I woke up groggy staring at my bedroom ceiling. My bedroom was dark due to my black curtains covering the windows. My prosthetics felt heavier than usual. How did I end up here? I narrowed my eyes trying to piece together the events earlier. Let's see... I was kicking myself after that fucking brat hacked my brain, I called Leo, and went to his place with the sluts, we all were dressed as cat girl maids thanks to Alex, we experienced Red's fear of a puppet rabbit... did I die...?

I jolted sitting up. I became a fucking dark monster! I stared at my hands. Yeah... Leo brought me back... I rushed back home and yelled at the servants to leave. I kept hearing voices until... fuck! I got possessed! I thought I got the hang of this dark mystic art shit. I never imagined I would be consumed by their temptations.

How did I get out of it?

I heard the door handle jiggle. In walks Leo carrying a tray. He saw me awake and gave me a soft smile. "Morning, Sunshine." Despite my dark room, Leo's presence brightened the area. He set the tray on my lap. I looked at the meal. It was a simple breakfast with a plate of scrambled eggs, a glass of orange juice, and a slice of toast. A small blue vase that held a single little purple flower. I couldn't help but smile at the gesture. "Mike found the kitchen and made breakfast... I told him I wanted to do yours 'cause you have that food allergy..."

I lifted an eyebrow. "My allergies to pineapples? Was he cooking anything with pineapples?"

The slider looked away as he tugged his mask tails. "...well... no..."

"Awe. You wanted to make me breakfast in bed. You're such a good housewife."

He gave me a glare. "You're lucky I didn't put pineapples. I'm the one who brought you here and took care of your unconscious body." I inspected my body. I was bare-chested and in my boxer shorts. I touched my stomach. I know I should've noticed this before but there wasn't a scar visible. Mama's Boy literally punctured me. I can't believe I never thought about it.

"Didn't I get pierced?" I found myself asking.

"Um... about that..." I looked at Leo who was rubbing his neck. "You're not the only one who gained special powers..." I quirked an eyebrow. "I recently figured out that I can heal. Pretty cool, huh?" He can heal. That's interesting... I picked up the fork and inspected it. An idea struck my mind. "Don't even think about it", he said, hearing my idea.

"I just want to see how legit it is", I shrugged, saying it like it's not a big deal. I wanted to see how strong his healing factor was. I twirled the utensil around my knuckles and between my fingertips. "I'll make a long cut – it won't be long so don't get your shell in a twist. It shouldn't be a big deal." I was ready to plunge the fork into my chest, but Leo lunged causing me to knock the tray to the floor.

He held my hand with trembling hands. "Please don't... I lost you twice. Don't make it a third time." images flashed in my mind. He cried over my body... holy shit... I was supposed to die. By some miracle, Leonardo brought me back. I have gotten careless. I loosened my grip dropping the fork onto the bed sheets. Leo looked up. I noticed how close we've gotten. His face was inches close to mine. The slender turtle yelped and jumped a little too quickly, almost falling backward if I hadn't grabbed his waist. I pulled him closer until his plastron was up against my chest. His hands lay on my shoulders. We held our gaze. Neither of us dared to move an inch. The slider was gazing between my eyes and then to my lips before gently pushing me away. "Just... don't do things like that. How many times do I have to remind you that you have people who care about you?"

Whatever I've done this time wasn't a pretty site. "How bad was I?" I asked softly. Leo avoided my stare, but I cupped his chin and gently faced his face forward. "On a scale of one to ten, how bad was I?"

Leo released a long sigh as he laid his hand over mine. 'It doesn't matter. What's important is that you're here?' I laid my forehead against his and focused on his memories. I saw images of myself shrouded in darkness becoming a fucking Wolfman! I was greedy and possessive! I was willing to take over the world and kill anyone standing in my way. I nearly held Leo captive because I wanted him to rule beside me. Talk about egotism.

"You weren't egotistical."

I scoffed. "Lee, I became the Yandere of Darkness", I said, pushing us apart. I got out of bed stretching my back. I was satisfied hearing a loud crack. "Not to mention, I was going to kill our friends and your brothers without hesitation. If that doesn't scream villain, I don't know what does."

"You weren't in control..."

"Exactly. I wasn't in control." I punched my wardrobe leaving a gaping hole. I could feel Leo's body tense despite not being close. I felt pathetic. Is this how I was going to live my life? Becoming a mindless puppet or being someone's an obedient mutt? Whether someone hacks my brain or my powers gaining my free will, I have no say whatsoever.

I flinched feeling a soft touch on my upper arm close to the shoulder. I looked into his eyes. "Your life is yours to live. No one can tell you how to live it." His eyes were sharp and intense. "I know you will find a way to overcome anything."

I focused on his eyes. "I just noticed something..." he blinked. "...your eyes... are a darker shade of blue."

