Letras normales (El mundo real) – Letras cursivas (El mundo de los sueños… o un lugar peor)

'Frenéticamente' es una palabra que no es lo suficientemente buena para describir todas las acciones de Rafael al buscar a su hermano mayor por toda aquella enorme edificación. Los fuertes latidos de su corazón que reflejaban su angustia, las gruesas gotas de sudor que daban testimonio de sus esfuerzos, obligando a su cuerpo a rendir al máximo; más su respiración agitada, evidencia de su celeridad al recorrer tan rápidamente como podía toda la longitud de los numerosos pasillos que estaban repletos de puertas… lo estaban volviendo loco.

Tantas puertas, tantas opciones, tantos preciosos minutos gastados inútilmente al no encontrar la entrada correcta del calabozo donde su hermano era presa del dolor por su causa… provocaban que sus pensamientos le recriminaran a voz en cuello que él era el único culpable del sufrimiento que Leonardo estaba en aquel momento enfrentando por él.

Rafael trataba de orientarse por el sonido; el sonido de los gritos saturados de dolor que sin duda alguna provenían de su hermano mayor, pero no podía concentrarse. Esos gritos empezaban a henchir su alma con una infinita culpa, una profunda desesperación y una ira, en contra del maligno espíritu, que incitaba fieramente sus ansias de venganza.

Rafael, presa de los sentimientos angustiosos, se llevó las manos a los lados de su cabeza para evitar escuchar aquellos gritos, pero el sonido seguía escuchándose con la misma intensidad, taladrándole los oídos. Repentinamente el sonido cesó. El eco del último grito, que aún reverberaba por todo el lugar, comenzó a extinguirse poco a poco. Al quedar todo en un completo silencio, Rafael cerró sus ojos fuertemente, rogando con todo su corazón que su hermano aún estuviese con vida.

El guerrero de rojo siguió buscando por doquier, el lugar donde su hermano se encontraba confinado. Por fin, después de varios minutos de búsqueda febril, Rafael se detuvo frente a una puerta que tenía la mirilla abierta. Tragando saliva, Rafael miró a través de aquella hendidura, suplicando al mismo tiempo no ver lo que tanto temía encontrar.

La suerte de Rafael se había vuelto en su contra desde hacía tiempo y su ruego no fue escuchado. Al asomarse por aquella rendija pudo ver el cuerpo de su hermano, el cual yacía boca abajo en medio de la pequeña celda. Parecía que el cuerpo de Leonardo estaba atado con cuerdas, pero la escasa iluminación en el interior del calabozo no le permitía a Rafael el saberlo a ciencia cierta.

Rafael intentó abrir la puerta, pero parecía que una tranca afianzaba la entrada firmemente desde el interior. Encolerizado, Rafael comenzó a embestir la puerta. El trozo de madera que le impedía el paso no fue rival para su fuerza; después de unos cuantos empellones, la puerta y la tranca cedieron.

Al tener el paso franco, Rafael se acercó lentamente a Leonardo. Entre más se acercaba el guerrero de rojo a la tortuga desplomada en el piso, más se horrorizaba al ver el lastimero estado del cuerpo de su hermano.

Efectivamente, había muchas cuerdas ahí, pero no alrededor o sobre el cuerpo de Leonardo. Varios largos segmentos de cuerda no lo mantenían inmóvil, traspasaban su cuerpo…

Rafael se arrodilló lentamente cerca de Leonardo. Sus manos delataban los sentimientos que lo invadían. Se notaba que quería tocarlo pero al mismo tiempo temía hacerlo, aquellas dos manos que hacía unos minutos se habían destacado por derribar todos los obstáculos, ahora se veían temblorosas, indecisas, temerosas. Rafael no quería lastimar más a su querido hermano, pero tenía que asegurarse de que aún no era muy tarde.

Rafael, con mucho cuidado, sujetó firmemente los hombros de su hermano y le dio la vuelta, sosteniéndolo con brazos fuertes pero gentiles. Leonardo, al sentir que su cuerpo había sido cambiado de posición, trató débilmente de defenderse, creyendo que su atormentador aún no había quedado satisfecho y que había vuelto para hacerlo padecer aún más. El joven líder estaba tan exhausto que no podía abrir sus ojos.

