AN – Hey guys, you may remember this from a couple of years back, I got to chapter 4 and never finished it, I'm sorry about that but I plan on re-writing and actually finishing the story this time... I know people wanted me to continue this for a while but I had no idea where I was going with this and didn't like the direction it was going in, hence the re-write... I hope you enjoy it and sorry for the absence... peace out!
Set in the TMNT 2003 Universe, most of the chapters will be from Leonardo's point of view. Warnings for gore, triggers, possible character death and heavy topics, quick disclaimer – I do not own TMNT or any of the series characters.
Day 1 – Question and Answerers?
Leonardo's POV-
I was running through the heavy rain, jumping from rooftop to rooftop... running from something, what I was running from I don't know. I came to a very quick stop as I then realised there were no more rooftops to jump onto ahead of me… Slowly turning around I suddenly felt a strong pang of terror strike me as the sky started to turn and churn black and blood red. The rain had stopped though I didn't know if that was supposed to be a good or a bad thing.
"What the shell is going on" I muttered to myself… I had to get back home I knew that much. Trying to keep my mind focused amongst the chaos that was happening around me.
Just as I started to backtrack to familiar ground, I heard the faintest sound of footsteps running behind me... at first starting off as Kinda jogging then speeding up into a full sprint behind me. One thing crossed my mind just at that moment.
Fear.
I ran faster, breathing heavily in fact I was panicking. Looking back only to see a dark shadow following me along with the murky atmosphere of my surroundings. I had to keep moving. Just then I heard my name being called by a dark voice…
"Leonardo"
It scared me. I needed my brothers and father… I kept my mind on them wondering if they were okay. The footsteps were getting closer as they did, I seemed to be going slower and slower with every step closer they took. I turned my head back to see just what was following me only to realize I wasn't running anymore instead I was falling... falling... Not daring to look down, closing my eyes as tight as they would.
"Leonardo" The voice repeated my name only now slightly louder and more morbid sounding as though it was nowhere but at the same time everywhere.
I was still falling getting closer and closer to the nearing ground. I screamed... a cowardly scream. It was humiliating, terrifying.
"Wake up Leonardo" The voice faded away just before I hit the pavement I woke up.
Sweating and panting. Looking around my bedroom frantically for a moment or two... "It was a nightmare" Sighing in slight relief to myself I laid back on my bed staring at the ceiling.
A little Later that morning…
The lair was usually a quiet place in the early hours of the Morning for me a place of solitude, a time when I could just have some peace for myself to meditate, train and just relax alone. I don't mind my brothers being around but I cannot be around them every moment if you understand. Sitting in the lotus position on the meditation mat I attempt to solve thoughts and questions, to better myself, mind and-
"LEOOOOOO HE'S GONNA GET ME" Mikey's scream echoed though the blissful silence... Shattering the relaxing atmosphere.
"Mikey…" Sighing. Well… There goes my quiet time… I could tell this was going to be just one of those days already.
"LEOOOO SAVE MEEEE!" Mikey yelled as he dived behind the red leather sofa to avoid Raph who was soaking wet and running in soon after.
"MIKEY! I AM GOING TO END YOU!" Raph growls, fists clenched, Teeth gritted.
I get up, standing between the two "Guys. It's too early for this. This needs to stop." I try to reason but was rudely cut off by Raph diving over me and tackling Mikey onto the ground.
"OKAY OKAY! IT WAS A JOKE!" Mikey screamed with a very overdramatic tone while flailing about under Raph's grip.
"It aint' a damn joke" Raph growled, clearly pissed. "MY ROOM IS TRASHED" He yelled. Water still dripping down his face and back.
I spotted Don who was poking his head through the doorway, obviously wondering if it was worth walking through that to get some coffee made. "Nope" I heard as he disappeared back out of the room, obviously not wanting to get dragged into this. I really wish I could swap places with him right now. "Guys..." I began.
"I was just testing my new invention" Mikey gleamed innocently, Cheeky grin across his face. This sparked interest, now I was Kinda curious however before I could ask Raph answered my question.
"INVENTION!? YOU STUCK A HOSE ABOVE MY BED AND TURNED IT ON. WHO DOES THAT!?" His face red with anger "Yur gonna get your shell up there and dry everythin' startin' with the floor, GOT IT!?"
"uhuh.. But come on... you cant tell me a bed shower isn't a time saver." Mikey looked at me for help, I gave him a look back while shrugging "You're on your own here Mike." he laughed nervously but got to his feet as soon as Raph had let go then started walking up the stairs, seemingly compliant... for a second or so it seemed. Just then he bolted for his room and I mean he was so fast it took him all of 5 seconds to retreat into his own room, locking his door behind him and leaving Raph stood there shellshocked. "GET YUR BUTT BACK HERE!" Raph pounded on the door before giving up "Yur gonna have to come out some time and when you do... I'll be waitin'" He clicked his knuckles.
