Author POV

It was a dark night at the time, panting and groans of pain could be heard. It moves to the rooftop, Raphael, April, Michelangelo and Master Splinter, stood not far from each other as the rain drip down their skin. Thunder rolls, Michelangelo stood in front of his father and his eye caught, the figure getting up on the rooftop with purpose, with determination.

Michelangelo's eyes widen as his gazed fixed on the monstrosity, Shredder. The shredder picked up the pace with his movements heading towards them. It felt as time slowed as Michelangelo hand reached out to pull, his father out of danger. The rain slows as the knives pierced into the back of Master Splinter. Raphael yells out for his father, April eyes widen in fear, shock, sadness and Michelangelo stood frozen as his father is thrown out of his reach off the building.

"Papa!!!" Michelangelo's voice rang with pain and vulnerability as he rushed to edge. Blood pools around his father, he saw his father chest rise once and fall and never rose again.

Michelangelo's body slumps as the edge of rooftop as the shredder cackles in triumph.

Footsteps moved to their direction, Michelangelo head lifted. Leonardo and Donatello moved towards. Donatello jumps down reaching Splinter's bloody body and Leonardo, releases his blade from his shell, fueled by anger and pain.

The shredder couldn't react to him in time before blades slice through his abdomen.

"AGH!!!!" The shredder gurgles in pain, hunched over. Raphael took the opportunity and charged knocking the shredder off the other side of building. His body fell with a thud creating a crater in the ground. The two brothers huffed looking down at shredder's body laying and looked at each other nods.

Then reality falls as the jumped down to see Donnie looking down with grief and regret and Michelangelo holding their father's hand, tears streaming down his freckled cheeks.

"Donnie?" Leonardo asked, the question hanging in the air and Donatello couldn't even look at his eldest brothers. Raphael still raging yells, "DONNIE!? Well what's going can you fix it?" His voice held hope, but it's crushed when Donatello looks up hands covering in blood tears pooling in his eyes.

April's rest a comforting hand on his shoulder, "He's gone, Raph." His voice comes out shaky, shamed that he couldn't do anything. "There's nothing I can do, he lost too much blood, he was dead before me and Leo got here." His voice comes out smooth almost if it wasn't for the anger and pain hidden beneath.

The words hit the boys in the heart as the collapsed next their father's now cold body.

"Papa..." Mikey's voice calls out, soft, vulnerable, pained. No answer other than the roll of another thunder. They sat their in silence heads bowed, just for them to hold on to what was left of their father even there was nothing hold on to. He was dead.

Leonardo finally raises his head feeling the rain wetting his face as if to whip away the tears rolling down, and he got up. "Leo?" Mikey called out seeing his brother getting up. "Guys, Sensei needs a proper place to rest, he's dead, he should rest comfortably." Leonardo said, his voice shaky. " April, can we...use your farmhouse?" He asked attentively.

April nods with no hesitation, she knew what it's like to lose a father. They picked up their father's body carrying him back to the turtle truck, laying him down. "I'll drive." April said getting into the front seat and the brothers have her grate look as they huddle around their father's body.

The ride was quick, no noise besides the engine of the truck and patter of the rain hitting the surface of the truck. April, stares at the road often glancing back to check on the boys. She felt their pain, and she wished she could help.

The farm house came into view as April drove into the side of the farmhouse to park. The truck shakes as it came to a complete stop to the familiar place. "We're here." April said her voice soft. They picked the spot under the large three in front of the farmhouse. April brought out the shovels, Leonardo and Raphael both took one and started digging.

Michelangelo walked to the river not far from the farmhouse, taking up a stone that looked similar to a headstone. He brought it back and slowly craved the details into it with his Nun chucks blades.

Donatello, cleaned up there father's body was with a cloth, moving as much blood as possible. April watched them, they all did their part, but she could see how their shoulders shake, how the tension flow from their body.

The hole was dug, six feet deep. Michelangelo brought the headstone he finished craved letting it lean against the tree.