Un gemido apagado pero lleno de dolor provino de la garganta reseca de la maltratada tortuga, mientras trataba, sin éxito, de alejarse de quien él creía era el enemigo. Rafael, dentro de sus pesadillas, mostraba sin vacilar su lado sensible, sujetó con suavidad una de las manos que trataban de alejarlo, tratando de transmitirle seguridad a la tortuga malherida, hablándole con palabras suaves y llenas de afecto.

Rafael no daba crédito a lo que veía, sus ojos se ensancharon al ver más de cerca el maltrecho cuerpo de su mejor amigo. El burdo tejido de las sogas que traspasaban el cuerpo de su hermano, en varios puntos del mismo, incluyendo su caparazón; cambiaban de color lentamente. El color amarillento de las cuerdas se tornaba en un escarlata intenso. La sangre se filtraba por las fibras de cada una de ellas.

Se notaba que alguien había tirado salvajemente de las sogas, haciendo sufrir un dolor atroz al joven líder, un dolor que se extendía por cada terminación nerviosa dentro de su cuerpo. El paso de las cuerdas por el interior de su organismo había quemado su carne a causa de la fricción e interfería con los movimientos de sus músculos al verse obligados a contraerse involuntariamente, haciéndolo sangrar. Las cuerdas se habían vuelto parte de su cuerpo al fijarse dentro de él, encarnándose, usando en su contra la natural reacción de su cuerpo al tratar de sanar.

― ¿R-Ra-fa…? ― Se escuchó de pronto la débil voz de Leonardo, quien había reconocido el aroma único de su hermano, después de darse cuenta que la persona que lo tocaba no representaba ningún peligro. Rafael, quien casi se había dado por vencido al no obtener una pronta respuesta de su hermano a sus palabras, abrió sus ojos después de haberlos cerrado con fuerza a causa de la inmensa tristeza. Como si esa hubiera sido la señal, Leonardo abrió sus ojos también, aunque más lentamente que Rafael, posando una mirada llena de afecto en su preocupado hermanito.

― ¿Leo? ¡Oh, Leo! ¡Qué alivio! Por un momento pensé que era demasiado tarde…―. Exclamó el guerrero de rojo abrazando con cuidado a su hermano ―. No te preocupes, te sacaré de inmediato de aquí, Leo ―. Rafael comenzó a ponerse de pie intentando cargar a Leonardo, pero algo tiró del cuerpo de su hermano, impidiéndoselo. Rafael volvió a dejar a Leo en el suelo al ver en el semblante de su hermano una mueca de dolor. Mirando más de cerca, los tobillos de Leonardo, a diferencia de sus muñecas, si estaban rodeados de cuerdas que lo mantenían sujeto al piso. El continuo e implacable roce de la cuerda, atada apretadamente alrededor de su piel, la había rasgado completamente hasta que sus tobillos quedaron en carne viva.

Rafael tomó uno de sus sais dispuesto a cortar las ataduras de su hermano; pero de pronto, cuatro antorchas, cada una en cada esquina de la mazmorra, se encendieron súbitamente, interrumpiendo las acciones del guerrero de rojo. Leonardo cerró sus ojos a causa del intenso brillo que se esparció por todos los rincones de la pequeña celda.

Frente a ellos se encontraba el espíritu maligno imitando, como siempre, al Vengador Nocturno.

― Sabía que lo encontrarías antes de que muriera, amigo ―, dijo el vengador cruzando los brazos, sonriéndose con insana satisfacción, avanzando hacia ellos ―, ahora que estamos los dos, podemos comenzar con la diversión ―. Añadió aquel malévolo ser, invitando a Rafael, con una mirada significativa, a transformarse en un verdugo.

― Si te acercas un paso más… ¡TE HARÉ PEDAZOS CON MIS PROPIAS MANOS! ― Amenazó Rafael, sujetando con fuerza indescriptible uno de sus sais, entrecerrando sus ojos y apretando sus dientes, mientras que con su brazo no armado sostenía el cuerpo de su hermano contra su cuerpo, protegiéndolo.

