I'm glad that everyone is enjoying this arc. It's definitely not as angst ridden as my usual stuff, but I'm having so much fun writing this, I just couldn't stop.
Enjoy!
"No….nonononono, NO!"
Long-spear's head moved from side to side, watching as Leonardo paced the room. The young warrior had not taken the verdict well, to say the least, as the ninja had immediately gone into shock. His jaw hanging as his eyes widened into panicked dish plates. It had only gotten worse when the valet returned, arms burdened with a tunic prepared especially for the turtle, along with hand crafted mer jewelry that had been kept aside for the future fiancé of the Princess. When they then tried to put them on said fiancé, the shock had quickly melted away, resulting in Leo leaping to his feet and essentially playing keep away from his new assistants.
"I'm not wearing that!"
The guard huffed out a bemused laugh, "I understand why you're upset, but didn't you just say you were happy with any verdict other than death?"
"Well, yes," Leonardo ducked around the bed, still keeping the valet at arm's length, "however, I'm way too young to get married, and I need to go home!"
"I hate to continue being the bearer of bad news, but," Long-spear sighed, "it's highly unlikely you'll ever get to go home. Not unless there is a massive overhaul in our society's bylaws that govern the royal family, and their freedoms."
"What do you mean?" The ninja was now sitting on top of a large wardrobe, glaring down at the valet, while they scowled up at him.
"I mean," the fishman stated, rolling his eyes and picking up a book from a side table, flipping through its pages as he settled in for what he knew was going to a long conversation, "that the royal family cannot do whatever they want, they are required to follow certain rules, as is expected of their station. The council was put in place to ensure that the King never abuses the power he holds, and thus, bylaws were put in place as well for that purpose."
"What does that have to do with me going home?"
"Leonardo," Long-spear flipped a page, bracing his elbow on the chair's arm rest so to lean his head against a yellow fist, "you had only two options today, be executed for the crime of interfering with a sacred ritual, or marry the princess as the one who fulfilled it."
"Either way, you cannot go home," the fishman continued, "whether by death, or by marrying into the royal family which precludes you from ever leaving the city for the rest of your life."
Leo buried his face into shaking hands, broad shoulders trembling as he struggled to absorb this new information, "But," he gasped, "why?"
Long-spear glanced up at the wardrobe, then decided to take pity on the teen warrior. Standing up from the chair, the yellow mer shoo'd the valet away, taking the garments and adornments out of the servant's hands, then waited till they had left the room. Turning back to look up where his charge sat, the guard addressed the distressed outsider, "Look, I know it isn't the best news," he consoled, "however, at least you still have your life, and when the Crown Prince takes the throne maybe you can ask him to amend those laws so you can visit your family?"
"Visit," Leo gave a derisive snort, voice muffled by the palms of his hands, "I don't want to just 'visit' my family, Long-spear. They're probably worried sick, or scared that I'm dead, and instead of going home to relieve their worry, I'm being told to wait for God knows how many years all so I can visit? My family needs me, I wasn't joking when I said I was their leader, and my father relies on my help. If I could tell you how many enemies we have that are actively hunting us, it would take a week, maybe longer. I can't abandon my family, Long-spear, I just can't."
Long-spear opened his mouth to give more platitudes, but eventually closed his mouth to give a grieved sigh. There were no words adequate enough to comfort someone who has just had their entire life ripped away. The room fell silent, with the only noises being the crackling of the fireplace, and Leo's attempts to stay calm as he pulled in deep breaths. Eventually the ninja sat up, hands palm to palm under his chin as if in prayer, "What would happen if I snuck out?"
"To you?"
"To everyone. You, Glimmer, the city." Leonardo clarified, "I'm a master of ninjutsu, I can disappear, and you will never find me, however, will doing so send your people to war? What would happen to Glimmer? Will she be punished? I want to know what effects that choice would have on the Princess and your people."
The merman blinked up at the turtle, once again baffled, "You're really something else."
"What's that supposed to mean?" The blue warrior asked dryly.
"Most people in this situation would just run away, hang the consequences," Long-spear shrugged, "you, however, want to know the consequences before deciding on whether to run away. You're very odd."
Leo snorted, shaking his head in amusement, "Tell me something I don't know," he chuckled, "my brothers inform me of my oddness at least once a day, if not more."
Green shoulders drooped, the turtle's heart clenching at the mention of his family. Long-spear, sensing the shift in mood, turned around, draping the tunic made to signify Leonardo's new rank across the back of the couch. "If you were to leave, it would very likely lead to war," the merman stated, tone soft with regret, "any friends you made on the council with your impressive display during your testimony will be lost, and Great-fish, or more precisely translated Whale, will gain support in his opinion that you should have been executed."
The turtle groaned, head once again sinking down into his hands, while Long-spear continued his answer to Leo's question, "The problem is, since you stated to live in New York, then we will send our armed forces into the city, with our emissaries demanding your return. True, the fact you live in secret will make you difficult to find, but we are a stubborn people. We will find you, and capture you, and this time you won't get the option to marry the princess. They'll be coming for your head, and likely the lives of any who harbored you."
The mer sighed, shaking his head, "If it came to that, then the trial we just went through would look like a sham, making the King lose the support and trust of the kingdom, while also making a coup against the throne inevitable. Glimmer and the Crown Prince would then be thrown into a fire of controversy that would make any claim they have to the throne worthless, not to mention the scandal would destroy any hope the Princess might have of marriage later on."
"That's what I can see happening in the immediate future," Long-spear stated with a tired huff, choosing to distract himself from the depressing topic by looking through Leo's new clothes and ornaments, "though the far-reaching effects I can only speculate about."
"Oh, is that all?" Leonardo spat, venom riding on a wave of sorrow, "And here I was expecting something much worse."
"You are being sarcastic," the guard drawled, looking at the silver filigree arm bracelet, putting on and looking in the mirror, "an understandable coping mechanism, especially with the rug being pulled out from under you."
"More than just the rug," the turtle muttered, "try the entire floor, or better yet, the entire house. Right on top of my head."
"Accurate," Long-spear allowed with a small nod, holding the tunic against his chest, pursing his lips thoughtfully at the material, "but even with all that, at least admit that if you had to marry someone for world peace, at least it's the princess."
