So you wanna play with magic?

All eyes snapped to Luna, as her silvered form began to rise into the air. She brought both arms overhead and fire ran from her palms down her arms. Her hair burst into flames, that did not consume, and she suddenly resembled her father.

"A message for your master." She hissed, her voice reverberating with a deafening, thunderous echo. She lowered her arms to her sides and as she raised them again she had beautiful, fiery wings.

"I am the daughter of light, heir to daybreakand twilight. I claim these incredible beings," she gestured across the rooftop, "as mine by right of family and mate."

"Tell your master, if they ever fuck with what's mine again, be they mortal or god, I will destroy them!"

With a keening cry, her body shimmered and transformed into a brilliantly plumaged firebird. The brothers could only stare as she swooped low over their heads, let out a scream of outrage, and scorched the wraiths to dust.

Before they could really recover from that bold transformation, the incredible firebird came to rest behind Mikey's body and shimmered back into Luna's human form. But this was a Luna that Don almost didn't recognize. She was still petite and pale, but she radiated power. Her hair flamed, and her face was twisted with wrath.

As she stepped gracefully towards them, the very air trembled.

Donatello refused to move from Mikey's side. As imposing and wild as she looked at this moment, he had faith she would not harm them. After all, she'd just claimed them as family.

Besides, he was too busy applying pressure to some of Mikey's worst injuries. Trying to stop the bleeding, even though his heart knew it was a futile effort.

"Donnie," Mikey quavered.

It was the first time Michelangelo had spoken since they arrived and Don was glad his brother could still recognize him. Don leaned in closer to hear.

"I'm here Mikey." Don said softly.

"Luna! Don't let the ghosts get her bro… I swore… she would be safe…" he gasped.

"She's all right Mikey. The wraiths are gone." Don said gently. "You did it, you kept her safe."

Michelangelo smiled.

A soft, satisfied, sigh escaped his lips.

"Mikey? " Don said urgently, as he felt Mikey's pulse begin to waver. "Stay with me Mikey!"

"Luna!" Don cried, turning frightened eyes her way, "He's dying!"

She approached swiftly, trying to control the rage inside her at Michelangelo's condition. Anger would not help him now. She would cage it for a time, until she found out who had summoned those demons.

Her hair gradually stopped flaming and settled in a more human red color, her eyes faded to gleaming blue, and her pale skin was no longer coated in silver. Finally, she knelt by Michelangelo.

One tiny hand began to give off her softer moon-glow, and she passed it over the top of Mikey's body from head to foot. She exchanged a long, weighted glance with Donatello.

Don felt his throat tighten. Was there nothing she could do?

"Leonardo," she called out wearily "I need you."

It was only then that Don realized his brothers had not followed her to Mikey's side. He looked around to see them both sitting dazed on the gravel of the rooftop.

When Sol opened the connection to Luna, neither of them had been prepared. Even Leo's reaction earlier hadn't been enough warning. They had been blindsided by the unimaginable despair of a goddess and the agony of a dying brother.

It was the perfect emotional storm, and they had been driven to near unconsciousness.

Leo looked up at her call. Despair, fear, and agony still swirled in his gaze, but his eyes never made it to hers. They brushed Mikey's body and he froze, staring at his little brother, completely horrified.

"Raphael?" Luna called, her tone desperate.

Raph responded instinctively to her unspoken plea. He struggled to his feet, wiping away his own tears, and roughly hauled Leo up. They made their way over to Luna somewhat awkwardly, Raph practically dragging Leo along.

Raphael couldn't bear to look at his youngest brother himself. Michelangelo was completely covered in blood. Don's hands still tried to hold some of it inside. But Leo couldn't seem to look away.

Luna met Raph's eyes as he deposited his anguished brother next to her. They were an odd mixture of human and goddess.

He saw fear than confidence , insecurity than hope flash through those glorious eyes in rapid succession. It was as if two separate parts of her were at war.

Raph wanted the world to stop. He wanted to call a timeout, like they had when they were kids. He wanted just a moment to grab Luna up, examine her closely, and convince himself she was safe.

But he couldn't. Life didn't work that way. And he dared not start something with Leo right now, when his little brother's life hung so precariously in the balance.

Raph started to back away, putting a safe distance between them when Luna's beseeching eyes met his again.

"Stay with me?" she pleaded.

God help him, he was lost to that gaze. He would never be able to refuse her anything.

Raphael hurried around to her other side and sat, catching Don's eye. Don raised an eyebrow at Raph's quick compliance.

Interesting... Don filed the that information away to consider later.

Luna gently touched Leo on the shoulder and the change in him was instantaneous. He suddenly seemed to snap out of his daze, spun to her and crushed her to his chest, burying his face in her hair.

"Luna! God, I thought I'd lost you again!"

"Leo, love," she gently pushed him away. "I know you're in shock. I didn't have the time to take the power from you the way I should have, but Mikey needs your help now."

