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TMNT: OST: Heart of the Matter: Donnie's Training

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Note: AU (If you don't know Heart of the Matter, check the link in the description box)
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It had been four months. Four months since Donnie had the katana tip removed from his heart. He was growing restless. Despite working a little in his lab, be wanted to move more. He wanted to get back to training. The doctor who operated on him, Dr. Lawrence, suggest do some simple exercises.

He forced himself from his bed, wincing at every move. He took the purple mask from his bedside table and his bo to use as a walking stick. He could hear his brothers and Sensei training in the dojo. Then he heard foot steps approaching.

“Nie?” Mikey said, coming over holding a nunchaku in his hands.

"I'm going to try." Donnie said, "maybe in a few weeks I can spar with you again." He smiled.

“But what if you get hurt again!?”

"I have to try." Donnie said as they walked to the dojo.

"Yame." Splinter said "good work today my sons. You are free to go topside."  

“Let’s go,” Raph said, “I feel like punching someone.”

"We need to follow the lead April got for us. The Kraang lab has to be in that area." Leo said as he and Raph left the dojo.

"As long as I get to punch something," Raph said.

"Donnie will you be on the T-phone? We might need your help hacking in,” Leo said.

"Give me an hour." Donnie said, "I wanted to train today..."

"Don't give yourself a heart attack," Raph said.

"You're ready to train?" Leo said, "did you talk to the doctor?" Leo looked genuinely concerned.

"Yeah it's just easy katas." Donnie said, "it'll be okay."

"Alright. If you sure," Leo said, "we will call if we need you."

"Right," Donnie nodded, "good luck guys."

"Good luck to you too," Leo said.

"Thanks." Donnie said,

Splinter put his hand on Donnie's shoulder "do not worry. I will be sure he does not over work himself." Donnie smiled weakly.

"Thanks Sensei," Leo said

Leo and Raph left to go on their mission in the city. Mikey hung back to help Donnie train

"Are you ready my son?" Splinter asked Donnie.

"Hai sensei." He bowed

"Come, and if you start to feel pain let me know. I do not want you to become more injured than you already are."

"Hai sensei." He said again and he went with Master Splinter onto the dojo mat

"First I want you to calm yourself. With breathing exercises."

"I'm ready." Donnie nodded and he and sensei both got into a relaxed stance. They started the breathing exercises. Mikey watched from the sidelines. His eyes were locked on the large scar on Donnie’s plastron.

"Breath in an out. Only concentrate on your breathing. Nothing else."

Donnie did as he was told, but the heavy breathing made his chest tingle with pain. He tried to ignore it, but Splinter could see through him. He knew Donnie was in pain

"Should we stop my son?"

"No I'm fine." Donnie said.

"Let's try this," Splinter came over and gently placed his paw on Donnie's scar. "I want to concentrate your pain and send it to me."

"A-are you sure?" Donnie said

"I am my son." Donnie hesitantly nodded and closed his eyes. He felt some pain leave his body. Splinter smiled weakly "does that feel better my son?"

"Yes...but what about you?"

"I am fine." He used Donnie’s signature response. "Let's go on with the katas."

"Wait no! How can you be?"

"It is not hard for me to bear, my son. I am used to pain like this."

"But sensei! It's a great pain!" Donnie said, "how can you be used to this?"

Splinter went into position for the first Kata. "I have my ways."

"But how? I mean scientifically the pain has to go some where..." Donnie followed the position for the first Kata.

"I allow my pain to wash over me, and focus it into power and force." Splinter moved into the next form with swiftness and grace

"How?" Donnie asked. He was a little clumsy going into his kata. He winced a little in pain.

"It takes strong will power and a deep understanding." Splinter said taking a breath, "and slow breaths... Relax; do not fight the pain. Harness it."

"But it hurts to breathe."

"Try to stay relaxed. Don't tense your body." Donnie forced himself to embrace the pain and let it go. "Now move into third position." Splinter said, "let the pain leave you.”

Donnie did as he was instructed. When he moved into the third position he let out a hard gasp.

"Donatello?" Splinter was worried "are you alright?"

Donnie nodded. His eyes closed. He couldn't handle the pain. He wasn't able to exhaust it the way Splinter could.