"I can't lie and say that she isn't amazing, and pretty, and smart," Leonardo sighed, "but this isn't how I ever imagined getting married."
"Your culture doesn't do arranged marriages?" The mer cast a genuinely surprised towards Leo, before shrugging and just putting the tunic on, orange eyes peering at his reflection, lips pursed in dissatisfaction.
"No, we don't, we prefer people actually know each other first before saying 'I do', however, since you seem to like my new clothes so much, why don't you marry her?" Leo huffed, a measure of humor slowly growing in the grieved sapphire gaze, "That way you can keep them instead of playing dress up."
"I tried to marry her," the fishman countered, putting the circlet on his head, "but you defeated me, remember? Besides, it wouldn't work out, this blue and silver clashes with my scales. They'll look great on you, though."
Leonardo slowly blinked, taking in the absurd sight of the previously stern guard trying on his clothes, then the turtle's frame rocked as he snorted. The snort evolved into snickers, before giggles burst out of his lips, quickly growing into gut busting laughter. The ninja laughed until his sides hurt, his lungs protesting with sharp pangs, green hands holding his ribs and then making swipes at his face as he laughed until he cried. The mirth was genuine, the laughter light and bubbly, though holding a slightly hysterical edge, which was why Long-spear wasn't surprised or shocked when the guffaws took a drastic turn and become sobs. Still on top of the wardrobe, the young leader pulled his legs up against his chest, hiding his face between his knees, shoulders convulsing as he tried in vain to quiet the tearful cries. Honestly, the only thing that was surprising to the merman, was the fact that it took so long. He had been expecting some sort of emotional reaction once the young warrior was told he'd never see his family again. Leonardo had held out longer than anticipated, and the mer was relieved that some of that stress was finally being vented out.
Long-spear turned away, giving the turtle a semblance of privacy, features downcast as his own heart twinged in sympathy.
Taking off the tunic, circlet and arm bracelets, the merman laid them out on the bed for his charge to put on later. It was unfortunate that he wouldn't even be able to tell his family goodbye. Long-spear was close to his own family and could only shudder in horror when he imagined going through a similar experience. The poor guy, his only fault was in rescuing what he thought was an innocent under attack. He had no idea that by doing so, his entire life would be turned upside down, with no hope of rescue. Long-spear glanced back up at the strange mer's hiding place. How had he even imagined the ninja as an enemy? True, his combat skills were second to none, but right now, he just seemed like the distraught teenager he was, mourning the loss of, literally, his entire life.
Leo was desperately trying to reign in his emotions at this point, hoarse raspy breaths rattling between his knees, even as the turtle rubbed his chest, as if trying to massage pain away. The merman's eyes narrowed, was he injured somehow? No, he didn't remember seeing any kind of injury on the warrior. However, the mer couldn't deny that his instincts were still screaming that something was wrong. Eventually, Long-spear shook his head, there was nothing he could do, for now he would just have to keep an eye on Leo.
Finally, after ten minutes or so, the sobs calmed, and the turtle was able to draw deep even breaths. His hand was also no longer rubbing the section of plastron over his heart, "This is really happening, isn't it?" Leonardo asked tremulously.
The merman nodded, "Yes," he confirmed, heaving yet another grieved sigh, "it is."
"I don't want this,"
"I know," Long-spear replied, voice hushed, barely above a whisper.
The ninja gulped back another wave of sobs, sucking in a stuttering inhale that was supposed to be a calming breath. After several more careful inhales and exhales, Leo brought the heels of his hands to his face, harshly wiping his eyes free of tears, before hopping down from the wardrobe. The turtle stood silently in place for several seconds, swaying as if in a trance, then clenched his hands and approached the bed. Minutes passed with Leonardo standing there, looking down at the new wardrobe brought for him, swallowing repeatedly like he was fighting the urge to vomit. He probably was, and Long-spear couldn't blame him for feeling so. He was feeling rather nauseas himself.
"There's no way around it?" Leonardo asked, tone small like the pleading voice of a child, "Do I have to go through with this?"
Long-spear winced, his heart twisting painfully at the sight of the warrior finally resigning himself to the inevitable, "You already know the answer to that," the mer answered softly, "run away, and you doom her and yourself to death and destruction, not only you but your families as well. There would be no escape, no option, outside of a violent death."
It wasn't much of a choice, the merman had to admit. Either marry the princess, ensuring peace for both their worlds, but at the cost of his family. Or, run away, and doom everyone to a terrible fate. Long-spear knew what Leo would choose, because it was what he would choose. The turtle would pick the path that ended with the ensured protection of his family, even if it meant sacrificing himself to attain it. Shaking hands slowly, painfully, pulled the leather elbow pads off his arms, followed by the knee pads. Then came the belt, and the leather straps that still held his empty katana sheaths. Piece by piece, the turtle tore himself apart, the scene heartbreaking to watch despite Long-spear having not known Leo for very long. Last of all, Leonardo reached up, trembling fingers caressing the blue mask, clearly not wanting to part with it. It was then that the merman felt the need to intervene, a yellow and black scaled hand reaching out to grab the turtle's shoulder.
"Leave it," he said, pointedly ignoring how choked up his own voice had become, "I don't think anyone would mind, and it's only fair you keep something that connects you to home."
Intense relief washed through the sapphire eyes, a sorrowful understanding passing between them that Long-spear intrinsically knew this city would never be home for the turtle, allowing Leo to nod wordlessly as he lowered his hands. Quietly, the royal guard assisted his newfound friend in replacing the gear from his old life, for the adornment of his new one. It didn't take long, barely a couple minutes, what with the tunic having only the shoulder button, and a shimmering silver rope to tie around the waist. However, the moment weighed heavy on the shoulders of both mer and mutant. After Leo had put on the tunic, the merman placed the silver arm bracelets around the green biceps, nodding in satisfaction that they fit nicely, before both gave intense looks of dread at the silver circlet. Long-spear briefly worried that the mask would have to come off after all for it to fit. It seemed Leonardo felt the same, green fingers clutching the tail of his mask in a white knuckled grip. Thankfully, both turtle and merman released a breath of relief when it slid smoothly on top, resting on the mask as if it had been made for it.
