Chapter Text
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Donatello glanced around his lab curiously. Clouds of dust flew through the air as he inspected his crumbling tech. How long has it been since he’d been in his lab? As he moved around the room, he realized there was no door. His breathing quickened slightly as he searched the room for an exit. A light blue ethereal glow illuminated the room around him. Donnie closed his eyes as he braced himself for the oncoming fight. Taking a deep breath, he turned to face the entity resembling his brother. The figure stared coldly at him unblinking as it brandished his brother’s odachi. A chill filled the air as they stared at each other. Running was pointless. If death was going to claim him, he couldn’t run. But he could fight. Tightening his trembling hands into fists, he tried to ignore his pounding heart rising in his throat. An unsettling numbness washed over him as he stared at the figure in front of him.
“You know why I’m here,” its voice echoed in his head. Don nodded slowly as a chill ran down his spine as the voice tickled his brain. “You’re supposed to be dead.”
“But I’m not,” Don’s throat felt dry and his voice cracked as he spoke. Despite feeling as if he were about to pass out any second, he refused to back down.
The figure narrowed its eyes at him. Its voice echoed in his head again much more forceful, “You’re supposed to be dead.”
“I was dead! I died over and over for two months straight! I-I let myself get knocked around and beaten to death that whole time! And you know what? I thought I deserved it.” His voice grew quieter as realization settled in cracking at the heavy weight in his chest. “I thought I let my brothers down. I thought I wasn’t good enough for them. I thought I didn’t have any worth; that I was just… useless. Disappearing into that loop accomplished everything I thought I deserved. I left my brothers behind and died. But… my brothers don’t want that. They… they never wanted that for me.” He stared at the figure in front of him with a new determination. “Why? Why am I supposed to be dead?” He asked firmly as he prepared himself for the oncoming attack.
The light around him glowed harshly at his words, but he noticed a thin crack forming along the entity’s face. It took another step forward, but it was struggling to move. Don remained firm, refusing to back down.
“Answer me!” Donatello shouted as he watched the figure grow closer the cracks growing bigger. “Tell me why! I didn’t deserve this! I didn’t do anything wrong!”
He watched his ethereal brother swing his odachi before it struck. This time, instead of waking up, he watched the weapon collide and fall apart into a sprinkle of dust. Blue light exploded from the collision before sprinkling down to the floor in a shower of tiny pieces. The room fell into darkness again and Donnie was alone. He breathed heavily as he stared at where the entity had just stood before falling to his knees. Clutching at his rapidly beating heart, he tried to steady his breathing.
A hand touched his shoulder. His entire body froze at the contact before feeling the warmth from the touch. Slowly, he looked up to see Leo smiling down at him. Leo kneeled down next to him, pulling him into a hug.
“It’s time to come home. We miss you.”
Donatello woke up in a bit of a daze, Leo’s voice echoing through his mind. It’s time to come home. He glanced around the empty room from his bed before clenching his hands into fists. Sliding out of bed, he got himself dressed and packed everything back into his battle shell. As soon as he was ready, he left the room and strode down the hall into April’s room. Kneeling down next to her bed, he shook April awake. She jumped slightly, looking around frantically before fixing her gaze on the turtle next to her.
“Wha-? Donnie?!” She rubbed her eyes before checking the time on her phone. “It’s almost five in the morning! Did you have another nightmare?”
“No- well, yes! It started like a nightmare but it had a good ending this time! And in my dream, Leo told me to come home. I think I’m ready now!”
April stared at him for a moment before groaning and flopping back onto the bed.
“Can’t this wait until morning?”
“No!” Don huffed as he pulled on her arm to drag her out of bed. “I need to go home and see my brothers!”
“Why now?! What’s the rush?” she whined.
“I’ve been gone for long enough! I want to go home now!”
Letting out a long groan, April finally dragged herself out of bed.
“Fine! But you’re driving this time,” he mumbled as she started gathering her stuff.
“Okay!” he said excitedly as he left the room.
The sun was barely peeking over the horizon by the time April was ready to go. All their commotion managed to wake Todd, who was just as chipper as ever.