― R-Rafa… ve-te, huye…― Suplicó débilmente el mayor a su joven hermano, tratando de alejarlo de aquel espantoso ser con las pocas fuerzas que le quedaban.

― No Leo, no voy a hacer eso, los dos saldremos de aquí, no voy a abandonarte nunca…― Prometió el ninja de rojo ―. Tú nos has protegido en incontables ocasiones, ahora es mi turno, hermano ―. Rafael terminó el trabajo que había comenzado. Cortó las ataduras de los tobillos de su hermano y se puso de pie sosteniéndolo con un solo brazo, amenazando al Vengador con un sai, mientras se alejaba poco a poco de su maligno doble, rumbo a la salida.

…..

― N-no… Leo… her-hermano… ― Murmuraba Rafael en su sueño con impotencia mientras que su hermano mayor trataba inútilmente de despertarlo.

― Rafa, por favor hermano, ¡despierta! ― Suplicaba Leonardo en el mundo real, tratando desesperadamente de hacer reaccionar a Rafael quien se había quedado dormido ― ¡Rafael! ― Gritó otra vez Leonardo; la angustia, muy a pesar del joven líder, se adueñaba paulatinamente de él.

Las dos tortugas más jóvenes se habían unido a su hermano mayor en sus esfuerzos para despertar a Rafael, después de haber escuchado a Leonardo gritar, tratando de sacar a su hermano del pesado sopor en el cual estaba sumido.

― ¡Mikey, ve por el maestro! ¡Pronto! ― Pidió Leonardo a su pequeño hermano. El más joven del grupo salió presuroso del cuarto de su gruñón hermano en busca de su padre, mientras Donatelo trataba de ayudar a su hermano mayor. Todo lo que la inteligencia del genio adolescente le proponía probar para despertar a Rafael, fallaba miserablemente, al igual que los ruegos y las súplicas de Leonardo.

…..

Antes de que Rafael y Leonardo pudieran salir de la celda, la puerta, inesperadamente, volvía a reconstruirse cerrándose rápidamente de un portazo.

― Parece ser que no tienes salida, Rafael. Ahora, suéltalo y aprovechemos que aún vive para poder divertirnos juntos un rato más. Deja que aflore tu verdadera personalidad.

― No… e-estás muy equivocado… yo nunca he tenido ni tendré la intención de hacerle daño a Leo…― Protestó Rafael, temeroso de que las horrendas acciones que alguna vez había imaginado se volviesen realidad. Si, Rafael en incontables ocasiones había lastimado a su hermano mayor, estando dominado por la ira, pero nunca había tratado de asesinarlo.

― Demonios… estoy cansado de tu terquedad, siempre se tiene que hacer tu voluntad por aquí, pero si así lo quieres, tu verdadera naturaleza aparecerá… tarde o temprano ―. El maligno espíritu chasqueó sus dedos y de inmediato la extraña sombra apareció de la nada, sujetando fuertemente a Rafael por la espalda, rodeándolo por completo, como si fuese una enorme serpiente. El guerrero de rojo no pudo impedir que Leonardo cayera al piso al verse desprovisto de su apoyo.

― ¡NO! ¡SUÉLTENME! ― Gritó Rafael con toda la fuerza de sus pulmones, forcejeando como una fiera atrapada en una red, para liberarse del agarre de la sombra, pero la fuerza de la obscura silueta era muy superior a la del guerrero esmeralda.

― S-suelta a mi herma-no…―, dijo Leonardo poniéndose de pie con un gran esfuerzo ―, e-es a mí a quien tú quieres… ―. El hermano mayor dentro de Leonardo no iba a permitir que aquellos dos seres hicieran sufrir a Rafael.

― Cierto… es a ti a quien quiero ver muerto… ―, admitió el falso Vengador ―, pero Rafael es la llave para mis futuros planes. Ahora, tal vez pueda renunciar a usarlo para mis propósitos; claro, si tú me das lo que yo quiero. Si realmente quieres que lo deje ir… suplica por él.

