The Extinguishing Light Within - CH3
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: It has horror elements.
Rate: T
This is my secret Santa gift for Tmntlovingleo
The prompt was a story based after the 2k3 episode "The darkness within"
Summary: Was everything truly starting to settle down to the norm? Or was this the calm before the storm?
"One... Two..." Leo took a shallow breath, counting in his head, "six, to the right... wait no the left," he tried to concentrate in the silent darkness.
He was given no choice, not that he would ever complain, as he was only permitted to rely on only two of his senses his smell and hearing, all the while managing to hold his balance on the flexible bamboo stick under him.
This was the teachings today's event had brought, finally after a few days with mediocre drills that were beneath him when it came to his skill set, he figured his master wanted to slowly ease him into an actual intense session, he and his brothers were now taking this seriously. No slacking, no simple mind-numbing practice, it was no different than being on the surface where the enemy will not play nice.
Though he was thrilled and excited to have this at a normal pace the path to here was annoying, the lazy back training would have kept going if Donnie didn't confirm he had his sleep back in order, which was true, since no nightmares had visited the pass nights after he was informed the house was gone and its horrors were now in the past.
The stress he was under, he placed blame on the existence of that building, maybe it was the little voice in his head, setting in motion by plaguing him with the nightmares that cried out for closure the only form it could communicate with him by. Though he wished his subconscious would have found another tactic to bring up the subject then ending things with humility.
Either way, it was over to one degree, sadly, though everything appeared to be in order when it came to him sleeping, which was great, that didn't mean everything was fully back to normal for him just yet.
There was one more thing he was being challenged on and for what reason he wasn't sure and it very much annoyed him.
For some bizarre reason, he couldn't meditate no matter how much he tried, finding himself giving up hours later as his family was fooled believing he was meditating like normal, while he by his time to avoid more embarrassing punishment until his body to come full circle.
It was a matter of time just as the nightmares have stopped, so will this mental block, it will correct itself or when he figures out on his own what may be causing it he will be whole again.
"Ah, shell where did he go?" he asked himself losing track of his Sensei that moved swiftly over the obstacle course in the pitch black.
The game was to be the last to survive and avoid falling to the cold hard ground that was twelve feet under them.
He wasn't planning to lose and with the bet that he somehow got suckered in making with Raph, that wasn't intentional, for his sake it was for his best interest to survive the longest that he could.
Which at this current juncture he was a bit screwed with not knowing where his Master was nor his brothers at that, to avoid bumping into them and risking to lose his balance.
Then there was the other pressing issue, a particular human that he swore always had the knack to show up during this kind of drill. The muscular mask loon, always loud as he could be, barges in and that was a sudden death to them all, none of them even himself could keep his balance being caught off guard.
Once and only once, Casey came in not saying a peep and walked right into the bamboo stick he was standing on throwing him off it and slamming into Master Splinter of all family members, it was weeks he had to apologize to his Master that took that incident as a sign he needed more training, not he was complaining, it was more the fact of the embarrassment that weighed on his shell.
"This isn't the time to think such possibilities and ignore the clear warnings before me," Leo told himself trying his hardest to sense his family. His head buzzed with a sharp high pitch screeching and suddenly something grabbed his arm with a firm grip.
"I know what you want... now..." a voice taunted him close to his ear hole. A rush of panic rose and threw Leo into a loop, making him react in his fright as he pulled away not recognizing the demonic voice that felt like a nightmare, or was it from them?
His leg went forward as he was suddenly held there and soon after the stick he was on was swiped away under him, it left him floating there helpless in the clutches of something he could not see nor understand what it was or where it came from.
His brothers unaware of the danger at hand, responded according to a form of mockery instead, Raph was laughing hysterically thinking this was humorous that Leo fell so early in the game, revealing no one noticed he hadn't hit the ground yet, only the stick he was perched on did.
Mikey snickered in the dark too, that Leo of all brothers had lost already.
