Feeling Worthless (Turtles, Splinter)

[Michelangelo]

(ooc: March 9th. Afternoon.)

Michelangelo got up as he grabbed his nunchucks and headed into the backyard. He wanted to train and he was sure his family would try to stop him. Say he needed more rest or something. But he didn't feel that bad. Plus he still felt bad Splinter had gotten hurt protecting him from Myotismon. First Raphael had to protect him from Leo, then Splinter had to protect him from Myotismon. Of course his injuries from Loki had healed up pretty well. Donny was smart. Splinter was a master and Leo and Raphael were pretty close to him in fighting skill. Sometimes he felt like he was just struggling to keep up. He knew he was the weakest link. It was one of the reasons he always was goofing around. He knew no one took him seriously. Not even their enemies. But that didn't mean he didn't try. He paused wiping fresh tears from his eyes as he kept fighting. He winced realizing he pulled a muscle in his shoulder and sighed. Maybe he wasn't as healed up as he thought. He sighed dropping to his knees and sighed.

"Maybe it would have been better if I hadn't been brought here. No one would have to protect me. No one would get hurt. Even Casey would have been more help than me." said Michelangelo.

Even while imprisoned the villains had taunted him and beat him. He knew it. He yelled and in fury, he threw his nunchucks which hit the porch and dropped to the ground next to it.

"I'm just no good to anyone. Maybe I should just move to Roses house so I won't be a burden anymore." said Michelangelo.

He didn't stop the tears this time and just sat there silently sobbing. He didn't even hear someone was coming until he felt someone hug him and he hugged back tightly.

[Master Splinter]

(OCC: I couldn't help myself, I needed splinter to talk with mikey first. Poor mikey. The baby needs a badass moment in this RP one of these days)

The pain in his neck was there and many bandages were still there, but Splinter insisted on getting up. Perhaps it was the craving to work? Perhaps it was the need to eat? Perhaps it was the need to stretch his legs? He didn't know but he was up and he wanted to stay that way for the moment being. How could have he been so stupid as to not allow Mikey to help him? Or allow someone to call a retreat? Or for Splinter to get backup of some kind, maybe he wouldn't be in this vunerable position. Now his sons were in more danger than ever because Splinter himself was weak. My sons. They mean more than life to me. If they get hurt while I am not around or killed without me being there, I am no longer a father, but a fool He thought to himself as he went to get some water. He drank it with some form of brooding but he didn't allow it to last. He predicted Donny or Raph would show up and demand him to rest, but he would have none of it. It was he who was supposed to be the caretaker, not Donny or Raph. He was the parent. It was his sworn duty, ever since he adopted the boys, that he would provide, protect and care for them. As their father as well as their sensei.

Splinter felt ashamed of himself for getting himself injured, his sons blamed themselves and he was forced to convince them it wasn't their fault. And it wasn't. What could they do? They were protecting themselves, let alone the entire house. The world was on his three sons shoulders, for different reasons. Especially his youngest, Michaelangelo. Splinter always felt he didn't compliment or praise michaelangelo as much as he should've but he always admired and respected how well michaelangelo handled his situations. From being in the villains' army to being captured, michaelangelo was strong where he was weak. Yes the same went with Raph for handling it so well but Mikey was suffering differently. His innocency and ability to have fun was being tested whereas Raph's sanity and pride was tested. Splinter loved his sons for all their strengths and weaknesses, he always had but he always had different reasons and ways to love and support his children and find ways for the turtles to stick together. But even without his efforts, the turtles loved and cared for each other since birth and splinter loved that about his sons. Their loyalty and support for the family. It was the best quality in himself and in his four boys. Leo was gone yes but splinter would always love his eldest equally to his others, splinter never favored anyone, regardless of what his boys thought, Splinter loved his children equally but relied on all of them for specific reasons. Michaelangelo was for joy and encouragement and it was disappearing because of his own lack of self-confidence. Splinter had to talk to them all. Today.

