Mind Games

Chapter 1: One Shell of a Headache

A/N: This is a plot bunny that randomly just popped into my head and developed into a story. I really hope that all of you enjoy the ride we're about to go on.

Disclaimer: TMNT and all related characters are property of Nickelodeon. I only own the plot and the villain and that's it.

Summary: After Leo is captured and mentally tortured, his brothers and friends must do all they can to regain his memory and help him heal.

The dojo was silent as everyone got ready for practice. This practice was going to be different because the Mighty Mutanimals had decided to join in and help with the training session.

"Okay, Donnie and Rockwell, you're up first," Leo said.

Donnie and the mutant monkey got into position and bowed as custom dictated. Leo gave the signal to begin and the two began the battle. Donnie swiped out with his bo staff, but Rockwell used his telepathic powers to levitate him and threw him against the wall.

"Leo, could you tell Rockwell that it's not fair to use his psychic powers on me?" the Turtle in purple complained.

Leo smiled. "Anything can be a weapon, Donnie," he reminded his brother. "You have to find a way around it."

Donnie gritted his teeth and tried his best effort, but Rockwell kept blocking his attempts. Then Donnie figured out that the mutant was telegraphing all of his moves. With a smile, Don closed his mind of all thought and made his move. As predicted, Rockwell didn't see him coming and was taken down neatly as Donnie vaulted with his bo staff and then kicked Rockwell out of the air.

"Yame!" Leo called out. "Good job, Donnie. You found a way around your opponent and beat him."

Donnie grinned. "Thanks, Leo," he said.

"Okay, Mikey and Mondo, you're up."

Mikey and Mondo Gecko bowed and then began when Leo told them to do so. Both of them were pretty athletic and had some pretty interesting moves. Mondo even got out his skateboard and tried to evade Mikey that way, but the Turtle in orange managed to catch him by surprise and defeated him.

"Nicely done, Mikey," Leo praised him. "You really have shown a lot of focus lately."

"That's because I am the best," Mikey replied as he did a little victory dance.

"Okay, Raph and Leatherhead, it's your turn."

"Wait, why can't I face Slash?" Raph protested.

"Because I'm picking the opponents and I want to face Slash," Leo replied.

Raph grumbled a little but got into position in front of the mutant alligator. At the command to begin, Raph charged the larger mutant and locked up with him. Raph tried to slam him down, but Leatherhead grabbed him and threw him against the wall. As the alligator charged again, Raph dodged him and tried to sweep his legs out from under him, but Leatherhead kept his balance and hit Raph with his tail.

"Sewer apples!" Raph groaned. He tried to knock the alligator down again but with no success and the match was called to a halt.

"Okay, that was not fair!" Raph complained.

"You have to try and get past your opponent, Raph," Leo lectured.

"It doesn't help that Leatherhead is bigger than me," Raph countered.

"Sometimes your opponent will be bigger than you and you have to compensate. You just have to find a way to win."

Raph growled. "Fine, let's see you try," he challenged.

"With pleasure," Leo replied. He got into the middle of the dojo and Slash faced opposite him. They bowed and Raph gave the command to begin. Slash charged at Leo, but the Turtle in blue dodged the attack effortlessly. He tried to sweep Slash's legs from under him, but the larger mutant recovered and knocked Leo down with a kick. Leo got up and blocked a shot from Slash's morningstar. The two were locked in a stalemate until Slash kicked Leo in the stomach and then grabbed him from behind.

"Try getting out of that, Leo," Raph taunted.

Leo grunted as Slash squeezed him and tried to break free, but the grip was permanent. After some quick thinking, Leo threw his head back and hit Slash in the jaw, causing him to release his opponent. Leo followed that up with a roundhouse kick and pinned Slash to the ground. Slash bucked Leo off, causing him to fly into the wall. Leo got up to resume the battle, but suddenly began to clutch his head as a wave of pain tore through him. He sank to his knees, his eyes squeezed shut.

"Leo!" Raph cried. He ran to his brother's side and began rubbing his shell in soothing circles. "Donnie, what's wrong with him?"

"He must have a headache, though I don't know where it came from," answered Donnie.

Raph and Slash helped Leo off the floor and to the living area where they helped him sit down on the couch.

The pain subsided and Leo opened his eyes. "Man, that was not good," he said.

"Do you feel okay, Leo?" Donnie asked him.

"It still hurts, but not as bad as it was," he answered.

"What happened?" Raph asked.

"I don't know," Leo answered. "I was fine and then I just felt this terrific pain in my head. It felt like my head was in a vice."

"Did you have a flashback?" Mikey asked.

"No, not this time."

"What are you guys talking about?" Slash asked.

"Leo used to get headaches after Shredder attacked him," Donnie replied. "Sometimes he would have flashbacks and then get a headache afterward. Splinter helped him to get over that and then he didn't really have them for a while."

"Then, after Sensei died, he began getting them again," Raph chimed in. "It lasted for a little while and then stopped so we figured he was okay. I don't know why he would be getting them again."

"Maybe it's because I hit him and then he hit me with his head," suggested Slash.

"Maybe it is because of that," said Leo. "Don't worry about it. I'll be okay."

"It's time for us to go on patrol," said Raph. "Do you wanna stay here?"

"Yeah, looks like I'll have to sit this one out," answered Leo.

"I'll go make you some tea before we leave," said Mikey as he hurried to the kitchen.

"Maybe Leo shouldn't be by himself," suggested Donnie.

"I'll stay with him," offered Slash.

"Thanks, Slash," said Raph.

"No problem."

Mikey came back with the tea and handed it to Leo.

Leo took a sip and sighed. "Thanks, Mikey," he said. "That should make me feel better."

"It's gonna make you sleepy so you better crash on the couch."