To Leo's disbelief, there was nothing from his father, who he would have assumed he of all family members being a master after all surely would have sensed the ominous entity threatening his son's life. However, that wasn't so, since his master made no move to aid him, or anything to warn his other brothers there was an intruder in their midst.
This shatter Leo's state of mind, paralyzing him to have any reaction or react towards his family, to cry out, to show any indication he was being attacked as he was cast in the darkness that surrounded him, making him question himself, his sanity, making him doubtful and wonder if this was happening or not.
Then, without warning the mysterious force slammed him down to the ground plastron first with a thud and vanish without a trace.
The dread that was surrounding the thing that attacked him was now gone as quick as it came, he couldn't feel it and he stared at the floor in shock over the ordeal. There was no explanation of what just happen and it scared him all the more.
The laughter haunting him at his weakest, he held his sides, shaking like a leaf, then he somehow heard through the noise pollution someone to his right landed softly onto the ground, showing they volunteered to lose and came to him right away. The warm hand gently touched his shoulder trying to comfort him.
When the turtle brother leaned in, Leo came aware of a detail he didn't until Donnie was right beside him, the entity's hand that held him had three fingers like them.
"Leo, are you okay? What happened?" Donnie leaned closer asking him in a low voice, so not to allow his family to overhear him. He didn't respond, unsure how to start explaining this, or if he was willing to as he attempted to calm down his nerves, knowing all too well Donnie must have noticed he was shaken up.
Not far from them, they heard Raph laughter was abruptly cut off with a scream of surprise, followed by what was next him falling far from them as if he was thrown. Leo at first feared the worse then quickly came aware that Raph didn't experience the same as he, since at this moment he could sense his Master that was moving swiftly towards his next victim, the younger brother who caught on he was in trouble let out a yelp of panic, shuffling away and trying to keep his balance on the remaining standing bamboo sticks. It wasn't long until he hit the ground as well and the silent veil was cast with a few grunts and moans of pain and defeat coming from his two floor bond brothers.
"I see there are no winners," Master Splinter announced sourly.
"Master I actually was..." Mikey started to state he was the last to stand yet was interrupted.
"Even so Michelangelo your out of control laughter made you fail either way. Do you think the enemy would just ignore you after defeating your brothers? If you had remained silent I wouldn't have known where you were. You are aware, my son, the enemy too would have cut you down as well, by your insulting behaviour." Splinter explained as Mikey didn't argue, probably shunning away from being scolded.
His master clapped his hands, commanding the light to be turned on as they flicked on, illuminating the room as each brother blinked cringing of the sudden change, while their eyes slowly adjust.
Raph, as Leo had assumed, was on the other side and he appeared to be taking the defeat hard as he stood waiting to be dismissed.
"Now you all can take a break for an hour and then we will continue with more training. First though, Leonardo will you accompany me to my room, we have some things... to discuss," his father said sternly as Leo nodded.
"Yes Sensei," Leo started to get up still having Donnie on his side aiding him.
"Leo..." Donnie started and Leo shook his head insisting the brother not to interfere or prolong him as he quickly followed his Master to his room. Leo brushed off any concerns Donnie may have had, focusing right now on what punishment or conversation his father may have for him.
He sat there in the dim light of the few candles that were lit, while his Sensei across from where he sat waiting, calmly poured tea into a cup offering it to him. Leo didn't deny the offering and accepted it, taking a sip expecting soon to be interrogated over his poor and disappointing performance.
It felt like hours to him and it was weighing on his shell, when finally the master spoke, "Leonardo my son, it appears you're still distraught. Please tell me what is on your mind."
Leo stared into his tea already anticipating this was why he was there. He firmly held his ground, trying desperately not to give anything away.
"Master there is nothing-"
Splinter let out a sigh, "My son out of your brothers you have always been the one to be gifted with the ability to keep and remain focus no matter the task you are presented with, however…"
"Master pardon my interruption, but my failure wasn't due to my ability to concentrate on the training exercise."
