “But Dee. It’s early.”

“I know— I know I just couldn’t wait.” Donatello was practically melting with glee, his smile wide. “Here— I gotta turn you off real quick but it won’t be for long.”

“Turn me off? Why?”

“For the surprise!” Was all Donatello elaborated. “You trust me, don’t you? I— I’ve been working on it for a while! I know you’ll like it! But I gotta turn you off, just— just for a little bit!”

Shelldon tried to read Donatello’s expression, but all he could find was an overwhelming sense of pure excitement. Shelldon flashed a sleepy smile.

“Okay, Dee…”

At Donatello’s touch, Shelldon went to sleep.

#Leo is a shorty because I said so #also #twins roasting each other #good content #let Shelldon purr darn you!

[remmushound]

My spooky gift exchange to @nightneko!!

Content warning: Blood, decapitation, character death, trauma

Leonardo was running. He was running but it wasn’t enough. The rain pounded all around him like the song of his own demise, the stone under his feet growing slick and the purchase hard to find, but that didn’t matter. As he long he kept going forward, that didn’t matter. The momentum was needed, and he couldn’t slow. Not for a second. The moment he slowed, he knew he would get caught.

It had all started out so innocently. He had been practicing his portals after a bout of insomnia seized him in the night like the claws of a great raptor in flight, and he had to do something to pass the time. Sleep didn’t come after an hour, or two, or three. On the fourth hour came resentful training up on the rooftops of his city, so beautiful and bright when compared to the suffocating fog and black sky of this doppelgänger world He found himself in.

Time after time, he had traced a circle in the air and step into it. Time after time he thought of the places he wanted to go— from the Bronx to Brooklynn to Queens... to Tony’s Pepperoni’s and Murakami’s Place; the blind salesman would always leave out leftovers for the Yoru ni kuru hito, the ones who came in the night, who he couldn’t see but knew where there and would make sure he got home safely. Then Leo had gotten reckless. He started testing his speed. How fast he could teleport. How fast he could think of new places to go. Testing the limits of his weapon, fueled by a cocky sense of invincibility that most teenagers had. Hueso had warned him of such things as portal jackings and the horrors they could hold for the one attacked. How, the more times you teleported, the stronger the signal you sent out, like a beacon to your coordinates. How it made it so easy for them to find you.

When Leo had finally decided to go home, he had such a clear image of the lair in his mind. Bright and colorful, the walls covered by Mikey’s increasingly impressive graffiti, some of the older examples drawn over by Donatello’s equations whenever he’d have a breakthrough without paper handy. Numbers and symbols traced over colorful pictures of old, worn from the years but still carrying so many memories in the peeling paint. Leonardo imagined everything down to the last detail; every last crack left by Raphael by accident or on purpose. The groove worn into splinters chair by years of repeated use. The kitchen filled with leftover pizza, the snore of three sleeping turtles and an old rat echoing down the halls. But there was none of that when he stepped through the rift and landed on the other side.

Instead of the warm invitation he had expected, the air was cold and lifeless. The walls were gray and the floor stone, with no mat or rug to block the barrier of frigid ground. Instead of comforting light, there was dim gray, and his breath came out in heavy plumes of fog. There was no gentle snores— no sound at all, in fact, apart from the distant sounds of running water. The air didn’t smell of breakfast, but of rot and decay. It smelled like death.

“Wha... guys?”

His voice echoed in a haunted melody that returned to him from all directions.

“This is a surprise.”

Leonardo jumped and spun around to face the figure approaching him, not quite at tall as Leonardo, but regardless was walking in such a way that made him feel small. Hands folded behind his back, a peculiarly designed white lab coat draped over his bulked form, and a mouth frowning. A mutant. A turtle. With a purple bandana.

“Who are you...?” Leonardo had asked once his body allowed him too. The other was so familiar to him, yet somehow... monstrous. Maybe in the way he didn’t smile— nothing like when the Donatello back home rarely ever offered the gesture. When Donnie did that, it was just Donnie being Donnie. But this frown seemed almost sinister, somehow.

The other mutant only hummed. On his three-fingered hands were red gloves— no, they were white. They must have been, at least, under the layer of glowing crimson that coated them top to bottom in a A viscous layer. It was then Leonardo noticed that the pattern on the lab coat wasn’t just a pattern— it wasn’t a pattern at all— it was blood.

