'Sup? This is more of a fill-in chapter because I had a bit of a writers block! But hey! It adds more to the story! Enjoy xx

A Problem with Spirits

Chapter 16

Leo sat up feeling groggy and cold, he looked over at his sleeping brothers and smiled.

''Thanks for bringing me back guys'' He chuckled. The air went cold and suddenly Mary appeared.

''Hi'' She smiled guiltily, ''I feel really bad for killing you so I decided to make it up to you'' Another ghost rose from the floor causing Leo's heart to skip a beat.

''Master Splinter?'' Leo gasped as he stared into the loving face in front of him, ''Oh my god''

''Leonardo'' Splinter frowned, ''I must warn you my son. There is great danger ahead for you four''

''Wh-What?'' Leo stuttered, ''How do you know''

Splinter tapped his nose, his expression softened.

''I am so proud of you my child'' He floated closer to the shocked turtle, ''You are doing such a great job of taking care of your brothers. ''I knew I made the right decision when I made you leader''

''Thank you Master'' Leo smiled wetly, ''I-… I really miss you''

''Stay strong my son.'' Splinter placed his hand on Leo's shoulder, ''Your brothers depend on you to be brave''

Leo could feel the hot tears on his cheeks.

''I wasn't allowed to grieve when you died because I had to stay string for them'' Leo sniffed as he bowed his head, ''I believe I'm allowed to cry now?''

''No'' Splinter shook his head stubbornly, ''As a Leader you cannot cry'' His expression softened again. ''Besides.. It would break my heart to see you so upset''

Leo shuddered as he held in his sobs.

''Good'' Splinter smiled gently, ''I must go now Leonardo. Goodbye''

''WAIT! WHAT ABOUT THE OTHERS?'' Leo yelped but Splinter was already drifting away, ''MASTER! FATHER! DON'T LEAVE ME AGAIN! PLEASE!''

He fell to his knees and placed his hand where Splinter had disappeared.

''Why…'' Leo asked miserably as he le a sob escape. ''I can't do this on my own''

Mary watched the sobbing turtle in front of her and sighed. She thought it would make him better but instead it upset him greatly.

''I'll see you later Leo'' She said quietly, ''You'll be ok''

She passed through the younger brothers before disappearing. The three turtle jolted awake from the sudden cold feeling before their ears were filled with heart broken sobs.

''Leo?'' Raph frowned, ''A-Are you crying?''

Leo didn't seem to hear him, he was too caught up in his own misery.

Mikey leapt straight at him and hugged him, Leo jumped a little before hugging Mikey back. Donnie joined the hug as Raph stared worriedly.

''What happened?'' Raph asked softly as he knelt in front of Leo, ''Tell us bro''

Leo looked at his brothers through red rimmed eyes.

''Master Splinter was here'' He whispered weakly. The brothers stared at him in shock.

''How?'' Donnie frowned, ''Why?''

''M-Mary brought him here'' Leo sniffled, ''He warned me that something bad is coming…'' Leo shuddered frightened.

''That's not why you're crying'' Mary's quiet voice echoed around them, ''You're not scared of the future… You just feel hopeless''

Nobody said anything.

''You don't feel as if you can take care of your brothers on your own anymore.'' Mary continued, ''Even though you've done a great job so far''

''Don't cry my son'' Splinter's voice sighed, ''Everything will be ok''

''How can you know that?'' Leo asked miserably.

''Because I trained you to do this'' Splinter replied confidently. ''You've never failed me before and I doubt you ever will''

Leo looked at his brothers who smiled at him, They too had tears in their eyes.

''I'm proud of you all'' Splinter said happily. Silence filled the room.

''dude'' Mikey grinned, ''Am I the only one who was reminded of the Lion King during that?''

The brothers laughed and smacked Mikey on the back of the head.

''ya had ta ruin it!'' Raph grinned, Mikey shrugged innocently.

Leo smiled at his now grinning brothers. He sighed calmly.

''Thanks'' He smiled at the three.

''No Problemo'' The brothers replied. Leo hugged them.

''What now?'' Mikey frowned. ''Mary isn't here to haunt us and we can't split up in case she comes back''

''We need to put an end to this problem once and for all'' Donnie nodded. ''We need to take her body else where. I found out where her murderer lives and I think we should dump it there!''

The turtles nodded.

Raph stood up with Leo.

''Let's do this!'' Raph grinned, ''I can't wait ta be ghost free!''

The four turtles left the lair.

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