"Then tell me what was?"
Leo nodded, "My…" Leo looked towards his tea in shame piling it on to make it genuine, though in truth he was shameful, but not for the reason he was going to make up at the moment. Though this lie too made him sick in the stomach for him considering to dare to create, even so, it was all he had to go with, overpowered by his deepest fears of what would happen if the truth was told instead.
"I know I'm to trust my team Master, however, I have noticed the slacking from my brothers in certain situations, I know I should have told you and ask you for your wisdom to strengthen our bonds. However, I acted out discordantly, as I saw an opportunity I could not pass by after the bet with Raph was made. I wanted to see how he would react if I fell first and what the other two would do as well... Only Donnie responded to me and Raph and Mikey lost their focus, showing me the areas I need to improve on as their leader..."
Leo dipped his head low, then brought himself in a crouching position, to bow to his master in disgrace, "I apologize Master, next time I will discuss such exercises before putting anything such as this into motion..."
"I see then," his master stroked his chin, then slowly got up, "Then we should continue training, your brothers should have recovered by now and I can tell we need to work on other areas as well."
"Such as?" Leo asked suspiciously.
"A meditation session, my son." The turtle sprang up abruptly, that was a bit too quickly showing off his worry which he tried to hide, yet, even so, his master picked it up, who in turn didn't react to it continue as if he didn't notice that Leo's demeanour was concerning. "You and Donatello are the strongest of the four of you and the other two need to learn to have better focus in the field, as our last exercise failed to show restraint," he told him, walking towards a bookshelf.
Leo panicked when his masters back was facing him, desperately looking for a good reason to avoid this, "But Master, I don't think that would be the best approach to the matter at hand."
"Oh? Why so, my son," Splinter turned around looking him over as he tried to hide his true intent.
"For I fear the poor performance from both Raph and Mikey in such a lesson, that could hinder them than actually helping them. As we both know their skills in meditation is weaker than Donatello's and mine and this drill that I put them through shows even something this simple, they can't keep on task falling victim to their immaturity to see how serious the training was, and not some game. I believe Master to push them to an advanced training such as a group meditation or even entertaining the idea to share some form of conscience on the astral plane, as I assume is the goal of this exercise you wish us to work on, would be too grand of a leap and set them further back and might discourage them. Raph alone is one you can't push, you have to give him the opportunity for him to make his own steps, leaps and bounds. The best solution would be starting on a level more suitable for them both, to adapt and encourage them to be willing to achieve improvement in their skills. Then, once they show such improvement, that is when we should raise the training based on how serious this issue is between them," Leo explained.
He felt a bit guilty for sounding so arrogant and displaying such lack of faith for his team, yet there were some issues that did need to be dealt with, however, he wished to avoid meditation of all training exercises, fearing the truth would surface and once again that handy cap will be branded onto his flesh, for who knows how long this time around.
He was just going through a rough patch and being treated like some child that needs to be taken care of, then be seen as an adult, a ninja at that was distressful and it did hurt him inside as well.
It was painful when he was not allowed to train like something was wrong with him, like he was perceived as being weak and he felt like he was, it was upsetting to feel this way.
He was to be the strong one, the family member, the leader, that his brothers could rely on if he showed any distress, who was to be by their side. How could they trust him, his capability to lead and be there for them if he himself was showing signs of weakness?
They needed his trust as he needed theirs to survive in this world, what good if they lose faith in him, fearing he wasn't up to his role? He had to prevent anyone from finding out and placing doubts upon him.
Splinter fell into silence, not giving any reply, then walked towards the door, "Very well Leonardo, we will do the training you think is suitable to strengthen your weaknesses in your team-"
"Thank you, Master Splinter," Leo said in relief, then was cut off by his master.
"However, you have one week to work with your brothers and then we will practice having both Raphael and Michelangelo to join us on the astral planes, as a task to see if your insight of training is truly what is needed for your team to be efficient as it could be."