A Rafael le dio un vuelco el corazón al escuchar esas palabras, a Leonardo no le importaba el hacerlo si con ello lograba que su hermano fuera puesto en libertad… y Rafael lo entendió de inmediato; conocía de sobra que el amor de su hermano por él no le impediría humillarse.

― ¡NO LEO, NO LO HAGAS! ¡NO LE DES ESA SATISFACCIÓN A ESE MALDITO! ― Pidió la gruñona tortuga al joven líder. Una de las 'manos' de la sombra se posó sobre el rostro de la tortuga que gritaba, cubriendo su boca, obligándolo a callar.

Leonardo miró por unos instantes a Rafael, pidiéndole perdón por lo que iba a hacer. Después fijó su mirada en el espíritu que se sonreía con burla y que esperaba pacientemente a que Leonardo obedeciera su orden.

Leonardo, después de exhalar un suspiro de frustración, comenzó a hablar… ― P-Por favor…

― No, no, no… ―, interrumpió el Vengador al joven líder, sacudiendo la cabeza en franca negación ―, lo estás haciendo mal… de rodillas.

Renunciando completamente a su orgullo, Leonardo comenzó a arrodillarse trabajosamente. Rafael intentaba desesperadamente el zafarse del agarre de la sombra al ver eso.

― Por favor ―, comenzó de nuevo Leonardo estando arrodillado ―, te lo suplico, deja ir a mi hermano.

― ¿Eso es lo mejor que puedes hacer? ―, preguntó el Vengador realmente disgustado ―, ¿acaso el líder perfecto no puede hacerlo de una mejor forma? Si crees que la vida de tu hermano no vale más… creo que me veré obligado a destruirlo ―. El falso Vengador dirigió una mirada a la sombra la cual fue comprendida de inmediato. Rafael comenzó a sentir cómo su cuerpo era comprimido poco a poco.

― ¡No! ¡Te lo ruego, no lo lastimes! ―, suplicó Leonardo ―, ¡haré lo que tú quieras!

― ¿Lo que sea? ― Preguntó el espíritu como si hubiese esperado esa frase con ansia, indicándole a la sombra con un ademán que se detuviera.

― Si…

― Arranca todas las cuerdas que están dentro de tu cuerpo y si sobrevives, los dejaré ir a ambos ―. Pidió sin dilación, el vivo reflejo rojizo de sus ojos parecía haber aumentado su intensidad, como si esperara ansiosamente el disfrutar del futuro sufrimiento de la tortuga que tanto odiaba.

…..

― No… no lo hagas… Leo ―, murmuraba Rafael en el mundo real, Leonardo no comprendía por qué su hermano había dicho eso, pero lo que si entendía era que Rafael estaba sufriendo y que él no podía hacer nada para impedirlo.

Donatelo tampoco comprendía los balbuceos de su hermano de rojo y menos pudo comprender por qué de pronto el cuerpo de Rafael se puso rígido, obligando a que su musculoso hermano forcejeara, como si estuviese peleando contra ataduras invisibles.

Miguel Ángel, acompañado del maestro Splinter, entraba presuroso a la habitación de Rafael.

― ¿Cuánto tiempo ha estado su hermano dormido? ― Preguntó el maestro a las demás tortugas revisando de cerca a su temperamental hijo, observando de inmediato cómo el cuerpo de Rafael estaba forcejeando contra algo que lo mantenía 'atado'.

― No lo sabemos maestro ―, respondió Donatelo rápidamente ―, ya estaba dormido cuando Leo vino a verlo.

El maestro rápidamente se colocó en posición de meditación, después de pedirles a sus hijos que no interfirieran, vieran lo que vieran. De inmediato, y gracias al perfecto dominio de la técnica, el maestro entró sin tardanza a la mente de su hijo de rojo.

Sus tres hijos lo observaron llenos de ansiedad, pero Leonardo lo miró también lleno de preocupación, él era el único que sabía que su padre había de enfrentarse solo a un ser perteneciente al mundo inmaterial y que tal vez era increíblemente poderoso.