Fortunately, this opportunity came, but first it was for michaelangelo, who was very upset and Splinter knew the reasons to why before he even heard what michaelangelo said. He listened to his youngest rant, rave and blame himself. Saying that maybe he should've stayed back in new york, so people wouldn't need to save him. Splinter's heart broke for his baby boy, because he never wanted Michaelangelo or any of his sons to suffer, any cruelty was against splinter's desire for his sons. He wanted them all to be happy and protected. Suffering, imprisonment, brainwashing, torture, abuse, deception, agony, personal conflict, he wanted none of that for his boys. Yet the world was far less merciful than he ever was and it was his boys who suffered worse than him. Splinter wished to replace sides, just so michaelangelo could suffer far less pain. He then widened his eyes as michaelangelo said words that splinter never thought would be coming out of his mouth.

I'm just no good to anyone

Splinter couldn't take it anymore. The rat quickly went over to michaelangelo, who was softly sobbing, and hugged him as tightly as he could, not caring about the physical pain he was feeling. Michaelangelo's pain was FAR worse than his and he frankly didn't give a damn about his own pain. "Never say that about yourself my son. You are so much more worthy than you allow yourself to see. The burden in your heart should not have to be so heavy. I am so sorry, michaelangelo. I did not want you to suffer like this, nor your brothers. You and your brothers mean more to me than anything money, power and the world can give. I love you my son, I will never think of you as a burden, you make my days far less grey. Please do not ever think of yourself a burden to me or anyone" He realized then that tears were streaming down his own face, the guilt of being a terrible parent overwhelming him and the fact michaelangelo hated what happened made it so much worse for him. Splinter tried not to sob but the tears were evident and real.

[Michelangelo]

Michelangelo heard Splinter's words as he sobbed.

"But it's the truth. I'm the weakest link of this family. I'm too gullible and naive. I feel for Ask That Guy's tricks and worked with the bad guys. I helped capture good people and they got tortured because of me. I was the favorite punching bag to the group in Facilier's army. Well one of them. But i figured it was better me than someone else. And I couldn't even help you against that vampire freak. I am no good to anyone. Maybe it would have been better if Loki had killed me." said Michelangelo.

He knew Splinter was trying to cheer him up but it wasn't working. Splinter was family. He was supposed to say stuff like this but he knew better. He knew the truth. He was blind to how much pain Splinter was in so wrapped up in his own pain.

"I am a burden. Even before I got hurt. I've lost count how many times I've screwed up at training or screwed up a mission. I even went off by myself trying to play hero and just got myself into trouble. It's time to face the truth. I'm no warrior. I'm just a clown pretending to be a warrior. And that's all I'll ever be." said Michelangelo.

[Master Splinter]

Splinter's heart felt like it was snapped in two as he saw that his words were not getting through to Michelangelo quite yet. As he heard Michelangelo's words of cynical and hateful nature, splinter's tears just kept streaming. He never though his son would hate himself enough to be so blind to how important he really was. Then Michelangelo said that maybe it would've been better if he was just killed by Loki. The rat just listened for a while as Michelangelo continued to berate himself. Saying he was just a burden. A clown. A fake warrior. Splinter couldn't believe it. He always wanted Michelangelo to be more humble but not this way. Not like this. Definitely not enough to hate himself like this.

"And what then? Loki and the rest of those fools would continue to kill me and your brothers. And even if they didn't, my heart would've gone out if you were dead. You do not realize how important you are to me and your brothers. Do you not remember what I have told you? You are part of a family, my son and if you are gone then the rest of us will follow" Splinter said, tone extremely hurt. It was almost as if Michelangelo's words were directed at splinter and not himself. He continued on, tears streaming and he knew that he was going to agitate his injuries with this type of stress but he didn't care. He didn't care at all. Michelangelo was all he was focused on right now "You are not a burden, or a clown or anything you have just told me. There is nothing wrong with making people laugh. I know in the past I have said that your lack of focus was because of the fact you like to fool around, but I would never ask you to abandon your humor and happiness. I would rather have you prank someone than to lose your sense of esteem" He wiped his tears despite them still flowing "You make me happy with your joy. And even though you have lacked focus, you made up for it with your charm and cheerful behavior. Yes, there is a time and place for it, but you cannot abandon that fact all-together. Do not doubt yourself because you have skills that are less than your brothers, you have other skills that make up for them"

