I stomped through the long hallway. The nagging feeling of turning back lingered in my chest. I chose to ignore it. I can't fucking believe that mothafuckin' dipshit said I was showboating! That lil' ungrateful prick said I was showboating! I know I'm awesome in my skin, but I never asked for gratitude! I know I'm a dick and an ass, but I used my skills to survive! You know what! Fuck Leo! He can fall off a cliff for all I care!

I stopped. The exit was in my line of sight. I leaned against the wall. I didn't have it in me to leave. One part of me was still angry with Leo; angry that Leo didn't want me to save him and go along with the whole Primetime charade. The other part was worried he would die the moment he steps on the ring. Fake or not, a little turtle is fighting against rhinos and lions. It's not going to end well. Leo needs all the luck he can get.

"Merrill!" I saw Donnie and Mikey running to me. I forced my expression to neutral; I didn't want them to think I was upset – which I'm clearly NOT! Donnie was the turtle who called. "We need you –"

"To talk some sense into our brother!" Mikey finished.

"You took the words right out of my mouth, Angelo", Donnie ground his teeth. Angelo?

"Angelo? As in Michelangelo? As in one of four Renaissance Masters?" I asked.

Mikey became ecstatic as he took my hand and excitedly shook it. "That's me! Michelangelo Hamato! The baby brother of our family! Possibly your future brother-in-law!" I removed his grip with a slap. Hamato... that name almost rings a bell...

I looked at the soft shell. "And you must be Donatello."

"Charmed I'm sure", he said, offhandedly, "and to set the record, I encourage you to date my brother despite having a bad reputation."

"Uh... thank you?" I didn't know what Donnie was implying. "So, Big Red is Raphael and Leo's Leonardo. I thought Leo was short for Leonard or something."

"Intelligent to a fault! I can respect that."

Mikey went too close to comfort. His face, though his height is shorter than Leo's, was three inches away from mine. "You need to talk to Leo!" his hands gripping my shoulders, "he's going to be killed! You're the only one he can listen to!" The box turtle was so desperate, he started to vigorously shake me. I grabbed his hand and released me.

"You guys came at the last moment", I told them, trying hard not to sound hurt, "he said he doesn't need me. I told him I didn't care... I was just fulfilling what we want."

"So, you intended to stand by and do nothing?" Don asked with his arms folded over his plastron.

"That was the plan." My original plan was to get as far away from here as possible.

"But you gotta do something!" Mike encouraged, "Are you going to let your budding romance die out before it fully blossoms?"

"Romance? Budding?" I asked with my head titled, "Two things: what shit you're smoking and where can I get some?"

Donatello held his brother back. "What my dear brother was insinuating is that you want to do nothing and watch your friend – our brother – get humiliated and get beaten in public?" hearing him say it aloud does sound terrible, even sound like a jackass.

"Merrill!" a booming voice reach us. Raphael ran to us.

"Before you say anything, no, I didn't convince Leo to play wrestler to tick you off", I said to the overly buff turtle.

"What, no! I wanted to see if you were okay." He was worried? I thought he hated my guts. "don't get the wrong idea! I still don't like you!" there it is.

"Then why are you here talking to me?"

Raph bit his lip. His fists clenched. He really wanted to get something out of his chest. This was hard on him. "Please... talk to Leo... he won't listen to me... the belt, the fame, and glory, it's messing with his head... if you can talk to him, he would listen! Leo likes you... I don't mean as a crush! I meant as friends! Definitely!" I lifted an eyebrow. He's not subtle with words.

I sighed. "You're a little too late. He doesn't need me. If he did get in trouble, you guys will jump in and save the day. I'll just be in the way. Peace, I'm out."

"Merrill!" the three turtles hollered. I didn't want to deal with any more drama. I'll head home and finish off my horror movie marathon. Suddenly, pain radiated in my chest; it was painful enough to keel. It felt like a hand was gripping my heart in its palm squeezing it slowly. My breath shortened. My vision became blurry.

When I opened my eyes, Ghostbear was looming, glaring at me. "Ese cinturón no te pertenece." Belt? Leo!

Leo, can you hear me? Say something!

"Robármelo no va a cambiar nada", Leo's voice was there; defiance and confident as I remebered. "Mi amigo te va a ganar." Friend? Did he mean me?

"¿Estás dispuesto a apostar por ello, tortuguita?"

"Con mi vida." With that statement, Ghostbear punched Leo, knocking him out and returning to my body. The three turtles were around me, checking to see if I was all right.