Leonardo deseaba con todo su corazón que su padre y su hermano regresaran con bien… pero no imaginaba que alguien que estuviera en medio de un enorme incendio podía considerarse más seguro que sus dos seres queridos en ese momento…

Continuará…

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Once again, the one who helped me to edit this chapter was dondena. :D Am I lucky or what? XD

Normal letters (The real world.) - Italics (The dreamworld ... or a worse place.)

'Frantically' is a word that isn't good enough to describe all of Raphael's actions when he was trying to find his older brother inside that enormous building. The strong pounding of his heart that was showing his anguish, the big drops of sweat which were giving evidence of all of his efforts, forcing his body to perform at its best; plus his heavy breathing, evidence of his speed, going as fast as he could across the entire length of the many corridors which were full of doors... all of that, was driving him crazy.

So many doors, so many choices, so many precious minutes wasted uselessly at not being able to find the correct entrance of the dungeon where his brother was in pain because of him... Every thought inside his mind was shouting loudly at him that he was the only culprit of the suffering Leonardo was facing at that time.

Raphael was trying to get his bearings at the sound of the screams, those yells saturated with pain, which undoubtedly were coming from his older brother. But, he couldn't concentrate. Those screams began to fill his soul with an infinite guilt, a deep despair and a huge anger - against the evil spirit – an anger that was fiercely inciting his desire for revenge.

Raphael, giving in to the distressing feelings, put his hands on the sides of his head to avoid hearing those screams, but the sound was still being listened with the same intensity, piercing his ears.

Suddenly, the sound ceased. The echo of the last cry was still reverberating all over the place; it began to fade very slowly. When the place was in complete silence, Raphael closed his eyes tightly, praying with all his heart that his brother was still alive.

The red warrior kept searching everywhere in the place where his brother could be confined. Finally, after several minutes of frantic searching, Raphael stopped before a door that had an opened peephole.

Gulping, Raphael looked through that slit as he was begging to not see what he dreaded to find. Raphael's luck had turned against him a long time ago and his request wasn't heeded.

Peering through that peephole, he could see his brother's body, which was laying face down in the middle of the small cell. It seemed that Leonardo's body was bound with ropes, but the poor lighting inside the small dungeon didn't allow Raphael to know for sure.

Raphael tried to open the door, but it looked like a thick wooden bar was firmly reinforcing the entrance from inside. Angered, Raphael began ramming the door. The piece of wood that was blocking the way was no match for his strength. After a few shoves, the door and the wooden bar gave way.

When the entrance was free of obstacles, Raphael slowly approached Leonardo. The closer the red warrior came to the turtle collapsed on the floor, the more horrified he was feeling at seeing the pitiful state of his brother's body.

Indeed, there were many ropes there, but not around or on top of Leonardo's body. Several of those long rope segments weren't keeping him motionless; those ropes went right through his body...

Raphael slowly knelt near Leonardo. His hands gave him away, showing the feelings that were invading him. You could tell he wanted to touch his brother, but he also feared to do it. Those two hands, which a few minutes ago had stood out, demolishing all the obstacles, were now trembling; they were hesitant and fearful. Raphael didn't want to hurt his beloved brother even more, but he had to make sure it wasn't too late yet.

Raphael, very carefully, firmly grasped his brother's shoulders and turned him around, holding him with strong, yet gentle arms.

Leonardo, feeling that his body had been changed position, weakly tried to defend himself, believing his tormentor still wasn't satisfied and had returned to make him suffer further. The young leader was so exhausted that he couldn't open his eyes.

A soft moan but full of pain came from the parched throat of the battered turtle as he was trying, unsuccessfully, to get away from who he believed was the enemy.

Raphael, in his nightmares, always showed his sensitive side without hesitation. Gently, he grabbed one of those hands which were trying to push him away, trying to convey security to the badly injured turtle, speaking to him with soothing words, full of affection.

Raphael couldn't believe what he was seeing, his eyes widened at seeing more closely, the battered body of his best friend. The rough weave of the ropes that were piercing the body of his brother, at various points of it, including his shell, were slowly changing color. The yellowing of the ropes was becoming an intense scarlet. Blood was filtering through the fibers of each one of them.