When Leonardo’s eyes began to adjust to the dark of the sewer tunnel, more patterns and items came to his view. Strewn up on the walls and on showcase in dim, glass cases— in jars, fermenting in some kind of liquid, and on the floor and even some hanging from the ceiling. Body parts. Mutant body parts. Fur and scales and skin— organs and bones and... shells. Three of them. Hollow and empty of the lives stripped from within them, adorned with ribbons and weapons. The pelt of a mutant tiger laid on the floor, mouth opened in an eternal cry of agony. A rat— an old, mutant rat— was stuffed and positioned in such a pose it were as if he were alive; mediating in an eternal slumber. Leonardo had almost called out to him until he saw the stitches. The stiff and limp tail, the unmoving body. And that’s when Leo ran.

He splashed blindly through the waste-infused water, charging through the blackness parted only by the odd storm drain offering lamplight from above. Quite often he’d stopped to catch his breath and to try and listen through his heaving and the pound of rain from the surface. Every time he did stop, he was faced with the heart wrenching sound of the second set of foot steps getting closer. Closer. Closer.

The five minutes it took him to find the nearest manhole felt like five hours, and the time it took him to scale the ladder and escape through it felt like even longer. Longer for the blood-splattered mutant to catch up. The first thing he has done once he crawled out into a trash-strewn alley was to find the nearest fire escape— if he could just get away long enough to stop for a moment, long enough to think, maybe a plan could be found in the chaos. There was always an escape. There was always an escape. There was always...

Three buildings crossed and Leo looked back. Three building down he saw the sick, perverted Donatello standing there silhouetted in the light of the street, bō staff in hand. Grinning at him. Leonardo ran on.

Seven buildings crossed and he turned to look back. The monster was even closer now and Leonardo could make out the features more clearly. He could see the other turtles eyes. He didn’t know what to expect when he gazed into them. The red, glowing eyes of a monster, perhaps? Eyes void of any sanity or sense? Maybe! But no. They were just eyes. Just normal eyes. Bronze, gleaming with life. Leonardo ran on.

Ten buildings down. Thirteen. Fourteen. Leonardo couldn’t run anymore. His legs gave way and he crashed to the ground, yet still his pursuer kept on going. His pace did slow when he saw the other mutant collapsed there on the building, but he didn’t stop. Leonardo tried to crawl. If he could just get into the sewers again, or the streets, if he could just disappear!

It was too late.

“Wow.” The donatello—no, Leo couldn’t bare to think of him like that— the mutant stood over him with a partial smile. He wasn’t panting, hardly even breathing. It was like he wasn’t even alive, and with the appearance of him it was easy to believe. “Y’know, I would’ve expected you to put up some sort of fight. My Leo sure did.”

Fight— fight! Leonardo reached behind his shell. The Mutant clicked his tongue and laughed, shifting his body to show off the gleaming sword supported on his back.

“Probably shouldn’t have dropped this either; just, in hindsight, you know.”

“What— please—“ Leonardo couldn’t get full sentences out; breathing was far more important.

“I know, I know.” The mutant laughed and waved his hand, “but hey— it’s all in the name of science, huh? I’ve never worked with a Trachemys scripta elegans, so you're something entirely new to me!”

He pulled out a needle filled to the brim with hot pink fluid.

“And here’s something new to you!”

Leonardo crawled to the ledge and tried to escape over it, only to be met with a sharp kick to the middle of his carapace that pinned him to the stone.

“This is just a little something to make you sleep...”

“DONATELLO!”

The voice sliced through the night like a knife. A woman’s voice. The Mutant’s force on Leonardo’s shell lifted, and when Leonardo turned to look, the turtles back was turned to him, staring at a girl. A girl with ginger hair and a pale face speckled with brown freckles.

“April!” The abomination gave a grin.

April? This girl was April?

“Donnie this has to stop.”

Leonardo could escape now if he wanted to. Sure, his legs were still numbly sore, his chest still heaving, but there was some sort of energy returning to him. He couldn’t just leave April though...

“Come on April, you know I have to.” The Mutant walked toward April with gentle demeanor that betrayed the darkness inside him. “Sacrifices have to be made in the name of science!”

“How many is it going to take, Donnie?” Tears flowed freely through April’s eyes like water spickets. “Leo, Raph, Mikey, Splinter... am I next?”

“I would never hurt you, April.”

His sword— if Leo could just grab his sword he could save himself and the April! He could grab the sword and he could...

No. He could never go through with it. Not with that monster looking like it did. Not with him looking like Donnie. But if Leo could just chase him off...

