Dagger From the Mirror (ROTTMNT/TMNT 2012 Crossover Fic)

Earned Redemption

The crowded room quickly emptied after Leo announced that it was time for patrol. He didn't want everyone to go, as there was plenty to do to get ready for the upcoming war in the lair, so he chose his team carefully.

"Me, both Raphs, Casey, and New April will go on patrol," Leo said, "While our April and the Donnies and Mikeys will stay here."

It was obvious why he wanted the Donnies and April to stay. The Donnies needed to prepare their gear and weaponry, and either one of the Aprils was the best option if they needed any help. The Mikeys staying home, however, didn't have so obvious a reason, and this didn't make either of them very happy.

"Why do we gotta stay?!" The older Mikey immediately exclaimed, Little Mikey already pouting right beside him. Their rebuttals and lists of reasons they should come were on the tips of their tongues. But before Leo could answer, someone cleared their throat behind the two youngest turtles. They turned around to find a scowling Master Splinter behind them.

It looked like he had only been quiet to give them time to heal. Much to both of the Mikey's disappointments, however, he wouldn't be letting them off free for sneaking off into Dimension X all alone. A stern talking-to would be in order. Both the Mikeys chuckled nervously.

"Guess we should've seen that coming," Little Mikey mumbled, while New Raph chuckled and rubbed his head comfortingly.

And so with that, Leo turned to Leatherhead next to give him his instructions. But this wouldn't be necessary: Leatherhead had already decided to take his leave to try to make it on his own. Leo nodded solemnly as the older Michelangelo ran up to him.

"You promise to visit again soon, right?" He tearfully asked Leatherhead, hugging him tightly while the younger Mikey stood by, offering support. "You gotta keep in touch so we know you're okay!"

"Of course I will, Michelangelo," Leatherhead replied, hugging his younger friend back. After that, he left, and Splinter took the Mikeys to the dojo for their lecture. The patrol team left too, leaving the lair nearly silent and empty.

And though they were only leaving for patrol, something dark and fearful settled in everyone's stomach who had stayed behind. They hoped it was only anxiety and not a message from the future, but something told them that nothing would never be the same after tonight.

If only it was just anxiety.

***

"Geez, when was the last time you upgraded these things? Even your screen is ancient."

Donatello sighed, listening to his counterpart as he roamed around his lab, judging everything he had and announcing his distaste for it. "Well, I'm sorry," He said, "But some of us never had unlimited access to anything the Kraang could ever provide for us. I've had to build all of this from scraps!"

The new Donnie inspected his counterpart's laptop, holding it away from him with two fingers as though it were dirty. "Yeah, I noticed," He said, squinting as he stared in disgust. "I can probably get you better parts if you want."

Donatello snatched it back, glaring at his counterpart. He didn't bother responding to him as he sat at his desk and began to scribble more ideas for the turtle mech on a scratch piece of paper, ignoring his counterpart as best he could.

Okay, it wasn't that Donatello disliked the other Donnie. He just... didn't exactly like him too much either. How could he?! The other Donnie had barely said anything to him since getting back except a quickly muttered thanks for saving him. He told him all about Dimension X, sure, but that was more addressed to the entire group than just him. He hadn't even bothered to talk to Donatello and apologize for erasing all his data, or rebuilding Metalhead, or doing any of the other ridiculous things he'd done to hurt him. He hadn't even acknowledged it happening!