"Well," the mer stated, giving the shell a, albeit shaky, consoling pat, "you do look very dashing. Every inch a future prince of the merpeople."
Leonardo winced at the title he would be saddled with, turning to look in the mirror with the face of a mer condemned to death.
The material of the tunic was, blessedly, the same shade as his mask. Whether that was intentional or just a coincidence, the mer wasn't sure, however, it looked well on him. The edges were embroidered waves in silver thread, making the garment shine. The arm bracelets were part of a set meant for the married couple of the second born, the princess wore silver arm bracelets that held the same design, showing their unity in marriage. The Crown Prince also wore his own arm bracelets, but made of gold, with a smaller set kept in a safe that would one day be worn by his future queen. The arm bracelets paired with the circlet left little room for debate on just who this warrior was. At sunset tomorrow, he would be the newest prince in the royal family, but Long-spear felt none of the celebratory spirit, the room felt more like a tomb.
"I don't even look like myself," Leonardo murmured, sapphire eyes falling to look at the floor, guilt and shame weighing down his features.
Long-spear was running out of comforting words, if anything, he was fighting the urge to just grab the turtle and help him escape. However, they both were already quite aware of how bad of an idea that would be. They were long past the point of no return. So, he just stood there awkwardly, watching the blue masked ninja stare at his reflection as if he were looking at the face of a stranger. Or a traitor.
…
Leonardo hated it. Hated the clothes, the jewelry, the stupid crown and the way it sat on his mask. Hated the way he looked in them. Hated how he felt like he betrayed his family just by putting them on. Hated himself for being so weak that he put himself in this position in the first place. Hated himself even more because he knew that his family must be worried sick, and probably already searching for his dead body, and here he was putting on stupid clothes and ornaments, all to marry a princess and abandon his family forever. Some destined leader he turned out to be. He really was a massive failure.
He told himself it was for the good of his clan. He told himself it was for the good of this kingdom. He told himself it was for the best, better to sacrifice one life, in exchange for the safety of thousands.
However, a voice in the back of his mind, insidious and bitter, whispered something else. Selfish, it whispered, selfish and pathetic! Look at you, playing dress up, prancing around pretending to be a prince, while your family lose their minds. You know they won't be able to recover from your abandonment of them! Father will mourn the loss of his son, likely falling into depression over losing you, especially since the camping trip was his idea. Raph will probably spend years fruitlessly looking for your corpse so they can at least have a gravestone to visit and mourn by. Donnie will work himself to the bone mapping the ocean currents, destroying himself in the search for your worthless shell. And Mikey? Mikey will be the one who has to try to pick up the pieces. His sunbeam of energy will be poured out to the family, until there's nothing left. Yet, here you stand, wearing a silver crown and pretty new clothes. You're pathetic!
Selfish, selfish, SELFISH!
Leonardo placed his shaking hand on his head, losing the battle against the tsunami of guilt drowning him. However, any further self-recrimination was forestalled, because right when Leo was in the middle of fighting off yet another wave of tears, the doors to the room burst open with enough force to slam against the door jams startling the turtle out of his guilt induced stupor.
Glimmer trotted into the room, black hair streaming behind her like an ebony curtain, her features stern with grim determination. "Long-spear!"
The sudden arrival of the princess and her subsequent shout drove away the shadows nipping at the edges of Leo's mind. Although, instead of guilt and shame, all he felt was frustration and annoyance. Once again, he was in the room, but he was still left out in the cold. The blue masked turtle fought the urge to roll his eyes. He was so sick of being the odd one out, ultimately ostracized out of the conversation, all because he didn't know the language. However, he mused, it was probably safe to assume that he'd learn the language eventually, they were very likely already planning a whole passel of classes for him to attend, all to learn how to be a prince in this culture. Whoopee.
"Princess Precious-light," Long-spear turned so to bow deeply at the waist, "how can I be of service?"
The mermaid opened her mouth to answer but froze when she got her first look at Leo in his new wardrobe. Her jaw went slack, while the neon green eyes bugged wide, "You-Your clothes," she stammered.
Leonardo looked away shyly, hunching his shoulders in a silent plea to disappear, "They were given to me to wear," he explained wearily.
"Oh," long eyelashes fluttered as she blinked repeatedly, dumbfounded by the ninja in mer clothing, but then shook her head fiercely before turning back to the royal guard, "Long-spear, my brother requires your presence."
Long-spear jolted, orange eyes quickly growing concerned, "Has something occurred? Why does he ask for my presence?"
"I don't know," Glimmer shrugged, "he didn't say."
The merman nodded, looking between the door and Leo, before giving the turtle an apologetic look, "I apologize, my friend, however, the Crown Prince has requested I assist him. I must check and see why."
Leonardo nodded, "I understand, go ahead, you're still on duty after all." One last nod, and the royal guard left through the open door, leaving the newly engaged couple on their own.
Long-spear had barely been gone for two minutes when Glimmer turned on Leo, striding towards him with her hands clenched into fists. The turtle's eyes widened in concern, stepping backwards as he suddenly felt the inane urge to flee. "Uh, Glimmer? Are you okay? Did I do something to make you mad?" He stammered, lifting his hands up in a soothing gesture, "I promise, I didn't have anything to do with this whole marriage thing, I don't even know how it happened! Even Long-spear can-YEEP!"
The princess roughly grabbed one of his hands, spinning on her heel, and dragging him out the door with surprising force. Leonardo stumbled behind her, utter confusion written across his face, "Glimmer? Did something bad happen? Am I in trouble? Where are we going?"
The princess didn't answer, merely turned a corner, and then, stopping in front of an elaborate wall carving, poked her finger into a notch in the wall which impossibly opened a hidden door. Leonardo's mouth fell open in amazement, his blue eyes studying the way the door had camouflaged into the wall, but his appreciation of the engineering was cut short as Glimmer once again pulled on his arm, eliciting another startled yelp. With a hiss, the door closed behind them, pressure releasing as it nestled back into its niche. The princess didn't even spare a backwards glance, she instead was focused on tugging her reluctant groom down a narrow hallway, dimly lit by small crystals set into the walls like a fabricated constellation. Leonardo gaped as he was pulled, looking all around him as the hall of stone smoothly transitioned into one of glass, showing the beauty of the ocean.
