Author's note: This is my first fanfiction. It is not yet complete, but please feel free to tell my what you think! Favorite and Follow for the rest of the story! Sadly I do not own the turtles only my oc's and this story.

Darkness and Light

It was dark, but then it was always dark down here. Light meant danger, darkness was safe. Leonardo revelled in the darkness. He embraced it, moved confidently through it and would see it wrapped, like a cloak, around his loved ones. Darkness sheltered, obscured, and shielded them from any who would do them harm. It kept them safe from the intrusions of the world above.

Leo saw well in the dark. What was concealed from others was plain to him. What would the darkness reveal to him tonight? There, what was that? A small gleam of light.

He sought up and down the tunnel for it's source. Light in his darkness always boded ill. It was just a flicker really, a dim glow that was fading fast. But it was moving. On guard now, he disappeared among the shifting shadows, following silently with every sense alert.

Trusting in his skill, Leo drew closer. The glow was pale but to his light starved eyes it was bright enough to see well along the tunnel. There was nothing there. The ghostly flame danced alone. Confused, Leo checked the tunnel for life again, stretching out with all his senses and focusing his mind, but it was still empty. This tiny luminescence moved seemingly of it's own accord.

In all his years down here, Leo had never seen anything like it. It was fascinating to watch, flitting here and there like a hummingbird, bringing it's soft blue light to the shadows. Curious, Leo considered calling his brother. Don would love to see this. But until Leo knew if it posed a threat, he would leave Don out of it.

He would follow this flame and if it turned out to be harmless, then he'd let Don collect it for study. So far, it wasn't doing anything overtly dangerous. It didn't seem to emit any heat, or singe any debris. It hadn't ignited the more flammable gases present either. It's as if this glow was merely a memory of light, unconnected to reality.

Leo thought he could watch it for hours, it was so rare to come across something new down here but unfortunately it was wondering far too near the one place he didn't want it to go. Home.

Leo had been silently watching, blending with the darkness, and it had not seen him. He wondered briefly if the flame like creature even had eyes, or some other form of awareness, but the time for observation was past. Now it was time to act, to draw this creature out, and move it away from his family.

He would expose himself to protect them from discovery. He would distract it and lead it astray. If he couldn't do that he would have to find a way to destroy it.

Leo stepped to the center of the tunnel and watched it alertly. It was the primary focus of his concentration, but experience had taught him to keep an ear out for other noises. This close to home there shouldn't be any intruders. Then again, he'd just followed this little thing here, so there could be others out there, lying in wait in the darkness.

Leo waited, but it didn't seem to notice him. The little light creature was intent on poking around in the shadows near the wall. Normally he wouldn't bother something that wasn't even interested in him, but the wall it was investigating was really a concealed door. It angered him that something unknown was this close to his family.

"Move away from there" Leo growled through clenched teeth, as he drew his weapon. "Pay attention little flame, I'm talking to you!"

It was certainly aware of him now. It... well, it flinched... for lack of a better word. It moved away from the wall and slowly floated toward the center of the tunnel.

Leo made a feint at it with his sword, a swipe he knew to be well short. He didn't really want to hurt it, it was a beautiful little thing after all. Perhaps it was lost? Maybe it was being drawn to a power source like Don's equipment.

It moved quickly back out of reach, then flared so brightly that Leo was momentarily blinded. He stepped back with an oath, and braced himself for the attack that was sure to follow.

Nothing happened. When his eyes cleared, the little flame was still there. It bobbed just out of reach of his sword. Okay, so now they had exchanged warning shots. He hadn't hurt it and it hadn't hurt him. Now what?

help. The light flared with a little pulse.

"What was that?" Leo asked, startled.

help. It flared again.

"You want my help?"

help. Another flare.

"With what exactly?"

This was something he hadn't considered. That it might be in trouble. It could be sick, or injured, and he'd just taken a swing at it.

Guilt flooded him. He should know better than to judge something unusual so quickly. It didn't look hurt, but what did he know about fire creature things?

It seemed to understand English, though, since it had moved away from the wall at his command. It sounded a bit simple. Perhaps it was young? He'd speak to it like a child.

"Let's start again." he said, "Who are you?"

sol.

"Your name is Sol?" He tried again. "And you need help?"

help.

Gods! That was frustrating. This was turning into a game of 20 questions, and all he could get were one word answers. Of course, he wasn't sure how it was talking at all.

"I need to know how to help you." Leo said steadily. He would not lose his temper with this little one.

show?

It flickered tentatively toward him, then shied away again when his sword reflected it's light.

It was afraid of him. Leo swallowed hard and felt guilt swamp him again. It was afraid but still asking for his help. It must really need it. He sheathed his sword in one smooth, practiced, movement and turned back to the little creature.

Holding out his hand palm up, in a peaceful gesture, he asked,

"How will you show me?"

head? Another little tremble.

"You need to touch my head?"

As it floated nearer, Leo examined it closely. It was shaped like a teardrop, and hung steadily in the air. He couldn't see how it moved, much less conversed.

ok? Sol asked.

"Hold on a moment little one," he said.

It paused while he pulled a small device out of his belt and quickly texted Don. Leo didn't want Don in the thick of it, but he wasn't about to let some strange thing touch him with no one the wiser.

Intruder. He sent. Use back door, and track me. Small one, says it needs help.

Leo got an immediate GYB and had to smile. With Don, Got Your Back meant so much more than just doing what was asked. It meant he would put everyone on full alert, activate all surveillance systems, and even notify those topside before he'd head out the back door.

Leo suddenly wondered if Don could even see this little flame on the surveillance cameras. It wasn't very bright after all.

help? little Sol said again.

It sounded absolutely pitiful. Leo smiled hoping to make it feel better.

"Ok," he said, spreading his hands "Show me."

Faster than he would have thought possible, the little one zipped toward his head, hit him right between the eyes and disappeared.