"It is too much for you. Let's stop for now." Splinter said.

"No...no...I can…do…it," Donnie wheezed

"I am not asking your opinion. No more training today." Splinter said as he led Donnie to the living room.

"Nie...listen to dad..." Mikey begged, his big blue eyes wide.

Donnie looked down at his brother. He felt bad for making Mikey worry. He nodded sadly "okay I'll stop... Raph and Leo probably need me anyway."

"Take it easy," Splinter said.

Donnie nodded. He went to his station and got on com-link with Leo and Raph

“That was quick,” Raph said hearing Donnie link in. “not a ready as you though? huh?”

"Shut up." Donnie said, "What's the stitch Leo?"

“Are you okay?” Leo asked, “that really was quick.”

"I'm fine just drop it." Donnie said, "you idiots need me anyway."

"Hey! Don't call me an idiot," Raph complained.

"Can you pull up the blue prints?" Leo asked.

"You got it." Donnie went on to help his brothers with their mission.

Mikey looked in at him from the hall. He felt bad that Donnie was hurting, but he was glad his brother wasn't badly hurt from training. He hoped Donnie wouldn't push himself too much.

"It's odd, there is very little activity around here...I don't trust it." Leo said.

"You shouldn't." Donnie said "Kraang coming up on the right. Tap me into the main frame and I can get camera access and find out where the power shard is."

"Got it," Leo said. "Raph ready to punch something?"

Raph cracked his knuckles "I was hatched ready bro."

Leo chuckled, "well keep them away from me."

Donnie smiled. He was so glad he could help his brothers on their missions but it hurt that he couldn't really be there with them

"Do you know where the main frame is?" Donnie asked

"Computer room usually?" Leo asked

"Yes," Donnie said

Raph took down several Kraangdroids while Leo defended himself and looked for the computer room. One of the Kraang ran instead of fighting Raph.

"A straggler." Raph growled, with a smile.

"Don't let him escape." Donnie said, "he’ll set off the alarm."

"Not a problem. He won't get away from me!" Raph chased the Kraang and threw a sai into its chest just after it pulled the alarm. "Crap." Raph said as the lights started to flash and the alarm sounded. Luckily Leo found the mainframe.

"Damn it Raph!" Donnie snapped.

"Donnie I got you online you should have the camera access." Leo said, "hurry!"

Donnie started to work quickly. "Damn it's taking forever!"

"You got this Don. You’re a genius. Stay calm." Leo said as Kraang burst into the room and he quickly sprung into action. It took a couple of minutes, but Donnie managed to hack in.

"I got it! The shard is in a machine on the top floor. Looks like a portal. Get up there!"

"On my way!" Leo said

Leo and Raph hurried to the top floor and Donnie kept them updated on the route and any close Kraang. It was a great advantage to have Donnie on their side to be their eyes and ears. They managed to get to the power shard and Raph forces it out of the machine.

"Okay Donnie," Leo said "got an escape route for us?"

"Roof," Donnie said. "Take the balcony. There's a skylight."

"I see it." Leo nodded and he and Raph quickly escaped with the shard intact. Once again their mission was successful thanks to Donnie.

"Now get it back for me to analyze."

"On it." Leo said

---

Donnie sat back in his chair and broke the link with his brothers. They could reestablish contact if anything happened.

Donnie sighed and winced. His heart ached. It seemed like whatever sensei did to help him wore off.

"Nie?" Mikey said, coming over. "Nie? Are you okay? Should I get dad?"

"No, no," Donnie said holding his heart "I got it..," he closed his eyes and tried to breathe

Mikey slipped away. He was worried for his brother. Last time he didn’t tell anyone that Donnie was in pain he needed heart surgery. This time he would make sure that Donnie was well cared for. He has to get Splinter.

"Dad!" Mikey called and ran into the dojo.

“Michelangelo?” Splinter said.

"It's Donnie! He's hurting! He's in his lab!"

“Oh, thank you my son. I will check on him.” Splinter put away the rest of the weapons in the dojo and went to check on Donnie. He went slowly. He looked into the lab and saw his third son, his purple mask on his desk. His eyes closed breathing deeply, but he still looked in pain, and tense. He wanted to help his son. He needed to help Donatello see beyond the science, and into the spiritual world.

