One Step in the Grave - Part 1
This story is a four part story about Leo for alessandradc first place winner of the Halloween contest on
TMNT-FAN-GROUP on DA
Disclaimer: TMNT isn't mine and this is just a fan fiction writing. No money is being made on this story.
(TMNT CC are AU based on 2003 version and events, the turtles are in their late 20s.)
Warning: There is a lot of Violence, metaphors and hidden meanings (Read between the lines...)
Dripping down his built frame, the mix of sweat and rain covered his slick green skin, thanks to his bandana it soaked up the most of it protecting his eyes that focus on the black figures before him.
His breathing hoarse and his body aching, he planted his feet for another round.
He was surrounded by four large, daunting shadows; their only purpose was that they were there for him and him alone.
How foolish was he to think it was safe for him to take a quick breather and race upon the rooftops on this dreary day?
Even with the cover of night they found him, they didn't hesitate over his appearance assaulting him without question.
Who were they and why were they so adamant to kill him?
His blades clashed against his opponents, which were neither mere ninjas nor some jokers thinking he was some easy prey.
These humans with their straw hats and traditional clothing, were indeed out of place, then the normal Foot Clan or gangs that plagued this city.
The confusion on who they were, made his blood run cold; they were as he could tell professionals, and he shouldn't tread too lightly around them.
They meant business, and one wrong move on his behalf could mean certain death.
(There are only four; if I can keep this up, I should be able to get out of this somewhat alive. If I wasn't alone... No, what am I saying? I'm alone and always have been. I have no family, just me and the world… a Lone Wolf… I survive this far I will not break now.)
A clash of thunder scattered the sky, reflecting off one of the blades that aimed for his shell, turning around, he intercepted with metal slamming into metal echoing into the night.
(I can't lose!)
"Leo?" a voice called as his dark surroundings were replaced by another. His blades still in hand Leo spun around in a cloud of confusion.
One moment he was battling in the middle of the city in the freezing rain and now was in a house?
Blinking Leo didn't lower his katanas taking in the details of this broken home. Its walls were full of duct tape and there were cracks in the drywall.
The furniture was half broken as the rest was new and untouched.
"Where am I?" he asked himself.
The surrounding room out of place gave him no negative vibe; however, the way he came here set all alarms off.
Wasn't he fighting for his life?
Was this some illusion or trick?
He clenched his blade handle hard as he bit his lip, contemplating what he should do, was he in danger?
Was he dead?
Did one of his enemies attack him when he was defending?
There were four after all, and he was skillful yes, he would boast, but he would also admit only to himself; he had his limits or well weakness as he saw them.
(I should keep my blades in hand until I know this isn't some trick to make me put my guard down. Still where is this place and how did I get here?)
Taking a breath to focus, Leo was about to make a step forward knowing standing still wouldn't solve a thing, suddenly his hands felt light as if he wasn't holding his weapons.
In a panic, he flashed a look at his empty hands in complete bewilderment.
How could anyone be able to disarm him so quickly and without him noticing?
Instantaneously there was another sensation of something else amiss, as Leo checked his sides feeling nothing but his bare skin and shell. He had no belt, and when he looked at his legs and arms, his padding was gone too!
Worse yet, by his motion, he normally caught the tail end of blue, however, he didn't see it, feeling his face that worn nothing at all.
He was stripped down to the nude as he swore someone would point out if he wasn't alone.
"What happened to my gear!" Leo barked in half panic and fear with a hint of anger in the mix.
Everything was in chaos, and he had no clue what was going on.
In the mist of his confusion and frantically looking for clues to point him to a conclusion on what he was experiencing, once again the voice called.
"Leo?" it was faint and appeared to be coming from somewhere within the house, beyond the door that was across the room.
"This must be a trap," Leo said, then peered over his shoulder to see if he could find another exit.
To his dismay where it appeared to be once a door since there was evidence with the welcome mat upon the floor and the door frame, there was nothing but a solid brick wall.
"I fear I never enter from there... but then again, I don't even know how I got here either way..."
