Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Casey had been thrown into the portal less than 25 minutes ago, and they already felt they had failed. They had found Commander April, only to be knocked out and tied up. He had been trying to explain that he was from the future, and they had not believed him until he brought up the Krang. Now free from the binds he was able to get a good look at his. “Family.”

Dad, Sensei was a little taller than him, about 16 and extremely flamboyant. Something Casey would have been yelled at for doing. He was a lot skinnier than his..future self. Casey still believed he was the key to the world's success.

Uncle Mikey was definitely more bubbly than his future counterpart. He radiated sunshine, and was much more open. Casey wondered what happened to make him change into the quiet, tired Mystic Master he became. He also did not have hair, which threw Casey off.

Uncle Tello, wow, it had been 3 years since he saw him, Looked much healthier and…angry? He must have been very upset over the whole Casey having his tech thing. He was given it for his birthday, but it was still Uncle Tello tech. He also seemed more reserved and less open than Casey remembered. But he also didn’t have the same sad look in his eyes, one that Casey felt everytime he looked at him.

Commander Raphala, who Casey met as a toddler, looked a little different from what he had imagined. She was smaller, and seemed much more frustrated. He was always told she was the strongest and kindest of the four, but she seemed more displeased and annoyed. Maybe that was just the mood she was in.

Commander O’Neil was exactly the same, and just lacked the scars the war had given her over time. Splinter was, like all the stories, a rat. Maybe it was weird that was the only thing Casey really remembered being told about him, but he never was brought up much. He wondered if Shelldon was here. A year after Uncle Tellos death he had been shut down so they could have a working generator, it would be nice to see him again.

Find the Key. Stop the Krang.

Right, Casey couldn't get distracted. He needed to complete his mission.

“Mad Dogz, roll out!” Raphala rawrd. They made their way out the sewers, and back into the city. Casey flinched as he made his way up the towers, he wasn’t used to the sound. He felt exposed, like he could be attacked any minute. But he was not going to be the reason they failed.

They made their way to where the Foot Clan were setting up the ceremony, Casey hoped they were not too late. The leader started to monologue about how the Krang would bring glory and-

“Borrrring!” Casey turned to see Leo looking down at the enemy with a confident sneer Why had he given up their position? Was this an old attack strategy?

“Don’t let them interfere!” Shouted the Foot General. They dove in, Casey worried, now, could they even make it in time?

Out of the dark rushed a cloaked figure. They rushed towards without warning to the Foot Clan leader, kicking him straight in the gut, catching the key as it flung from the enemy's hand. They held up and then stuffed it into an old spiderman backpack. They looked up, Casey now seeing their eyes. They were Yellow, with slitted black obsidian pupils. They made Case want to run away, and run up and hug. The figure then began to retreat into the darkness.

Mikey was the one to call it out, “They got the Key!” All heads turned, the Mad Dogz now chasing the figure. They were fast, but the backpack was easy to follow. Casey wondered who would want to steal the key besides the Foot? He was sure from the stories it was the Foot and not someone else.

The figure acted like they barely knew the city. Sorta like Casey, they kept almost bumping into things and changing directions, even backtracking. It was thanks to that backtracking that they were able to corner them. Pushing them into a back alley. Mikey guarding above and the other four blocking the way out. The figure then put their hand up in defeat.

That was too easy, no way an enemy would give up that fast.

The figure then spoke,

“I guess confrontation is unavoidable now. This is going to be a lot to explain.” They pulled their mask down to reveal a turtle. They wore a turquoise bandana, and had purple blocky splotches across their right eye and neck.

They then looked at Casey in surprise. “Casey?”

The boy from the future then dropped his hockey stick. He couldn’t believe his eyes, he had been eight when he died. Tears welled up in Casey's eyes as he rushed forward.

“EZ!”

Chapter Text

Casey practically dove into Esmunds arms, making the new turtle have to knell down and catch him. He allowed himself to sob into the turtle's chest. Ez responded by pulling the turtle into a hug.

“Loose or tighter?”

“Tighter,” Casey replied. Ez held him tightly, like if he let go, he would evaporate.

“You're so big now.” Esmund noted, “How long have I gone for you?”

“Too long.” Casey stuttered. Ez let out a weak laugh, tears starting to appear on his own face.

Casey remembered the day Esmund died. The base had been attacked, not by the Kranng, but by a group called the “Freedom Fighters”. Humans who hated and blamed mutants for the end of the world. Casey was 8 years old, scared, and had just started to learn how to defend himself.

Esmund, who had been 16 at the time, was fighting alongside Master Michelangelo, using Mystic powers to defend against the intruders. Casey had ran towards him, terrified, hurt, and alone. His mom nowhere to be found. Casey remembered Ez kneeling down next to him.

“It's going to be ok, just stay with Uncle Angalo.”

Then Ez had ran straight into battle, and Casey never saw him again. He had learned later by conversations with his sensei and Master Donnetello that he had exploded into a ball of light. But besides that, he had known nothing.

But now, 7 years later, Esmund was here, exactly the same as when Casey last saw him. Holding. Shielding him, just like when he was a little kid.

“Look, I don’t mean to interrupt this obviously heartfelt moment. But who is that?” The two suddenly remembered they were not alone. They both turned their heads looking at the confused turtles behind them. Ez pulled away from Casey and wiped the tears off his face. He walked over and then suddenly saluted, startling the Mad Dogz.

