Authors Notes: I felt generous, here's the next chapter too! ^.^ This one is shorter and a bit more split up as Violet's sense of time goes a little off in this. Ask me any questions if you don't get it ;D Enjoy.

Disclaimer: Still only own Violet :P

Chapter 4: …And Back Into The Darkness

I think Mikey regrets his words much more than he's letting on. The tears escape as I close my eyes and shake my head violently. "No…NO, NO, NO! I'm not…" I sob. I feel one of my brothers holding me falter his grip at my words, probably Donny, he never likes to see me cry.

"I knew it!" Cody declares, "Come on, we can get her back to the lab"

I feel myself get led out of the room. "Get…off" I mutter under my breath, trying to shrug off the two holding me.

"Violet…did Mikey really have a bad dream?" Leo asks me slowly, stopping and giving me a calculating glance, his eyes watching mine closely as they make contact.

"No…" I whisper, looking away, unable to look at him. I can never lie to Leo, he's just so…difficult, he can always tell when I lie. I feel another tug and am moved towards the lab again. "Don't…" I whimper.

"Why not?" I am not surprised to hear him ask me that.

I shiver. "I…I'm…scared…alone" I feel more tears pour down my face. I doubt they'd understand, but when someone you'd give the world for goes against you and says something that bad, you kind of lose everything.

Even with all my protests, I am put back in that place, the one even I fear to end up in: The laser cage. It's as if I have been secluded from the world. But this time, it's worse. My depression means my negative feelings are heightened…my fear included…

The lasers! They're moving in, closing around me!

I curl in a ball on the ground, screaming for it to stop, wondering why my loving family are putting me through such terrors.

My heart aches as all of this happens, the spiritual link between Mikey and me pleading for him to save me. As fond memories of us together come into my head, it only makes me sob more…how could he do that to me?

Any other time I'd been put in here, I would stay calm, the same as usual, but now I let everything out, especially the pure terror.

"I'll always love you…" I swear I hear Mikey's voice, but I can't bear to look up, for whenever I do, my fear takes over and I start to imagine the cage getting smaller or something.

Why do I get the feeling my dreams were trying to tell me something? I was standing secluded from him and couldn't reach him…just like now.

"You've got to eat" Don's voice orders me, but I swear I hear a hint of sympathy in it.

"I…can't" I merely whisper. I've stayed in the same position, curled up in a ball so I don't have to remember the horror in which I'm trapped.

Time is trying to elude me, but I think I've only been here for one day.

"So, I'm going to ask you again, where did you get all the equipment from?" Cody asks.

I remain silent.

After a while I hear him sigh and leave, obviously realising I won't answer.

'Mikey…I need you…' is all I can keep thinking. I croakily say, "Come back…" but not to Cody of course, I am still trying to reach Mikey. All I will say at this moment is "Come back" in my weak voice.

"Violet?" Don whispers to me, probably trying to check if I'm all right, but by now I'm sure he should have worked out that psychologically, I'm not fine.

"Don…" I manage to try breaking the cycle of pleas and fear. "…Help me"

He sighs. "I'm trying!" I wish I could touch him, at least that would make me feel better in some ways, but I can't, the lasers are constant. "You'd feel better if you'd eat" he adds hopefully.

"Can't" My answer is now shortened.

"Be prepared" I hear Cody say, waking me from my sorrowful slumber. Next thing I know, he's next to me. "I need a sample" he says to me.

I uncurl slightly so I can look; the lasers are gone. "I need…free" I hiss.

I see a slightly concerned look cross his face, possibly by the fact that all I've done for the last two days is lay here refusing to eat, and when awake, gabble on about stuff.

"This may hurt," he says as he brings a needle towards me. I don't do anything and let him stab me with it, hoping it will at least bring some feeling into me…it doesn't. He looks more worried than before when I don't react to the needle in me at all. To test my nervous system, he pinches my hand. I feel nothing. "Can you stand?" he asks me.

"Why?" I close my eyes again, feeling fatigued, possibly because he just took a fair amount of my blood. I automatically curl back into a ball, muttering almost inaudibly "It's not like I'm needed anymore, right?"

I hear his steps away from me followed by the buzz of the lasers re-activating. I listen as he talks to Don, who by now is practically begging me to eat.

Violet…

I want to lift my head but can't. "Sh'Okanabo?"

Keep them occupied with your condition while I finish the project, it is a worthy distraction.

"You mean keep up what I've been doing for the past couple of days?"

Yes…

I guess he doesn't realise the emotional impact this is having on me. I didn't even know Kanabo could speak through thoughts…almost like me and…

I squeeze my eyes shut. I MUST NOT THINK ABOUT THAT!!! I have to keep my mind away from that.

"…But if the results were true, she should be in Kanabo form" Don points out; it's the first I've actually heard from this conversation.

"Perhaps…" Cody sounds unconvinced. "I'm more worried about her physical state now…she can't feel pain right now"

He receives a single word answer from Don. "Depression"

"What?"