Swallowing hard, Leo sighed tapping his finger on his thigh, he didn't like this, he felt at a disadvantage and had little knowledge of his true predicament, nor what was the best course of action to take.
Was he to stay here and wait until something or anything that could shed light to his situation, or was he to dare venture in?
This could be some sick game all he knew, those four elite ninjas; he thought the name fit them well, could be behind this.
They started off by attacking him and next placed him into a moment that made no lick of sense to break his spirit and willpower, just before killing his body then casting his own soul to a spiraling damnation.
"Leo?" the voice once again beckoned him as the door before him slowly started to creak open.
Springing to a defensive position, Leo brushed his right leg back and left leg forward, balancing himself, he raised his arms, clenching his fists.
He reminded himself to focus and not allow distractions to hinder him, no matter how bleak he felt, how bizarre this maybe for him, he needed to focus and not be caught off guard.
His breath slowing down into a rhythm his eyes targeted the door area, yet scanned the room for any other movement at the same time.
Anything could be hiding in the shadows, ready to pounce on him.
The door reminding him of some horror movie clip, Leo desperately told his mind not to wander, he hadn't the time nor the luxury for such games.
Even so, he couldn't get the imagery out of his mind's eye; this would be the moment something big and hideous rush into the room...
Blinking at the empty space showing there was another room similar to this when it came to its condition, Leo was confused; he would figure to see someone even a glimpse of a shadow.
However, that wasn't the case at all. He was still alone, that was until the voice carried by an invisible wind met him.
"Leo?"
With nobody to claim it, Leo reluctantly eased up and then cautiously walked forward towards the door in question.
Once he made his way to it, he could see the coat of dust that was plastered on the doorknob, yet no finger prints or any kind of disturbance. Did the wind open the door?
"Leo?"
Hearing the voice again Leo sighed, stepping beyond the threshold, "This better not be a trap..."
With a hiss, Leo grabbed his side, and he could hear the sound of one of his own blade's echo as the metal crashed down on the cement roof.
Terror flashing over his face, his confusion deepened, what was going on now?!
Taking a quick look around, he was outside and the rain pounded against his shell, his side was burning and when he removed his hand, it was painted with crimson.
His hand trembling, he blinked at it; he could see his gear was on once again.
Was the house an illusion or worse a hallucination?
Did they do something to him to break him out of the realm of reality, unable to see what was real or fake?
Either way, what it may or may not be, could very well be the move that would bring him to his death.
The shadows playing around him dancing in a mocking tone, Leo flashed up in time to see something coming towards him, countering the attack; he stepped forward with his only blade clashing against the oncoming spear.
Once in contact, he twisted his wrist, then moved his body swiftly to one side, allowing the spear to advance and making his foe closer.
Having the human in an ideal range and his spear moving down his blade, Leo thrust his elbow back smashing into the man's face.
A sickening crunch came after as the cartilage shattered and Leo at that second he gave himself his advantage.
Moving forward not in a lock hold with the spear anymore, he discovered where his lost blade was, aiming his efforts to retrieve it.
In the mist of this action, he dropped onto his knees sliding forward and tilting his body backwards, avoiding the side swiping of a blade that was aimed for his chest.
This was one of those moments padding came in handy. Sliding to his weapon, he grasped it in the nick of time, to parry the next attack.
"LEO!"
Startled by his name being called by the mysterious voice, which now sounded familiar on a new level, Leo lost his footing slamming face-first into the wooden floor.
The hard wood warm against his stinging beak he scrambled to his feet in terror; his body shook as he spun around finding he was not out in the open, yet in the house beyond the threshold he was aiming for just before he was thrown back into the fight.
"What is going on!" Leo panic, coming aware he was unarmed. Recalling his side was bleeding a moment ago, he pressed his hand at his side to reveal he had no such injury.
There was no pain.
"I'm hallucinating! I must be fighting, but how do I prevent them from killing me if I'm stuck here?!"
"LEO!"