“ General, My name is Esmund Hamato, 16 years old, Year 2040, Mission: retrieve key before Kraang starts the apocalypse.” He spoke almost like a recording, tense and direct. Leo immediately sunk into his shell, not from fear, but from embarrassment, it was now twice today he was considered a high authority.

“er..At ease..?” The slider muttered.
The new turtle relaxed and gave Leo a smile, “Its good to see you again Tio, but I guess this is technically our first time meeting.” Ez shrugged, now looking slightly embarrassed, started to speak again but was interrupted.

“TIO?!” Mikey exclaimed, “I GET TO BE AN UNCLE???” The box turtle, overjoyed, ran over and attempted to hug Esmund. Ez tensed up and quickly pulled away mummering, “Personal space please..” Mikey hesitated for a second but then immediately started jumping up and down next to the turquoise bandanna turtle.

Casey started to practically sparkle, it was almost like his whole family was here! Raph grinned, the mission was successful, he walked over and put his hands on both of Casey and Esmund’s shoulders.

“Thank you, for helping us out.” Both apocalypse children, beamed, like positive feedback was foreign to them.

“Of course, Commander Raphala.” Ez whispered, as if talking might ruin the moment.

“I’m sorry. WHO gave you permission to use that nickname?” Donnie suddenly retorted. He had been quiet this whole time, trying to wrap his head around the whole situation.

“It's her name, Master Donatello.” Esmund said, his voice icy and cold. Donnie was taken aback but before he could say anything Casey intervened.

“Ez how are you here?”

“Magic.” Ez replied, while his voice sounded sarcastic, he had a smug grin and had his hands in a sort of “Dazzle!” gesture.

“You're also a mystic warrior???” Mikey questioned with enthusiasm.

“In training, but…yes?”

“OHMIGOSH!!!”

“Mikey,” Raph suddenly spoke, “As exciting as this is, let's get the key back home.”

The Mad Dogz started to move, Leo then turned to the apocalypse children.

“You coming?”

Chapter Text

They made it safely back to the base, where they were meeted with a worried splinter and an angry older sister. Thankfully the Mad Dogz were able to distract April's attention. When Esmund saw her he immediately began crying on the spot.

“Commander!” He hugged her, and, unlike Casey, had been in too much shock to stop him. She had turned to her brothers and pointed her finger at the new turtle.

Leo chose to respond with the word, “future” and left it at that. They then had to convince Ez to let Donnie put the key somewhere safe, thankfully, he eventually, with much annoyance, handed the key to Donnie.

Leo then suddenly started to gag and turned to the apocalypse children.

“Ok. No offense, but you smell awful.” He motioned them over to the bathroom. They peaked in, and suddenly both looked ecstatic.

“Your letting us use the shower?!” Casey beamed. Leo nodded his head concerned, and the two both looked at each other and did rock, paper, scissors. Casey won, and then ran into the shower.

“What was that all about?” Leo asked.

“We don’t get showers often, we usually just sand ourselves.”

“What?”

“Er…Nevermind, my guess however is that Mr. Only chooses rock, hasn't had one longer than me.”

Leo looked at them horrified, Esmund just shrugged. After Casey was done Esmund practically raced in.

Raph had left them some of Leo’s and Donnies clothes, Casey came out wearing Donnies purple hoodie and some black shorts, while Esmund wore Leo’s blue hoodie with some gray sweatpants. Casey’s hair turned out to be very fluffy, and Ez was actually closer to Donnies skin tone than Raph had realized.

The turtles saw them walk in with big smiles on their faces.

“Sooooo. When’s the last time you’ve taken a shower?” Leo prompted

“Well mine was around the wedding, what about you?” Ez said as he glanced down at Casey.

“About the same.”

“Sorry…wedding?!” Mikey questioned, he had practically jumped out from the couch where he and Raph had been sitting. “Who gets married??”

“Well it was Ss-” Ez suddenly clamped his hand over Casey's mouth.

“No spoilers, space time continuum.” He said in a monotone voice.

Casey pouted slightly, just like a little kid. Honestly, the scene looked like Raph and Mikey. Which made Raph beam.

“Raph was wondering, how are you a Hamato? Your a turtle…so who-”

“Donatello.” Ez clarified.

“WHAT???” The whole lair suddenly erupted, everyone either too stunned to comprehend what was just said, or just too surprised that it was Donnie.

Esmund tilted his head, “Was it not obvious?”, gesturing to the purple blobs all over his body, “I didn’t realize it was a mystery.”

“Well it's just that Donnie doesn’t seem like the guy who falls in love first and have kids first in the family.” Leo vacillated.

“Well Ez was technically created in..in a lab, right?” Casey faltered, not completely sure how much he should give away.

Ez looked slightly annoyed but let out a deep breath, “I was originally created with the purpose to fight Kranng infection, but things didn't go as planned, that is why one of my physical features are my yellow eyes.”

“So..Donnie is your dad?” Mikey queried.

“Master Donetello. Is not my father.” Ez jeered. Donnie, who had been in the lab walked out, stunned. Esmund looked at him like he was perinering into his soul and scoffed in disgust.
“He could drop dead for all I care.”

He walked out past Donnie, leaving the rest of the lair stupefied. Casey was looking down at his feet, starting to sniffle, then wiped his face.

“Ez doesn’t mean that. He’s…he’s been through a lot…” Casey’s voice faltered. “He loves all-all of you-ou…He would never…” Then his voice gave out, and Casey chose to run in the opposite direction, back to the bathroom.