Chapter Text
There was a secret between the brothers.
Well, not really a secret. Just a code. Something only they would ever be able to decipher.
Mikey's catchphrase, “Booyakasha” is incredibly important. More important then anyone might think.
The three older turtles rarely use the word themselves. Typically using it only when something particularly good or exciting happens.
Or when getting revenge for Mikey.
When Mikey is injured and one or two of the brothers are unaware, the third will often yell, “Booyakasha!” While getting revenge.
But it's not JUST to honor Mikey during revenge, no.
It's also a way to let the others know, ‘Hey, Mikey is NOT okay.’
No one but the turtles know this. Not April, Casey, Karai, Leatherhead, Ice Cream Kitty, or even master Splinter! Yes, they may have seen it yelled during revenge, but they don't know the underlying meaning.
It's just a secret code between the boys. Just one word that has several meanings.
A word that means so much to them.
Leonardo can count on one hand the amount of times he's used it himself.
Raphael can use both hands and probably one of his feet.
Donatello can also count it on just one or two hands.
Michelangelo..would not have enough fingers and toes.
But the point is, that word can either carry joy, rage, or absolute devastation.
Joy when Mikey is using it or when one of the older three are happy.
Rage when Mikey is hurt and needs to be avenged.
And devastation when Mikey is hurt and needs to be avenged.
Leo, Raph, and Donnie hate it when their baby brother gets injured.
In fact, Donnie is one more incident away from creating a nice, indestructible bubble home for Mikey.
Because he's their baby brother. They would do anything and everything to keep him safe and happy.
Earlier that night the code had been used.
It was a normal night on patrol, Leonardo leading the way while trying to think of a good training exercise his brothers would actually agree to.
He had been so deep in thought that he nearly ran right off a rooftop, not noticing the slightly larger gap.
Thankfully, Donatello had grabbed him by the back of his shell and pulled him back.
“Leo! Are you okay? You seem distracted, bro.” Donnie spoke softly, trying not to alert their more emotional brothers. But the concern he felt was clear on his face.
Leo blinked hard, “Oh, yeah. I'm fine, just lost in thought.” He mumbled.
Donnie eyed him for a moment longer before deciding to drop it. Getting Leo to talk about his problems was impossible..unless you were Mikey. Donnie truly didn't know how his only little brother did it, but it was impressive.
Leo then decided it was time for a quick break and sat on the ledge, staring out at the city.
He didn't look up when someone sat next to him, already knowing who it is.
“Hey, bro! What's up? You look..upset.” The orange banded turtle said, concern clear in his eyes despite the smile on his freckled face.
Leo glanced at him and smiled a bit, “Yeah, I'm okay, Mike.”
“You're not.” Mikey shook his head, “You've got the sad puppy look! Come on, tell your bro what's wrong!” He wrapped an arm around Leo's shoulders.
Sighing, Leo caved, “It's just..I've been trying to think of a training exercise you guys would actually be willing to do. But I can't think of anything. It's frustrating.”
Mikey frowned, releasing his brother to shift so he could face him, “What do you mean? We always do your training exercises?”
“But you always ignore the rules!”
Blinking in shock, Mikey realized what the problem was, “Does it bother you that much, Lee?”
The old nickname nearly makes Leo jolt as he looks at Mikey, “Well..yeah. It's hard enough being the leader. But when you guys don't listen or follow the rules..”
Mikey's eyes softened, “It scares you, doesn't it, Lee?”
Before Leo could respond, tears clouding his vision, there was a huge thump behind them, their other two brothers crying out in shock.
The oldest and youngest both jumped up, spinning around to face the scene as they pulled their weapons out, facing the danger.
Rahzar stood there, growling at Donnie while Fishface had Raph cornered.
There were several footbots with them too.
Mikey narrowed his eyes, “What do we do, boss?”
Leo stood firm, making his voice louder so Donnie and Raph could hear him, “Raph, Donnie! Take care of Fishface and the bots you can! Mikey, you're with me. Let's take down that dog!”
“Aw, yeah, boy!” Mikey yelled, rushing in with his nunchucks spinning, trying to distract Rahzar so he would forget Donnie, “Come here, doggy!” He taunted.
Leo charged in soon after, slashing at the mutated wolf.
But Rahzar dodged out of the way, subtly leading them farther away from their other two brothers.
Mikey charged in again, taking a page out of Raph's book.
Unfortunately, not even Raph has a great success rate with that tactic.
Mikey was smacked away like an annoying fly, crying out in pain. The cry cut out suddenly when his small body hit a wall, suggesting he was knocked unconscious on impact, before falling into the alley.
Leo's eyes went wide with horror, staring at where he had just seen his baby brother fall, “MIKEY!”
He rushed to the alley immediately, dropping to the ground carefully so he wouldn't get injured while checking on Mikey.
Rahzar scoffed, ignoring them as he went to join Xever with the last two turtles.
Meanwhile, Leo couldn't keep the fear out of his voice.
“Mikey? Baby? Come on, bubba. Don't do this to me! Open your eyes, I'm here! Big brother is right here, Mike!” He whimpered, hugging the smaller body close.
The only relief he felt was when he realized Mikey was still breathing.
“Oh, thank God! Come here.” He said, gently pulling Mikey into his arms. He carefully maneuvered Mikey until the smaller turtle was on his shell, making it easier for him to climb back up to the rooftop.
“Careful, baby. Hold on. Almost..there!” Once he made it, he set Mikey down, making sure he was hidden in the shadows of an air duct before running back into the fight.
“RAHZAR!” Leo screeched, quickly gaining everyone's attention. He leapt high into the air, spinning in rapid circles, his swords a deadly blur, “BOOYAKASHA!”
Raph and Donnie felt themselves pale and go stiff instantly. Mikey. Mikey wasn't here. Mikey didn't yell that. Leo did. That meant it wasn't a good ‘Booyakasha’. It was a bad one.
Mikey was hurt.
The two of them rushed at Rahzar, shoving past Fishface despite his attempts to keep them in place.
“YOU STUPID MUTT!” Raph cried, his vision was full of memories of Mikey, sweet and innocent, happy and smiling, laughing, joking, talking, just sitting..how could anyone hurt little Mikey?!
Donnie was dead silent, making no noise as he attacked, swinging his staff violently at the double mutant. He hadn’t been able to kill Don Visioso, but Rahzar? Oh ho ho. He messed up big time when he hurt Mikey.
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Thankfully, Mikey was okay and was currently resting in Donnie's lab, but Rahzar had learned a VERY serious lesson about messing with Mikey and why it's not a good idea.