"Jokes on you Raph!" Mikey called out from behind the door. "I've got enough bags of chips and comics for days in here!"
To be fair it was impressive... His younger brother could avoid almost any kind or manual labour if he really tried, I'm sure by the time he comes out, Raph's room would have dried out on its own and there wouldn't be any work for him to do anyway, but Raph won't forget his revenge would come, maybe not today but one day.
"Grr" Was all Raph could manage before storming off to his own room, slamming the door behind himself.
It was silent again... I welcomed it... Though it didn't last long.
"My son" I heard Master Splinter speak softly from the door way.
"Yes sensei?" I say bowing my head as he entered the room showing my respect to the elder, he bowed back.
"I will be going away for a few weeks. I am asking you as the eldest and leader to keep things in order while I am absent. Keep your brothers safe."
I nod without hesitation though curious "Where are you going sensei?" Splinter always goes to such interesting places…
"I will be visiting The Ancient One to discuss some important...matters, Leonardo." He talked soft but firm as he normally did.
"Good luck on your journey, Father... I wish you a safe return." Bowing my head again...
"Thank you, Leonardo." He said looking me straight in the eyes, his ears twitched for a moment before asking "Are you troubled, my son?"
I stared for no longer than a moment before looking away "No, I just had a nightmare... it's been heavy on my thoughts that's all" Sensei nodded in response.
"Do you wish to talk about it?" He asked in a fatherly way, I shook my head, really not wanting to remember it again. "Very well. I'll be preparing for the journey ahead and leaving when the sun goes down. I should be no longer than a month, take care of your brothers, my son." He turned and walked slowly out of the room, his soft footsteps disappearing along with the odd click of his cane.
"Alone again" I sighed to myself, ready to get my day started but just then my shell cell started ringing "Ugh if this is Mikey pranking me again…" He does that every now and then. Opening the phone like device and holding it up "Hello?" I start the conversation... waiting patiently for a response but in return my ears met with the most high-pitched sound I had ever heard combined with static; I dropped the phone in Suprise, ringing still in my ears. Picking up the phone quickly only to find the sound had stopped from the speaker. "Very funny Mikey that's a new-"
"Hello Leonardo" The voice was blunt, rough and cold.
My breathing quickened; heart felt like it had dropped all the way down to the pit of my stomach. I felt my hands shake. "Shredder...?" My words came out quieter than I had anticipated.
"You have a choice to make" The static was back, this made me hold the phone slightly further away from my already ringing ears. "Surrender yourself to me or I'll come for your entire family."
The voice almost sounded convincing for some strange reason… No! What am I thinking!?
"Y-Your dead." I almost kicked myself for stuttering. "I won't let you. Ever. I have no idea how you contacted me but take this warning, Stay away from my family." My voice growing more confident once the initial shock had worn off.
Master Splinter soon reappearing in the doorway at the Shredders name being mentioned.
"You are the one we need" The shredder's tone of calm voice.
"Well, you can forget it! There's no way I am doing anything for you!" I shout before hanging up the shell cell, quickly tossing it on the side.
"I'm in your head Leonardo, you won't escape me until you give me what I want" The voice was everywhere but at the same time it was nowhere.
My eyes widened in horror... in fear. "H-How..." My voice shook.
"My son what is happening?" Splinter walked closer, I shake my head and look at him
"The Shredder just… he's alive" Splinter seemed calm but I could tell this troubled him deeply.
"My son, Are you sure?" He looked up at me unsure about what he had just heard even though he knew in his heart I would never lie to him. He was so sure in their last confrontation the Shredder was defeated. Dead. Gone.
"Yes, Master I am sure but… I don't understand how" Now looking confused I turned my gaze up from the floor to face master slinters gaze. My head pounding.
"As am I Leonardo, but you must remember evil such as his is not easily extinguished" This worried me even more… Splinter was showing a worried look and that is something that doesn't cross his expression often.
"Will you still be leaving on your father?" I asked, unsure he would leave after hearing the unwelcoming news.
Splinter wondered on this momentarily "I must Leonardo, now we know the shredder is alive I have more matters to discuss with the ancient one" Looking down once again I nodded understanding his point.
"I will try to keep Raph, Don and Mikey down here in your absence I would rather there were no unnecessary fights with the Shredder around" Though I have to admit that was going to be a big challenge for me, not that I mind of course I love challenges. Raph on the other had would have a harder time staying away from the streets above.
"Leonardo" Splinter spoke.