"Where's Leo?" I asked after taking deep breaths.

"He's in the dressing room", Raph answered, "said he was getting ready." I bolted, running as fast as my quick step. As soon as l reached the room, I thrust the door open only to see the room bare. No trace of Leo or Ghostbear. I stepped into the barren room with my red sensors activated. "Guess we were too late. He's going through with it..."

"No", I answered, "something's not right." My scanners picked up two feet: Leo's and big mysterious feet.

"Really?" Mikey asked.

"My scanners show a second person", Donnie confirmed my hypothesis. "Whoever was here took Leo."

"Who would do such a thing?" Raph asked. I didn't want to say it was his hero, I'm not that cruel. It's best to see the truth than to tell it.

"We need to get to the stadium. Now", I demanded, going out the door, and heading to the double doors.

"Why?"

"Because whoever kidnapped Leo, they're going to appear center stage to show the world who deserves the title best." The thrust the doors opened. The audience cheering and hollering echoed throughout the stadium. Multiple spotlights circle throughout the stadium. My focus lay on the ring where Jessica Jaclyn stood with a microphone in hand.

"Are you ready for the main event? Defending his belt in a single pen-fall anything goes match!" the spotlights landed on the left side. A smokescreen spread throughout the entryway. "The newest superstar of the NYWA, Primetime!" flames burst on either side of the jumbo screen. The crowd erupted in a frenzy of cheers, but Leo didn't appear. Everyone grew quiet. Confusion was in the air.

"Where's Leo? He never misses a chance to make an entrance", Raph said. He's about to find out why because coming through the hall was Ghostbear with one shoulder holding the belt and the other shoulder with an unconscious Leo whose wrists were tied behind his back. "Ghostbear? Oh, man! He saved Leo from his perpetrator!"

My eyebrow twitched. "Please tell me stupidity doesn't run in the family."

Donnie laid his arm around me. "Believe it or not, I'm the smart one."

"In a shocking twist, rising up from Loserville: Ghostbear!" the Hispanic wrestler made is way to the ring. "Along with Primetime and the belt! Any words to say, Mr. Bear?"

Ghostbear grabbed the offering mike. "Where is the turtle's friend? The one who thinks can take on Ghostbear!"

"Who is he talking about?" Raph asked.

"Of course, he's obviously talking about Merrill", Donnie inputted.

"Ohmigosh! Merrill is like the knight in shining armor off to save the princess from a dragon!" Mikey gushed.

"Guys! I'm no knight! But I'm not going to let Ghostbear get away with humiliating your brother with a live audience", I told them.

"Good thinking, Merrill! While you speak denial, go challenge that overweight wrestler!" I was shoved forward. I looked back and saw the three brothers already behind the doors. "Go save our brother!" they closed the doors.

I rushed to the closed doors. "Oye! You can't expect me to fight your battles, coño!" spotlights came on me. I could feel all eyes on me. Shit. I'm gonna kill those fuckers. I inhaled and exhaled. If they want a show, then they'll get a show! "Looking for me?" I give everyone my signature cocky grin as I walked down the stairs and headed for the ring.

"Robert Downey, Jr?" Ms. Jaclyn said, shock portrayed in her tone, "you're a wrestler?"

"Not by trade, no", I answered, hopping over the ring's wires and landing on the platform. "I prefer not to share my experience."

Ghostbear loomed over me; his shadow cascaded my body. "Tu amigo me dijo que puedes vencerme. ¿Es eso cierto?"

I looked at Leo. He remained unconscious. "Sí, y voy a ganar."

Ghostbear snarled. "Veremos, príncipe oscuro."

Jessica came between us. "All right, folks! Slight change of plans here! Instead of Primetime fighting for his belt, Ghostbear snatched it underneath him and his manager is taking his place!" she turned to me. "Do you got a stage name, or should I just call you Rob?" she asked as her hand on the mike.

I didn't answer. Instead, three strangers appeared in front wearing the dorkiest garments I'd ever seen. Sadly, I knew who they are. "You may address him as Goth Boy", Mikey announced, adjusting his fake glasses. Seriously? Was that the only name he can think of? "We are the Goth Boy fan club! Always excited to see our hero in action!"

"Actually..." Raph got in front of Ghostbear. "Ghostbear, I'm a huge fan! Can I have an autograph? A selfie? A toenail?"

"Dearest brother, that man is holding our younger brother hostage and you're asking for memorabilia?" Donnie pointed out.

