themainframe | [Video]

[The video showed Donnie, still a turtle, but he looked pretty downcast. In his hand was a small doll with an orange mask which eh was holding close to him. He then took in a breath and looked at the screen directly.]

I... don't really know how to put this lightly, so I'll just come out and say it. Mikey's gone. He's back home in our world. I just... found out last night and I know that he has friends here, so... as his brother I felt like I should tell all of you guys. And umm... thanks, for being his friend, I knwo that he really liked everyone, so... I guess that's it

[Private to Leatherhead]

[And now came the hardest part...]

Leatherhead... you don't have to reply, I'm not really expecting one to be honest. I am so sorry that I you had to find out about this like this, but... I want you to know that Mikey really did love you, more than anything. And if he could have he never would have left your side, but... there are jut some things that are beyond our control.

But he loved you, and when I get back I'll find a way to get you out of Dimension X so that you can both be together, I promise. And... and I know that ever since the... incident, thinks have been shaky between us. But... I'm right here, if you need anyone. I just... want you to know that...

[He held the doll closer to himself, his eyes watering up, before the feed was cut]

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[He's actually genuinely speechless for a second or two.]

Mikey's gone...?

[Is that a thing that can happen here? That one day you're hanging out and chatting with your brother and the next one of you is...gone?

That's...that's so many kinds of not okay.

If they're sent back home that helps a little, but it still seems kind of...harsh.]

Oh man...I'm sorry Donnie...

...You gonna be okay?

[He sighed for probably the millionth time today.]

Y-Yeah, I'll eb okay Martin. I just... need some time, is all.

I'd imagine...

[He runs a hand through his hair, glancing aside and not looking entirely convinced.]

...L-look, this is some pretty heavy stuff...

[He can't imagine what he'd be like if his own brother suddenly vanished on him. ...Oh wait, no...he can at least take a guess.]

...If you need somebody to talk to or just to pass some time with give my Terminal a ring, okay?

[He's not going to press the teenager about this, but he also doesn't want Donnie to try and deal with this alone.]

Thanks, I will if I need to. But... I was here for nearly half a year before Mikey came, so... I can get through this. I did before... I can again.

[He didn't sound very confident with that statement however.]

Alright...

[He's reluctant to leave it at that, especially with the lack of confidence behind Donnie's answer. There won't be any kind of easy fix here, he knows that, but...]

Well...hey...you said it yourself. ...At least he's back home safe and sound...?

[There is some comfort to be found in that. Although he wished that hadn't come out sounding like a question.]

Yeah... he was sent back home, to the exact moment that he left. But... it;s most likely that his memory of all of this was erased. And he and I were form different points in time, so to him it;s like I never left. So when I go back, if I keep my memory... he won't remember any of it.

Ah...

[He's not sure how to respond to that for a moment, before he gives a hapless shrug and a small smile.]

Well...you never know...maybe he will remember? And you might too?

[Although that begs the question of whether Donnie would want that or not. Honestly, he can't imagine forgetting his adventures here though. Even the occasional bad memory, he'd never want to forget what he's experienced here. And he certainly wouldn't want to forget his partners.]

Maybe, but from all that I know about the process... it's unlikely. I was sent home for a while once, and I only remembered things vaguely and all the scars that I got here had vanished. I thought that it was all a dream until I was brought back. That's probably what he'll think...

[Then he went quiet, holding the doll close to himself as he closed his brown eyes.]

[Aww, Donnie, you need a hug, Bro...]

Well...at least remembering it as a dream is better than not remembering it at all?

[And if and when Donnie ever returns home, it'll be a dream they both remember.]

[He only sighed harder] I guess...