Leo nodded and settled into a sleeping position as Mikey fluffed up the pillow.

"We'll be back soon, bro," Raph said. "Just rest."

Leo nodded and watched as his brothers and their friends left. Sleep was starting to overtake him and he closed his eyes and let darkness take over his mind.

22222

Leo awoke and saw Slash flipping through the channels. He was confused at first and rubbed his eyes.

"Slash, where are the others?"

"They went out on patrol," replied Slash. "Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah. How long was I out?"

"At least an hour," responded Slash. "Raph just called to say they're picking up food from Murakami's."

"Good. It's been a while since we've had it. Thanks for staying with me, Slash. You really didn't have to do that."

"I know, but I didn't want you to be alone in case it happened again. And if it happened because of me, I'm really sorry."

"It's not your fault, Slash. Don't blame yourself."

Footsteps sounded as everyone came back from patrol carrying bags from the noodle shop. Raph handed Leo a bag and asked him how he was feeling.

"Better," Leo answered.

"Good," Raph said.

While eating the food, they recounted how quiet patrol was and how all they had to stop was a robbery and one mugging.

"Sounds like I didn't miss much," Leo pointed out.

"Nah, but that's a good thing because we need you when the action really comes," Raph replied.

"Well, I guess me and the team will head out," Slash said. "We'll be back another time."

"See you later, Slash, and thanks again," Leo said.

"No problem. Hope you feel better."

After Slash and his team left, Leo turned to his brothers. "It's been a long day, ninjas. We better get to bed."

The others nodded and headed to their respective rooms. Leo settled into bed and kept pondering what had happened to him. Why did it happen so suddenly when he wasn't feeling stressed, and why did it happen without a flashback? Was it an aftereffect of when he hit Slash? Trying to shake off the thoughts, he sighed and settled down to sleep. It was probably just a fluke and wouldn't happen again.

22222

The astral plane materialized as Leo sank into deep meditation. The garden setting was one that often appeared to him when he visited the astral plane, and it always made him happy to see it. He smiled as he strolled around and then picked a few flowers and smelled them.

"You have kept this garden nicely, my son," a familiar voice said.

Leo's face lit up with joy as his father walked toward him. "It's so good to see you, Sensei," he said as he gave his father a hug and buried himself in his father's robe.

"It is good to see you too, Leonardo," Splinter replied. "However, I sense that you are troubled."

"Just a little," admitted Leo. "I had a bad headache yesterday while sparring with Slash."

"Hmm, you have not had any episodes like that in a long time," Splinter noted. "Did you have a flashback before it?"

"No, I just felt this tremendous pain," Leo answered. "What does it mean, Sensei?"

"I do not know, but I would monitor if it happens again and take precaution," Splinter advised. "If it does happen, use the Healing Hands to help you."

"I never thought of that," Leo said. "Maybe that would help me."

"I am sure it would," Splinter said. "I am proud of how you have been handling yourself since my passing."

Leo sighed. "It hasn't been easy, but we're doing the best we can. We still miss you though."

"I know, and I miss you as well. However, you know I am always here for you when you need me."

"I know," Leo said. "It's just not the same though. Sometimes I feel like I'm not living up to what you expect of me."

Splinter put a paw on his son's shoulder. "You are doing a fine job, Leonardo," he reassured him. "Sometimes it will be hard to do everything perfectly and you will have obstacles, but in the end, you will always triumph."

"Thanks, Sensei," Leo said. "I think I'm gonna go on a training run to clear my head."

"You are welcome, my son. I love you." Splinter hugged Leo close and Leo buried his head in his father's fur. Then he pulled back and let the astral plane dissolve as he came back to the real world.

With a sigh, Leo left the dojo and got ready to head topside.

"Where are you going, Leo?" Raph asked him.

"I'm going for a training run," Leo answered.

"You want me to come with you?"

"No, I want to be alone tonight, Raph."

Raph looked at his brother with concern in his green eyes. "Are you okay, bro?"

Leo smiled. "I'm fine, Raph. I just want some alone time. You know how that is."

Raph nodded. "Yeah. I do. Be careful, bro."

"I always am," Leo reassured him.

22222

The night was cool as Leo raced across the rooftops. The visit with Splinter made him feel better, but he still wanted to be alone for a bit to sort out his thoughts. He hadn't had an episode since that training session and figured it was just due to the practice itself and nothing more. As he neared another rooftop and landed, a blinding pain hit his head full force. Leo cried out and sank to his knees. He saw something in the shadows and tried to focus on what it was. A person materialized and smirked at him.

"I was hoping we would meet at last, Leonardo," he said.

Leo tried to block out the pain and stared at the person. "Who are you?" he demanded. "How do you know my name?"

"I have been watching you and your family for a long time," the man said. "As for my name, you may call me The Mind Reader. I have bene studying you closely, and I have been fascinated by your mind and what it contains."

"Who do you work for?" Leo snarled.

"I work for no one," he answered. "I am merely a lone wolf who is in search of some of the most interesting minds to play with."

"Why do you want me?"

"Because your mind is so interesting, Leonardo. There is so much to explore and to investigate with you. You are a noble warrior, but you have doubts and weaknesses just like anyone else though you try to hide it. I feel that I need to study your mind and see how it works."

"I don't think so!" Leo spat. He got to his feet and unsheathed his swords. "You'll have to fight me first."

The Mind Reader simply smirked. "Oh, I don't think it will come to that," he said.

Another wave of pain hit Leo and he dropped his swords and clutched his head. He could hear The Mind Reader laughing and fought to stay awake. But the pain was too much and darkness finally claimed him.

A/N: So, now Leo has a big dilemma on his hands. What will The Mind Reader do to him and will the Turtles get to him in time? You'll have to read on and find out. In the meantime, feel free to leave a review and have a shelltastic day.