"It's Ghostbear! I can't believe I'm standing in front of my hero! Someone, pinch me!" The wrestler grabbed Raph's face and shoved him aside; his eyes remained on me. "Ah! Ghostbear touched my face! I'm never washing it again!"

"You got fucking issues", I told the gushing turtle.

"Alright, folks! Here to represent Primetime, his manager, former wrestler of his time", that made me sound old, "Goth Boy!" Fuck. I'm so done. Jessica came close to me. "let's chat after your match, k?" she quickly moved away. If I survive, there's no way I'm talking to her. "And on this corner, crawling his way to the top from the dark bottom: Ghostbear! Gentlemen, go to your corner! As soon as the bell rings, both of you will come out fighting! Anything goes, boys! Be creative!"

We went to our corners. I took off my jacket, my hair tie in hand. I tossed my jacket. I thought one of my "surprising" fans, but Donnie grabbed it. I sat down while tying my hair. I could tell Mikey was massaging my back. I would've enjoyed the treatment if I wasn't staring dagger-eyes at my opponent as he carelessly tossed Leo like a used rag along with the championship belt. I'm going to this douchebag and I'm going to T-bag his face.

"You got this, son!" Mikey told me that he was my boxing coach or something while massaging me. "If he swings left, you go right! He swings right, you go left! And if all goes downhill, target his beads!"

I raised an eyebrow. "You mean dick?"

"Don't be a savage!" Donnie objected, "We must honor the wrestler code!"

"Wrestling is as messy as a Black Friday Deal at Target. Got any tape?" Donnie handed me a spare and I started wrapping my fists. "Besides, this isn't my first fight. Just get to Leo while I distract overweight Winnie the Pooh." The bell rang twice and I and Ghostbear got out of the corners.

Ghostbear glaring and staring down, trying to strike fear into my soul. I punched my fists together twice, indicating a message: bring it on. Ghostbear charged at me like a bulldozer. His fists inching to grab me. I dodged his poor attempt by diving and rolling away. I blocked his upcoming punch. The force pushed me back. I punched and he blocked. He counterattacked and I parried. We thrust our punches, yet we both held the punches in our fists. We glared at each other.

"You got spirit, pequeño", Ghostbear sneered, "too bad I can easily crush it."

"You're all talk, oso feo", I countered, "all that muscles are probably made out of marshmallows."

"Ghostbear grinned. ¿Cómo de cómoda te sientes con la tortuga? Parece que estás apegado a ella. No puedo esperar a golpear cada momento de vigilia después de mi victoria."

Something snapped inside of me as someone stepped on a twig. I brought our heads together and headbutt our foreheads causing us to stumble apart. My opponent furiously rubbed his forehead. "That's not gonna happen..." I heard my mouth moving on its own, "over my dead body I'll let that happen!" I yelled, running headfirst to the beast. I dodged his upcoming and kicked at his opening side. The pain got him distracted as I hit him with every punch I can muster. With my latest punch, I pushed him to the bungee cord surrounding the ring. I was going to finish him off, but I didn't expect Ghostbear to use the wires to his advantage. The wrestler used them to pull him back and thrust himself like a pebble on a slingshot. I was knocked with his arm making a direct hit on my face. I fell with a thud. I was unconscious for a few seconds until I saw a massive projectile falling from the sky.

I moved away in a split second and barely made it out unscathed. Ghostbear nursed his elbow which it was the appendage he intended to harm me. Parts of my hair left my ponytail. By now, I would've used Gauntlet Beta to strike, but I would rather not draw too much attention since I already did. My skills are what kept me staying alive so far.

"Go, Ghostbear! Reclaim your title!" Raph cheered, holding a banner with a badly drawn Ghostbear head and his initial GB.

"Whose side are you on?" I yelled, getting irritated that Red was cheering for the enemy, which said the enemy was holding his brother hostage.

He flipped the banner over to show my face badly drawn with the same initial. "Go, Goth Boy!"

I sighed. It's a good thing I'm not dating his brother, otherwise, I knew I wasn't earning any brownie points. Fuck! Why did I suggest dating Leo at a time like this?! I swear my brain thinks of the most random things at the worst timing.

I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't notice a giant fist made contact with my face. He punched me into a corner. My back against the pole. His fists – the texture reminded me of leather, rough and hard – collided against my face. He repeated over and over and over again. Countless, perhaps multiple times. It was getting harder to keep track. My vision, though combined with my computer eyes, was losing focus both static and black. My brain felt foggy. Ghostbear's victorious smirk came and gone. If it weren't for my legs, they would've given out ages ago. This is one battle where I've met my match. My parents would've been so disappointed in seeing their little project crumple.