"Of course." Leo blinked sadly at her, struggling to resume his leadership mask. "But I'm afraid I'm not sure how to do it."

"Bullshit!" Raph burst out. "You've healed Luna twice, ya' don't get to bow out now d'at Mikey needs ya!"

The look that Leo directed his way could have leveled mountains. "I don't know how I did that, with her it's totally instinct." he snapped. "If I could control it consciously, don't you think I'd be right there saving my little brother?"

Luna merely squeezed both their hands.

"Don't worry, I'll guide you through it."

Raphael?

It was her voice inside his head, and thankfully she didn't sound angry about his outburst.

Now that he was bonded to her, being in her presence was a whole new experience. It was staggering and he understood, in a way he never could before, why Leo had locked himself away from her when she first awoke.

He closed his eyes.

It was so difficult to think near her.

For a few solid heart beats he did nothing but bask in the echo of her voice in his head, feeling the energy flow back and forth between them through the new bond.

He let her essence seep into every part of him like a soothing balm, filling up all the empty spaces in his heart, and for once in his life, he felt true peace.

No anger, no self condemnation, no pride, no rivalry, guilt, or fear.

Serenity and tranquility claimed his soul. In sudden insight, he realized this was the reason Splinter and Leo meditated. They were reaching for this state of perfection.

It had taken the will of a goddess to bring it to his fiery soul.

Beloved, she called again, do you feel where the energy flows?

Raph finally found the focus to answer.

Yeah.

Concentrate your thoughts on me, and let your strength flow like a stream through that connection.

He focused on her. It was easy to do since he was so aware of her next to him he was practically counting her every breath, and tried to do as she asked.

Her glow intensified and Raph felt dizzy.

Easy, dear one. She admonished with a smile. That's more like a river!

Eyes closed, Raph still felt the smile. It was like the sun coming up, warm upon his skin. He forced himself to relax and slowed down his "stream."

Leonardo?

Leo felt her in his mind. With two soul pieces regained and an increased tie to her own powers, her essence was even stronger than it had been before. He was totally awestruck.

I am not a stranger, my love. Luna reassured him. I am still yours, now and always.

He felt her probe gently at the sorrow and guilt surrounding his thoughts. Felt her realize his fear of losing her, not just to danger, but to Raph.

How can you say that? Leo asked. How can you share this bond with more than one?

Do you not share the bond of brotherhood with three others? she replied. Do you not care for each of them?

But this is more! he cried, unable to articulate the tangle of emotions.

There was a long pause as she considered how best to answer him. Perhaps he would not believe until he was shown.

I am more…

She finally answered, lowering her shields, just a little, so he could understand.

She let him see only the barest glimpse, but it blew him away. This incident and the new soul had changed her. She was slowly recovering her godhood, and he now realized that meant more than just power.

He sensed a vast presence as she showed him the flow through her silver laced connection. An amazing intelligence, superseded only by her capacity for emotion. His mind boggled.

She'd only shown him a glimpse, and she was not yet at full power. No wonder her human form seemed so frail, trying to contain all that glory.

But behind all that, there was a torrent of feeling that swirled only around him. His life, his form, his soul, was precious to her beyond words. He was the first being, mortal or otherwise that she had ever loved.

It warmed him, filled him, and pushed all his doubts aside. She did still need to be with him, perhaps even more than he needed her.

I love you Leonardo. No one can take your place. Just as no one will be able to take Michelangelo's place if we let him go.
Please dearest, let us tend to him…

"She's all right Mikey. The wraiths are gone." Don said gently. "You did it, you kept her safe."

Michelangelo sighed in relief and let himself fall into the darkness, his soul no longer tortured by the fear that his incredible sister was going to die. He had done it. He'd protected Leo's mate long enough for them to save her.

She had taken his physical pain and agony away, and her gentle touch was what he wanted to remember.

He felt a new bolt of sadness rip through him though, as he thought about leaving his brothers behind.

And his father, who he would never see again. Would Splinter have been proud of him? Accepted his sacrifice?

yes.

A soothing, calm voice, a voice he would know anywhere, answered that unspoken question.

Leo? Mikey was startled.

I am here, little brother. And Splinter could not be more proud of you than I am in this moment. I will never be able to thank you. Luna lives because of your courage.

An intense chill swept through his body, and Mikey shuddered, but it was followed by a feeling of warmth and safety.

I was afraid to die alone, Mikey thought, but I promised to protect her. She's so good... for all of us.

You are not alone Michelangelo, I am here.

There was great sadness in his voice.

The cold returned and increased, but warmth replaced it quickly. It was getting hard to think straight.

I'm sorry I can't stay… I want to stay. Mikey said. Tell Donnie and Raphie, I- I love them.

It's all right Michelangelo. Rest now. I will take care of everything.

Then all was silent.