His master then left as he tilted his head towards the open door, was his master hinting something there, or had a vague idea what was going on with him?
"No, he doesn't know," Leo assured himself, leaving the room next, he had some quick thinking to do before he reached the Dojo in regards to what form of training he should start with, then he will have to figure out the issue hanging over his head, his meditating situation before the week was done.
"Dude are you sure about this? I mean what if he finds out?" the kid brother asked, hovering at the door and looking out wearily for any sign of their older brother making his way to his room. His room, that Mikey and Donnie have intruded and were up to no good, Mikey assume Leo would conclude.
"He won't," Donnie sighed since he assured his brother that Leo was out of the lair and over at April's and isn't due to be home for another few hours at least.
"But what if he finds out either way?" Mikey whimpered.
"A, he won't, for this micro camera is small enough to hide without him noticing, besides, I have a good memory and will make sure his room is in the same order it was when we entered so he will not notice," Donnie answered.
"Are you sure? Leo is very perceptive," Mikey kid, to make himself feel better.
"Yes and we have no choice," Donnie sighed, thinking of the event in training the other day and the overwhelming and plaguing itching feeling his brother is hiding something.
"I know, but wouldn't it be better if we just go try to talk to Leo, then do this behind his shell?"
Placing the camera in the corner not attached to anything yet invisible to the naked eye, Donnie checked his tablet to make sure the angle captured the bed and the majority of the room.
The lone camera still not enough and he wasn't satisfied with this angle only, he looked around for another position so he would get everything.
"Mikey, I understand fully of your concerns and yes, I agree this isn't right or should be our only option, but... what happened yesterday..." Donnie paused, looking towards Leo's bed, then let go of the breath that he was holding when Mikey's hand was on his shoulder.
Nodding slowly coming to terms he wasn't alone and his brother, though showing concern and doubt over their actions, he knew the little brother was backing him up as he found himself repeating what he half told Mikey before they entered this room, probably to help himself to cast away any doubt this was the right choice.
"I'm not the type that jumps to conclusions as you're aware, but the science points the impossible," he turned towards Mikey, "I'm not claiming anything over this, but the bamboo stick hit the ground before Leo did, who didn't until fifty seconds later. It's not possible, and I swore I heard him struggling before he made an impact to the ground," Donnie explained, biting his lip, "I had factored in all the variables and possibilities and I am dead certain the delayed fall wasn't caused by him getting caught on another stick for no other was disturbed around where he was posted. Then there is the way he reacted after, he was shell shock, gives me the impression something unnatural happened or someone had attacked him."
"So something or someone is attacking him?" Mikey shuddered and looked around as if he would be face to face with the thing they were questioning.
"Yes, at first I thought he was suffering from lack of sleep and plagued by nightmares, but now I'm starting to think this is another force at play-"
'Ghosts!" Mikey gasped, getting an eye roll from Donnie.
"I'm not stating anything until we get more evidence Michelangelo, and so far we both know it's targeting Leo only who in turn isn't talking, I remind you," Donnie snarled, not to Mikey but towards the stubbornness of Leo, who was not taking his offer that his door is open.
He was hoping Leo would not hide his issues, especially ones that affected them all and put them all in danger, what if this was some form of being? What if this being's agenda was to bring harm to their brother, then later them all? It was just plain sad that he and Mikey had to sneak into the older brother's room just to find answers in order to help the brother who is in need.
"But still, it's on the table, right?" Mikey asked as Donnie once again rolled his eyes.
"Yes, and why are you so obsessed with it being a ghost?" Donnie reluctantly asked heading towards a perfect spot near the bed to get the room fully covered.
"For," Mikey stood tall, raising his eyebrows, as he leaned forward leaning his chin in his fist as Donnie was taken back leaning further away from Mikey as he could without moving. Mikey grinned wildly next before continuing, "I have been watching so many haunting shows that I know how to deal with them bro!" he said enthusiastically, getting a dry sigh of response from Donnie.