"Whoa," he murmured, but then shook himself, "Glimmer, I'd really like an explanation, like where are we going?!"
"Just be quiet and come with me!" She hissed, turning a scolding scowl his way.
Leo released an indignant squawk, unused to being reprimanded for being loud, "I'm a ninja," he whispered back, "I can handle being quiet, but considering you're dragging me through a bunch of secret hallways, and I have no chance of remembering how to get back on my own, I'd really appreciate it if you'd tell me where we're headed in such a hurry!"
"Do you want to go home?!"
That question knocked the terrapin for a loop. Of course, he wanted to go home, but what did-? Oh. Oh! His suspicions were confirmed when the hallway opened into something of a loading dock. There was a wide platform, with a pool in the middle, where a submersible was currently floating. She was trying to help him escape. The mermaid let go of his hand, stomping down the platform, and onto a small bridge connecting to the submersible, then pointed to the vehicle's open hole.
"Get in!"
Something inside Leo twisted, the sensation similar to what it feels like to bend a piece of plastic, and you reach that point of tension right before it snaps and sends the shards flying. The ninja knew that if he took even one step forward, he'd snap, and then he wouldn't be able to stop himself. He'd be in that submersible and heading home in the blink of an eye, happy to put his adventure behind him. However, in spite of how terrible, and enormously heartbreaking, this problem had become, Leo couldn't look away from the mermaid that his escape would affect the most. He was confident that he and his family could probably disappear without a trace, and never be found, but could he leave this small kingdom in the shambles that his escape would crumble it into? Could he leave her to bear the burden of his failure? And, what if they were able to track his family down, what then? Their lives, their blood, would be on his hands. Could he handle that?
No, no he couldn't.
It felt like tearing his own arm off or slicing his chest open and pulling his beating heart out of his ribs, but somehow Leo managed to take a step backwards, away from his last chance for escape. "Glimmer," he gasped, clenching his eyes shut as he forced himself to take another step backwards, "I can't do this."
"You have to," she demanded, "please, I don't…I can't…"
The turtle turned around, shell facing the one thing he wanted more than anything else, "Look, I get that you don't want to marry a stranger, and I'm more than freaked out myself over that fact-"
"This has nothing to do with us getting married!" The princess yelled, "I mean, it does! But that's not why I'm telling you to escape while you can! You need to go back home to your family; you shouldn't have to be imprisoned here!"
"I want to, you have no idea just how much I want to," Leo groaned, "but doing that would be selfish, and I can't take the chance of making both our world's pay the price for my stupidity!"
"Your stupidity?" Glimmer scoffed, a bitterness infecting her lovely voice, turning it sour, "none of this is your fault! I'm the one who failed her people! Who failed the one person who looked at me as a person and not just a princess! Who failed my father, my brother, and the crown! If someone is at fault because of their stupidity here, it's me!"
"Well, that sounds familiar," Leo muttered dryly, before shaking off her argument, "I'm the one who put my nose where it didn't belong, remember?"
"And I'm the one who asked you to put it there!"
Leo sighed, turning around to see the princess standing on the platform, arms crossed, a firm pout on her full lips, eyes stubborn and hard. If Leo wasn't already dealing with an existential crisis, he would say she looked cute, but he already had too many conflicting emotions on his plate today. So, he overlooked the obviously adorable picture, and focused on the argument. "Look, Glimmer," he attempted one more time, "if I were to leave, then your kingdom would inevitably go to war, and then I would have no hope of arguing my case in a trial, because you and I both know that jerk Great-fish, or Whale, or whatever, would spend the rest of his life sending military out to hunt me and my family down to kill us!
"Not to mention the fact that your father might lose the throne, and your family would be punished for this whole mess!" The terrapin continued, watching as the princess drooped more with every point he made, "So, as much as I want to go home, as much as it kills me that I will never see my family again, I'm staying so I can at least protect them in the one way I can! And, by the way, I'm trying to protect you, too!"
Something in his words changed the mermaid, her eyes shifting from the stubborn grief, to fiery and livid, "You shouldn't be trying to protect me!" She spat, stomping towards the turtle to look him in the eye, "especially when I'm trying to save you!"
"And how is it your job to save me?" The turtle scoffed, watching the princess stomp her foot and give a choked shriek in anger.
"You don't understand!" She yelled, clenching her hands into shaking fists, "it's my job to protect the kingdom! My brother is being trained to take the throne, and it's my job to help make sure everything stays peaceful so he can focus on his responsibilities! I'm the princess! It's my responsibility to fulfill my duties as Princess!"
The mermaid's shoulders were heaving as she yelled, obviously venting what was probably years' worth of repressed emotions, "When two families in the nobility are fighting, I'm the one who helps them come to a truce, and when father is stressed over the council members being difficult, it's my job to take care of him by serving him tea, and being a listening ear, all so he can go back into the throne room without feeling like he wants to kill someone!
"For years I have been striving for perfection," she bellowed, tears flying off her cheeks, "for years I've been trying to be the perfect daughter and the perfect princess! I even resigned myself to a lonely and loveless marriage, choosing to go through with that horrible ritual, all for the good of my people! And what happens? I lose my nerve at the last second and condemn the one person who didn't look at me like a meal ticket to a life of imprisonment in the prettiest cage you ever saw, permanently separated from his family!"
The princess couldn't hold back the sobs anymore, one small hand covering her mouth, "I should never have exploited the psychic link last night," she wept, "I should have done the right thing by telling you to leave, to not interfere, but instead I was selfish, and I asked you to save me. And right when I thought I could save you from the death penalty, I asked my brother to help, and despite my better judgment, in exchange I was stupid enough to tell him that we connected through a psychic link! And as if that couldn't be bad enough, he then took that as a sign to shackle you to me through marriage.
"I can't seem to do anything right," Glimmer mourned as the ninja reached out and put his hands on her slim shoulders, noting how she trembled, only for him to gasp when she fell against his plastron prompting his arms to wrap around her, "I'm so sorry. It's my fault that you're stuck here, I wish I could save you, I want to save you, but I'm so pathetic that I can't even save myself!"
"Glimmer," Leonardo sighed, bracing his chin on the top of her head, "you don't have to save me, it's my own fault for getting into this mess. Not yours."