"It's like a 'Fight or Flight' response in her brain. She's suffering a lot of stress and depression, so feels anorexic and constantly tired as she stresses herself out. By choosing 'Flight' to try avoid all her problems, she is feeling numb as her brain responds to pain by pretending it doesn't exist"

"Stress? How is she stressed?"

If I had the energy, I would have either attacked him or given him some sarcastic comment for saying that.

I even hear Don sigh. "Well, her relationship is going through hardships…and from her early protests and screams, I'd hazard a guess she is subject to claustrophobia in that cage"

"If she carries on, she'll kill herself!"

Wow…emotion for me? Why waste it on a numb wreck? I chuckle slightly by accident, getting their attention.

"Do you want to die?" Cody asks me concerned.

I still refuse to look away from my knees, but I answer shakily. "Without…" I stop and fall silent for a moment. "My life already feels like it's over" I change the wording, trying to avoid saying anything about my mate…

"How is she?" I hear Leo enter.

I sense concern from him, Cody is anxious and Donny outright scared for me. Even with all my issues, I can still feel all their emotions easily.

"Bad"

Someone walks nearer. "Violet, why are you doing this to yourself?" It's Leo.

"Nothing left" Most of my sentences are shortened and cut up when I speak now, I think it's because of my condition. At least I haven't gone far enough as to start speaking in third person; I know that would be worse.

I feel his love for me surfacing; it's somewhat warm. "What about me? I'd never abandon you"

"I'm broken…stop…wasting emotions…on me" I sigh to myself.

"But-"

"No…" I curl up tighter, trying to avoid him.

He gives up and moves away. "You're right, she isn't doing well," he whispers.

"How's Mikey?" I cringe at his name as Don asks. He refuses to leave my side; he's the only one I feel happy to know is there.

Leo exhales slowly. "Okay…not great I guess" he then whispers whatever he's doing to Donny, probably not wanting me to know.

I decide to try thinking about something else. The Ninja Tribunal… YES! That wasn't too long ago actually. My brothers and I were whisked away by the group I had met from my training with Keiko, my mum. My brothers still don't know much about that…

Soon after Keiko and me left the lair, she took me to the docks where we snuck onto a ship sailing to Japan. When we had got there, I was introduced to the Tribunal. They were interested in me, like my Master, as my ability was so strong. I then got to meet the Ancient One briefly, but he was expecting someone sometime soon so we didn't stay long. We mainly travelled to places; my two favourites were Japan and Spain. She taught me as well, that's how I control my ability now, as before all I did was imitate the person most in control…including enemies…

Anyway, when my brothers and I were ambushed by these wooden guys the Tribunal owned, they were all knocked out so they could be taken. Me? I knew what they were so pretended to fight as my family had, and then I went with them without any problems once the others were down. On the ship, I was given a secluded area so when the others awoke they wouldn't know I was there.

I was trained mostly in secrecy, more in mental attacks than physical. When it came to discovering my avatar, I found it wasn't the same as my brothers'. They all had dragons. I had a more unique one, that's what was said. They had never seen anyone with mine before, and were unsure of its power. I had the Phoenix. I found out the Phoenix is the symbol of fire and divinity. God-like? Me? No way!

I guess my brothers were put to the test when the demon Shredder was released and tried to take over the world, but my role was different. I was kept secret from them, even when the Mystics attacked the monastery, my family was sent home while I was spirited away by the Tribunal. That was when my tests began; I had to spiritually fight that Shredder. My brothers think I was on the sidelines while they got Karai to weaken him. In all truth, she did take some of his power, but I had to attack further than she could, using my avatar.

By the end, the tribunal let me go, but I don't have the heart to tell the others of what I did. When they asked where I had been, I merely said I was knocked out by the wooden guys and awoke in another part of Japan, as if I'd been dumped. I only told Splinters, he would have found out anyway. The only one to suspect me was Leo. He looked suspicious when I had said, but he never questioned it.

I come back to reality from my daydreaming about my non-Mikey related memories and listen carefully. I hear someone there, but just one. It sounds like they're asleep, and the lights are turned off, the only light is from the laser grid. My limbs ache from the position I've been in, but the numbness overrules this fact quickly.

"Why?" I merely whisper into the darkness.

Someone touches my shoulder. "It's time to go" The chilling touch of their hand almost runs down my spine.

"Where?" I ask.

"Away…" The answer is so vague! The voice sounds familiar, but I refuse to look. I soon realise somehow I'm sitting up but still curled in a ball. I release my legs and look around. I recognize this place…but from where?

"I…" I can't speak as I see whom I am with, their eyes almost piercing my soul.

Mikey smirks. "Are you coming?"

"But…" I feel tears roll down my cheeks. I've been thinking of him more than I realised, as much as I try to deny reality; thinking of how we were, how I used to love being in his arms… I look up into his eyes, feeling my heart beat as if that's where it longs to be.

