A/N Sorry it's been forever since I've updated this one. I think I had posted a little too hastily when I put up the prologue as I only really had a vague and abstract idea of what was going to happen and I have like, four different versions of this chapter alone and I found I didn't like any of them. But I do like this version, and I hope you guys do too! I still plan on three to four chapters total, and hopefully it won't take as long to be updated this time around. Also, for the sake of clarity I guess, considering it was last year when I first posted this, this story takes place in an alternate late season one. It may be revised later, but for now, I hope you enjoy!

Chapter One

Now…

"Focus Mikey!" Leo hisses in a hushed tone as Raph slaps him upside the head, snapping Michelangelo from his reverie.

"Ow!" he rubs the spot where Raphael hit him indignantly.

"Shh!"

"Pay attention, damn it!" Raph whispers harshly. Donnie just gives him a glare and then looks away, holding his night vision goggles to his eyes, keeping watch on the Foot Ninjas in the ally below.

"I am!" Mikey protests, though to be honest he has no idea what Leo just said. But Leo's plans are usually predictable, and he's awfully good at winging it…most of the time. There's been a few snafus lately…well one in particular, but he's learned his lesson.

"How many of them are there?" Leo asks Donnie.

"Looks like there's only five," he shrugs, "Oh wait, six, no seven. Two more just came out the back door."

Mikey winces at the sound of Raph cracking his knuckles and glances behind him at the empty rooftop. I wonder what they're up to anyway…no sign of Dogpound or Fishface but…he glances back at his brothers who are watching the activity below and frowns, noticing how their body language is basically excluding him from the group, They're still mad at me…but…so I made a mistake! I realize this and it's not like I don't try to focus I… he swallows, realizing that he's losing focus again.

OK, OK Mikey, focus…it's not that hard…

"So seven huh? Are you sure we shouldn't just take them out?" Raph quips, nudging Leo. "You know we can easily take them."

Leo rolls his eyes, "Not yet, not until we find out just what exactly they're up to."

A flash of light catches Mikey's attention and he turns towards it and waits. When nothing else happens he sighs, figuring it was probably a car's headlights reflecting off of something. But from this high up? He wonders curiously. Maybe someone in the apartment across the street turned their lights on…

"Mikey!" Leo hisses again and he realizes that his brothers are on the move, which means the Foot Ninjas they are following are too.

He ducks his head, "Sorry!"

As he watches his brothers leap across the alley onto the next rooftop to pursue the enemy, he inwardly scolds himself.

Aw come on Mikey, haven't you learned anything? No wonder everyone's still mad at me…

Then…

Three Days Earlier…

Mikey just wanted to disappear in his shell. He kneeled on the floor next to his brothers as Master Splinter walked the length of the dojo in silence one way, and again the other way, his expression unreadable. It was never a good sign when Master Splinter got quiet and started to pace, tugging at his beard in thought, his eyes narrowed.

So...are you mad at us? Or just me? Or are you trying to think of the best way to word the lecture that's obviously coming our way sooner or later, or maybe you're just glad that we're not hurt? I hate not knowing! He thought miserably.

Mikey stole a glance at his brothers while Splinter's back was turned and their expressions were as easy to read as a children's book, and they were pissed.

He smiled awkwardly at them and ducked his head down, glancing away. OK, so he screwed up, big deal. Everything turned out OK in the end, didn't it? Well…mostly OK. OK so the mission failed big time, but they all managed to make it out unscathed and Donnie was able to retrieve a little bit of Intel before things got all FUBAR on them.

He didn't mean to screw up, he truly was sorry. Couldn't they see that? He never meant to hurt the mission. It was a big mistake on his part, he was even the first to admit it. And didn't Master Splinter say, almost a year ago something about how it was important to make mistakes? So they could learn from them? He made a mental note to bring that up later, when the inevitable came and his family confronted him on his screw ups.

Splinter turned toward them again as he paced back the other way and Mikey quickly looked forward like he was supposed to, as did the others.

OK, I think my legs are falling asleep, he thought, slightly irritated, I hate it when that happens. When is he going to let us go? We've been sitting here in silence for forever! This is torture, just say what you're going to say and let us go! I know I have it coming…just get it over with! Please.

He sighed, louder than he intended and then froze as the sound caught Master Splinter's attention. Leo, Raph and Donnie suddenly held their breaths, shocked by Mikey's disruption, wanting to make it clear that they weren't the ones who expressed their impatience with a sigh.

"Hmmm…" he said finally, "you are dismissed. We shall discuss this later, after I've had the chance to meditate on this a little further."

Finally! Mikey thought, jumping to his feet, glad for the opportunity to get some circulation back into his limbs. He bowed in unison with his brothers and started to leave, fully intending to lock himself in his room with his comic books to escape his brothers' wrath for a little while longer, at least until he came up with a decent counter-argument besides the whole making mistakes to learn from them thing. Besides, maybe after they had a chance to cool off they would be more open to forgiving him.

He couldn't escape Raph slapping him upside the head as they headed out of the dojo and he rubbed his noggin in protest, "Hey!"

