Injuries Suck: Hide From Donnie

By ilovemyboys

Chapter 20: Back Home

Authors Note: Thank you all SOOOO MUCH for sticking with this story for soooooo long! I honestly wouldn't have even finished it, if not for all of you. Because it's lasted so long, I know it's changed a lot, so I thank you all for your patience. And hopefully, the next story I write, I will write in its entirety before I post any chapters. ;)

One-Shot's are easier for me to post quickly (what do you know?) so if you have any requests after this story, please let me know. Thank you all once again for coming on this wild ride!

P.S. If you can guess any subtle ninja turtles nerd references I posted, let me know and perhaps I can give you inside access for my next story!

BOOM!

As the large field exploded in color, the five turtles just barely made it over the nearby hill as they tumbled down the rough terrain, landing squarely in a jumbled pile.

"Ow!" Mikey yelped.

"Urrr...everybody get off!" Raph growled from the bottom.

"Is everyone okay?" Leo asked urgently.

"Uh…does OW not mean anything to you guys?" Mikey answered in a high voice with more than a hint of sarcasm.

"Here Mikey, stay still," Don immediately went toward his brother while Leo and Raph stood up.

"I wonder if any pieces are left…" Raph clenched his fists.

"Well we aren't looking now if that's what you're implying, Raph," Leo replied in his authoritative warning voice.

"I know, I know, Fearless…" Raph grumbled.

"Gungdee? Are you okay?" Leo asked the giant turtle.

"Yeah, how's the shell?" Raph added.

The giant mutant looked up at the two brothers before a crooked smile crossed his features. "I am doing fine, thank you."

Nodding his head in approval, Leo turned to face his braniac-of-a-brother as he asked, "Donnie. You doing okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine," Don called back. "Alright Mikey, lift this arm now. Goooood. Steeeeeeadddy-"

"OW!"

"Sorry!" Donnie replied apologetically

"Sorry my shell!"

"Mikey!" Leo called sternly. "Don's just trying to help."

"I knooooow but it still huuuuuurts…"

"Alright Mikey, just hold still a little longer," Don spoke soothingly to his brother.

Mikey sighed heavily as he looked away.

"Okay Mikey…I'm not gonna lie. You're pretty beat up. Outside of I don't know how many bruises, your right arm is sprained, and your left leg is broken," Don looked sympathetically at his brother.

Mikey groaned as he rested his head on the ground. "Terrrrrific Donnie-boy…"

"Here, let me help you up. The sooner we get home to the lair the better."

"But I don't waaaaana…"

"Tough. Come on Mikey. You've gotten this far already. I wouldn't have you do this if I didn't think you could make it. You know that, right?" Don eyed his brother seriously.

Mikey lifted an eyelid in return as he surveyed his braniac of a brother.

"Yeah…"

"Don't worry. Your leg is all bandaged up so as long as you lean on me, you will be fine. And then once we get to my lab, I can get you some real treatment. Sound good?"

"I guess dude…"

Don gave himself an affirmative nod before looking towards Leo and Raph.

"Alright. We're all set."

Glancing over at the giant, mutant turtle before him, Donatello certainly didn't want to leave him now, and besides that, he had a lot more questions that needed answers. On top of course simply not wanting to say goodbye to someone who's not only helped them so much, but truly was the only other mutant turtle they've ever met.

"Gungdee…would you like to come along with us? I'm sure Master Splinter would love to meet you," Donatello gave him a warm smile.

"Ahhh yes…You're father…If only…But it is a long travel for me…and I only happened upon the sewers by way of getting lost…"

"But Gungdee! I like, totally need to ride on your back so I don't have to walk home!"

Thwack!

"What?" Mikey hissed. "It's true right? And it's a way to keep him around," he whispered with a grin.

"Not like that Mikey," Donatello removed his face palm. Sometimes the things he says…Don thought as he shook his head.

"We will accompany you if we can," Leo said. "But I do need to get my brothers home as soon as possible. Especially Mikey."

"Hmmm…well…I can go part way…but then I most head home myself…"

"YA-HOOOOO-"

Thwack!

"Hey!"

"Cut it out, dufus."

As the 5 turtles made their way towards the sewers, Gungdee suddenly spoke.

"As you all may have guessed…I come from Lake Seneca."