The brothers went picked up the body, two on each side of their father as they lowered him into the grave. Michelangelo and Donatello, covered him up tears hitting the dirt as they did. Once fully covered the stood back and kneeled down in front of the grave. April took her place next to them.

Here Lies The body of Splinter Hamato.

Father and Sensei.

May he rest in peace.

The rainy clouds finally cleared out leaving a darkened sky. It was truly a sad day.

The ride back to the lair was like poison, thank God April got out to her apartment in time. They wouldn't want her to sit awkwardly between them. They parked into the alleyway and slipped into the sewers. Once they arrived to their home.

Donatello, went to his lab probably to blame himself, to overwork himself.

Leonardo, went to the Splinter's room to meditate, he probably thinks he failed as a son as leader.

Raphael, went to the dojo to release his anger, his emotions that swirl around him like a bullet train, probably to blame himself that he couldn't protect his father in time.

And lastly Michelangelo, he watches as his older brothers all went their separate way and what he could do. He was supposed to be there for all of them to make sure they don't go off the edge, but he knew they need space, they all did. So he goes to his room getting into his bed, sleep taking him.

He would make them feel better in time because their brothers and no one should grieve alone.

The lair quiet, the quiet grunts of Raphael onslaught on the dummy, Leonardo's shallow breathing as he meditated. Donatello's disappointed sigh of messing up a formula and Michelangelo's soft breathing as he slept.

Their Father is gone, but a threat lurks it waits.

A crack in the family.

Author POV

The sunrise was high the glaring light shining down into New York city. The roads wet from the rain that night and somewhere blood washes down the drain. The road filled with yelling and horns honking impatient and down underneath the sewers' chaos unfolds.

Michelangelo had woken up at dawn, he was on a mission 'cheer his brothers up'. The events from yesterday was still fresh in his mind, but Michelangelo knows his father wouldn't want them wasting away. The kitchen was filled with humming of a tune.

The door of the fridge was opened, eggs and bacon a great meal to start today. He turns on the stove letting the pan heat as he cracked four eggs for each person. He started up the coffee machine. "Donnie can never go a day without his coffee." Michelangelo chuckled to himself as he places the bacon to fry.

The sizzling of the bacon and the smell fills the lair. He plates the bacon and then fries each egg to his brothers liking.

Leonardo, scrambled egg, two bacon and green tea, for balance he always said.

Raphael, a flat egg with his three bacon folded in it and black tea, keeps him strong, he always said.

Donatello, sunny side up with a bit of salt and black coffee, keeps his head running, he always said.

The groans came after a while of silence and the three brothers walked out their separate spaces. Looks like they slept in the rooms they were in yesterday. Michelangelo smiled, "Breakfast is ready!" He chirped watching as they made their way to the kitchen.

Thud

Raphael and Leonardo bumped shells as they both tried to enter into the kitchen together, the reaction was quick. Raphael shoved Leonardo, hard.

"Watch it fearless!" Raphael grunted, annoyed brushing his shell taking a seat, stabbing into his breaks. Leonardo gains back his balance glaring at Raphael as Donatello stumbles in taking the hot coffee to his lips.

"Didn't have to shove me, Raph." Leonardo's voice came tight and strained from anger.

They were all stressed, still grieving from yesterday's events he needed to breathe, no need to fight. Raphael snorted, "Yeah right." he didn't sound sorry, more annoyed than apologetic.

Michelangelo saw the tension rising and forced a smile, "Dudes, let's just take a breather we're all angry and sad and stress, let's just have a nice breakfast..." Michelangelo started looking between Raphael and Leonardo. "No need to fight, we're all hurting…" His voice softened.

Michelangelo, always the peacemaker.

Raphael looked at Michelangelo and his eyes soften slightly before looking at Leonardo, "He's right, sorry for pushing you, just upset that's all." He stated apologetic, glancing into Michelangelo's direction seeing his face brighten.