"Donatello wait." Splinter came in, and put his hand on Donnie’s shoulder.

"What? Sensei..." Donnie said a little sharper than he intended.

"You’re still fighting the pain..." He said sadly "you have to let it go."

"I've been in pain for years....the past four months have just been worse...but I'm fine." Those last two would have been his usual response for so long.

"You are not fine. You fool no one with your excuses. You will always be in pain if you fight it like this. It hurts me to see my son I’m so much pain."

"I'm not strong like you..." Donnie said.

"You are strong." Splinter looked him in the eye. "You just need proper training. I'm sorry I haven't been there for you until now..." Donnie couldn't help but look away. He felt ashamed. "Give me your pain Donatello...Let go of the pain. And let go of your anger, and sadness and embarrassment."

"I can't put it on you...dad...."

Splinter looked at his son. He never called him dad. It was always, father.

Splinter smiled gently. "That's what dads are for..." It felt nice to hear ‘dad’, while he appreciated the formality, and respect it was a nice sentiment.

Donnie swallowed hard. "I will do it..."

Splinter took Donnie’s hands and they both breathed slowly and closed their eyes. Donnie relaxed for the first time and felt the pain leave him.

"There my son," Splinter said.

Donnie sighed relief "thanks dad. Are you sure your alright?"

Splinter smiled weakly, "I am. Hopefully now you can relax. I will continue training you to release your pain my son," Splinter said.

Donnie returned a weak smiled, "thank you."
-----
Leo and Raph returned with the power shard and Donnie stayed up late that night to study it and harness its power.

“Yo,” Raph called, “Don it’s taking are you a long time, sure you can stay up past your bed time?”

"Oh shut it Raph. It's your night to make sure, Mikey takes a bath." Donnie said "your baby sitting him not me."

"He's in the tree and won't come down."

"Is he throwing a fit or being playful?" Donnie asked.

"I don't know!"

Donnie sighed "I'll get him."

"Good luck," Raph said

Donnie got up and went to the dojo.

"Get down here now!!" Leo said sternly trying to get Mikey from the tree. The orange banded turtle looked down at the blue banded one between some branches.
"You have to take a bath." Leo said "I though you were over this."

"Raph said I'm too old for bubbles!"

"Mikey if you want bubbles you have to be good." Donnie said coming in.

"I get bubbles right? If I come?"

"Yeah but you have to promise not to climb the tree next time." Donnie said

"Your just giving him what he wants?" Leo said

"It's just bubbles," Donnie said

Mikey jumped down from the tree and hugged Donnie "thanks Nie! Your the best!" He stuck his tongue out at Leo.

“Mikey!” Leo snapped.

"Just go take your bath, Mikey." Donnie rubbed his brothers head.

“Donnie! He needs to be reprimanded! He defied us!”

Mikey ran off at the raise in Leo's voice. He didn't want to listen to his brothers bicker.

"It's just a bubble bath Leo. You’re over reacting." Donnie said

“But a bubble bath leads to other things, we can’t teach him he get what ever he wants!” Leo said.

"I told him he only gets it if he's good. If he stays good then he gets what he wants. It's fine." Donnie coughed and rubbed his neck. "I don't have time to fight with you Leo."

“Don?” Leo said changing to a softer voice, “are you okay? It seems you’ve---“

Donnie clenched his fists. "I'm fine Leo!" The commotion wasn't helping his heart. "I'm going to lay down." He gruffed and went to leave, but stumbled a little.

“Whoa there,” Leo said going to help him.

Donnie felt lightheaded. He really wished he knew how to release the pain. It felt impossible. It had such a control over him. His knees buckled. Ever since talking to Splinter he’d noticed how much pain he really was in.

"Raph!" Leo called for his brother to come help.

Raph came rushing over. "What's going on?" He asked He saw Donnie and then put his arm around Donnie helping carry him.

"Let's get him to the couch." Leo said.

"I'm fine... Just get dad..."

"Dad?" Leo said surprised at the word. "Raph get splinter now!" Leo said.

Raph hesitated "he's not here. Splinter said he was going out"

"Out where?!" Leo said

"How should I know?! He said 'out'!" Raph snapped

Donnie was scared. Master splinter wasn't here to help him. He had to release the pain on his own.

