Author's Note: Hi again! Thanks for returning to 'Within these Walls' and my deepest gratitude goes to those who reviewed chapter 1 or pressed the follow/favourite buttons. You guys are awesome!

Enjoy Chapter 2!

Chapter 2: A Light Switch

Leo dived, outstretching his three fingered hand and catching the delicately painted Japanese tea cup just centimetres away from where it would have shattered against the cold hard kitchen floor.

"Good save, Leo!" laughed Mikey.

Leo placed the teacup carefully on the crooked dining table, "I really think we should stop now."

Mikey in his 'kiss the cook apron' promptly picked up a plate, smiling like a child knowing that they were up to no good. He flashed his mischievous grin at Leo. "Think fast bro," he playfully warned before throwing the plate like a frisbee.

Leo wouldn't usually participate in this kind of table setting, but when his youngest brother had started to throw the cutlery and Master Spinlter's favourite china right as he had walked out of the bathroom, he hadn't had much of a choice. Besides, Mikey was having fun and that was important to him.

After the morning's fight with Raphael, Leo had to do his part in making sure that Mikey was okay. Donatello had already done his part, kindly making breakfast with Mikey. A strange aroma filled the kitchen – the alluringly smooth smell of mozzarella cheese and crusty pizza base but combined with a sickly sweet scent which made Leo's stomach church in discomfort. Leo definitely hoped that 'Pizzacakes', would be a one-off breakfast, never again to grace, or in this case disgrace, the kitchen.

But he would at least attempt to eat them if that's what it took to make Mikey happy.

And he would keep catching the china as it flew about the kitchen, to make Mike happy but also to avoid the wrath of Master Splinter, as Leo knew that there would be gruelling training sessions for weeks if even one plate or tea cup was broken.

Leo's other younger brother, Donnie, stood over the toaster observing them and Leo sprung into the air to catch the last plate, splitting his legs apart for good measure in a perfect split kick and landing on his feet once again, pride and slight disbelief filling his chest.

"Don, Mikey - did you see? I got my split kick right!"

Don gave him the double thumbs up. "Way to go Leo."

"I told ya that you would get it," Mikey teased in a sing song voice, smiling as well.

Leo beamed at him, but the expression fell into a grimace as his head suddenly gave a violent throb.

The precious china plate he was holding slipped from his hand and shattered across the ground into tiny white and pink shards. The sound split Leo's head in two.

He clenched his eyes tight and pressed a hand against his forehead, feeling as though his head was about to explode if he didn't hold it together.

The attack had come on so suddenly and only muffled could he hear Mikey calling his name in a worried voice - and somehow Donnie had moved to be in front of him.

Leo couldn't put it together though as the world began to tilt on its axis, the Lair becoming blurry with white spots dancing in his vision.

Raph's voice rang in his head, as clear as crystal. He thinks he's so good – doesn't he?

Leo's head gave another throb as Raph continued to rant. Bloody Leo! Why doesn't he understand?! He used to understand!

Leo tried to reach out to Raph, outstretching his hands, thinking that his brother was standing in front of him, but instead he collided into Donnie, clumsily falling into his brother's chest. He felt Donnie's gentle hands wrap around his waist and shell, holding him steady.

"Whoa – Leo? Leo, can you hear me?" Donnie called.

But Leo's head throbbed in systematic pain and his only capable reply was a cry that he couldn't hold back any longer. His head roared and in front of him, beside what he thought was Don's purple mask, Mikey's lips became silent, as he spoke words of encouragement and comfort which uselessly fell on Leo's deaf ears.

His head was on fire and his body ached. His knees finally buckled and Donnie took his full weight, slowly lowering him to the ground as a sense of vertigo also hit him from below. Or was it above? He couldn't tell. Everything was spinning. Vomit burned his throat, but Leo forced himself to swallow.

He's nothing but a coward! A scared, high horsed, piece of crap! Leo could still hear Raph and looked around for his brother, unable to locate him in the spinning room. Why doesn't he get it? WHY?!

Leo could feel Raph's anger surging through his body and coursing through his veins. It was painful to say the least and it felt like his mind was cracked open.

He tried to combat the thoughts invading his mind, but couldn't, only clenching his eyes tighter against the pain.

He vaguely caught Donnie yelling for Master Splinter and Raph – calling for their help.

Leo could hear Raph again. Ohhh – so now they want my help. I swear I'm gonna kill someone if it's somethin' stupid.

Leo glanced toward the dojo's doors as they slid open with a violent crack, making his head thump harder. Louder. "Don-"

He felt Donatello grip him harder.

And then Leo screamed, violent and raw. Desperate words poured from his mouth, "Don make it stop. It hurts! AHHHHH! Raphael, no-"

Leo couldn't think. Raph was coming. Raphael was going to hurt his brothers. Ahhhggg – he couldn't think. Couldn't breathe. Raph said that he was going to kill someone. It was too much. His mind was collapsing. Breaking.

Pain.

Raphael.

Danger.

Must help.

A guttural scream tore from Leo's lips.

His mind exploded and the light bulb hanging above them shattered, showering sparks and glass.

Mikey yelped and Leo vaguely felt Don lean over him, providing a shield against the glass as it hit the genius' shell and fell harmlessly around them.

To Leo the noise of shattering glass was excruciating, as if it was on a loud speaker made for giants. It was all too loud.

He could only just identify the outline of Don, who was hovering above him and patting his cheek. The purple turtles' eyes were panicked and wide as he spoke to Leo, but Leo couldn't listen.

He felt something flick in his mind, like a light switch turning on, but with the raw power and pain which rushed him, it more so felt like someone had flicked a switch to open a dam flood gate. Everything rushed in – immense power and pain, strength and fear. But above all, a feeling that his mind had suddenly expanded, cramming his learnt skills to one section and opening up another empty space ready to be filled.

It was excruciating.

His world began to darken and the last thing he saw was Raph running towards them, eyes fixed on him, whilst worry and fear was plastered across his face.

Again, Leo could hear Raphael's voice, although this time he noticed that his brother's lips were not moving.

LEO! What the hell? Leo- oh my god…Leo…

Leo's vision darkened as his mind finally let go.

And then there was nothing.

To be Continued…

Please remember to leave a review! I really appreciate the feedback! Thanks and I hope that you have an awesome day.