Splinter calmed down eventually, trying his best not to break down in front of his son. But his son's words were really hurtful to splinter. Never before had he heard michelangelo speak such things "My son. You may not be as strong as Raphael, intelligent as Donatello or as confident as Leonardo but you have something within you that your brothers are indifferent too. And that is dedication. You are determined to protect us. You are determined for our safety. And while you are just as loyal as your brothers, you have this aura about you that causes the others motivation. You are usually first to go out and fight. And what causes you to do that? The danger against us. You protect us. That makes you just as useful as your brothers" He wiped more of his tears and responded again, still struggling to calm down "Your life is just as important as mine. Maybe more so. You are not the weak link of anything michelangelo. If anything I am. It is my job to protect you, not the other way around. I did not want you to protect me and that is what caused me to recieve this" He deliberately showed Mikey his bandaged neck and groaned as the pain came rushing back. "I was arrogant and over-protective. I should of given you the chance to assist me, not force you to be in that position. I am sorry my son. I only wanted to protect you" He covered his face and started sobbing once more.

[Michelangelo]

Michelangelo glared at him before his expression softened.

"You think that matters? I'm not strong enough to stop Loki even together the five us couldn't stop him. He's a god. Whether I lived or died isn't going to make much difference in this war." said Michelangelo.

He sighed at Splinter's words.

"Of course I know that. I care about you, Leo, Raph, and Donny too. And April, and Casey and the rest of our friends back home. And these guys here in Critic's army aren't so bad either. I should have stayed back home. All I've done is hurt people or get myself kidnapped and manipulated since I joined this stupid war. The only good thing I did was save Raphael from Loki." said Michelangelo.

Michelangelo shook his head.

"I know what I am. Nothing you say would change the truth. Or how I feel. I'm sorry I've upset you father." said Michelangelo.

Michelangelo smiled a little as Splinter said he made him happy in the past. But his smile fell just as quickly. He knew Splinter meant well but it didn't change things.

"I don't have any skills. Not really. I was only fooling myself. The Foot were just stupid footsoldiers easy to take care of. And every other problem I've faced it was with at least one of the others or you to back me up. I always wanted to be a super hero. I tried being the Turtle Titan for awhile. But now I realize I was just the sidekick all along on this team. And not a very good one." said Michelangelo.

He paused as Splinter spoke again.

"Of course I want all of you safe. But I barely saved Raphael and I nearly got myself killed. I tried fighting off Leo and failed. I couldn't stop that vampire either. I don't belong here." said Michelangelo.

Michelangelo paused looking at Splinter's wounds as fresh tears went down his face as he remembered how serious Splinter's injuries were.

"Father are you sure it's safe for you to be walking around like this? Maybe you should go lie down. I don't want you to get hurt again." said Michelangelo.

He paused shaking his head.

"It's not your fault. I was no match for him. You had to protect me. Everyone has to protect me. Maybe I should go to Roses's house. No one will have to get hurt or die to keep me safe any more." said Michelangelo.

[Master Splinter]

Splinter decided to not bother with the loki situation, seeing Mikey got him cornered there but Splinter was extremely heartbroken that his youngest lost all hope. What did this mean about them? Were they truly lost? Splinter didn't want to lose hope, if hope was lost so were they. They needed to have faith they would return home. Splinter softly looked at his youngest as he ranted that all he was good for was staying out of the way "My son, after all I have taught you, you must keep faith within yourself. If you lose hope in yourself, you will lose your life. Do you not understand how mature and strong you are? If you were not worthy, you would be no longer living now. You have done much more than make people laugh and while there is nothing with that, I know you wish to do more and perhaps it is time I start being more appreciative of your help. You are determined and brave, just because you are not strong as others does not mean you are not important" He sighed softly, wiping more of his tears away "I am sorry for this my son, I should be in better with my emotions. It is just I am your father and I care about you, I swore my whole life to protect you, even at the cost of my own, ever since you were barely walking. Some of your lack of confidence is perhaps my fault. I did not push myself to let go more"

Splinter then listened as Mikey continued to talk and sighed more, hurt at his aggressive words and unconfident attitude "No michaelangelo. It is I who am sorry, you are right, I cannot change the way you think but I will let you know how I truly think of your opinions. Although I do not agree, the only one who can believe in yourself is you, my son. That said, you are not nothing, you mean everything to me. And your words cannot change that about me either" He then was hopeful when he saw mikey's smile but his hope vanished when the smile was quickly gone as it arrived "Do not say such things, my son. You do have skills. It is just hard to see for you since you have been constantly attacked and abused. If you saw what I saw, perhaps you would think differently. You have much potential in ninjutsu, your skills have kept you alive now and have helped me plenty of times. Do you not remember the past my son?" Splinter's voice got slightly more demanding but his face was desperate, as if wanting his son to understand that what he was saying was killing splinter inside.

