Chapter Text
3 Weeks Later
"This Stinks!" Raph grumbled in annoyance.
"You said that two minutes ago, Raphie." Mikey laughed as he laid down beside him.
They are currently chilling out in Mikey's bed, having been grounded by Splinter so they can properly heal.
Mikey and Raph had several bandages on their arms, hands and knees. Raph was also sporting a stitched lip and Mikey has a small stitch under his eyebrow.
Vee was resting in Mikeys lap, dozing; She was also grounded from going topside and even from going to April's.
"Don't be mad, Raphie. We can have a movie night" Venus squeaked, pouting that Raph was being loud.
"Vee, if we're doing a movie night, don't make Mikey pick." Raph smirked as he petted Vee's head who giggled as he cuddled up to her unicorn plushie.
Donnie pulled back the curtain to Mikey's room, using his free arm as his other arm was in a sling. He was also not allowed in his lab which bummed him out. He had a wrap on his right foot as he also sprained his ankle.
"Secret meeting time?" Donnie inquired in a joking manner.
"Close" Mikey continued, "We're missing our leader. Can't hold a meeting without him!"
Donnie smirked, "I will have to get him if we're gonna do a movie night."
"Is he still mad he can't train?" Raph asked gently as he sat up slowly
"Pretty much. I'll go see if he is even awake." Donnie replied as he walked off to Leo's room.
Leo was cooped up in his room, moping that he couldn't train or use his swords. Out of all of their bandages, Leo had the most and was practically a mummy. He had a wrap on his bicep and around his stomach and lower shell, both his legs were sprained so he couldn't walk very far and he had a wrap around his head as the device left two open holes on the back.
Leo also was on strong painkiller meds that made him super loopy so he slept most of the day away. When he was awake, he was frustrated he couldn't do what liked.
Donnie opened the door to Leo's room slowly and peeked in to see Leo was sitting up but looked very groggy.
"You good there, bro?" Donnie asked half jokingly
Leo had his mask off and his eyes were not very focused but he was very grumpy looking. Donnie took his lack of response as a no and came over his bedside.
"Vee wants a movie night and since we can't do anything else, I think you should come out." Donnie told his brother nonchalantly as he began to shift his brother around to help him walk. Leo was very pliant when he was hopped up on painkillers.
"Don't make Mikey pick" Leo whined as Donnie half walked Leo out of his room.
"Sure thing, Leo." Donnie replied.
They both moved to the living room, Donnie helping Leo sit down with his free hand. Raph had already pulled out some blankets and pillows for his brother to use to cushion around himself.
Mikey was holding Vee as they picked through movies in front of the television.
"Mikey better not pick something stupid." Raph groaned
"Hey! I'm just helping Vee pick!" Mikey argued as he held up two movies for Vee to look at.
"Vee, don't pick those." Leo slurred his words. "They suck."
"You don't get to speak, Mister! You'd want to watch something sappy." Mikey yelled.
Donnie just chuckled as he helped spread out more blankets.
"Vee can make better choices on our chosen entertainment without you butting in Mikey." Raph grumbled as he grabbed a popcorn bag and threw it to Donnie.
Vee picked a Spiderman film and held it up for the others to judge.
"Ok I can work with that, Tiny" Raph relented
"Can't go wrong on a good hero film" Donnie replied
"It was either this or Barbie." Vee stated as she moved to put the disc in.
"Oh come on Vee! You don't like the girly stuff anymore?" Mikey wondered nervously as he had picked the Barbie one for her thinking she would want it.
"I don't think Barbie is what Raphie or Donnie want to watch." Vee answered as she pressed the TV on.
"Ya forgot Leo, Vee. He has to vote too!" Mikey exclaimed
"Leo is sleeping, don't wake him." Vee retorted
Mikey looked over and saw Leo was out of it, the meds having made him drowsy once again.
"Well there goes one turtle." Donnie sighed.
They all got situated as the movie started. Raoh sat next to Leo to keep him upright while Mikey spread himself out on the floor covered up in blankets and pillows. Donnie sat in the armchair with Vee who was eating all of the popcorn.
"Vee, don't eat all of it. You'll get a stomachache" Donnie lightly scolded his sister.