...maybe this was for the best. I don't have any friends. My parents are complete assholes (ha, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!), my sisters are too busy with their own lives, and Aunt Claire – whom I respect – is too busy to visit. I'm supposed to fake my death when I turn eighteen. No one... no one... cares about me... it's better this way...

'Merrill!'

Great... my brain decided to impersonate a bitch...

'This bitch's name is Leonardo, and you better not get suicidal on me!'

Leo? Why are you nagging?

'I just became conscious enough to see Ghostbear beating you to a pulp and all I'm hearing is you quitting! Don't you dare quit on me; you hear me!'

I can't beat him, Lee... he's too strong... I'm useless... it's best I threw in the towel.

'...you said no one care about you, huh? Well, what does that make me? Your inconvenience? A nuisance? Believe it or not, Edge Lord, I CARE! I care about you! You're my first friend... I don't know what would happen if you were gone...' I cracked an eye meeting Leo's gaze; his eyes were glassy. 'You're not useless...' I heard a heartbeat. 'you're not a quitter...' another heartbeat. 'you're the coolest guy I've ever met...' my heart beating two beats at a time. '...I like visiting you... so, if you're gone... who will I get to bother? Besides, you owe me a movie date.' I let out a weak chuckle. My focus went to Ghostbear who was throwing his final punch, the punch that would end me for good.

Dark mist surrounded my body before the wrestler claimed victory. I clumsily moved off the distance. I stumbled back to my original form. Everyone was stunned. Did I become a fart cloud?

"Bruja", Ghostbear sneered.

I smirked. Although I could barely stand, I gestured for Ghostbear to come at me. Ghostbear let out an inhumane roar and came at me. I ran as well. He repeatedly punched me; I parried each strike while in my form or disappearing into a dark mist. This was all too new, yet familiar to me. Could this be the work of Leo's odachi? Whatever the case may be, I will have to practice this power later right after I beat this hijo de puta. I dissolved into a dark mist again and I circulated around his body forming a small tornado.

"Show yourself, bruja! Are you a coward?" he yelled. I pitied him... for like a second.

I can feel myself smirk in my shadow form. "As you wish..." I appeared in front of him with my arm pulled back. My fist was covered in a dark mist. I punched him square in his jaw. A few teeth popped out. He spun around before he fell. I planted my foot on his back.

Ms. Jaclyn came and counted down. "One. Two. THREE! KO! Ladies and gentlemen, your champion: Goth Boy!" she held my arm up high. I heaved a relieved breath. Thank God it's over. "I don't know how you do it, Rob, but you got talent!" she said over the crowd cheering my terrible nickname. "Ever thought of coming out of retirement? We could use a fresh face or maybe give a few pointers to our fighters?"

I shook my head as I kindly rejected the offer. "Sorry. One time thing only. This is my first and last fight. I hope you can understand."

"Sure, sure. Here you go, champ." She handed me the belt along with a piece of paper. "Call me when you get bored, k?" the older woman whispered into my ear before leaving. I peeked at the folded paper. It contained her number. I rolled my eyes. Yeah... not interested. I crumpled the paper and put it in my pocket. I'll burn it later.

Leo leaped onto me causing me to spin around. "You did it! You won!"

I couldn't help but laugh. Despite fighting for my life, I had fun. I pulled him away. We stared at each other ignoring everything and everyone around us. The moment ended with Raph shoving us apart.

"Hey, hey, hey! None of that!" Raph said mostly at me.

"Seriously, Raph. We were just hugging", Leo said with his hands on his hips.

"That's how it all started. First, the hand holding. Next, the hugging. Then comes the kissing! And the next thing you know, you two will, you know, combine... mold..."

"Oh, you mean sex?" I asked with a smirk.

"Ah! Don't say that!" Raph yelled, covering his earlobe. "That's it! We're leaving!" Raphael already dragging Michelangelo and Donatello out of the ring. "Leo, come on!"

"Coming!" the slider yelled, yet he looked at me. He rubbed his arm. "Thanks for the save... about before..."

"Don't worry about it", I interrupted, "all that matters is that you're safe." I gave him the belt. He stared at me with confusion. "Never wanted it in the first place. My win is your safety." As a bonus, I winked. His face flushed and left without another word. I chuckled. His expressions are too cute for words. Everyone cheered for Goth Boy. Right... that nickname was becoming more than a running gag. Everyone who sees me will call me Goth Boy.

...will anyone remember me after I vanish?