"Yes you do. If your brothers and I belong in this cruel war, so do you. You must stop thinking like this. It will do no good for anyone, especially you" Splinter demanded. He then shook his head as mikey asked if he needed to lie down, despite the pain splinter was not going to leave. Splinter was just as stubborn as his sons were "No. Not until we settle this. I am not leaving until my youngest son feels worthy again. I refuse to stand by while my child is hurting emotionally. I am your father, I need to take care of you. Not the other way around" However as he said this, his bandages that were once completely white now showed red stains, indicating that the wounds were open a bit and bleeding once more. As well as splinter breathing a bit heavier, splinter WAS tired but he was stubborn. He cared more about mikey than himself.

"Yes it was. I was not strong enough to take care of myself, but that will change. I will work harder" Splinter murmured, his gaze low and determined. His voice got a bit louder as mikey said he planned to go to roses' house "After all those days waiting for you to return thanks to those villains back at that guy's house? No, you will stay here. Your brother's need you and you need them. I will not lose you again after all I had to go through" Splinter then listened to mikey's reasoning and sighed, rubbing his face "What am I thinking? You will be safe there and... no. The villains' cannot be unaware of that location forever. You will still be unsafe. You are staying here michaelangelo, so you can help your brothers" He then sighed again, rubbing his neck before hissing in pain. The neck still was hurting.

[Michelangelo]

Michelangelo shrugged.

"How can I have faith? All I've done is cause trouble since this war began. That's all I've ever done. I'm not strong. I'm only living because I had you and my brothers and my friends to bail me out. I really did was try to have fun and now I don't even feel like doing that.

He sighed listening to his father.

"None of this is your fault. Maybe if this war had never happened I would have just gone on believing I was a warrior when I was just pretending to be one. You guys will always be my family and you want what's best for me. I get that. But this war has opened my eyes to the truth and I can't just forget that. No matter painful it is." said Michelangelo.

Michelangelo sighed again looking away.

"Skills? They're nothing compared to my brothers or you. Or the others here. I'm weak. Pathetic." said Michelangelo.

He paused as Splinter said he didn't need to lie down. That they needed to settle this.

"Don't you get it? Nothing you say or do will change how I feel. You could bring in Donny, Raph, Leo, and the whole army and it wouldn't matter. I'm just tired of fighting." said Michelangelo.

He paused as realized Spliner's bandages were now red as he gasped seeing Splinter was breathing heavier.

"You're hurt. We got to get you back to the medical bay." said Michelangelo.

He shook his head.

"I want to go there so I'm no longer a burden. You guys are going to still worry about me but as long as I'm here I'm a liability." said Michelangelo.

He frowned as Splinter admitted the villains might know of that location one day.

"Then I guess there really is no safe place." said Michelangelo.

He paused looking at his nunchucks from the ground and handed them to his father.

"Here. I won't be needing these anymore. I'm not going to fight any longer." said Michelangelo.

He paused walking to the door shouting for help.

"Can I get some help? My father's hurt." said Michelangelo.

Master Splinter, Raphael, Donatello

[Raphael]

"My son. Please don't say such horrible things. Faith is something very precious and you must not lose it. You've done so much. Do you not remember all those times we've defeated the shredder? Do you not remember all of your own personal victories? Are you so ashamed of yourself that you forget all your good traits?" Splinter demanded. He was hurt and his tone showed that. Michelangelo giving up on himself was like giving up his life and family. It was painful to hear.

"Michelangelo, this war is a poisonous influence. You are a warrior through and through. You can't abandon that. It is not something just by a title or by the typical amount of strength. It takes more than muscles. It takes heart and you have plenty of it. Do not give up on me, this is my only demand from you" Splinter begged. He wanted his son so badly to believe him. His youngest meant a lot to him. Just like his other three boys.