"You had it coming, Idiot!" Raph hissed under his breath.

"Raphael," Splinter warned.

"Sorry, Sensei," he replied, shooting Mikey a dirty look. Leo and Donnie had similar looks on their faces directed at him only Leo looked slightly more forgiving, but Donnie…he looked absolutely livid.

"I'm sorry," he mouthed silently, and it had to have been the hundredth time he said it too but they just shook their heads in disappointment. That was worse. He would rather they be pissed.

"Michelangelo," Splinter's voice echoed through the dojo and he ducked his head again, freezing in mid-step. "A word."

"Hai, Sensei," Mikey swallowed and caught a quick glance at the satisfied looks on his brothers' faces as they left the two of them alone. Yeah, yeah, I'm in trouble. No need to rub it in, guys… Splinter motioned him to sit and he took his spot back on the floor.

More silence. More pacing.

My feet are falling asleep again…

Finally, Splinter spoke, "Talk to me Michelangelo."

"Umm…about what Sensei?" he asked, putting on his most innocent of smiles hoping to maybe lighten the mood a bit. "The weather?"

Master Splinter turned to him and he was clearly not amused. Mikey cast his eyes downward in shame. "You know perfectly well what I'm referring to."

"It wasn't my fault," Mikey explained, "not exactly. OK, maybe a little…OK it was but I mean…I thought it…I thought if I… I only wanted to help, Sensei, honest!"

Splinter sighed, "I know you did, I know, my son. You have a big heart, your compassion and desire to do the right thing is one of your greatest strengths…" Mikey dared to look up at his Sensei again, a big smile on his face at the unexpected compliment. But he looked down again when he realized that Splinter wasn't finished, "But you never listen! You lack focus and discipline, you weren't paying attention and therefore you ignored direct orders from Leonardo and Donatello. You or your brothers could have been hurt, or worse!"

"I'm sorry," Mikey murmured, "I just…I guess I didn't understand the plan after all," he shut his eyes and Donnie's voice echoed in his head, What part of "Don't touch anything" don't you understand Mikey? He sighed, "I… I made a mistake. But I learned my lesson!"

"Michelangelo," Splinter sounded tired, "if this was the first time this happened, perhaps I would believe you, but you have not learned anything because it sounds like you keep making the same mistakes over and over again."

"I didn't know I would set off the alarm…again! I didn't think that it could've been a trap!"

"And that's the problem, you don't think," Splinter interrupted.

"But didn't you say once that that was a good thing?"

Splinter's ear twitched and Mikey knew he was losing patience, but he remained calm and collected, "Yes, sometimes, in certain situations, your ability to react without thought can work to your advantage, but that does not mean you should sacrifice discipline for spontaneity. You have raw talent Michelangelo, but it's your lack of focus that is what gets you in trouble. It is your greatest weakness."

Mikey frowned but nodded, "Hai Sensei. I…I'm sorry."

"Sometimes I wonder if you even bother to take any of this seriously," Splinter shook his head and sighed, "and that my son, is a very dangerous attitude to have."

Mikey looked up, mouth agape and he blinked hard because he could feel his eyes water and he was not going to shed any tears over this! It was bad enough that his family was disappointed in him so he was not going to show any more weakness. He refused. But Master Splinter's words struck a nerve and it cut unexpectedly deep.

"That's not true Sensei! I do take this seriously!" he argued, "I joke around but that doesn't mean I…"

"Enough," Splinter raised a hand to quiet him. Mikey bit his lip and looked at his Sensei with wide, innocent and apologetic eyes.

"I'm serious when it matters," Mikey whispered quietly, casting his eyes downward again.

Splinter gave him that weary sigh again, "Michelangelo, I'm only saying this because I am worried. You and your brothers are faced with powerful enemies, and from what your brothers told me, you almost got yourself killed tonight because you weren't paying attention."

"But I'm fine, we're all fine!"

"This time, yes. But what about next time? Or the time after that?" Splinter asked gently, kneeling on the floor across from him. He reached out his hand and placed it on Mikey's shoulder, and Mikey was taken aback when he met his Master's eyes. He looked scared.

"I promise I'll do better, I'll listen to Leo and Donnie…"

Splinter shook his head, "No Michelangelo, that is not good enough." Mikey flinched at that, his frown deepening. "We're beyond empty promises. I need you to show me, prove to me that what I have taught you is actually getting through to you."

Not good enough…empty promises…is that what you think?

"It is, Sensei…"

"Is it? Because your actions speak differently," Splinter pulled his hand back and shook his head, "You have so much potential to be a great Ninja, but you let it all go to waste."

"I'm sorry, Sensei," Mikey squirmed, tired of sitting still for so long. Splinter quirked an eyebrow at him and Mikey stilled, flashing a small, awkward smile, "Sorry." He bowed his head, "I will try harder to pay attention, Sensei, and it's not an empty promise. I mean it."

"Then prove it to me."

"Hai Sensei," Mikey nodded, Does this mean I can go now? I'm sure Leo has a lecture waiting for me and now that I think of it, maybe it would be better if I get it over with.