The princess leaned away from the terrapin, the obstinate pout was back along with a fiery glare, and Leo actually was surprised to find himself stifling the urge to laugh, even as the mermaid huffed through her tears, "You're really stubborn you know that?" She groused, giving a miserable sniffle.
"Funny, I was about to tell you the same thing." The blue masked ninja smirked, "but take it from someone who knows, it's pointless chasing after an impossible ideal of perfection. You'll never get it, no matter how hard you try."
Leo gave a bitter laugh, "I learned that lesson the hard way," he sighed, "and I found out that when you spend all your energy on fulfilling what you tell yourself is your duty and trying to force your identity into this mold of perfection, you end up losing yourself, and you'll forget who you are. Then one day you'll be sitting on the floor, completely shattered, unable to recognize the person staring back at you in the mirror, and with no idea on how to pick up the pieces because you don't know how they fit back together."
"That sounds horrible," Glimmer said, wrinkling her nose in sympathy.
"It was," the ninja winced, "thankfully, I had my brothers there to help me, but if I had to go through it on my own? I don't think I would have survived."
The princess sighed, walking away from Leonardo to plop down on the floor, her back against the wall, "This is a mess, isn't it?"
Leo followed her, sitting on the floor, shoulder to shoulder with the young mermaid, "Yeah," he groaned softly, "I'm sorry that I couldn't defend my innocence in court better."
Glimmer gave a snort, "You did just fine," she muttered, "perfect even. Daddy was going on and on about what an honorable warrior you were, and how well you carried yourself. I think you may even be getting a fan club among the mermaids as well. One of the noble's daughters asked me if you could introduce her to your brothers."
That statement startled a laugh out of the terrapin, as his vivid imagination conjured up an image of his brothers being swarmed by mermaids. "As funny as that would be to see," the ninja smirked, "if I did that, then they'd be forced to stay here as well, won't they?"
Glimmer nodded morosely, "Bylaw 627;" she quoted, "All mer are required to live, and stay within the city, no mer may be allowed to leave as that could endanger the lives of the kingdom. Furthermore, no mer may bring an outsider into the city for any reason, save the preservation of our race and our society. All outsiders are to either be imprisoned, executed, or if found to bear traits beneficial to the kingdom, become a naturalized citizen in which they will be expected to follow the rule of law given to govern the mer people."
"Wow," Leo gaped, before giving a soft clap in appreciation, "very impressive, Princess."
The mermaid huffed out a soft laugh, lips turning up into a sideways smile, "Comes with the territory," she shrugged, green eyes downcast, "the bylaws of our people have been pounded into my head from the day I was born. I can probably recite all one-thousand laws by heart."
Leonardo nodded, thinking back to the cracked and bent copy of the Art of War at home, "My father would put me through leadership lessons when I was little, training me to become the next head of our family. Sometimes, he'd give me simulated scenarios, some horrible thing that happened and I have to come up with multiple plans of attack or escape within ten seconds."
It was the princess' turn to look impressed, "Could you?"
"Yeah," the ninja nodded, sapphire gaze faraway, focused on a cozy home nestled deep in the sewers of New York, "I could. Became really good at it too. My brothers would sometimes brag on how I could come up with a plan at the drop of a hat, not really knowing how much work and effort was put into honing that skill."
Glimmer's shoulders drooped at the longing in his voice, her ears sinking to lay flat against her hair, "I'm sorry," she whispered, "if I could, I'd send you home."
"I know you would," the turtle nodded.
"If….if it makes any difference," Glimmer stammered, face flushing with a fiery blush, "if I have to m-marry a stranger, it's…nice, that it's you."
Leonardo felt his own face burn, a shy smile quirking one side of his mouth, "Well, I could definitely do worse, so as far as arranged marriages go, this isn't too bad."
Glimmer gave an unladylike snort, chuckling at the turtle's statement, "I have to say, this is the first time I've heard someone refer to a Princess as 'not too bad'."
Leonardo gave a shrug, prompting another round of laughter from the mermaid, "I'm entitled to my opinion," he said with a haughty sniff, "honestly, it could be worse, at least I'm on the same planet as my family, and maybe I can find a way to see them later on down the road."
The princess paused, pursing her lips thoughtfully, "My brother is set to inherit the throne in just six months, during the winter solstice." Green eyes once again glanced up at the ninja, "I know he wants to overhaul the bylaws, allow for free trade and travel, letting the people have more control over their lives, as well as allowing the royal family more freedoms as well."
"Six months?" Leo took a breath and held it, much like his hope, "How long would it take to change the bylaws?"
Glimmer shook her head, "Weeks? Months? Maybe even years? I think it would go faster than we anticipate, as many of the council are wanting to progress our culture past most of its more…prosaic traditions. However, hold outs like Great-fish are sure to put a delay on things. The real question is, will we have the votes in the council that would allow the changes?"
"Do you?" The terrapin asked, cocking his head slightly.
The princess pursed her lips with a shrug, "I don't know, but that's why I'm the princess."
Leo blinked, not catching her meaning, "Care to explain?"
Glimmer chuckled at the confused look, "Meaning, that I'll go out and get my brother the votes he needs. As Princess, it's my job to maintain a healthy relationship with the council, and to persuade them into voting our way. If they have questions or concerns, it's also my job to intermediate through delivering their opinions directly to the King, all to help us come to a mutually beneficial resolution."
"I take it back, your job is a lot harder than mine," Leonardo stated, shaking his head in awe, "I may lead my brothers into battle, but you fight multiple battles every day to keep a kingdom running. That's amazing, especially considering your age."
"Like it's any less amazing that you lead your brothers?" Glimmer scoffed, "I tried learning to fight, and I was miserable at it. Put me in the middle of a gala where I have to sweet talk a bunch of cranky, old mer into agreeing with an upcoming law we'll be voting on, and I'm fine. Give me a weapon, and you might as well be on your own."
Suddenly the mermaid giggled, casting a mischievous glance up at the terrapin, "You should have seen Great-fish's face after the trial was dismissed," she snickered, "he was so mad that you were named my fiancé, his face was red and blown up, he looked like a puffer fish!"