"Now stop that!" Splinter angrily replied "I understand that this is a painful situation. I completely understand your pain and frustration but your brothers and I are suffering the same thing as you are" He was slightly irritated but also hurt that his son was so blind to how important he was to this. That and how dire the war needed everyone's help. "I know you're tired of fighting. I know. And that is alright to be that way but we are not home, my son. We need to work together"

"Michelangelo, you will stop this talk this instant! I lost you once I am not losing you again, am I clear?!" Splinter suddenly shouted as Michelangelo insisted on leaving to someplace safe. Maybe it was fear. Maybe it was paranoia. Maybe it was his pain influencing his judgment. Splinter did not want Michelangelo to leave him again. Not now and certainly ever.

"My son. Your weapons are meant to be kept, even if you do not use them. I refuse... No, I forbid myself to take them. You will keep them. I have given them to you as a permanent thing" Splinter did not take the weapons. He then saw his two other sons come over, Raphael helped him while Donny stayed behind to insist Mikey to keep the weapons. Splinter allowed, finally, for Raphael to help him.
XXXX

Raphael and Donny heard Mikey call out and heard the ending parts of a conversation. Particularly the parts where Mikey didn't want his weapons and that he gave up on fighting. Raphael rushed, seeing Splinter in dire need and gently pulled his arms. "Sensei. You're in pain. Let's get you to the medical bay. Donny, I think you need to chat with Mikey for a bit" He rushed Splinter inside, expecting to have Donny and Mikey follow through time.
XXXX

As Raphael indeed took Splinter away, Donny picked up the nunchuks and offered them back to Mikey "You're a warrior, mikey. Why do you think you're so useless? You need to understand that we all need you. Not just in fighting but in spirit. You can't give up hope. If you do, then we've already lost" Donny sighed, holding the weapons but kept insisting Mikey to take them. "Come on, mikey. You can't be serious. You really need to stop thinking like this. I can't stand it. Having you push yourself so hard like this. It's okay to make mistakes, it's okay that you goof around, that doesn't make you any less heroic!"

[Michelangelo]

Michelangelo looked at him sadly.

"What good has faith ever done me? It's clouded me to the truth. I see things clearly now. There were times all I wanted to do was to make my brothers laugh and now I don't even want to smile." said Michelangelo bitterly.

He dismissed his previous victories. They'd been luck or he'd been backing up his brothers, friends and Master Splinter who were the real warriors. He shook his head again as Splinter tried to reassure him.

"No I'm not a warrior. I never was." said Michelangelo.

He flinched as Splinter snapped at him as Michelangelo looked at him sadly.

"It's not the same. You three are warriors. I know you'll get Leo back. I was just the fifth wheel all along. The four of you make a great team. I was never really a part of it. If I tried to count the number of times Leo, or Raph or even you would get mad, disappointed, or just ignore me altogether. It hurt and I used to promise myself I'd do better but now I don't think I would I will get better." said Michelangelo.

He paused as Splinter shouted again and Michelangelo flinched again always hating when Splinter got mad at him.

"I don't belong here. I need to go to Roses where I'll be safe." said Michelangelo.

Michelangelo paused seeing Raphael and Donny arrive as Raphael took Splinter inside. He paused looking at Donatello as he wiped away fresh tears.

"No. I'm not. It's time I grew up and faced reality. i don't want those anymore. Give them to someone else who will use them if you don't want to keep them." said Michelangelo.

He nodded again.

"I can't do this anymore. All I do is hurt people. The only good thing I've done since I got here was saving Raph and I didn't even do that right cause I got hurt. I don't deserve those anymore. Maybe I never did." said Michelangelo.