“Splinter didn’t didn’t even fight back, did he?” April went on. “He didn’t even try to stop you!”

The mutant shrugged. “He could never hurt his son.”

“You’re a monster...”

Leonardo pushed himself slowly to his feet and crept forward. His hand out in front of him, ready to grab for his swords hilt, just praying this April kept the Mutant distracted long enough.

“I’m not.” The Mutant shook his head, “I’m a scientist.”

Leonardo bit his tongue in his focus with enough force to draw forth the metallic taste of blood. Just a little closer...

Then his wrist was seized when the other turtle spun around with lightning speed, gripping him tight and hoisting him up like a ragdoll. The Mutant fixed Leonardo with an amused stare. “And I’m also a ninja.”

Leonardo tried to struggle away. “Please— please just let me go!” He had no shame, he had nothing to lose but his life, “Just let me leave! I wanna get back to Donnie and Raph and Mikey!” His cheeks were stained hot with tears, and his chest felt as if it were being constricted by a python. “I WANT MY DAAAAD!”

The Mutant stopped. Leonardo gave a soft whimper as he was dropped violently and landed with a hard THUMP. He wiped his eyes to try getting a better read of the other turtle. To look in his eyes and try to decipher what thoughts were hidden behind the dark pools.

Then the Mutant laughed. The turtle dressed in purple laughed. A laugh that made his eyes close and called forth a few snorts between breaths. It was wrong— it was all wrong. A laugh should be gentle and lighthearted, drawn forth by a genuine joy. A noise meant to make your heart flutter a bit, especially when it was you who called that heavenly sound to release. But not this noise. This noise was a sinister one, a cold pleasure that made the surrounding air drop at least a few degrees. A monster like that didn’t deserve to laugh.

“You should see the look on your face!” He howled the evil tune of Leonardo’s demise. Then, all at once, the laughter stopped.

Leonardo’s ears rang. Though it took his mind several moments to process what had just happened, his body registered everything at once. A warm wetness all over him and the rooftop around him. The sound of a blade had come first of course— unmistakable to the swordsman— flashing through the air and slicing flesh. Slicing bone. And it was that which expelled the red fluid off in all directions. Then there was a thump. One loud, powerful thump that set Leonardo’s heart to continue the pattern and beat in his chest far too fast, far too hard. Surely it would jump out at any moment and leave him there, bleeding out with a gaping hole in his chest.

Then sound exploded back into his ears. The taste of iron flooded his senses, drowning out everything else. He touched his hand to his face and when he withdrew it, green had turned to an oozing red. The teenage girl stood there behind the headless corpse, holding Leonardo’s sword in shaking hands, just as bloody as Leonardo was. Her bosom heaved. Her breaths came out in soft whimpers, and her arms soon gave way and let the sword clammed to the ground. In the next moment she was gone, down the fire escape and leaving Leo there with the body.

He didn’t know how long he sat there waiting for his legs to regain strength, but by the time he was able to move, the blood had already begun to dry on his skin and flake off in a brownish powder. He picked up his sword and his numb arm guided the blade to make a portal. He gave a chuckle. Almost perfect.

He just about stepped through it before he remembered he was only holding one sword. He turned back to the dead mutant, a slight blood still oozing from the severed neck. Pillaging it’s body like a vulture made Leonardo sick, and he had to make a dash for the ledge of the building to hurl over it. He had his sword though. He could go... home?

Home. Warm and bright. By now it would be filled with the bustle of his family getting ready for the day. The whistle of Splinter’s morning tea... Mikey making breakfast. The sound and scent of sizzling bacon became so alluring it was almost real— and then it was. When Leonardo opened his eyes after stepping through the portal, Splinter sat at the head of the table, sipping his tea as he clasped it between two paws. Raphael and Donatello were bickering about something or other, and it was like the sweetest music. Leonardo looked down at himself and he was as clean as he was when it left— somehow the blood had left him, even though he swore he could still feel it slipping across him. A nightmarish sensation. Mikey, bright-eyed and yet to reapply his shell paint, turned to Leo with a smile and offered a plate of eggs and bacon and toast.

“Hi Leo!” He grinned. “You’re late for breakfast, mister! Here— eat.”

Leonardo smiled and almost broke into a sob as he accepted the plate. “Thank you, hermano...”

His eyes flashed to Donatello. The words that fell from the softshells lips were silent upon Leonardo’s ringing ears. When he blinked, all he saw was the blade slicing down— slicing him.

Suddenly, Leonardo wasn’t so hungry.

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