The 4 brothers glanced at each other confusedly. All silent saying, Um…no?

"I lived there my whole life…since I was a hatchling…There were others in my nest, but it was so long ago... The lake was becoming polluted more and more, until one day a strange green light traveled through the water. Although at the time I didn't pay it any attention. As the days went by, I noticed myself rapidly grow bigger and gaining greater intelligence than the creatures around me. Because of my situation, and blessing, I cared for the creatures around me, especially from any pollution that may harm them. Then…there came a day where a giant machine of sorts was striking the lake with a beam of some kind…I did not know what exactly it was doing, but I did know that the beam was destroying the ecosystem around me. I hurriedly guided the young animals onto land. Even as the machine left, I remember hearing voices say something about "Triceraton technology" and someone by the name of the Shredder, but I paid no mind for now. Although I remembered what I heard. For I have a very good memory. Anyway…I had to find new water for them. So I searched…and searched…but pollution was everywhere…Until I found myself in the sewers. Not ideal of course, but I wondered if it could at least be safe passage, mostly for myself as I guided them to a safe place to live….So we traveled, and as we traveled I heard the sound of a machine once again. This time, finding a safe hiding spot for them, I went off to investigate. And that's how I ran into you, Donatello."

"Wow…that's an amazing story, Gungdee," Donnie spoke enthusiastically. "I mean the chances of the ooze even coming towards the lake, with how much was in the canisters, and then happening to come across you-"

"How do you even know it was the same canister, Don?" Raph cut in.

"Canister?" Gungdee asked, perplexed.

Don then explained the origin of each of the turtles as well as Master Splinter.

"I see…well…perhaps we are even closer connected than even the stars aligned…" Gungdee looked upon the sewer ceiling. "But now I most truly go…and see to the hatchlings...It was…most wonderful to meet you all…farewell…and have a pleasant journey home…"

"Wait! Where will you and the hatchlings live, Gungdee?" Donnie asked concernedly.

"I know of a small place not too far from here that should do nicely…" the giant turtle trailed off.

"Thank you, Gungdee. For everything," Leo bowed his head.

The giant turtle did the same. "Thank you Leonardo. Your leadership here shows it to be just and true."

Leo gave an affirmative nod as he turned toward his brothers, intent on heading home at last. But not before Mikey called out, "Remember Gungdee! You ever wanna see us again, just come by these sewers!"

"Yeah. The stinkof Mikey's skateboard will give it away..."

"Hey! Don't diss the board, bro."

"Whatever, bonehead."

Leo looked at his two brothers as he shook his head. "Come on guys, let's go ho-" Noticing he was one brother short, the leader looked over at his braniac-of-a-brother talking to Gungdee.

"Yo Fearless! You comin' or what?"

"You guys go on ahead. We'll meet up with you."

"Whatever," Raph replied as he helped Mikey along down the sewer path.

"Donatello," Gungdee spoke.

"Yes?"

"I wanted to thank you personally for all you have done for me…and in turn…for the hatchlings as well."

"It was an honor, Gungdee," Don smiled proudly.

"It was indeed an honor for me as well, Donatello…I do hope someday our stars align again and we will see each other once more."

Donatello sighed. "Is there really no way you can come with us?"

"Sadly, the sewer does not do well for me in my old age…but perhaps someday…"

"I understand, Gungdee. May you have a safe journey," Donatello gave a bow.

"You as well Donatello," Gungdee bowed in response. "Farwell and good travels be with you."

As the giant turtle trailed off, Donatello was met with the hand of his fearless leader upon his shoulder.

"Ready Don?"

"Uh…yeah…" Donatello looked up with a smile.

"You sure?"

"Oh…yeah….Just a little…warn out, you know?"

"Tell me about it. Just another day in the life for us, huh?"

"Yeah I guess so…" Donatello looked down again with a sigh.

Leo frowned.

"What is it, Don?"

"It's just…this all feels so…odd…like…I'm missing something…"

"Well…I can't attest to that."

Don smiled. "Yeah…it's been a long day…Still…I wish he could have met Master Splinter. I have a feeling they would have got along."

"That's for sure," Leo agreed.

"Um…Leo?"

"Yeah Don?"

"You ever think…never mind…"

"What is it Don? Tell me," Leo stopped in his tracks in front of his brother.