The voice demanding his attention Leo whipped his head towards the other side of the room that showed two things of interest. One was a door on the main level that he was on and a staircase that led up to the darkness.
"It must be a hallway, so where do I go? I need the exit out of this illusion before those ninjas end my life."
"Leo please…." The voice not as harsh then before called him, it was sad, and it was like it was pleading with him. The two-words that were simple did some how pulled his heart strings.
Heading for the stairs, Leo could swear it came from above, so that was his way out?
His hand ghosting the railings it was rough, and he hissed a moment after feeling something piercing his skin. Removing his hand, he blinked at the sliver in the palm of his hand. Taking his nails, he managed to pull it out.
"Leo I didn't mean to…."
Looking up Leo stared into the darkness, why was it apologizing?
What was it and why did it feel familiar?
Placing his foot firmly on the first step to determine if it was sturdy, Leo held in the anxiety that was boiling up.
Part of him wanted to tear up the stairs to get out, as the other side told him, he was best to take his time, or he would regret it.
Taking the reasonable route, he took his time as something else caught his eye and depressed him as well.
Leo felt like he should be able to recognize the images that hung upon the wall on his right, they were picture frames that started from one end and ended at the top.
Each from the looks of it was carefully crafted as if the pictures they contain held much importance.
Nevertheless, each was blurry to him, no matter what he couldn't make them out.
"Are they naturally distorted or am I seeing things… Why do I feel I should be able to see what they are, like I had forgotten something?"
"Leo please… don't… please I beg you!" the voice crying, made him clench his chest as he found himself rushing up the stairs.
Something in that voice made him panic like he had to answer the person and he desperately had to find them!
Reaching the landing, Leo paused, casting his gaze down the long hallway with door frames yet with no actual doors within their spaces, only a wall. Someone didn't want him to venture or was it snoop around?
The only thing there was, was this large cracked window that someone duct taped and used cardboard to repair it.
The window by appearance seemed sad, lonely and hurt.
Taking a gulp, Leo moved forward to pass the fake doors towards the lone window.
Once there, he suspected a dreary scene yet instead, he could see the backyard, he assumed it was.
The sun was bright and warm, on the green lawn was a playset that appeared brand new and waiting to be played on and there was something else, a toy. The toy was a plush bear in the middle of this set, with its brown round head facing up at him.
Blinking at the bear, Leo pressed his beak and hands to the window, then suddenly a flash of lightning commenced as he could see himself fighting the ninja's and he wasn't winning!
His eyes widening, his stomach turned; he needed to escape this fantasy and back to reality right away, all considering he was getting slaughtered out there!
Stumbling back to make a run towards the stairs, he had only one other option to escape.
He had to make it to the door that was beside the stairs on the bottom floor!
His body ready to turn was unexpectedly burdened by some unknown force, and immediately he experienced much pressure pushed down upon him, making his knees buckling underneath him.
Looking up hastily to see what was using so much force upon him, his blade creaked and shook.
He was locked into a battle of brawns with the dark figure, as the other shadows closed in; he was back to reality.
(I need to get an advantage before… before I lose my mind again. They must have poisoned me!)
Grinding his teeth, Leo cried out poring all his strength forward to drive the human back.
With some success, Leo roared freeing one of his blades slashing back the weapon that was going to stab his chest. Twirling his body around the foe as he swiped his leg up, kicking the guy in the middle of the back making him fall forward.
The other two on him now moved swiftly as he dodged both weapons and legs.
Somehow managing to place some distance from his enemies, he took a breath to collect his thoughts and evaluate his predicament at the current moment.
The fourth was back on his feet, and Leo took notice the man he broke his nose seemed unfazed by that blow.
(Here they come!)
"LEOOOOO! PLEASE! I'm begging you… please…"
His shell coming into contact with the wooden floor, he wondered was he always going to fall? Overhead not to his surprise was the window.
He was in the house; it was becoming a habit he noticed, when every time his name is called, he returns.
Why and who is calling him!
Rising to his feet, he brushed himself off, not bothering to give the window another glance. He had the dreadful feeling, he would repeat things, and all he wanted was to make sure this time around he left for good and not return.
