I just texted Leo after I sent a selfie. I was expecting him to reply but nothing. I grew anxious thinking about the worst-case scenario, but I held back. Maybe nothing bad was happening. I was probably overreacting. Then, my neck started to throb. Did I pull a muscle? Nah, that's not it. I normally don't get muscle pain unless I overworked my training regime. Something wasn't right.
An hour or two later, Los Tortuga Locas (Raph was outvoted on the name again) and I finished capturing over a hundred oozequitoes. As expected, Donnie ran out of webs. It was time for us to return to the Grand Nexus Hotel. I got off the empty gas tank and sat on a blue seat which I assumed belonged to Leo. The drive to the hotel was awkwardly silent. Candidly, Donnie hovered outside with his fancy invention. I kept massaging my neck. The pain's still there.
"You good, Merrill?" I turned to Mikey. I nodded. I didn't bother giving a reply. I didn't bother thinking too much about it... that was until I felt ghost pain in my legs. It wasn't just my thighs; my prosthetic legs were feeling it too. This wasn't coincidental. This was a sign.
...or maybe I was being paranoid...
Finally, we arrived at the hotel. We got out of the massive tank with Raph carrying a jar full of oozequitoes. I tried reaching out to Leo. Are you okay? Where are you? Did Mama's Boy touch you? I got scared when I didn't hear anything. It's like... it's dead silence. I shivered at the thought. Did Xander... did that fucker kill Leo?!
No, no! Stop being negative, Merrill! There's a good explanation for why he wasn't receiving my calls. He probably knew how to mind block... which I'll give him credit for since I don't know how to mind block.
"Guys..." I said, gaining the turtle crew's attention before they entered the hotel, "I... have a bad feeling..." I told them with a hint of hesitation. The three turtles looked at me in confusion. "I can't get ahold of Leo," I said a little white lie, but it's kind of true in a way.
"Really, now?" Donnie said with skepticism. His drawn eyebrows were raised. It amazed me how accurate it was. "Because during our ride over here not once have you checked your phone or even bother calling my brother. I thought you two were close friends."
Okay... that was random. "What's with the sudden gang-up? I said I had a bad feeling. It's not like I wanted attention", I explained, "I wouldn't be saying this if it wasn't necessary."
"Call me curious or suspicious, but I wanted to know what's your relationship with Nardo." I didn't bother holding back my confusion. "You announced you and he is soulmates. What does that title mean to you?" I felt small under his gaze.
"Yeah, what's with that", Raph agreed, "you're taking advantage of Leo! I don't know how, but you're manipulating him! When this job is done, Leo isn't going to see you anymore!" have you ever felt like your whole world shatter? Whelp, that was what I was feeling right now. This was the downside of being known as a bad-boy player. No matter how much my reputation grew, there will always be rumors that will bring me. I kept telling everyone I don't care how everyone sees me... however, there was always a whisper of doubt in my mind.
I don't want to hurt Leo – I never wanted to hurt him! For once, I'm happy! I want to linger on that happiness just a little longer. I couldn't tell his brothers; they'll go on a killing spree with their father! I couldn't tell Leo; he'll be devastated. Was our relationship moving faster than I anticipated?
"Guys, guys, let's all take a deep breath", I turned to Mikey who wore a brown turtleneck sweater and round glasses. What's with the quick change?
"Mikey, this is no time for a Doctor Feelings session", Raph groaned. Doctor Feeling?
"What's going on here?" I asked.
"Merrill, meet Doctor Feelings. One of Michaelangelo's... personas", Donnie explained.
"Personas? Don't tell me he has a multi-personality disorder."
"Um... kind of..."
"Merrill, tell Raphael what you're feeling." Mike – I mean Doctor Feeling – told me.