He gives a sad smile; it almost seems to glow to me. "I'm sorry…I didn't mean for this to happen Babe" I continue to look, trying to ignore the sorrow I constantly feel. His presence is starting to make me feel safe. He comes over and hugs me, making me feel sheltered from everything bad I have experienced for the past few days.

"Why haven't you been talking to me?" I ask sadly. His eyes almost seem to hypnotise me now, I can't break contact with them in fear I'll lose them forever.

"I wanted to…" My heart skips a beat. "…But I couldn't focus enough to get to our world" I can see he's telling the truth.

I want to jump up, but I don't. "I missed you, but I'm still evil" I shed more tears at the thought of his vicious words.

"No! I didn't mean that!" He begs, "Will you forgive me?"

"Love is worth it" I smile slightly, "Will you come to the lab then?"

I open my eyes, the lights are now on and I hear Don typing, he obviously woke up. I uncurl and try to sit up. After a lot of attempts, I make it up.

"Violet!" I hear Don's panic clearly. I groggily look around, finally identifying him through the lasers.

"No…worries" I smirk slightly. I feel dizzy from forcing myself up, but try to shake it off.

He frowns at me. "What's changed?"

I wink at him as Mikey walks in. My eyes are sore from the crying and I feel horribly tired, but I keep myself up.

"Don, let me in there" Mikey orders, I don't think I've ever heard that tone before.

I see Don waver slightly. "Okay, but I'll have to put the field up around you too…" He bites his lip, Cody probably said if I made any moves to not let the grid down for too long.

Soon I find Mikey by my side, in my prison. "It's scary" I whimper like a small child would, I'm so insecure, so open, so…

"I'm here for you now" he soothes me as we hug. "I'll protect you"

So much tenderness for me, I feel it radiating from him. All the emotions show in his face, it just makes me love him more. I have the horrible idea this is all a hallucination, but I throw that theory away quickly, I know in my heart it's real!

"You didn't tell" I look at him confused. "Why turn me in then not say why?"

He glances away. "I…don't know. I didn't think…as usual"

I shake my head lightly. "Not true…you should shun me, not you"

"Don't say that!" he looks alarmed.

"Well…whatever you say now, they won't believe it" I go to stand but he stops me.

"What are you doing?"

I grin at him. "Making their jobs easier"

"Don't…" He pleads me.

"What else is there to do?" I ask, I have no better ideas, and soon I know Sh'Okanabo will need me.

"No! Please Violet"

I huff. "Fine…but I want out of the cage!"

He stands; I suddenly feel far away again. "I'll work on that" he adds with a cheeky look then Don lets him free. I'm cut off again, back in my dark abyss, but this time, there is a small light of hope with me.

I eat slowly, finally making Don happy. Because I haven't eaten for several days, I have to eat less so I don't shock my system or even burst my stomach! I still want to reveal my secret, but Mikey told me not to, so I won't yet.

As I finish the apple I was munching on, I yawn slightly, standing up and stretching, my muscles complaining from the lack of movement they've undergone recently. Mikey didn't leave too long ago, perhaps an hour or so, but I reckon it's going to be harder to convince the others to let me out than it was to let us share a room…

"Careful" Don tells me as my hand almost touches the lasers. He sounds more cheerful than he has been, and why not? His sister wasn't lost to the negative feelings.

"I know" I smirk. I must look awful to be honest, but I don't care, I'm alive and sane, that's all that counts. "Don…" I really want to say it now, but Mikey comes running back in after which we hear an explosion.

He giggles mischievously. "Donny, I think you'll need to sort that out, Cody went out" he tries to sound serious, but the laughter ruins it.

"Fine!" Don rolls his eyes and leaves.

As soon as he's gone, Mikey drops the field and rushes in. "Run" he hisses.

"What?"

"It's your best chance" He looks at me grimly, "Cody pretty much said he wasn't going to let you out until the Kanabo readings have gone. He claimed I must have been hypnotised by you" I almost laugh, but let him continue. "He went to go get something so he can experiment on you"

I pale. "Experiment?" I receive a grim nod. "But if you let me out it will make it look worse, it will prove his point" I sigh. "I'll have to bust out full Kanabo"

He doesn't like that idea. "But then…"

"I know, we won't be together, but I have to…"

He runs back and turns the lasers back on as we hear Don returning. He seems almost oblivious to the fact the grid was down.

He gives Mikey a lecture about putting 'inappropriate' things in the microwave and brings his attention back to me.

"Violet? Are you okay? You look kind of pale"

"Me? Oh yeah! Sure!" I smile, watching Mikey go.

I'll have to wait to put on my show though, the ultimate 'evil' for my freedom. I need Cody to be there for this one. I will break out and be free like my Kanabo part wants. I will have to let the craziness engulf me again for this number; otherwise they'll know Mikey told me…