The purple mask brother just pretended he never asked nor got an answer and walked pass Mikey to exit the room without a word of argument. This was one of those moments you don't try to bother and just agree for your own sanity sake. Though he did contemplate the idea, it being in the supernatural realm of things since they have experienced such phenomenons yet would be irresponsible for him to fall to such a conclusion without concrete proof to back up that theory.
It could be some enemy that figured out how to camouflage themselves and move around in the home of ninja's and someone who also have the ability to effect Leo's nightmares? All ideas were far-fetch and it wasn't for what happened at practice, he would have suggested it was a psychological issue, but no, he wouldn't insult his brother with that common conclusion, knowing it's not the only one out there.
She moved around the island towards the blue mask turtle, placing a cup and the tea bag beside the hot water. The friend sat beside him pouring herself her water for her tea as he gratefully accepted the kettle next.
"Thank you Leo, for helping me with the shop," she smiled, taking a few spoonfuls of sugar.
"It was my pleasure, April," Leo kept his tea black taking a sip. He cupped his hand around the warm china as the friend tilted her head.
"Leo is there something wrong?" April asked, placing a warm hand on his shoulder, as the turtle shook his head as she came closer to him as if she could read his thoughts.
He could only smile at her sweetly, "I swear April there is nothing-"
A large bang stopped the turtle in mid-speech as he flashed his head towards the apartment's door, "What the shell?" he asked then it happen again as they both went for it, yet it was her that open it in case there was anyone on the other side of the human variety, fearing to expose Leo.
Beyond the dark room nothing stirred as Leo peaked out looking across the loft towards another door, not seeing how the sound came from there, then he suddenly jumped, swiftly going for his sword when the sound of something falling to the ground with a smash, echoed in the hallway.
His eyes darted towards the closed door below that led to the store, yet he knew the sound did not come from there either, yet lower, the basement.
Something now was shuffling and Leo bit his lip suddenly alarmed April was actually moving towards the steps to go to the main floor then the basement to investigate.
"Wait April," Leo placed his hand on her arm gently pulling her back towards her apartment, "I think it would be wise I investigate."
"But Leo if it's an intruder-"
"More the reason I should, I'm a ninja after all and better suited to deal with this. Worse comes to shove, I stay in the shadows and come back to get you to call the cops," he explained, seeing that disapproving look in her eyes as he smiled warmly gently squeezing her arm for reassurance, "I promise I will not do anything rash to jeopardize my existence, nor my brothers, and especially to bring you unwanted attention down the road."
"Leo..." April said slowly biting her lip, then nodded reluctantly, "Please be careful, I don't care if you bring me any unwanted attention, as long as you're safe in the end."
Leo took in a breath, rubbing her arm, "Thanks April that means a lot to me," he let go and placed his shell towards her.
Even though he couldn't see her face, he could feel those worrisome eyes as she headed back into her apartment closing the door and locking it.
Pleased he didn't have to instruct her to do this, wasting no time he ventured on, making his way down the main floor, minding all the creaky wooden boards since he made a mental noted years ago to achieve the best stealth he could muster in her building.
He moved swiftly towards the basement stairs, now the sounds were more subtle than before, yet evident someone was moving below.
Now the question was who was it and how did they get down there?
To his far right the door to the alleyway seemed untouched and was locked he could tell by the position of the deadbolt, then there was the storefront that had a door to this room.
He would think if anyone had broken in, which would have been no more than ten minutes ago since both he and April were just in the store before going up to her apartment for some tea, he would think they would ransack it first which he would have heard them, after the fact how loud they were in the basement.
All the good stuff isn't in the basement, April stored most of the antiques in a spare room that only had one exit the shop.
The basement was for items that April had no room for them in the store, yet had planned to put on display once space was available.
Sometimes she would switch inventory between the basement and the store, to keep it fresh and attract more customers, thinking she had new stuff to sell.