With that, he headed down the stairs and made his way to the door on the bottom and opened it up.
The turtle taking a big breath he embraced himself before stepping inside.
To his surprise, he didn't snap back to reality yet stayed within this fantasy.
It appeared to be a kitchen with all the furnishings. Some of the dishes he could tell were clean, while others were broken and some appeared that someone attempted to repair them.
"That feels to be the main theme here, like this house represents a personality of its owner. It has character… Like a person that is quick to anger, which is the damage areas, yet feels guilty for their actions, which could be the repairs. Then the doorways that should be there, but inaccessible, as if the person blocks others to see who they are or could be? As if they allow their one emotion of anger as their shield."
Pondering on it, Leo sighed tilting his head to the side that revealed yet another door.
Could that lead to the backyard?
"Then the backyard, untouched… why? Like the person fears to go there? Is it that they're concerned that part of them would be also become so damage… This house is damaged… torn, yet someone tries to mend it regardless how ugly things get, like they want to keep it altogether…"
Heading towards the door, Leo didn't have to turn the knob to know it wouldn't turn. He figured with all the evidence presented to him, and the condition of this house that area would be restricted, yet he knew he had to go there.
The bear seemed significant, something he should know, something he needed to get to…
"Now where would the key be?"
He turned inward scanning the room, then finally rested his sights on the fridge with a cookie jar on top.
It was the only thing in the room that was the cleanest and out of place. It seemed oddly familiar too.
"It doesn't hurt to try," he told himself arriving at the fridge and actually had to go on his tippy toes to reach the jar.
Once in hand, he placed it on the counter examining it. Why was it so familiar? Shrugging, he opened it as the voice suddenly came out of nowhere.
"Come on Leo! He will not notice if we just take one," the voice spoken yet was younger than the previous one.
"Yes, he will, Raphie…" Leo found himself answering back.
A vibe hitting him so hard, his hand shook and dropped the jar's lid that shattered into pieces on the ground.
Why did he say that and who was Raphie? His heart-pounding Leo held the edge of the counter with all his might to prevent himself from collapsing. His mind wandered, and he felt like he truly did forget something important.
"Who is Raphie… Raph… Raphael…" Leo slurred in confusion.
Once the name was said in full, the door to the backyard sprang open on command.
The sun rays creeping in Leo moved in front of it trying to see if he could catch the tail end of who might have unlocked it and open it.
However, like the first door in this place, there was no evidence anyone even opened it.
"That wasn't the wind this time," Leo admitted feeling his hands still shaking in guilt?
Why was he feeling guilty for? Closing his eyes, he took a breath as the voice came again.
"Leo… please don't give up…" the older voice came back addressing him.
As it touched his ears, Leo remembered the bear as he opened them again, finding himself outside before the playground and the bear sitting upon the sand looking up at him.
Taking a quick peek behind him, Leo could see the house from the outside; it was red, painted pure red, and only the Hyacinth growing around the house look appealing.
"That is one ugly house," Leo said and then turned his attention back to the teddy bear.
Kneeling down Leo blink at the tatter bear that has seen better days, it looked like someone loved it very much and no matter how worn out it got, the person mended up the bear.
It was like the house, yet this had another meaning, he knew it deep down.
His hands shook when he aimed for the bear, he had to know why this bear, why this place and what was this feeling inside and who was Raphael.
As his fingers grasped the bear, a flood of memories came to him as his eyes started to tear up.
"I will not give up on you Leo, so don't give up on me," Raph said softly.
"Raph…" Leo swallowed hard. How could he have forgotten his own brother?
The bear... That is what was so important of this stuff toy.
Raph took it everywhere when they were kids and what was so significant wasn't that it was his security blanket, but it showed his personality.
No matter what happened to this bear, he wouldn't give up on it and toss it away regardless how damage or worn out it was.
He was loyal and sure he had his moments, but that was just him; he always had your shell… You never felt alone when he was around… For he never gives up, even when he hits rock bottom!
TBC