Don took a breath in and reluctantly let it out as he looked down. "I know this has no scientific background or anything to work off of, but do you ever think…things…all things around us, and around others, are all…connected in some way?"

"Absolutely," Leo replied resolutely.

Don stared dumbfounded for a second before realizing who he was talking to.

The spiritualist. Of course.

He personally never saw the spiritual connections Leo and Master Splinter saw in all things connected together, although he did appreciate how things in biology all work together in a symbiotic way. But still…this feeling was something…different…

"All things are connected Don. And maybe…in some way…we're connected to Gungdee. Who knows? It'll be one of those mysteries we'll never solve."

"You don't seem too upset about it. Not finding the answer to something," Don teased.

"Haha. Of course I am," Leo let out a rare smile. The kind that comes only once in a while when he's acknowledging his own foolishness or in a really rare case, his realization of his own perfectionism.

"But for right now…our biggest concern is telling Master Splinter where we've been all day," Donatello laughed. But Leo only stood still in place, his smile gone, eyes wide, with only one word.

"Oh shell."

….

Donatello's POV:

As we entered the lair, we were indeed met with no uncertain words from Master Splinter. After of course, he let me take Mikey to the infirmary and get healed up. But once we came back, neither of us missed a word he said. To end a long story short, we each had 2 weeks of chores and no topside. Well, except for Mikey where it was even more, but he got out of doing most of the chores anyway and instead ending up with more meditation, which according to him was the "worst punishment evvvvvvver" and how he'd rather break both legs and both arms for a year rather than do one more day of meditation. Although in reality, it was really more like a few hours. Count on Mikey to over-exaggerate. It was now, that I was taking off one of his braces and checking the other injuries.

"Well Don?" he asked anxiously.

"Well…"I looked at him seriously. "I'm sorry to say this Mikey but…"

Before I could continue with a cruel idea of a joke, seeing his lips quiver with fear and his eyes bulging out, I sighed, defeated. "You seem in good shape- except," I added before he got too excited for his freedom. "Still-no-topside. Got it?"

"You bet bro!"

"And that also means no sparring with Raph," I warned.

"Oh reeeeeally?" Mikey smiled connivingly. "So that means he can't attack me at aaaaaany time, right?"

"If you mean you can annoy him so much that he comes after you and might hold back because Sensei told him to, then yes."

"Haha! Yes! Now I gotta get some paint! Hehehehe…" Mikey giggled as he ran off.

Sighing, I prepared for the inevitable to come in a half an hour. But in the meantime, I took out the new pastime of mine. One that unfortunately had been keeping me up the last few days. Identifying and failing at identifying an old I picked up on our last excursion

Peering down the telescope, I tried to get a better look.

I wonder if it-"

"Heads up Donnie!"

THUMP!

"Ow!"

"Oops…sorry dude."

"What she shell, Mikey?" I asked, agitatedly as I picked up the ball that landed squarely on my head and consequently landed on my table, sending my notes to the floor.

"Whoa! Cool it dude! Stop being such a hermit!"

"I am not a hermit!"

"Riiiiight, well you just stay in your little corner doing your little thing all by yourself until you get all old and wrinkley, and don't ask me for help cuz it's not gonna happen, dude."

"Whatever, Mikey. Just…please go away."

"Fine, fine…" he trailed off as I heard his footsteps leave but not before I heard a whisper in my ear.

"Hermit!" Mikey laughed as he pranced off.

Sighing irritably, I sat back down in a huff.

"Hermit…" I grumbled to myself. "Why does that sound familiar…Oh yeah!"

Remembering the documentary I saw recently, featuring hermit crabs, I was intrigued by their long lifespan.

"That's some…50 years for one of them…I wonder what el-se…Wait…" Realization slowly dawned upon me. Drawing up my internet I quickly googled, "lifespan giant turtle." Not much. How about…"lifespan snapping turtle." Click!

I found a page.

"Eureka! Let's see…the snapping turtle lives in lakes and streams…eats plants…and…lives up to…30 years…"

Pulling my seat back, I sat in thought.

Gungdee said he was old, but how old? He's obviously older than us…and wouldn't age quicker, would he? No, he matured at the same rate we did, but then…

I jumped up!

"It couldn't have been the ooze!" I exclaimed in realization before furrowing my brow in puzzlement as I sat back down.

"But then how...

...I wonder..."

THE END!