He turned and ran into the house knowing Raphael would take care of Splinter but he was just so upset. He ended up in his own room closing the door knowing one of his brothers would come after him eventually. He wished he'd never come here but now

(ooc: feel free to chase after him. xD)

[Donatello]

Splinter listened to Mikey's defenses but allowed Donny to take the nunchuckus. Splinter just couldn't handle getting through to Mikey no matter how much he tried. Nevertheless, he tried a little more "This isn't good Michelangelo. You're clearly not assertive about yourself. We must work on this" He then tried to calm himself, seeing that his anger was making things worse "No my son. Underneath it all, you know that this is not true. You have always been a warrior. Once you are a ninja, you can never have that taken away"

He then sadly listened as Mikey confessed to constantly fail at getting better. That every time Leo, Raph or even splinter got mad he felt like a failure "That is my fault. I too unfortunately make mistakes. I should be more patient with you. Being secretive about our lives is never easy. I perhaps was too harsh on you sometimes. I promise you I will fix this. Just because I get upset with you does not make you any less important. Your brothers would tell you the same thing I am sure"

"Please Michelangelo. Please don't leave. I lost you once, I do not want to lose you again" Splinter finally confessed. The truth underneath it all was Splinter was just as scared as Mikey was. He was scared to lose any of his children. He was scared to fail them. He then was taken away by Raphael while Mikey and Donny argued. He then saw Donny run after Mikey. The old rat sighed softly "This war really has damaged your brother, Raphael. He blames himself for everything. He is not happy anymore. I wish I could take his pain and all of your pain away, my son"
XXXXX

"Don't blame yourself for any of this, sensei. He knows it's not anyone's fault except the bad guys. He's just really mixed up right now" Raphael said, seeing the sad display before Mikey ran off to a room. He then saw Donny talk to him about finding medical stuff to which Raph nodded. He held Donny's shoulder and replied "Don't be too angry with him. He's just too emotional. He doesn't mean it. He just doesn't know that he doesn't mean it. Trust me" He gave Donny a slight hug before allowing the other to go find Mikey. Then Raph got medical stuff and helped re-bandage Splinter.
XXXXX

Donny immediately held the Nunchuckus in his belt, near his left side. He was not going to give them to someone else but Mikey was blatantly refusing to take them. "Come on Mikey. You aren't facing reality. You're stuck on really bad stuff right now. You need to not be so hard on yourself. We're all trying to be better. I know you're upset with yourself and that's okay but not if you just give up"

"Mikey stop you know that's not..." Donny didn't even get to finish as Mikey ran away into the house. Donny followed "Mikey, get back here!" Before hearing a door slam. He then turned to Raph and kindly responded "Hey raph. Help give Splinter better bandages okay? I'm gonna try to get through to Mikey" He then was about to leave when Raph said to try to be easier. Listening to Raph be reasonable like this made Donny feel glad he wasn't alone on protecting splinter and himself anymore. He smiled and nodded, hugging Raph before getting up to the room Mikey was in.

He gently knocked the door "Mikey. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to overwhelm you. Can you let me in? Please?"

[Michelangelo]

(ooc: we could keep splinter & raphael out for a bit if you want. maybe they follow donny or whatever. since they're in two locations right now.)

Michelangelo was in his room as he heard Donny and sighed. He'd tried to ignore his family's words. He knew he was hurting them but he didn't mean to. It was just how he felt.

"Come in. It's unlocked. I couldn't keep you away even if I wanted to. You'd have the locked picked in seconds and be in here anyway." said Michelangelo.

In spite of how he was feeling he smiled briefly at that.

"I'm a failure. I should have never come here. I don't belong here. Maybe I've never belonged anywhere." said Michelangelo.

[Master Splinter]

(OCC: Yeah, we'll have Donny and mikey for a couple posts while Splinter and Raph eventually come in. Using this account because I'm a bit lazy)

Splinter and Raphael meanwhile were in the kitchen. Raph sighed "I don't know what to do with him Sensei"

"Patience, my son. I too do not entirely know what goes through your brother's head. His demons are his own to bear. I am afraid that he needs to help himself as much as we try to help him" Splinter replied
XXXXX

"Probably. That would be the fun way" Donny said, a snort coming out of him before he sighed. "See? That's what I miss Mikey. You always knew how to make me happy" Donny then frowned as Mikey said he was a failure. That he didn't belong anywhere. "Mikey. Please. You know that's not true. If you don't belong here then neither do I. We're both ninjas... and turtles but mostly ninjas. We're not going to be normal but maybe normality isn't really something to look towards"

Donny came closer, holding his brother's shoulder. "I'm gonna be honest, mikey. I don't feel like I belong either. But I don't let my past or my mistakes define me. And you shouldn't either"

[Michelangelo]

Michelangelo grinned at that.