"Seriously? Here? We don't have time – OW! Did you hit me with a fucking clipboard?" The box turtle looked impassive. "You want me to talk? Fine! I'm pissed that you trust a fucking SPIDER than me! I'm pissed you left Leo – your younger brother – alone with a demon! All for what, getting us separated? Well, great job asshat! Oh, and the icing on the cake, was agreeing to a job whose name sounds like it belongs to a mob boss! Have you thought of, I don't know, why she wanted us to collect the oozequitoes? Why she was addiment about 'keeping them safe' after one of her staff members – a human, no less – mutated in her hotel? You don't think she was intrigued it? I get it, I'm an asshole! At least I owned up to my mistakes! There. I said it. Can we please go get your brother from this motherfucker?"
Doctor Feelings turned to the huge turtle. "Raphael, it's your turn. Explain to Merrill how you feel."
"I don't wanna..." The box turtle raised his clipboard. "Okay! Okay! Merrill... I don't like you." understatement of the year. "You're a jerk. You're a bad influence on my brothers. You smoke. You curse. You're a wise crack. Heck, even Dad doesn't like you after you kicked the tail off him." Was there a point to this? "...but... Leo likes you... and it's painfully obvious you make him happy..." Red held the jar tighter, yet he retrained his strength enough to not damage the jar. "...and that scares me... I heard of your reputation. How you enjoy playing with your relationship; never getting serious. You had sex with them once and you broke off within a month. I don't want Leo to get hurt, especially to his first crush. If you REALLY are his friend, then please don't mess with his emotions. I will track you down and break all your metal limbs AND your bones!"
I guess in a way I get where Raph was coming from... he's just a concerned older brother. Regardless, I know there'll be a day when I do hurt Leo unintentionally. That was terrifying to think of.
"I'm a virgin..." I blurted. The turtles looked stunned at the sudden news. "It's true. I did go on thirteen relationships, however, only five of those were real. And even while in those relationships, not once did I have sex with either of them."
Raph blinked. "But... the rumors..."
"Are just rumors. The rumor started because an ex-girlfriend of mine spread it to get back at me. Instead of letting those rumors get to me, I embraced it for popularity. She didn't expect me to become the most popular guy in school."
"So, those eight fake relationships?" the soft-shell inventor asked.
"They were customers, so to speak", I explained, "I helped them gain confidence and they boost my reputation. We used each other." I turned to Raph. "I know it's a lot to take in but know this: I never rush a relationship. I like to take things slow. Your brother and I... we're..." what do I say? Friends? Comrades?
"You implied soulmates", I shivered to hear the word. Doctor Feelings continued, "soulmates entailed of a strong bond which you and Leo have. It doesn't mean there is romance right now merely a strong connection." Okay. Props to Mikey for pulling that out of his shell.
"Let's go get Leo", I said, walking away and hoping to end this emotional shit.
We entered the hotel. I noticed there was some staff rushing about with a few decorations. I zoomed my vision on the items. The scanners detected the staff was holding white fabrics and white roses. The things you would find at a wedding reception. Was someone getting hitched? I felt the intense stares from the staff. My mother warned me about it. If you feel the heat of your enemy's stare, be prepared for an ambush. I pulled Mikey back a bit.
"Stay on guard", I softly ordered, "We're entering a brawl." The ornate box turtle glanced. He didn't reply but nodded as we followed the other turtles.
We went to the elevator and the operator pressed a button. On each floor, we stopped, and more yokai entered. It was getting cramped enough that I'm surprised the elevator didn't bring it due to the heavy weight.
By the time w reached the designated level, the turtles and I burrowed our way out of the herd. I noticed the entire staff entered the dark room. Their eyes focused on us.
"Welcome back, my turtley-boos!" Big Mama greeted in her yokai form. I cringed at the nickname. Please don't include me. "Ah, and the thinly dark spawn is alive." Thin? Milf, please, I'm well built! "Did you bring it?" she scurried on her wall. I kept observing the staff. They were gathering around us. I was expecting to find Leo here. Sadly, he's not. I don't like this.
I twisted my right wrist. I was a bit relieved feeling the familiar knife between my fingers. Mikey was reaching for his mystic weapon. Raph and Donnie were speaking with Big Mama. I can't believe she got those two wrapped around her fingers. Suddenly, Mama-Boy-Xander came through the sea of staff and snatched the jar and Donnie's invention. The two turtles protested like little kids getting bullied by the big kids. The action made me grind my teeth.
