Leonardo's POV
A quiet night on patrol was a rare thing in their chaotic lives, usually they would encounter thieves, street gangs, foot soldiers, aliens or a life or death event that left them injured, exhausted and angry. But not tonight, at least in the hours they had spent among the roofs of the sleeping city nothing had presented itself and the team leader was almost sure that they would go home safe and sound, yes, he just wanted that feeling to last until that he was covered in blankets, one step away from falling asleep.
He was going to give the signal to go home a second before Donnie called his attention to something he saw on a few rooftops away. He looked at his brother and could see how Raphael tensed next to him, apparently he had also seen something; Leonardo sighed tiredly and shook his head reluctantly pointing to the site of interest, he really had little desire to get involved in anything after his mind focused on rest.
He feels more than sees his little brother passing by him at full speed, something about what he saw on the roof must have caught his attention and Leo curses under his breath, Mikey had the reckless need to get everywhere first and that made them uncomfortable. He had gotten into trouble more times than he should have, and although he tried to keep Raphael's attacks on the younger man to a minimum, this time he was glad that his brother in red stopped the impetuous orange.
They stayed in the shadow of a billboard watching until they managed to visualize a figure lying on the roof, a shiver ran down the leader's back when he saw it, it was a large figure, strange even by the standards so unnatural for them, a trembling silhouette. who tries to get up without really succeeding. The figure tenses and turns towards them despite being in the shadows and Leo instinctively draws his katanas from their sheaths, his brothers imitate him, each taking out their own weapons and a collective gasp leaves their lips when the creature begins to glow menacingly. .
Still I try to get his attention.
— I don't know who you are, but it's not in your best interest to threaten us — he gathered all his courage to sound firm and threatening, he was not going to allow whoever that creature was to dare confront them — we are more than you.
Golden chains emerge from nowhere, wrapping the figure and their light allowed them to see what kind of creature it was: a turtle? More humanoid in appearance than themselves, long limbs of a bright forest green, round and mature face wearing baggy pants and a kind of old-looking open kimono. His dark hair caught his attention. Why would a reptile-type mutant like them choose to wear an uncomfortable wig? Perhaps to maintain a more human appearance after his mutation? He couldn't stop the avalanche of questions that flooded into his head as he looked at it although he tried hard to stay focused, they didn't know how dangerous the being in front of them was, what its intentions were or was it even aware, some mutated humans could be quite unstable and they knew it well due to past experiences. He wasn't going to take any chances.
They were about to lunge at her when a deep, terrifying hiss erupts from the lips of the being in front of them freezing them in place. Something too primitive that activated their turtle instincts hidden deep within them.
— I don't have time to play with you — the voice that accompanies the statement is unexpectedly adult although somewhat trembling, Leo assumed that due to the shock of the mutation — it is better for you to leave me alone.
It sounded like a threat, yes, but also like a request and I hesitate for a moment. They had evidence that some of the mutated ones still maintained a conscious mind and perhaps this was one of those times although they had never seen any of them gain powers; God, if he thought too much they could be in danger but if he attacked without thinking he could ruin things. Maybe if I tried to talk...
He felt the weight of the subject's gaze on them and focused on him, he could read his lips when he muttered a bad word and his eyes widened when the stranger turned off his powers and the chains were no longer a threat.
"I'm not going to hurt them," he heard the stranger speak as he stood up, quite unsteady from what he could see. He put his hand on his belly and on his face he could see a clear grimace of pain.
He misses part of the interaction between his brother and the stranger, although he no longer feels that previous threat, which makes him lower his weapons but not put them away. The same seems to happen for their two other brothers and sees Donatello approach the tallest creature offering his knowledge as a doctor. He quickly stands next to him to protect them in case and feels his brother in red stay a few steps behind as the last line of defense. Are you sure.
He prefers not to interfere in the conversation that two younger brothers are having with the stranger, focusing more on observing him, analyzing his behavior, looking for some kind of response to what is in front of them but, apart from his height and age, there is little he can get. Better to ask directly.
— Well — draws the subject's attention — since, apparently, you are not a threat, could you tell us who you are and what you are doing here.
— I would like, first, to know where here is — they respond with clear confusion. Was the guy even from the surrounding area?