"Good. In light of what has happened, I think a private training session is in order," Splinter said.

"Hai Sensei," Mikey started to get up, reaching for his nunchucks but Splinter reached out and touched his wrist, shaking his head. Mikey settled back on the floor, a confused look on his face.

"Not that kind of training," there was a glint in Splinter's eye, "you have skill, but you don't have discipline, you don't have focus. Tonight you and I are going to meditate."

"But, Sensei with all due respect, you know I'm no good at…"

"Exactly," Splinter grinned, he closed his eyes, "Now focus on your breathing…"

Mikey closed his eyes and did as he was told. He tried to concentrate, breathing in and out, he tried to clear his mind and be one with the universe or whatever, but instead he was suddenly aware of an itch on his nose, and he could hear his brothers in the other room. "Space Heroes" was on, he could faintly here the theme, and he wondered what episode it was. Maybe it was a good one and would inspire Leo to cut Mikey some slack. He truly was sorry, didn't they see that? It wasn't like he was purposely trying to sabotage the mission.

The itch on his nose was persistent, and he sniffed, wrinkled his nose and when he felt he couldn't take it anymore he opened his eyes a fraction to make sure Splinter wasn't looking and quickly reached to scratch.

"Michelangelo," Splinter warned, not even opening his eyes.

How does he do that?

"Sorry Sensei," Mikey whispered.

"Shhh," Splinter breathed slowly, "focus."

Mikey took a deep breath, counting to five, held it for five and then slowly breathed out. In and out, in an out…OK now my shoulder's itchy…in and out…I wonder how long we're gonna do this…in and out…OK, now my foot's totally asleep…he wiggled his toes trying to get them to wake up.

"Breathe Michelangelo, clear your mind. Focus."

Mikey sighed, "I'm trying. But my foot's falling asleep and I'm itchy…"

"You've got to learn to drown out those distractions," Splinter told him, keeping his voice even and calm, "Focus. Breathe… in and out. Clear your mind, and maybe then you can find clarity and wisdom."

"Hai, Sensei."

In and out…

Now…

In and out… Mikey breathes, trying to clear his mind. He's letting himself get distracted, and he knows he has to stop. He can't just dwell on his brothers' anger instead he has to prove to them that he's serious about the task at hand which means he has to focus dammit! His brothers are still a few paces ahead, but he figures maybe it's better that he keeps his distance.

They leap onto a taller building but just as he's about to jump, another flash of light catches his attention. The distraction affects his judgement a little going into the jump and he realises at the last second that he's not going to make it. Doing his best not to yell out and compromise their position, he holds his breath and bites his cheek as he reaches out and barely manages to grab hold of the ledge.

That was close…he thinks, grunting quietly as his body slams into the bricks. The impact knocks the air out of him and he gasps, deciding to give himself a moment before pulling himself up. At least I didn't yell and alert our presence this time…

He feels a hand grasp his arm and he looks up to meet Leo's eyes. Leo does not look impressed at all as he pulls Mikey to safety.

Mikey grins sheepishly, "Um…thanks."

Leo shakes his head, clearly disappointed with him.

I'm sorry, but I'm trying though, I really am! He thinks, and it's taking a lot of effort not to say it out loud but that would alert the ninjas they're trailing.

OK, pay attention…focus…I wonder what the ninjas are doing anyway? What could they possibly want on this side of town? Gahh! Focus Mikey…Leo's mad now and so far he's been the only one willing to give me another chance and…I wonder if…

He sees another flash as his brothers jump ahead onto the next building, OK, that can't be from headlights…where is it coming from? Something doesn't feel right…

He stops to look at where the flash came from, glancing once at his brothers' backsides as they continued their pursuit. Mikey gulps, undecided. His brothers would surely be even more angry with him if he can't keep up…but what if…?

Just as he's about to continue following his brothers as they trail the ninja, he sees a shadow close to where he had noticed the flash of light move swiftly towards the next building across the street from him. It was fast, one of those blink and you miss it movements, but this time he saw it.

Wait a second, are we trailing the Foot or are they trailing us?

Oh crap…

Mikey starts to go after his brothers to warn them, and he watches them leap onto the next building so there is one whole empty rooftop between them, How'd they get so far ahead? They're gonna be pissed that I got so far behind…gotta catch up fast so I can warn them that it's a trap!

He leaps to the next rooftop and immediately gasps when out of nowhere Dogpound suddenly appears right where he was aiming to land. "Guys it's a trap!" he quickly screams as he reaches the rooftop and slams into Dogpound.

Dogpound grins smugly at him and strikes with his massive paw, flipping Mikey harshly onto his shell, knocking the wind out of him. Mikey barely has a chance to recover when Dogpound's massive fist comes down and everything goes black in an explosion of stars.

A/N Thanks for reading! And thanks to EVERYONE who has read/favourited/followed so far, and especially to my wonderful reviewers! Again, so sorry for taking so long to update. Anyway, please let me know what you think because I would love to hear from y'all!