Snapping back out of my thoughts I looked at him quickly "Yes master?"
"Be careful. If you need anything, contact April rather than venture out. Tell her to take the less travelled rout here… I sense great danger in the days to come." With that he walked out slowly with the help of his walking stick.
Making my way back up upstairs, not being able to stand in the main room anymore with the silence I had once so much craved. The words of the shredder still fresh in my mind. 'You are the one we need' I wonder what he meant by that…. Was he really in my head? No... It must have been the shell cell; I'll have Donnie look at it later. Maybe track the last call. I should let the guys know what's been happening. I gave a light knock on Raphael's door then waited.
I didn't have to wait long as the door cranked open an inch followed by a grouchy "What?" Still clearly pissed off from this morning, looking over his shoulder into the room I could see why, it was like a swamp in there.
"Raph, we need to talk, okay? The Shredder is alive. Master splinter said not to leave the lair for a while..." I knew he wouldn't like this but it's for his own good.
He raised an eye ridge "What the shell!? No we finished 'im, there's no survivin' being dismantled."
"I know, but he's alive" I caught myself looking away for a moment then back to him. "Sensei is leaving tonight; He'll be staying with The Ancient One for a few weeks, Listen Raph I know it's going to drive you crazy but you have to stay down here until Sensei comes come, we all do... something is going on and I really don't like the thought of you or any of us out there with him loose."
He stood there; arms folded. He let out a gruff sigh "Whatever, I aint promising nothin' we could take 'im again. Easy. Ill do whateva I feel like doin' got it?" He looked away hot-headed as ever.
"Just don't. Okay?" I knew he wouldn't listen for long, one maybe two days tops and he'd be out there.
He shrugged. "Whateva Fearless" Then shut the door. Good talk Raph.
Turning to Mikey's door then deciding to give a soft knock.
"Give it up Raph I'm not coming out!" He chuckled "I have everything I need right here." He said smugly.
"Mikey it's Leo, open the door okay? This is important." I folded my arms, tapping my foot impatiently.
"Just talk through the door bro, I can hear you!" He said cautiously "Raph's waiting for me to open the door I just know it"
"It's just me, he's not here." I looked over my shoulder back at Raph's door which now was open, sure enough he was stood there waiting "Okay yeah um... Raph... Can you not?" Sighing to myself "Fine we'll talk through the door... I need you to stay in the lair, okay?"
There was a pause "Thats okay! I wasn't planning on coming out anytime soon anyway. What's up bro?" He asked curiously, voice slightly muffled through the door.
"The Shredder... he's alive. Sensei is going away for a few weeks and doesn't want any of us to have a run in with him"
Even with the door between us I heard an audible gasp of shock from my little bro "WHAT!? NO FREAKING WAY!" With this his door flew open, he stared at me, scared "Tell me this is a joke...I know I ticked off Raph this morning but-" I cut him off.
"No joke Mikey. This is real, okay? I need you to stay here we all do... at least until Sensei returns." My tone, soft but firm. "We're safe down here okay? Don't worry."
His ease didn't last long however, he screamed like a baby banshee and slammed the door "AHH!" It didn't take long to see why he did that.
Raph, inches from the door. "Grr- I almost had 'im!" He was panting that was quite the mini-sprint he did though only half a second too slow.
"Raph can't you two just call it quits already? I know he bothered you but just let it go. We both know you'll get him back eventually" Rolling my eyes I walked past him, stopping for a moment "Can you let Donnie know? About... him...? I have a headache, I'll be in my room if anyone needs me." Hearing a quiet "Fine, whatever I'll tell him and yur damn right I'll get Mikey back" Raphs voice growing distant as he walked downstairs grumbling to himself.
Entering my room, I was thankful for the lack of light, my room out of all my brothers was the dimmest, and that's how I liked it.
I decided to light some incense then take my place on the mat in the corner to meditate. Today has been stressful. I sat there for a long time, sometimes you lose track of time when meditating, but it's worth trying to make peace with yourself... however rather than feeling relaxed, coming out of this particular meditation I felt troubled, anxious even.
I can't do this right now. With that thought I stood stretching out of my meditation pose. This isn't okay. I can't focus, not with everything going on and this damn headache. I wonder if Don has any aspirin down there... Reaching for my door handle about to exit, I stopped to look over my shoulder... Why did I feel so uneasy? This room is my sanctuary... my space, I've never felt unconfutable here in my life so why now? Trying to shake the uneasy feeling I left my room, closing the door.
On the way down to Don's lab I passed a mirror and out of the corner of my eye I saw my reflection staring back at me. Now stopping and turning to face the mirror I thought to myself how fearful I had become of my own reflection these past few weeks ever since the nightmares had started.
To be continued -