You could tell someone had pulled the ropes wildly, making the young leader suffer from excruciating pain; a pain that was spreading to every nerve ending in his body. The wounds the strings made through his organism had burned his flesh because of the friction and had interfered with the movement of his muscles, forcing them to contract involuntarily, making him bleed. The thick cords had become a part of his body because they had healed to his flesh, using against him the natural reaction of his body when it was trying to heal.

"R-Ra-ph..." Suddenly the faint voice of Leonardo was heard, the blue clad ninja had recognized the unique scent of his brother, after realizing that the person who was touching him didn't mean any harm.

Raphael, who had almost given up hope by not getting a prompt response from his brother to his words, opened his eyes after closing them hard, due to the immense sadness. As if on cue, Leonardo opened his eyes too, but more slowly than Raphael, directing his affectionate gaze to his concerned brother.

"Leo? What a relief! For just a moment I thought it was too late..." The red warrior exclaimed, hugging his brother gently. "Don't worry; I will get you out of here, Leo."

Raphael began to stand up, trying to scoop Leonardo up, but something pulled the body of his brother that hindered him from going further. Raphael placed his brother's body again on the ground at seeing a wince on his brother's face.

Looking closer, Leonardo's ankles, unlike his wrists, were surrounded by ropes that kept him tied to the floor. His skin had come off completely, they were raw, due the continuous and relentless rubbing of the rope that was tied tightly around his ankles.

Raphael took one of his sais and was willing to cut the ties of his brother, but suddenly, four torches, each one in each corner of the dungeon, ignited by themselves, interrupting the red warrior's actions. Leonardo closed his eyes tightly due the bright glare that spread to every corner of the small cell.

Facing them was the evil spirit imitating as always, the Night Watcher.

"I knew you would find him before he died, my friend." The Night Watcher said, crossing his arms, smiling with insane satisfaction, advancing toward them. "Now that we are together, we can start with the fun." That malevolent being added, inviting Raphael with a significant look to become an executioner.

"If you get closer... I WILL RIP YOU APART WITH MY BARE HANDS!" Raphael threatened, clutching one of his sais with indescribable strength, narrowing his eyes and gritting his teeth while he was holding with his unarmed arm, the body of his brother against his own, protecting him.

"R-Raph... run, flee ..." The older brother weakly begged to his younger brother, trying to get him away from that awful being, with the little strength he had left.

"No Leo, I won't do that. Both of us will get out of here. I will never leave you..." The red ninja promised. "You have protected us countless times, now it's my turn, Bro." Raphael finished the work he had begun. He cut the ties around his brother's ankles and stood up, holding him with one arm, threatening the Night Watcher with a sai, as he walked away slowly from his evil clone. He headed for the exit.

...

"N-no... Leo ... b-bro..." Raphael murmured helplessly in his sleep as his older brother tried unsuccessfully to wake him up.

"Raph, please brother; wake up!" Leonardo begged in the real world.

"Raph!" Leonardo shouted again, the anguish much to the leader's dismay, gradually was taking possession of him.

The two younger turtles had joined his older brother in his efforts to awaken Raphael, after listening to Leonardo's screams, who was trying to get his brother out from heavy stupor in which he was plunged.

"Mikey, go and tell Master Splinter. Hurry up!" Leonardo told his little brother.

The youngest of the group was hurried out of the room of his hothead brother in search of his father, while Donatello was trying to help his older brother. All the options the intelligence of the young genius was proposing him to wake up his brother in red, failed miserably, just as Leonardo's pleas.

...

Before Raphael and Leonardo could leave the cell, the door unexpectedly rebuilt itself and slammed.

"It seems you have no way to run, Raphael. Now, let him go and we'll take advantage that he still lives to have fun together for a little longer. Let your true personality arise."

"No... y-you are very wrong... I have never had, nor will I have the intention of harming Leo..." Raphael protested, fearing that the horrific actions he imagined once could come true.

Yes, countless of times Raphael had hurt his brother, when he was still dominated by anger, but he had never tried to assassinate him.