Leonardo nodded, "it's fine, bro I understand I guess we're just on the edge." the Sincerity in voice made Michelangelo's heart swell with pride. Maybe they would get through this together.

Michelangelo, pushes Donatello's plate at him, whose currently on his second mug of coffee, "Eat, you can't live on coffee." Michelangelo said with playful glare.

"Well, statistically speaking-", "I'm not listening, blah, blah, blah!" Donatello was caught off guard by being cut off as Michelangelo covered his ears. A smile cracked across his face as he ate, watching Michelangelo smile satisfied.

Leonardo and Raphael watched this and both chuckled at Michelangelo's antics and Michelangelo ate his breakfast, it felt normal, one step to healing. They'll be okay, baby steps, but they'll get there.

Soon, the sun went down, and the moon rose high. The brothers had gotten a few condolences messages from friends. April most likely explaining the situation to their friends about their fallen father.

They were grateful that she didn't tell them the whole story, just enough to let them know someone has fallen in their home, and they need time.

"April is so nice to tell them give us space." Michelangelo stated as they got ready for patrol. The older brothers nodded with smiles that held tension. "Yep, we really need the space." Donatello admit.

The raced over the city, jumping over gaps between the buildings. The cold air making the tension fade, it felt like four brothers just running along city. They laughed as Michelangelo joked along the way.

Movements. That's what they say, iron footsteps clad against the pavement. The dragging of crates into a moving truck. Foot Bots. Leonardo held up his hand for them to stop hiding behind the chimney of the closet building.

"Donnie?" Leonardo questioned and Donatello was quick to work, flicking down his spy glass zooming in on the crates. "Parts, It's bomb parts with some of them filled with gunpowder." Donatello stated in a matter of fact tone.

"Why would they need to make a bomb with all those parts...unless it's make a big bomb…it could cause…" Leonardo's voice trailed off he couldn't find the right word. "Nuclear Explosion." Donatello finished for him, The thought had Raphael and Michelangelo in concern.

"Well? What are we waiting here for let's stop them!" Raphael shaking off his concern, said now agitated at the thought of those foot bots making such a bomb.

"No Raph! It's too risky we need a plan." Leonardo said with reason, anger surge through Raphael as they heard the start of an engine. All their heads snapped seeing the truck driving off.

Raphael, leaps off the roof landing behind the truck as it drove pass the building. Leonardo curses under his breath. "Let's go!" He said his voice tainted with annoyance, and anger as chased after the truck from the roof.

Raphael, moved across the side of truck to the side door, punching the bot in the driver's seat sending the truck spinning. "Mikey!" Leonardo called out and without an order, "On it." Michelangelo drop in front of truck grabbing a hold of the wheel.

Truck tires twist and turns with each twist of the wheel. Michelangelo made a sharp turn smashing against a light post, falling off the car. Leonardo and Donatello jumped down as Raphael dealt with one of foot Bots.

Weapons clashed as the brothers corners the foot bots into the alleyway tying them up tightly. With them tied up, Leonardo shoves Raphael to ground. "What was that Raph? I said we needed a plan, this could've ended badly!!" Leonardo Shouted angry.

Raphael anger flared as he stood up, "You were taking to long fearless they were getting away, not everything is about waiting!!!" Raphael's voice rises, Leonardo and Raphael stood face to face. "That's exactly why you're not leader!" Leonardo snapped.

Nothing was said, but Leonardo was knocked to the ground with a punch from Raphael, who face was green with rage. Then Leonardo kicked him back and a fight broke out between the too oldest. Donatello stepped in only get yelled at and the tension rises as he also joins the fight. Punches with thrown, kicks were hit.

Michelangelo, didn't know what to do. They were getting better baby steps what's happening. Then they heard the truck sped off. The fight stopped, and they turn to where the foot Bots had cut through the restraints and left in the truck. They were two far to run after and that only fueled the anger of Raphael.