— You're in New York — Mikey obviously had to answer with enthusiasm — the best city — Leo notices how the other observes his city with a somber mood.
— Hmmm, I'm not very clear why I'm really here, something happened that... — the other gives an evasive response typical for Leonardo — brought me here. And regarding who I am... —for the one in blue it is clear that he is inventing something but why? - You can call me Luo - a lie, an obvious lie, he can see in the faces of his brothers that they don't believe him either - now, if it's not too much to ask, could you tell me a place to stay, I don't know this place well and I don't know if it's dangerous or if it's right for a turtle like me — "oh no, you're not going away until I can understand what's going on" Leo thinks.
"You can come with us to our house," Mikey offers and the leader thanks him, none of them could have sounded that sincere.
The stranger accepts and now they are traveling through the sewers with Mikey leading and Raph bringing up the rear, the stranger is tall and intimidating in a way Leo can't understand, he looks thin and weak but the power that emanates from him is something to behold. Mind you, even without the previous display of power, the one in blue would fear him just the same. The posture, the scars, visible now in the light of the road, everything indicated experience in battle, a lot of experience and Leo couldn't explain why, if he was a newly mutated he shouldn't look like that. Had he been a soldier while he was human? That would explain something, but without an interrogation there was nothing to be gained by speculating.
He had a headache forming and he didn't need it right now.
—How did you get those scars friend? — Bravo for Mikey and his lack of brain control over his mouth — they are incredible — a tired sigh escaped him, either because of the interrogation or because of the lack of tact. At least I don't bother the visitor if his giggle tells him something.
"I earned it by defeating enemies," he replied, "and defending my family." Leo stays for a moment analyzing the stranger's face, his gaze lost in a memory, and feels a pang of sympathy. He also has some scars earned in the same way and can empathize.
The silence lasts until they reach the entrance to the lair. The first to enter is his younger brother who encourages the stranger to follow him. Leo finds the ability of the youngest to give his trust to someone disconcerting, and he decides to follow the lead. Mikey's instinct has rarely failed him and, to be honest, he does not feel a rejection towards the older turtle, only a deep curiosity.
While the orange man takes the stranger inside, Leonardo catches the attention of his other two brothers who stop next to him.
— Well, great leader — Raphael's thick voice growls next to him — you gave up very easily in accepting anyone here in the lair — to his right Donnie remains silent, but lets it be known that he agrees with what the one in red expresses — so I assume you have some contingency plan or something to justify this madness.
— Actually... — Raphael snorts next to him, imagining where things are going — for now I think it's better to keep him close and under surveillance — his voice is losing enthusiasm as the frown of his younger brother in red deepens. Raise.
— On that I must agree — Donatello's voice saves him from sinking further into a shameful chatter — I prefer to have him in sight than anywhere else at the mercy of our enemies — little by little the speech of the tallest of the brothers begins to gain enthusiasm — Also, did you see his powers? — She puts her hands together and shows a wide smile — his body, his species of turtle, his mutation, everything is so different, I want, no, I need to study it — it almost squeaks with the expectation of being able to obtain that knowledge. Both older brothers look at him with concern and almost feel compassion for everything the stranger will have to endure with his curious little brother bombarding him with questions and requests.
—Do you think this is a situation of dimensional counterparts? - He asks, stopping the purple man's speech, the idea crossed his mind several times, but, the stranger didn't have a No mascara over his eyes or anything that indicated a preference for a color was discarded, although it always remained a possibility in the back of his mind — if so, who do you think it is? Because we are clear that the name she gave is false.
— He definitely doesn't behave or talk like any of us or any of the other turtles we've come across — Raph is right — I wouldn't rule it out but neither would the idea that he was mutated at some point like several of the ones we know. ... — the green gaze goes to the den where he can see that the stranger is talking to Mikey, he frowns, he does not like the familiarity with which his youngest brother establishes relations with the first one who crosses him as if distrust did not existed in his vocabulary. Although it could be like that...
— Come on, I'll consult with the teacher — Leo orders — that will be the first step, Don find out as much as you can without being invasive — he orders — Raph, stay alert — he directs his gaze to his immediate brother.
— Needless to say — the green gaze becomes firm — I won't lose sight of him.