"Mmph!" Vee made a muffled sound but wasn't stopping as she shoved fists full of popcorn into her mouth, so Donnie figured she refused to listen.
They all sat together as they watched the movie, happy to be relaxing in each other's company.
Splinter would return home to see his children all asleep in the living room, the movie long over. Splinter sighed but was happy to see them being together and enjoying their vacation. He was growing worried keeping all of his sons grounded would make them restless so he hoped they wouldn't hurt themselves while he went on a short trip to April's to grab some supplies.
Splinter stealthily turned off the TV and placed a blanket over Raph. Splinter then checked over Leo and once he confirmed he was alright, he slowly made his way to his room to retire for the night.
—---------------------------------------------------------
2 Weeks Later
"You sure you want to do this, Vee?" Donnie questioned in a serious tone.
All of them were walking into a small facility having been summoned by Karai as Clyde had called them, wanting to see Venus.
Leo was out of his leg bandages but his head and bicep were still covered but he was off his painkillers so he is much more coherent. Raph and Mikey were completely free of their bandages and happy to be cleared to go topside. Donnie was out of his sling but his arm was still sore.
The four wanted to be with Venus as she spoke with Clyde, who wouldn't say what he wanted. Donnie was leading Vee but was still concerned this might upset her. Vee clung to his hand tightly.
"I'll be ok if I'm with you guys." Vee answered softly
They all were in a small room with a window that had a view of a workshop. Clyde was in a wheelchair and looking over a desk with various papers and schematics.
"Karai told us that the window has a speaker and we can talk to him so we don't have to go in there." Donnie explained.
Leo wasn't too keen on visiting. He didn't talk about how Clyde tricked him but he was very angered over it and ashamed he was duped, landing in the clutches of Jasper and made to fight his family against his will. He was leaning against the back wall with Raph and Mikey, who all didn't want to be near Clyde or interested in listening to what he had to say. They only were there for Vee and nothing else. Vee wanted to come and Donnie acquiesced to her wish, not wanting to disrespect her desire to listen to the man.
"Vee, if there's ever a moment where you want to stop. You can. You don't have to force yourself to stay." Donnie whispered to her.
Vee nodded as Donnie pressed the button Karai told him to use to turn the speakers on.
"Doctor Barlow" Donnie called out, "We're here."
Clyde turned his head to see that Donnie and Vee were at the viewing window. He could also see the three other turtles staring daggers at him from the back. He wheeled over to the glass and began to speak.
"How are you fairing, turtles?" Clyde asked calmly
"We're not here to chitchat." Donnie replied sternly, "We came because you wanted to say something to Vee."
"I do." Clyde continued, "Tell me, child. Do you remember me?"
Vee slowly nodded
"You were from the lab. The Nice Man." Vee stated.
"You could say that. Do you remember a woman with long black hair?" He asked
"Bonnie…she's my mother." Vee said sadly.
"Yes…she was." Clyde softly chuckled before continuing.
"You have grown. Last I remember, you were barely talking and now you're speaking with ease. Are your brothers treating you well?"
"Yeah, I love them very much." Vee stated proudly.
Clyde glanced over to see all of the turtles still glaring at him and Donnie was neutral but he could tell he too was not in the mood to be around him.
"Child. You're with your family and thriving. I am sorry for trying to take you away from that. I thought I was saving you but in reality I was trying to save myself. From my loneliness."
Clyde continued
"I know that I am not particularly welcomed by your brothers but please know I still wish to be a part of your life. I am here and will always be here if you wish to see me."
Clyde pulled out his locket that he had shown Raph and Leo some time ago and placed it below the window and a soft click was heard as an opening through the wall was opened and the locket was passed through.
"I wish for you to have this." Clyde explained as Venus picked it up.
S he opened it and saw the picture of Bonnie on one side.
"Mom…" Vee whispered.
Clyde looked up to Donnie.
"Karai has me working for her. I'm bound to this place and will probably never leave here alive. So you know how to get to me if you so wish." Clyde explained
"I don't think my brothers will take your invitation." Donnie replied curtly
"Then what of you, Donatello?" Clyde asked
Donnie thought for a moment before answering.
"I believe you made a mistake and now must face the consequences. But I do not believe you're a bad person." Donnie stated
Clyde chuckled
"I have said what I wanted to say. You may go now."