He stepped towards Michelangelo and shoved him to the ground, "Why didn't you watch them properly, shell for brain! You let them get away!!" Raphael yelled at Michelangelo, looking for someone to blame to let his anger out. Donatello shoved him back, "It's not his fault Raph! If you and Leo didn't start fighting we wouldn't be in this mess!?" Donatello stated the bottom fact.

Raphael's faced flushed with anger, "What-" He was cut off by Leonardo who sighed, "Enough Raph, he's right, Mikey shouldn't be blamed." Leonardo said his low. Raphael's couldn't believe it, "Yeah, your to blame, maybe that's why Splinter is dead." He mumbled under his breath before running off.

The other three stood their shocked, " That's low..." Michelangelo said with a heartbroken expression, turning to Leonardo who eyes were filled with tears. "Leo, I'm sure he didn't mean to..." Michelangelo said walking to Leonardo who slapped the open hands away and ran off.

Michelangelo held his hands to himself and glances to Donatello, who wasn't even their anymore. "What's happening? Papa? What's going on, I thought we could do this together." He questioned out loud, no answer, just silence. Michelangelo took the long walk home, alone.

But he would fix this, he always did because that's who he was. They would get through this, no big deal.

The crack in the family picture grows, cracks across The three older brothers face, Michelangelo stands face clear no cracked but it shows.

Author POV

Michelangelo lays in his bed, the sheets feeling cold under the dim lit room. It's been a week since that fight, since he watched as he watched his brothers left him in the middle of road, turning their back on each other.

It felt wrong, cold, Rejecting maybe. They were falling apart pushing each other away and Michelangelo? What was he supposed to do? Talk? Smile? He's also breaking. He stares up at the concrete sealing, a tear rolled down his baby blue eyes. His closed for a moment to breath a bit.

Michelangelo doesn't get that peace, as his vision shows, His brothers spaces between them, resentment glaring at each other, and then they walked away into different parts.

Michelangelo's fear shows as he tried chase to pull them back, to be a family. He found himself grabbing nothing, opening his eyes he realizes he's on the ground. Michelangelo gets up, shaking his head. "No, No, that wouldn't happen… They wouldn't leave... They wouldn't..." He found himself convincing himself, but he knew deep down.

"W-we…fight all the time, and we always come back stronger...always... that's..." His voice softens, "What Splinter taught us." He rubbed his eyes burning with sadness and tears.

Down in the dojo, Donatello stands between his older brothers, who were supposed to be training, but it goes physical, brutal. "Enough! Both of you! Mikey will be down soon!" Donatello yelled, his voice laced with exhausting, he was too young for this.

Raphael cursed, "Who cares? That shell for brain couldn't even watch those iron heads, and they escaped!!" His voice laced with anger, "Your still on that! Or did you forget what you said to me! Or how you just left to shell know where!?" Leonardo snapped back, pushing against Donatello arms that's separating them.

"Oh for the love - You both left and so did I, and we left Mikey to walk alone!? We're here fighting like animals. Mikey is also hurting!! Do you hear him complaining..." Donatello's voice trailed off as reality slapped against him. Michelangelo wasn't grieving he was trying to help them.

Leonardo defensive stance had fallen, his eyes widen. They were all grieving? Anger. Yelling. Tension. Everyone except Michelangelo, he was still smiling trying.

He wasn't grieving openly, but why would he? There was so much tension between, Him, Raphael and Donatello, enough to fill a bowl. Raphael anger faltered, his baby brother, something clicked between the three.

Michelangelo wouldn't grieve or even talk to them about his feeling with them, but they couldn't stand each other. They all need space. They immediately shook that thought from their head as soft footsteps stop in front of the dojo.

"Mikey… Leonardo called out to his baby brother, who raised his head entering the dojo. Michelangelo's scans the situation and the boys immediately separate composing themselves. They had to fix themselves, they had to try. They looked at each other and nodded.

And try they did, Try after Try, and it always ended in fight, I'm bruises on one another, it was going well.