“Good morning, Friends!” Todd greeted them as he headed into the kitchen. “Aren’t we up early? Care for some breakfast?”
“Not now, Todd,” Don said as he dragged April toward the door. “I’m going home.”
Todd paused as he looked between the two.
“Oh! You’re going home now! That’s fantastic!” Todd cheered as he quickly ran up and pulled him into a hug. “You have to at least let me make you a quick breakfast before you leave!”
“No, I’d rather-”
“I was going to make pancakes but I’m thinking scrambled eggs instead. What do you think?”
“I can just eat when I get there. Mikey will probably want to cook for me anyway.”
“Scrambled eggs would be better then! It’s quick and easy and goes well with other foods!” Todd hummed as he opened the fridge.
“Well, right but I was hoping to leave now,” Don said hesitantly.
“Oh…” Todd deflated as he pulled out the egg carton. “Are you sure I can’t just make you one last meal before you go?”
Donnie stared at Todd’s pleading face for a moment before sighing.
“Fine! Fine!” Don sighed. “But please make it quick!”
“Okay!” Todd grinned widely as he started a pot of coffee and whipped up the eggs.
Don dragged the half-awake April to the table to sit down while Todd sang to himself at the stove. He soon had a few plates of eggs and toast ready before setting them down and pouring some coffee. April quickly took a few sips of the warm beverage. The three of them ate in silence, Don tried to eat quickly so they could get moving. As soon as he was done, he chugged the rest of his coffee before helping Todd with some of the dishes. April was a little slower in finishing her breakfast, but after a couple of cups of coffee, she was much more willing to move. Todd crushed them both in hugs before they left. Donnie smiled as he finally climbed onto the shell cycle, gripping the handlebars as he stared at the city in the distance. His heart leapt to his throat as he started the engine and kicked off. Todd waved at them as they drove into the city.
The sun’s light slowly bled into the city, casting a soft orange glow across the buildings as they flew past. His heart raced as the wind whipped through his hoodie. They dove into the access tunnels leading to the sewers, gradually slowing down as they neared the garage. April grabbed her stuff as the two slid off the bike. He hesitated as he glanced around at the garage. He had stood here just the other day. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself as he stepped closer to the tank. His hands shook slightly as he continued walking the motorcycle to its home. Finally, he was standing next to it. The tank loomed above him as he tightened his grip on the motorcycle. Taking a few more deep breaths, he wheeled the bike into the right position and reattached it to the tank. He stood there for a moment, staring at the large vehicle before placing a hand on the cool metal.
“Donnie?” April asked quietly as she took a step closer. He didn’t respond as he stared at the machine in front of him. “Hey,” April placed a hand on his shoulder as she tried to get his attention again. He finally tore his gaze away from his tank and let out a small shuttering breath.
“I don’t want to be afraid anymore,” he whispered as he turned back to face his tank.
She stood next to him for a moment before stepping back and hitting a button. The door let out a soft hiss as it slowly descended. Don stared at April for a moment before peering inside. She stepped up into the tank before holding out a hand. He swallowed as he tentatively took her hand. His hands shook as he slowly stepped into the vehicle. April didn’t let go as he glanced around at all of the tech. Taking deep breaths, he ventured further into the tank before finally taking a seat. April sat down next to him watching him carefully. Donnie stared at the panels in front of him taking a deep breath before running his hand over the buttons. He closed the doors and turned on some music before leaning back in the seat. April let out a soft laugh as she sat back in the seat herself.
“I thought you wanted to see your brothers?” she teased.
“They aren’t going anywhere,” he mumbled as he closed his eyes.
Breathing in the atmosphere, he allowed himself to relax. They sat like that for half an hour before he finally decided to stand up and turn off the music. April snapped awake and looked up as he started to leave.
“Oh, are you ready to go?” she mumbled sleepily as she stood up and stretched.
“Yeah, I think so.” He took another moment to look around before opening the door and stepping out of the tank.
April yawned as she followed him out and the two made their way to the lair entrance. Mikey was standing in the kitchen humming to himself as he was finishing up with breakfast. He turned around and jumped as he saw the two of them standing in the doorway. It didn’t take long for Mikey to change to a wide grin and leap onto his brother.