"Fun for you maybe." said Michelangelo.

His smile dropped as Donatello walked in and he sighed.

"But that's all I was good for. Making others happy." said Michelangelo.

Michelangelo shook his head.

"You guys were the fighters. And you're a genius. If anyone belongs here it's you. You fit in great with all the other smart people and fighters here." said Michelangelo.

He paused looking at him in confusion.

"Mistakes? When was the last time you made a mistake?" asked Michelangelo.

He didn't really keep track of mistakes other people made. Yet he could remember every mistake he'd made. He'd gotten enough lectures from Splinter and the others over the years. He'd just brushed it off or made a joke but now looking back he saw the signs were there.

"I've should have seen the signs but I guess I wasn't smart enough to figure it out till now." said Michelangelo.

[Master Splinter]

(OCC: The incident where Donny got his leg nicked was during the outbreak season. That's when Donny turned into a monster and got a bit sick. That's what I'm referring to when Donny mentions almost eating mikey's leg)

Splinter and Raphael were still in the kitchen, allowing Donny the chance to talk to Mikey. Hoping the brains of the bunch would get through to him. Donny meanwhile heard Mikey's words and responded "Seriously? What's so bad about making people laugh and have a good time? I mean, sometimes it's annoying, but it's never a bad thing. It's not the only thing you're good at either. I can't do jack with the nunchukus like you can. I can't skateboard. I can't beat anybody at any video game. I can't sneak out of home with ease. You could be hiding for hours and we still wouldn't find you" He sighed, rubbing his head, not sure if this was helpful.

Donny breathed and replied "Sure some of these are small things but they are things you can do. And you're so good to us, Mikey. You help me get out of the lab and go outside and make Raph feel safe. You're family and we love you" Donny went over to sit closer to his brother. He continued to talk "There's plenty of smart people, Mikey. Tony, Bruce, Linksano, Nella, Stone. I'm just a dime in a dozen here" Donny put himself down because he wanted to show Mikey that he too had insecurities. They were only coming to light now because of Mikey's low point. Mikey then asked when was the last time he made a mistake and he smirked "I got nicked by a radioactive giant man remember? Turned into a crazy lizard and almost ate your leg" He then made a sad face "If I was as smart as you thought I was, I wouldn't of gotten nicked. I make mistakes mikey. We all do"

"Come on. You know some of the time me and Raph are just frustrated. We sometimes are immature too, Mikey. Raph and I usually are busy with something and then you pop in unaware and we take it out. And that's wrong of us. I'm sorry for that" Donny sighed softly, looking for his brother to respond

[Michelangelo]

Mikey looked at him sadly.

"But I was like that too much. At the time I thought you guys needed to loosen up more. But most of the time you guys just seemed angry or annoyed. To be honest there was sometimes I wondered if you guys even wanted me around. I even thought of not coming back to the cave a couple times but I couldn't go. Maybe I was being selfish but I didn't want to leave you guys. Even if you guys were mad at me a lot." said Mikey.

He grinned though when Dony was trying to cheer him up.

"Did you even try to skateboard? And I probably play video games as much as you do your inventing and fixing stuff. But that doesn't make me a warrior. I guess I've always been jealous of that. I wasn't smart like you, or tough like Raph and Leo. You three were a team by yourselves and add Splinter and you're unstoppable." said Mikey.

He blinked in surprise.

"I make Raph feel safe? No, he always makes me feel safe. That's why I try to bring him along a lot. I never really like going out alone." said Mikey.

Mikey shook his head and the smile was still on his face.

"You're one of a kind. And they're lucky to have you working with them. I know it." said Mikey.

He winced at the reminder as his smile fell.

"Right. I almost forgot about that. But still, that wasn't your fault. And you're still smart. You just made a mistake that's all." said Mikey.

Mikey nodded.

"But that's my point. You're doing something else. Something important to you and I'm always interrupting you and ruining your own fun. Maybe you overreacted once and awhile but I shouldn't have bugged you either. I'm sorry about that. I probably wrecked a few of your ideas and inventions of the years because I kept bothering you. Sometimes I wonder how you guys put up with me." said Mikey.