"Here you are, mother", Mama's Boy offered the items like an offering.
"How marvelous! Especially with my new toy!" yep, here's the backstabbing.
"Um, it's my invention", Donnie intervened, not seeing the big picture.
"How dare you spoke to my mother out of line! You should know your place kappa vermin!" Xander's face changed as more eyes formed on his face.
"Xannie, sweetums, no angry face before the big day. My son needs to be perfect. Everything needs to be perfect", the spider woman soothed her angry son. A few seconds passed by, and his face returned to normal.
"Omigosh, a wedding! Can I cater?" Mikey beamed.
"Mike, focus", I hissed, bringing the box turtle back to reality.
"Sadly, things are planned as it is. We still have a few itty-bitty things that need preppy. You will join us at the reception later tonight." A few flashes of memory hit my head. I saw Xander licking his lips, telling me about his and his mother's plan, and he's marrying Leo?!
Oh, Hell nah!
I charged at Xander and punched him square in his jaw. Two staff members held me back. "What the fuck did you do to Leo?!" I accused struggling against their grip.
"Absolutely nothing", the green-haired dipshit said, innocently. "He can't wait to walk down the aisle."
"Then let me hear from him. In his own words through his own mouth."
Xander dramatically sighed. "Alas, Leo is getting his beauty rest. He needs all the energy he can get. He's truly perfect for me." a smile crept its way on his face. I was getting angrier by the second. I knew Donnie felt the same seeing his face scrunched.
"YOU DISGUSTING ARACHNID! HOW DARE YOU FORCE MY BROTHER TO DO SUCH AN ACT!" Donnie yelled, spinning his tech-bo.
"I'm confused. Force who and what?" Raph scratched his head. Mikey tilted his head.
"Leonardo is getting married by force!"
The two other turtles widened their eyes.
"Over my dead body!" Raph announced as he and Mike took out their weapons.
"Settle down, boys." Big Mama snapped her fingers. A large group of yokai jumped on the turtle crew. "Retrain them, but don't harm them. These are the VIPs for the wedding. Everything must be perfect. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Big Mama!" the yokai hollered. The yokai restrained them as the spider woman checked on her son's cheek.
"Mother, please, I have healing salve in my bedroom. I'll be exceptionally splendid for the reception."
"Got anything to lower that ego", I mocked. Big Mama returned to her human form... to punch my cheek.
"I could do far worse after what you had done to my son", she threatened while massaging her hand. I spat at their shoes.
"Don't lower to this scum's level", Xander said pushing his mother aside, "he is upset that I claimed someone he cannot have."
"Like hell, Leo would want to marry you", I said.
"Maybe so... unless his family was on the line... here in the Grand Nexus Hotel, family is everything."
I broke free from the yokai's grip by unleashing my Gauntlet Beta and slashed at the yokai's arms. Xander and I charged at each other. My claws were inches from his smug face... they didn't reach his face. His smirk grew. There was a pain in my midsection. I looked down seeing his entire pierce my stomach. "Would you look at that? I was faster. Not surprising. I am miles ahead of you. You don't deserve Leo's love." He leaned in close. "He wanted me to deliver a message: Fuck. You."
I knew Leo for approximately three weeks and sure, we bickered and had like two or three fights, and the only time I deserve a 'fuck you' was if I was an asshole. By my account, I wasn't and knew Xander was bullshitting. I flicked my wrist to graze his cheek.
Suddenly, my arm was ripped off! I pushed back in both shock and pain. I clutched only my arm around my bleeding stomach. My vision was fading. I weakly watched Xander inspect my metal arm. "A human with a metal limb... such trash..."
I looked down. Blood seeped through my metal fingers. Was I... going to die...? No... not yet... I need to see Leo... I need to... to...
I collapsed. Voices were mumbled. I felt numb. Come on, body, move! Stand up! I felt four arms holding my weak body. Shadows encased my body. I became engulfed in darkness. I closed my eyes.
Hopefully, I'll see Leo after I open my eyes again.