Raphael, couldn't stand Leonardo and his leader complex, he stated drifting, never following orders. He kept it subtle, not enough to raise suspicious, and it felt nice to be on his own, making his rule, and soon he started going on patrol by himself.

He enjoyed freeing from everything it was peaceful, but Michelangelo's sadden face crushed his heart. Raphael closed that feeling Donatello and Leonardo would be there for him, Michelangelo doesn't need him.

Leonardo, tried to be a good leader, but only Michelangelo was the only one following orders. Staring at him with trust and admiration it made him feel strong. But, then he found himself going on patrol by himself early through the night, it was peace away from everything.

Not from his baby brother! No, never! Just for him, so he made schedule, For himself, waiting until everyone was a sleep, and he would patrol. It didn't always have to be the four of them. It was just tiring, and then he would look at Michelangelo's baby blue eyes and his heart would tighten.

Leonardo shakes those thoughts, Michelangelo has Donatello and Raphael, he didn't need him.

Donatello, ever the wise guy, the realistic one the smart one. He tried, but his patience was thinning. They were doing for Michelangelo and that should count, but he couldn't do it not for so long he couldn't keep pretending.

He couldn't keep acting as if they weren't falling apart. He found himself wanting peace, so he found it with April, watching her study for university. It was peaceful no team, no fights just books and his brain working with April's.

Then he would look at Michelangelo and his heart stung, and he pushed it away, Leonardo and Raphael were just as protective over Michelangelo like him. They would take care of him, He doesn't need him.

Michelangelo saw how his brothers started doing his own thing. Now, he was patrolling by himself, no fun, no jokes, no teasing about training being boring just cold, heartless silence. It burned into his soul he was slowly losing his brothers, but they were calmer.

There hadn't been a fight in two weeks since they started and Michelangelo didn't want to be selfish and ruin this for them. They were healing even if it was together at least the came. Yeah, they always came home and eat in silence.

Until the dining table had no sound and tonight wasn't any different. Michelangelo was patrolling, he lost track of time it was late, and he was just wandering the rooftops of the city.

Back at the lair, three brothers just strolled in from their own peaceful night and the house felt quiet. They glanced at each other, "Mikey!" Donatello called out, silence. They searched and searched no signs. They started pointing fingers.

THE PICTURE HAS SHATTERED

"Where's Miley!?" Leonardo questioned the two and they got defensive. "What do you mean, me? Ain't you the leader, where is he, fearless!" Raphael shot back, "Yeah, I was with April studying, so I wasn't even here." Donatello explained, Leonardo and Raphael's eyes snapped towards.

It dawned on them, no one was watching Michelangelo, and now they couldn't find, the peace the once had shattered, started fighting, screaming, punching.

Michelangelo, after taking the longer way home walked into find the lair in chaos, grunts of pain, swearing and yelling. He ran inside, the sight hit him, seeing his brothers on the weapons out fighting, his breath hitched and that draw the attention.

" MIKEY!!!" They yelled in unison, rushing to him weapons in forgotten on the floor checking for bruises. None, thank goodness and the lair fell into silence, "I was patrolling..." Michelangelo broke the silence.

Silence fell again, patrolling on his own, Each brother thought the others were watching Michelangelo. Leonardo, Donatello and Raphael, all looked at each other, silently communicating before nodding.

"Our fault Mikey, won't happen again." Leonardo said patting Michelangelo's head with affection and Michelangelo beamed with happiness. They were getting better healing.

The brothers all disperse to their rooms, after the night they had. Michelangelo, felt relieved another fight hadn't broken out. He fell asleep in peace.

He didn't hear, Donatello's phone call, to April talking about applying for university as a online student, promising that Michelangelo had Leonardo And Raphael.

He didn't hear, Leonardo on his bed, with a bag being packed and a picture of Splinter in sanctuary in Japan.

He didn't hear, Raphael on the phone with Casey, talking about going on an adventure, learning new things, maybe try new hobbies.

He heard none of it, he slept in peace thinking his brothers were getting better and slowly so was he, they would be fine.