- Just don't be hostile - he asks as the last thing - I get the impression that it is not convenient for us to have him as an enemy - with those last words the three enter the lair, Leo heading to the dojo to find the master, Don at a determined pace to begin to ask questions and Raphael went to a corner where he could stay on the sidelines, but watchful.
Angelo followed the path of the other three turtles with his gaze, he could imagine the line of thought that surrounded his brothers' dimensional twins, it was not for nothing that he had lived with them for almost four decades, he understood, or at least he hoped to understand, what they meant. the younger ones thought of him. Not everyone in the resistance was welcomed right away and there were a couple of cases of betrayal and chaos caused by a new member. At the end of the day everyone was almost a family, a closed clan in which everyone knew each other, adding a new element was always a risk.
Not because they were all survivors were they the same type of survivor, not because they were all turtles were they the same type of turtle. Angelo understood it well.
He learned to distrust.
With a lot of pain.
He didn't blame them.
If it weren't for the pain and how disoriented he felt he wouldn't have agreed to come with them. But now that he was here he would try to be useful and earn some credit, at least for the little orange one who had practically adopted him as family in the short time he had known him.
She found his innocence adorable. He had that super power in his eyes, the same ones he used for so long with his older siblings and, now being the recipient of them, it was clear to him why they never denied him anything. They are a powerful weapon.
— You're probably hungry — suddenly the youngest jumps in his place, causing the oldest to giggle — come, I'll prepare something for you — he takes Angelo's hand with his and pulls him towards what he assumed was the kitchen, he simply He lets himself go, opening the portal, dying and resurrecting in a completely different place made him hungry. He wasn't going to refuse a meal.
Donatello watches him leave with a grimace and Angelo gives him an apologetic smile, whatever the purple one wants he will have to wait for Mikey to consider that he had eaten enough, it seems. He also sees Raphael halfway and does not miss the hard look he gives him but, too, he will have to wait his turn.
- We have pizza, there is some bread, although it is old - the young man lists as they walk - I don't know your preferences but I can prepare something, if you want - the one in orange looks at him and Angelo stops him with a smile.
— I haven't eaten anything decent in years so anything will be fine although... pizza makes my mouth fill with water — oh delicacy of the gods, I couldn't even remember the last time I tried some of his favorite food him and his brothers.
— Pizza will be then — the smallest turtle guides him to the table to take a seat and runs to the refrigerator to put some pizza to heat up. The smell alone takes the mystical warrior's mind to joyful memories and he feels like he could cry right there. The sensation only increases when thinking that his brothers were not there with him to test it.
When Michelangelo places a plate with two slices of crispy cheese-covered dough in front of him he can't help but make his lip tremble. He stifles a sigh and tries to relax but his hands betray him and he gently takes one of the hot pieces. For a moment he fears that he is dreaming, that his mind is only playing a joke on him in his last moments of life and that everything is just an illusion. . He feels the youngest sit next to him looking at him compassionately, there is understanding in the gesture and he doesn't say anything while Angelo takes the first bite.
He lets out a moan of absolute pleasure when the food touches his taste buds, closing his eyes tightly. For the supreme pizza in heaven, and I didn't even remember how good she was.
She finished the meal in a short time and she stayed there savoring it, hundreds of memories came to her mind and she could do little to hold back her tears.
— Thank you very much — he manages to murmur with a trembling voice — really... — and the child doesn't really know what he did for him, it's more than food, it's a taste of family and happier times.
On the other side of the lair, the eldest brother of the family takes a deep breath before entering the dojo in search of his father and mentor. He knows that Splinter does not approve of the interference of strangers in his home, but Leo hoped he could make him understand the situation and the few options I had at the time I made the decision to take this strange turtle home. He releases the held breath quickly and opens the dojo doors drawing the attention of the meditating ratman.
— My son, I feel your troubled spirit — the firm but soft voice of his father speaks to him — it is about the visitor who has arrived with you — and Leo is not surprised that his sensei is aware of the circumstances.
— Yes, sensei — he responds and stands in front of his teacher on his knees — I would like to ask for your guidance, I still don't know if it was a good decision to bring him home and... — he stops when the older man raises a paw, drawing his attention.
— Tell me everything from the beginning, Leonardo — he asks — then we will make a decision.
And so Leo begins to tell his father about the encounter with the strange creature that now shares space with them.
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