Leo snorted, chuckling as the princess continued to giggle at the image, "I had a feeling he didn't like me," the turtle muttered with a rueful shake of his head, "the way he talked during the trial, and the way he was glaring, it wasn't hard to figure out that I was on his blacklist."
"Yes, well, Great-fish is….special," Glimmer demurred, batting her eyes, "he's the perpetual rock in the gears that makes everything either freeze up or break down, and his son isn't any better. It's a shame that the son will inherit his father's seat instead of his older sister. She'd make a wonderful member of the council."
"Aw, jeez, you don't even let mermaids to serve on the council?" The ninja asked, one eyebrow raised.
"Not for lack of trying," Glimmer scolded with a pout, "unfortunately, that requires a vote, and the council members are a little too keen on handing down their seats to their sons, instead of their daughters."
Leo huffed out a small laugh, "But I bet you're working on it?"
The princess released a giggle that made the young warrior's heart skip a beat, "Oh, I'm working on it," she said, mouth curving into a happy grin, "I may be old and grey by the time it passes, but I'll most certainly be working on it! One day, I hope to sit on that balcony and look over a council box that has mermen, as well as mermaids, and only a few of them are from noble or royal bloodlines. It would be wonderful to let some of the lower classes have a say in our government."
"A lot would have to change to get a view like that," the terrapin murmured.
"Yes, but it would be worth it," Glimmer sighed.
For a moment, the duo sat in silence, both caught up in their own thoughts, however, when Leo glanced over at the mermaid, suddenly he couldn't breathe.
She was staring up at the glass dome of the dock, neon green eyes sparkling with the hopes and dreams she had for her people. A small smile graced her lovely features with a dreamy expression draped across her face. In the low crystal light, the reflection of the ocean dancing on her skin, making the silver flecks on her scales glow, Leonardo could honestly say he'd never seen anything, or anyone, more beautiful. As if sensing she were being watched, Glimmer tore her gaze away from the ocean view, and slowly brought her eyes to meet Leo's, and the only way he could think to describe the sensation he felt when they met, was a sizzle of electricity. A fire ignited inside the turtle, burning through his stomach, making his heart flip and his breath catch. Suddenly, the only thing he could think about was how close her lips were, and wondering if they were as soft as they looked.
Heartbeat thundering in his ears, Leo tentatively crossed the space between them, watching how Glimmer trembled, even as she closed her eyes, surrendering herself to him. He could feel the heat of her breath on his cheeks, and hesitantly, he brushed her lips with his.
"There you are!" The Crown Prince shouted, "Why did Long-spear come busting into my chambers saying you sent-?"
Glimmer and Leo jumped like a pair of startled cats, hurriedly scooting in perfect unison away from each other further down the wall, faces a dark green from the intense blush coloring their features.
…
Strong-wave gave a feral grin, the big brother in him squealing over the scene he'd walked into. He had caught his sister very nearly in a kiss with the outsider. They had just made contact when he walked in, and while the prince acknowledged that he could have turned around and given them their privacy, the older sibling in him loudly demanded he embarrass the life out of his sister. He was happy to report that the reaction to his presence was as satisfyingly hilarious as he was hoping it would be.
"Were you two kissing?" The prince asked in a dark chuckle.
"NO!" The princess' denial came out as a strangled yowl. That, coupled with the blush, was certainly evidence to the contrary.
"I'm pretty sure I saw you two smooching, though," Strong-wave chuckled, "in fact, you were that close to making out."
Glimmer whined in embarrassment, hiding her face in her hands, "Shut up! Shutupshutupshutup!"
"You know, I'm the one who normally pushes boundaries," the prince continued, a sharkish grin on his face, "never would I have guessed that my straight laced, obedient baby sister would be the type to sneak a boy into the royal family's personal dock, all for a make out session! Positively scandalous! What would mother say?!"
With a wail, the princess leapt to her feet prepared to run out, but not before turning to her brother, "Just because you're my big brother doesn't give you license to be a jerk!"
With a huff, the mermaid stomped down the hallway, hands covering her burning cheeks. Strong-wave snickered at the reaction, giving himself a joyful high-five in victory, before turning to see the flustered face of their newest addition, "Putting the moves on my sister?" He snickered, "Naughty!"
Leo gaped, his mouth opening and closing rapidly, looking very similar to a landed fish, "I-I didn't!….I wasn't!"
The Prince couldn't hold back the cackle of glee that veritably exploded from his mouth, "Oh, but you were! In fact, if I was one minute later, she'd probably have been in your lap!"
If the turtle blushed any harder, his head was going to combust, "I would never," he spluttered, "my father raised me to be a gentleman, and I would never-!"
"Please," Strong-wave scoffed with a flick of his fingers, "you're a male in your prime, and it's really hard to turn off that engine when the juices get flowing. Not that it will matter after tomorrow."
Oh, the poor boy looked like he was about to faint, the blush had spread from his cheeks down to his neck. With a chuckle the merman decided to have mercy on his future brother-in-law, "Don't fret," he sighed, a dark chuckle shaking his shoulders, "I won't embarrass you by trying to give you any pointers on your wedding night,"
Leonardo released a strangled squeak, sapphire eyes growing wild in panic, obviously the teen hadn't thought about that part of the wedding ceremony yet, making Strong-wave shake his head fondly, "At least there are some perks to your incarceration, that being the company of a beautiful princess."
The turtle suddenly turned angry eyes on the prince, a searing temper that turned his eyes ice cold, "I don't know what impression you've gotten," he bit out, "but I'm not going through with the wedding because I want to."
The prince shrugged, "Maybe not, but as was evident just a few moments ago, at least there is a mutual attraction that would make the arrangement less…strained?"
"Glimmer is," Leo struggled to put his feelings into words, "she's amazing, and if we had met a different way in different circumstances, I can't say I wouldn't be head over heels for her. However, while she was able to make the pain of abandoning my family easier, it doesn't mean I'm completely fine with being forced to marry her due to a ridiculous ritual. We both deserve better than that."
Strong-wave settled into a reflective silence, his earlier flamboyance reduced to a soft huff of amazement, pale yellow eyes dimming with respect for the terrapin warrior, "Well said," the merman murmured, giving a nod as he turned around to look out the glass dome, "and even if you had met in different circumstances, I'd still be honored to call you my brother. My sister needs someone with your level of character and integrity, being princess, it's hard enough on her as it is. She could use a partner who supports her and loves her, someone willing to fight for her and not her crown."