“You’re home!” Mikey shrieked as he pulled Donnie into a bone-crushing hug.
“Yes!” Don wheezed as his soul left his body.
Footsteps followed behind them.
“Donnie?” Raph asked as he walked up to them. “What are you doing here?”
“Currently dying,” he choked out as he pushed Mikey away from him and took a moment to catch his breath.
“Donnie!” Leo screamed as he tackled Donnie to the floor.
“Ah!” Don yelled out as he fell. He squirmed as he was pulled into another hug.
“Are you home for real this time?!” Leo asked excitedly.
“Let go of me!” Donnie growled as he pushed his brother away.
Leo released him, allowing Don to scramble to his feet and brush himself off.
“So… are you staying?” Raph asked slowly after Don collected himself.
He hesitated for a moment as he glanced between his brothers before nodding.
“Yeah. I think I’m ready to be home now.”
Raph took a step forward before stopping himself. He held out his arms in a silent offer. Donnie hesitated before accepting and walking up to Raph for a hug. Raphael gave him a gentle squeeze.
“Welcome back, Bro,” he muttered before letting him go.
Don smiled as he took a few steps back.
“Breakfast!” Mikey shouted excitedly as he grabbed Donnie’s hand and led him to the table. “I just made a fresh batch of pancakes! You guys eat! I’ll go get Dad!”
April stretched as she sat down at the table with the others while Mikey walked off to get Splinter. Donnie was filling up his plate when a crash echoed behind them before Splinter ran into the room. Mikey appeared shortly after with a huge grin on his face before sitting down. Donatello turned to face his father as Splinter approached. He smiled before grabbing Don’s hands.
“Is it true? You’re really home?” Splinter asked slowly.
Donnie nodded, a small smile forming on his face.
“Yeah, Dad. I think so.”
Splinter’s smile grew wider as he pulled Donnie into a hug. He then laughed as he found a seat at the table.
“Oh! This is such great news! All my boys are home now!” Splinter laughs as he piles pancakes on his plate. “We should celebrate!”
“Actually, I think I’d rather stay in,” Don muttered as he took a bite of his pancakes. “Maybe tomorrow?”
“We can celebrate tomorrow, yeah!” Leo said as he drowned his pancakes in syrup.
Donnie stared in disgust for a moment as he watched his brother close off the cap and pass the syrup to Mikey before shoving the dripping pancakes into his mouth.
“Uh… thanks,” he muttered as he tore his gaze away from the horror and back to his own breakfast.
After breakfast, Donnie went back to his lab and looked over this equipment. Everything was clean and waiting for him. He let out a content sigh as he grabbed some parts and started working on one of his projects again. He smiled to himself as his hands worked before he decided to push himself. Just a little bit. He stood up and grabbed what he needed before finding Leo.
“Hey,” Donnie started as Leo looked up from his comic.
“What’s up?” Leo asked skeptically as he looked at the parts in Donnie’s hands.
“I’ve been meaning to add this upgrade to the tank. But I’m not sure if I want to be alone in the garage. Would you… would you mind just… hanging out while I work?”
“Yeah!” Leo grinned as he stood up and grabbed a few more comics before leaving. “So what’s this upgrade going to do?”
“It’s supposed to be a sort of missile launcher,” Don laughed as they entered the garage.
“Oh, sweet! But you know what would be better?”
“Please don’t say the-“
“A drill!”
“No, Leo! I already told you! It’s in beta!”
“Oh, come on! Don’t you at least want to work on it!”
“No!” Don huffed as he opened the door to the tank and stepped inside to start working. “Trust me! This will be better!”
“Better than the drill?! Come on! It’s awesome!”
“Just wait until I’m done with this! Trust me!”
Leo goes quiet as Donnie works. After a moment, Don looks up to see Leo staring at him with a fond smile.
“What?” Don asked skeptically.
“Nothing,” Leo laughs as he shakes his head. “I just… I missed this, you know?”
Don is quiet for a moment as he glances back at the open panel before smiling.
“Yeah, it’s… it’s good to be home.”