That was why he came over that day instead of working on his meditation block, figuring a break was in order and two she really insisted that either his help or Donatello's, however, his brother was busy making him the turtle of choice. Not that he ever complained, he enjoyed spending time with April without any other brother around, it was nice with the one on one interaction.
Leo took his first step, then the next as he descended down towards the bottom step, before touching the cement floor of the basement.
To his dismay, there was a dampness to the space than before, as if someone had opened a window letting in the morning dew without the welcoming aroma, instead there was a mildew smell in the air as his eyes shifted around the floor pinpointing where the sound was coming from.
He couldn't see nothing was disturbed where he stood as he recalled the sound, familiarizing it being a box, so the storage room then?
He turned towards his left where there were two doors, one leading to an old apartment that was left alone, belonging to an artist that Donnie became attached to and asked April to leave the place as it was, in respect.
No obligations were made and no one entered it, as the other door was the room where the store stuff was stored.
Even though the sound now very tamed then before was coming from that room, Leo fearfully came aware of one detail, one the door was closed, yet the fake wall of the sewer passage that his brothers created for easy access to April's place without worry exposing themselves, was wide open.
He knew for dead certain he never left it open nor would dare, even if he was there visiting, it would only take one fool going down in the basement to find it and expose it.
Then the question remained if he didn't leave it open, who did?
Not even Mikey on a trickster mood wouldn't dare to do such a thing understanding how vital it was to keep it closed, then if it wasn't his brothers who else would know of it?
Casey wouldn't bother taking it, April was with him, then was it someone that stumbled upon it?
Was that even possible? The sewer passage was connected to, had also a fake wall installed and Donnie had both rigged up with the finest security his brother had access to, so no one could have access to the passage.
The shuffling now becoming silent, Leo pushed the question from his mind as he made his way towards the door, leaning close to it as he placed his ear hole to hear within.
He could only make out the buzzing of silence as he slowly placed his hand on the door handle, turning it quietly as the knob clicked and he had the door ajar to get a good look.
Suddenly to his surprise something small and quick charged the door, forcing him to open it, as he fell backwards, catching the tail end of a fluff ball jumping over him than passing him and scurrying across the basement towards a corner that led to the laundry room.
In shock, Leo blinked sitting there hanging onto the door handle as his brain process the dark figure coming aware of the colour he saw.
"Wait a minute!" Leo quickly let go of the handle and jump to his feet, creaking towards the laundry room seeing a small orange tabby cat.
"Klunk?" Leo called its name as the skittish feline looked towards his direction shaking.
"Oh Klunk, it's okay, it's me, Leo," he moved towards the poor cat that appeared to be in distress.
Coming towards the pet Leo knelt down, placing his swords away and extended his hand, "Come on, it's okay, I'm here boy," he assured the cat as it moved slightly towards him cautiously and wary of him.
When Klunk caught his scent, the feline dashed forward and then leaped towards him, as he opened his arms to catch the cat.
"There... there," Leo gently pet his brother's cat, getting a wall of purrs as he could feel him quivering in his arms.
"Now how the shell did you get here? Oh man, I hope I didn't let you out," Leo said guilty, wondering if was his fault and Klunk after escaping the lair followed him here.
Moving out of the room, Leo first before going upstairs to inform to April everything was okay, he closed the passage to the sewers.
He was happy that Donnie made it that the console here would also trigger the other doors on the other side of the passage.
Once done, he soothed Klunk's nerves, "Let's go upstairs to let April know it was only you, she might have some milk," he promised, getting a meow as a response, "Then I should call Mikey to let him know you're here so he doesn't start freaking out when he can't find you in the lair."
Klunk pressed his face against Leo's arm, he smiled, continuing his gentle petting as he ascended up towards the apartment.
After he takes care of Klunk then he will come back down and see what the damage was done from the pet, hopefully not as bad as it sounded, or April will not be pleased.
Though could she blame a cat? He sighed on that question, knowing that the blame would, in the end, fall upon him, so he desperately crossed his fingers the damage was minimal for his sake.
TBC