At this point, the Crown Prince noticed he was being watched, or more accurately, glared at. The ninja stood, leaning against the wall, feet casually folded on top of each other, while sapphire eyes bored a hole through him. The prince smirked at his future brother-in-law, "My, my," he drawled, regaining his prior flippant attitude, slowly sauntering towards the turtle, "stare any harder and you'll make me blush! Is there a reason for this level of intense scrutiny?"
"Just trying to figure out where you stand," Leonardo stated, face the careful neutral he used when surrounded by his enemies.
"Meaning?"
"Meaning," the turtle clarified, "that I'm not sure what to make of you. Your sister speaks of you like a double-edged sword, a useful advantage to have, but if you're not careful, you could end hurting yourself as badly as your enemy."
Strong-wave merely shrugged, "I don't pretend to be something I'm not." He sighed, "I learned at a very young age the true price of power, and while I subscribe to my father's ideals, and want to make my sister's dreams for our people a reality, I know that one cannot make an omelette without breaking a few eggs.
"So," the merman continued, "in order to help our people become the nation they deserve to be, I will become the shadow to my sister's light. I'll use underhanded tactics, deceit, and even cruel trickery to get what I want. That, young warrior, is where I stand."
Strong-wave watched the turtle, waiting for the inevitable disgust that would follow such a speech, however, he was surprised when it did not come. Instead, empathy softened the sapphire gaze, while the once tense shoulders loosened, "I can understand that,"Leo rasped, "I, too, was the shadow to my brothers' light. Sometimes taking on dark missions that they will never know about, all for the good of my clan."
What was it about this strange outsider that just turned all logic on its head? The prince had prepared himself for a fight, arguing his defense of why he must play the villain to attain a righteous goal, but instead he received understanding? How very strange. It made the mer feel oddly protective of the warrior, a deep dissatisfaction with Leonardo's fate piercing his heart. The urge to save him, well and truly save him, overwhelmed the Prince, however, he still wasn't quite sure how. How could he allow this honorable swordsman to go home, without dooming both their people? That, that was the main problem.
"It is unfortunate that you cannot at least say goodbye to your family," Strong-wave mused, "much less explain this whole mess, so they understand why you're forced to live here."
Sharp teeth clacked together as the merman made a noise of angry frustration, "These laws" he sneered, looking up through the glass ceiling, yellow eyes full of longing as they searched the ocean waters, "they claim to protect us, but all they do is imprison us. We may be self-sufficient, for now at least, but eventually we will begin to die out as bloodlines run thin. Our kingdom needs fresh blood, and for that we need the ability to welcome outsiders without the threat of forcing them to stay. We need the ability to leave, to make new allies, and explore a world beyond the glass walls of the city.
"If it were in my power, I'd let you leave, but our conviction to live by the rule of law is in itself a doubled-edged sword," the prince sighed, "gone is our ability to feel empathy, and so we cling to dusty tomes and outdated practices, in the hope of preserving some dream of a society, that is in itself, incredibly flawed."
Leonardo nodded, his face no longer carrying the edge of suspicion as he was privy to the Prince's private musings, "I understand," he murmured, "I appreciate the thought at least. Maybe, after you're king, I can help you change the bylaws restricting your people."
Strong-wave couldn't help the grateful smile that curled his lips, giving a nod of respect to the warrior, "That would be most appreciated."
"In reference to what you said earlier, though," Leonardo sighed, "I would give anything to tell my family goodbye. If I could at least have my shell cell, then I could call them, tell them everything that happened, explain myself and pray they forgive my weakness."
"Shell cell?" The prince chuckled, ears pricked up in interest, "What is a shell cell? Is it similar to those devices that humans use to call each other, cell phones?"
The turtle smiled, huffing a soft chuckle, "Yeah, but my brother built these special for our family. I don't know where mine is, I probably left it at the camp site or lost it during the battle, so it's useless to me anyways."
Strong-wave blinked slowly, a plan forming in his mind. Shell cell, huh? He was certain he'd seen a guard carrying items they'd taken from the warrior for safe keeping, he wondered if that device might be with them. Interesting.
…
"Mikey, grab as many oxygen tanks as you can," Donnie instructed, packing up a large section of his lab, "me and Raph will get started on moving the submersible topside."
"Got it!"
"Donatello, you will explain to me what happened," Master Splinter demanded, muzzle heavy with fearful concern, "and you will explain now!"
"I'm sorry, Dad," the scientist said, brown eyes sweeping the lab to check for anything he might have missed, "but Leo is missing,"
"Yes, I know," the rat nodded, gesturing for his son to tell him something he didn't, "I sensed his spirit is in great turmoil, but I have not been able to locate him."
Their father's words helped Donnie release a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, "That's a relief," he breathed, "he's alive, that's good."
"Indeed, now, tell me how he went missing," Splinter rasped.
Donatello wince, "I don't actually know,"
"None of us do," Raphael groaned, hauling a load of Donnie's underwater exploration gear, "but, regardless, we're gonna find 'im,"
"I think it was a fight, though," Michelangelo threw in, wheeling a load of oxygen tanks towards the elevator door, "I saw tracks with webbed feet, and we found a piece of Leo's katana in the grass."
The ninjutsu master stroked his beard, giving a thoughtful hum as he considered the youngest's words, "I did not sense an injury, at least, not a physical one."
Donatello paused, worry spiking in his brain, "What do you mean, sensei?"
Splinter sighed, shaking his head sorrowfully, "Your brother's spirit was greatly troubled," he murmured, "all I could feel was…intense heartbreak, as if his very spirit had been shattered."
The younger brothers sucked in a breath, horror filling their eyes, "What do you mean his spirit was shattered?" Mikey asked, voice shaking.
"I don't know, my son," their father mourned, "but I am worried for Leonardo."
Donatello and his family jolted when the scientist's shell cell began to ring, it's cheery tone a stark contrast to the fear infecting their hearts. Reaching for his belt, Donnie opened the mobile device, only for brown eyes to spring open wide, "Leo?!" Shaking hands fumbled to answer, the mutant family gathering around the purple masked ninja as he put the call on speaker phone, "Leo? Is that you?! Are you okay?! Where are you?!"