Donnie started mumbling to himself. Going over what Splinter said.

“Now he’s going nuts!” Raph said, “I need to find sensei!”

"Go find him!" Leo said

“I’m going!” Raph yelled running out of the lair.

Donnie closed his eyes and let the pain wash over him like splinter had told him. He could feel the pain leaving in his body. It was working. He breathed slowly and tried not to fight the pain.

Leo looked at his brother worriedly. Mikey came out of the bathroom

“Donnie!?” Mikey said seeing Leo’s worried look.

"It's okay Mikey." Leo said, "calm down."

“but...he’s dying!?”

"I'm going to be okay..." He said

“What’s going on?” Leo asked very worried, “Should I call Dr. Lawrence?”

Donnie shook his head "I've got it..." He tried to sit up.

“Stay still...don’t hurt you’re self.” Leo said.

"I'm not hurting..." Donnie said "I let it go,"

Raph and splinter came running in. Splinter left to get medicine for Donnie.

“I’m fine...I...practice the breathing...” Donnie said to Splinter.

"You did?" Splinter said "thank goodness." He sighed.

Donnie nodded, “it’s better...still getting used to it.”

"Master Splinter got meds." Raph tossed a white bag at Donnie.

Donnie took the bag in his hand.  He looked to Master Splinter.

"Spiritual training helps but it's good to have medicine too." Splinter said gently.

“Wait Don, spiritual?” Raph said, “he’s Mr. Science!”

Donnie opened the medicine bottle and took two pills.

"Ehh I'm sure it has some scientific explanation." Donnie said

"Maybe he can join us for tomorrow's training?" Mikey asked.

“I would like that,” Donnie smiled.

Splinter looked down at his youngest son "why are you not in bed?"

“Thought Donnie was dying...”

"I won't be dying anytime soon Mikey." Donnie said, "I have too much to live for."

“Good...I’d miss you too much,” Mikey said going over to Donnie.

Donnie hugged his little brother. "Now go get some rest. I'll see you in training tomorrow."

“Okay!” Mikey said, “you promise right?”

"Promise."

“Good,” Mikey yawned.

"Let's get you to bed, little one." Splinter said. Mikey walked over to Splinter and held his arms up.

The next morning Leo, Raph and Mikey went to the dojo for training. Donnie was already there with Master Splinter, excited and ready for training.

“Welcome back,” Leo said to his brother

"Glad to be back." Donnie smiled.

“Let’s begin,” Splinter said as his four sons lined up it was the first time in a very long time. Now it was time to start training.  All five members of the Hamato clan.
This was co-written with the ever so amazing Tenshilove 

#74 Training
.::100 Themes Challenge::.Note: 
April 26th 2013, I am now 1/4 done! I hit number 25 of 100! 
June 21st 2013, I am now 1/2 done! I hit number 50 of 100!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Basic Rules:
You can use any art form, whether it's drawing, painting, photography, poetry, or prose, or all of the above. Use any one you want, there are no limits.
No, there is no time limit. You can finish it in a day, a week, a month, a year, or whatever. Take as long or as little time as you need.
Most important of all, have fun with it!
I was inspired by GreenUnicornPugs to do it. So check give her a follow and see how she is doing with it!
My goal is to be done by my birthday (July 1st) but we will see how that goes.
If anyone else decides to join in this challenge with me let me know and I will post a link to your '100 themes' journal entry ^^
*Unless otherwise noted most fics are 2012. Some could fall either way though*
:bulletpurple: =not complete
:bulletorange: =completed
:bulletorange: 001. intro

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Official One Small Turtle reading order and guideOne small turtle is my Alternate Universe (AU) for TMNT. It is based in the 2012 world of TMNT
Summary:
Leo, Raph, and Donnie were fighting the Kraang when they found a small humanoid turtle. They bring him home to Splinter, who decides to raise him.
Folders in my gallery can be found here for traditional One Small Turtle and here for Onc Small Turtle Enter Kala
OST Reading order
One Small TurtleWhy?
Past and Present
Meets April
Raph's Choice
Splinter and Michelangelo
Leonardo


Heart of the Matter
© 2015 - 2024 Culinary-Alchemist
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daliakoen's avatar
I really love your stories :)