—---------------------------------------------------------
"Leonardo" Karai greeted as she walked over to him.
They were both on top of the roof of her estate. After their meeting with Clyde was over, Leo was called away to see her while his family waited for him. Leo wasn't sure what she wanted but was grateful it wasn't potentially hazardous now they were on better terms.
"Karai" Leo responded softly, "What do you need?"
"I am still investigating the full extent of Jaspers project. If anything arises, I will let you know." Karai stated
Leo sighed, "I doubt you called on me here to just say that."
"Would you be disappointed if I did?" Karai inquired
"I value your life, Leonardo. It surprises you now that I wish for you to be alive?" Karai asked softly.
"If you had asked me that 4 years ago, I would have said yes. But now, I'm not sure." Leo answered confusedly.
He still feels weird being this way with his once sworn enemy. Their truce was to end the conflict and to stay out of Karai's business ventures as long as they don't harm the public. Karai has also honored that and opened her home to them in a time of need. If he was fifteen again, he would have slapped his nineteen year old self for even thinking of the truce. But now things have changed and he has too.
"Karai, I'm grateful for everything you have done. If you ever need my help,I will answer your call." Leo admitted
Karai softly smiled, "Only when you have healed. Your brother Raphael might try to stab me in my sleep if I called you now."
"Most likely, he would stab you just for breathing but forget that." Leo continued, "I'll be joining my family for now. I will see you again in due time."
Karai nodded and escorted her ally to his family.
—---------------------------------------------------------
"Guys, I have an announcement to make." April said excitedly.
Casey and April came down to the lair a few days after their meeting but were very secretive as to why.
The Brothers gathered around with Splinter, Venus piggybacking on Raph. All waiting in curiosity to see what their human friends were about to tell.
"I'm pregnant" April declared, "ten weeks!"
Everyone congratulated April and Casey. They were all excited that a new addition to their growing family was coming.
"So I'm gonna have a new friend, Aunt April!?!" Venus asked, super excited about her honorary aunt's baby.
"Of course, Vee. They'll be happy to have you as their playmate" April answered
"This is so awesome!!! Another baby in the house!" Mikey squealed
Donnie nudged his brother, "Don't think of throwing them in the air."
Everyone laughed.
"Do you think it's a boy or a girl?" Mikey asked
"It's too early to tell, Mikey." Donnie explained, "they won't know for another few weeks."
Venus reached out her hand to April.
"Grab my hand, Auntie" Vee asked softly
April did so, not entirely sure what the girl was doing. Vee held her hand for a moment and then smiled.
"It's a boy. My new friend is a boy!" Vee exclaimed
"You sure Vee?" Donnie asked. He figured his sister must have used her powers.
"Yeah Vee! What if April's baby is a girl?" Mikey wondered
Vee shook her head
"I'm certain! Aunt April is having a boy!" Vee proclaimed proudly.
"You gonna bet on that?" Raph inquired
"Yes!" Vee exclaimed
"Well then, we're betting!" Raph snickered as he held his hand out.
"I bet 50 bucks" Raph stated as Vee took his hand.
"You're gonna lose, Raphie!" Vee grinned as she shook Raphs hand to solidify their bet.
"Raph, my future kid is worth more than 50 bucks!" Casey shouted.
"That's all I got, man!" Raph argued, "my life savings are on this kid!"
Casey then looked over to the rest of the turtles.
"You bet on my kid too, guys?" Casey asked
In an accusatory tone.
"I honestly think Vee is right. I'm not taking the losing side." Donnie replied
"I'm betting my life savings too!" Mikey exclaimed, "30 bucks says the baby is a girl!"
Casey looked over to Leo, who put his hands up in defense.
"I'm not participating. You guys can lose your money without me" Leo noted.
Raph nudged his elder brother as the others booed him.
"Come on, Leo! Join in the fun! Who do ya think is right?" Raph implored his brother to join in.
Leo sighed and relented. It's not that anyone is getting hurt, besides their pride.
"Fine. 50 says it's a boy" Leo stated, making Raph shake him as he got his brother to join in the betting pool.
The boys cheered.
"Will see who has to pay up when we get the ultras done again in a few more weeks!" Casey announced. Apri just facepalmed as her baby was now in a betting game.