Static, and then a smooth male voice that was nothing like their brother's answered, "Unfortunately, I'm not your brother," it said, "however, I do know where he is."
"Who is this?!" Raphael snarled, grabbing Donnie's wrist to pull the phone closer.
"My name would be impossible for you to say, as you are not mer, however, I believe the closest translation would be Rogue." The mystery caller answered.
"Well, okay, Rogue," Michelangelo snapped, "it's nice to meet you and all, but I'm more concerned about my big brother. Where is he, and what have you done to him?"
Rogue chuckled, "Me personally, I've done nothing, your brother, on the other hand, is definitely in a bit of trouble."
Raph reached out to grab the phone again, but was stopped by Donatello's hand, "Explain," the scientist hissed, "and make it quick."
"Alright," the voice hummed, "in summary, your brother rescued a mermaid while she was caught in the middle of a vicious battle. He assumed he was saving her life from unscrupulous brutes, unfortunately he was wrong.
"The mermaid was a princess, and the battle was a sacred ceremony of the mer people that would decide her future husband." Rogue sighed, "By interfering with the rite, your brother was captured and charged with the crime of sabotaging the ritual, ultimately breaking one of the bylaws of our people. A crime punishable by death."
"Death?!" The brothers and father all released a cry of shock and grief, Master Splinter groaned, face sinking into his hands.
"When is the execution?" Donatello ground out, ignoring the way his stomach twisted when he spoke his brothers sentence out loud.
"Ah, that's the good part," Rogue states, voice brightening, "the Crown Prince, in honor of the fact your brother was merely trying to defend the Princess, saved him."
Sighs of relief echoed around the table, but Mikey wasn't reassured, "Why do I get the feeling that you're about to say 'but'?"
Once again, Rogue chuckled, "Very clever," he mused, "indeed, there is a 'but' coming up. The only way to save him from execution was by proving to the council that he was a worthy candidate for the Princess, and therefore fulfilled the ritual."
"What's that supposed ta mean?" Raphael growled.
"It means that your brother is set to wed the princess," Rogue replied, "on pain of death."
"Marriage?!" Donatello squawked, "But, he's only seventeen!"
"She's only sixteen," the voice audibly shrugged, "however, it was made clear to him that if he runs away, and does not go through with the wedding, his life, the life of his family, and any who harbor him are forfeit. The mer people would declare war on his clan, and upon New York City, and it would not end until he be dead, or the city razed to the ground. So, keeping that in mind, he had only two choices, be executed as an outsider and spy, or marry the princess and stay in the secret city of the mer for the rest of his life, unable to leave till the end of his days."
Donnie grabbed a seat at the table, slowly sitting down as he struggled to absorb the information, now Master Splinter's words made sense, no wonder Leo was heartsick, "Is there something we can do," he gasped, "there has to be a way to save him? Please, tell me there's a way to save him?"
"I've been wracking my brain trying to figure it out myself," Rogue muttered, "however, I can tell you something about the mer people. We're sticklers for the rule of law. If you have a Tribal law, or societal ruling, and you come to object to the wedding as his father and clan, you just may be able to save him."
"Like how?" Mikey groaned.
"I believe what my son is trying to say, Rogue-San," Splinter cut in, "is how would such a ruling help him, when we already know he cannot leave the city?"
"All you need is a reason to take him out of the city," Rogue counseled, "in a way that the council does not object to. Find something that will force them to wait for the wedding past six months."
"What happens in six months?" Donnie asked.
"The Crown Prince will step in and become King," the voice replied, "and the first decree he'll make is annulling the engagement. Something which I'm confident the council won't object to passing. By that point no one will want to chase after him, nor hunt your family.
"I know it isn't much to work with," Rogue said, tone apologetic, "however, I think it's the only plan that will succeed. All you need is to think up a law that would convince the council as well as the King to give Leonardo back over to your care."
Raphael lunged forward, grabbing the phone, hushing his purple masked brother with a glare when Donnie tried to stop him, "Look, I appreciate ya callin' to help us find our brother," the brawler growled, "I'm even grateful ya got a plan ta help us rescue him, but I got one question."
"What's that?"
"Why?" Raphael spat, liquid gold eyes glaring down at the device, "If what he did is so bad, that he has ta marry yer princess, or die, then why are ya helpin'? What's in it for ya if he goes free?"
Silence crackled on the other end of the line, the mutant family waiting on pins and needles for an answer to explain this strange twist of fate, until finally, "Your brother deserves to live, not die," Rogue answered, voice soft and sincere, "whether by the executioner's axe, or a slow death where he withers away inside a gilded cage, neither option is something I would wish on him.
"He's a warrior, and a leader," the voice continued, "and from the moment he found out he was to be forced to marry the princess, all his thoughts have been in mourning for the family he can never see again. His only wish is to go home, but instead of running away like a coward with no consideration of the consequences, he has chosen to sacrifice himself. One life, to save thousands. That's why I'm helping, because someone with that kind of integrity does not belong in a cage."
Rat and turtles exchanged looks of grim determination, a raging bonfire alight in their souls that they would rescue their beloved leader no matter the cost. Clenching his teeth, Donatello pulled the phone back up to his mouth, eyes narrow and dangerous, "When is the wedding?"
"Tomorrow at sunset," Rogue stated, "I'll leave this device in the Royal family's secret dock. I trust you can track the signal and find your way?"
"Don't worry about us, Rogue-San," Splinter said, whiskers twitching in eagerness to be on the road, "we are ninja, and we will most assuredly be there on time."
"Very good," the voice sighed in seeming relief, "your brother is an honorable warrior, and while I'm sure the King would be flattered to have such a son-in-law, a forced marriage, along with lifelong imprisonment, isn't the way to begin a new chapter in life. Do not waste any time, get here as soon as you are physically able, I'll be waiting."
Splinter watched as Donatello hung up, placing the phone on the table, before the aged rat released a low growl, "Boys, get ready to go, and make sure you look your best. We have a wedding to crash."
Whew….this one turned long too! Well, the next chapter will be the tie up for this arc! Im glad you're all enjoying it!