"Damn... I'm tired of your stubbornness, everything here has to submit to your will, but if you want it that way, your true nature will appear... sooner or later." The evil spirit snapped his fingers and immediately the strange shadow appeared out of nowhere, restraining Raphael tightly from his back, surrounding his body completely, like a huge snake. The red warrior couldn't prevent Leonardo's fall, the body of his big brother hit the floor when he was stripped of his support.

"NO! LET GO OF ME!" Raphael shouted at the top of his lungs, struggling like a wild beast caught in a net, to free himself from the grip of the shadow, but the strength of the dark figure was well above Raphael's strength.

"L-Let my b-brother go..." Leonardo said weakly, getting to his feet with great effort. "I'm the one you want..." The older brother in Leonardo wasn't going to let Raphael get hurt by those two evil beings.

"Right... you are the one I want to see dead..." The false Night Watcher admitted. "But Raphael is the key to my future plans. Now, maybe I can give up using him for my purposes of course, if you give me what I want. If you really want me to let him go... beg for him."

Raphael's heart skipped a beat at hearing those words. Of course Leonardo would do it, if that meant his brother would be set free... and Raphael immediately understood it, he knew full well that his brother's love for him wouldn't impede him to be humiliated.

"NO LEO! DON'T DO IT! DON'T GIVE THAT DAMN IMPOSTOR THE SATISFACTION!" The hothead turtle begged to the young leader. One of the 'hands' of the shadow was placed on the screaming turtle's face, covering his mouth, forcing him to shut up.

Leonardo directed his gaze towards his brother in red for just a few seconds, asking forgiveness for what he was going to do. After that, he fixed his eyes on the mocking evil spirit, who was expecting patiently that Leonardo obey his order.

Leonardo, after exhaling a sigh of frustration, began to speak... "P-Please..."

"No, no, no..." The young leader was interrupted by the fake Night Watcher, the evil spirit was shaking his head in clear denial. "You're doing it wrong... on your knees."

Completely renouncing to his pride, Leonardo began to kneel painfully. Raphael was trying desperately to escape from the grip of the shadow at seeing that.

"Please," Leonardo began again, on his knees, "I beg you, let my brother go."

"Is that the best you can do?" The Watcher asked him really upset. "Can't the perfect leader do it in a better way? If you think your brother's life is worth no more... I think I will have to destroy him." The dark Night Watcher glanced at the shadow, which immediately understood that look.

Raphael began to feel how his body was being slowly squeezed.

"No! I beg you! Don't hurt him!" Leonardo begged. "I'll do whatever you want!"

"Anything?" The spirit asked as if he had been looking forward to hearing that phrase, he indicated to the shadow to stop with a gesture.

"Yes..."

"Tear off all the ropes that are inside your body and if you survive, I will let both of you go." He promptly asked, a true reflection of his red eyes seemed to have increased in intensity, as if he was waiting anxiously to enjoy the future suffering of the turtle he hated.

...

"No... don't... Leo." Raphael murmured in the real world.

Leonardo didn't understand why his brother had said that, but what he did understand was that Raphael was suffering and he couldn't do anything about it.

Donatello couldn't understand his red brother's babbling either. And also he wasn't able to understand why Raphael's body suddenly stiffened, like something was forcing his muscular brother to struggle, as if he was fighting against invisible bonds.

Michelangelo, accompanied by Master Splinter, entered Raphael's room hurriedly.

"How long has your brother been sleeping?" The master asked the other turtles, checking up on his temperamental son. He immediately observed how Raphael's body was struggling against something that kept him 'tied'.

"We don't know, Master." Donatello quickly replied. "He was already asleep when Leo found him."

The master quickly placed himself into a position for meditation, after asking his children to not interfere, whatever they saw. Immediately, and thanks to the perfect mastery of the technique, Master Splinter promptly entered into the mind of his child in red.

His three children were observing him, full of anxiety, but Leonardo also looked at him full of concern. He was the only one who knew his father would have to face alone a being belonging to the intangible world and that maybe it was incredibly powerful.

Leonardo wished with all his heart that his father and brother would return safely... but he didn't imagine that someone who was in the midst of a huge fire; could be considered safer than his two loved ones at the time...

To be continued…