He frowned. "Seriously? I gave you some life advice and you're complimenting my eyes? I think you are still in need of bed rest." I grinned. I just had another idea. "Don't you dare!" Within seconds, I grabbed Leo and dragged him to my bed. He struggled throughout the ordeal. "Merrill! I swear I'll kick you between the legs! I was already in bed with Leo on top of me. He grabbed a pillow and tried to cover my face. "I'm going to smother you with your pillow!"

"Oh yes! Smother me with your pillows! Your rock-hard pillows!" I laughed at his attempt. Suddenly, my door opened. We looked at the person standing at the door. Lydia. Ah, fuck.

"This isn't what it looks like", we found ourselves saying.

The brunette blinked out of her stupor. "Of course, we were wondering how you're feeling. I guess Leonardo was the cure after all. I relay the others. Carry on." she left. We separated with flustered faces. That was embarrassing. With the heavy awkwardness in the air, I wore a long sleeve gray top and baggy black pants. We walked in unison where the others were at.

They were lunging into the living room. I noticed Raph was trying to talk to Alex, but they were more intrigued by doodling on their sketchpad. Katie, Lydia, and April were chatting away on a sofa. Donnie was busy tweaking something... wait is that my flamethrower?! And Mikey's absence; I might have an idea.

I was immediately blinded by something soft. "Master! You're awake!" I yanked off the thing to see Mrs. Cuddles bandaged around her belly. "Oh, Master! You were amazing! Your mystic abilities were phenomenal! You had the darkness in the palm of your hands! You were truly the Shadow King!"

I looked at the others for an explanation. "Apparently, you missed some vital organs when you became Dark Merrill", April said, "She's been gushing about you since. You got yourself a little fangirl."

"Fantastic", I said, unamused tossing the rabbit over my shoulder causing her to get smack into the wall. I just gained Kon. Was this how Ichigo felt?

"How are you feeling, Merry Bear?" Alex asked, shoving their pad in Raph's face.

"Like shit", I replied. I can't keep holding this in. If we are a team, I need to tell them everything... okay, not everything, just the essentials.

'What are you talking about?'

I gave Leo an apologetic look. I'm sorry.

Leo's eyes widened. 'Are you telling them about our link?'

That and something else.

'What's more, is there?'

I looked over to the group who were staring at us in silence. I took a deep breath. "Guys, I know you've noticed something weird going on between me and Lee, and it's true. During the month we've known each other, we can read each other's thoughts. And by that, I mean we have a telepathic connection."

It grew quiet, until "Well... that explains a lot", Donnie spoke, "Especially how Nardo asked Michael about that little experiment in the kitchen."

"You were there?!" Lee exclaimed.

"Obviously, I was on my way to get a cup of water."

"So, what about the whole soulmate's spiel back at the hotel?" Raph bravely asked.

The girls, plus Alex, gasped in unison.

Mikey came in carrying a tray of French toast. "What's this about soulmates?"

I sighed. It was now or never. "Alright, I need to get this out of the way. You probably won't believe me but either way, I need to get this out of my chest." I took a deep breath. "Leo and I are descendants of two soulmates destined to be together. I promised Roku – the ghost guy – I would reunite with his lost lover who is inside Leonardo. I don't know how, but I'm sure we'll figure something out. Also, we have a telepathic link where we can communicate via minds. We haven't tested out the distance yet. Hopefully, we'll figure it out on the way."

The living room got quiet. It was a long, uncomfortable silence. I glanced at Leo who was shaking and growing pale.

"I... I... need some air..." before he went to the exit, I grabbed his arm and pulled him to the library. I made sure to shut the door for privacy. Leo didn't say anything. Hell, he didn't even put up a fight.

"Please say something." I pleaded.

"What do you want me to say, Merrill? Should I be jumping for joy at this discovery or be angry about this hidden information? Give me a reason why I should believe you?" I knew he would be like this. "Like what? Huh? A realist?"

"See. This is why I didn't bring it up, especially after the whole Gumbus shit. You don't believe in ghosts."

"That's right. I don't. Do you know why? Because they don't exist!"

"We're already going in circles again. We've met demons, mutants – candid you and your fam who have magic weapons..."

"Excuse you, dear sir. My staff is made of titanium alloy." Lee and I glared at the interrupting soft shell. "What? I just want to point that out." Donnie left us so we could continue our discussion.

"Right, besides Donatello, you and your brothers..."

"And April!"

My eyebrow twitched as I went over to the doorway. "Why don't you stick your snout into your brother's asshole, pendejo!" I slammed the door shut. I turned to the slider who was looking elsewhere. I heavily sighed. "Lee, I'm trying to make a point here."

"To what? To get me to be a ghost believer? I could accept the fact that we have a connection; I can accept that there's something bigger going on; I can believe that our life is getting stranger day by day."

"Okay... then why are you doubting me?" Leo hugged himself tightly. "Lee..."

"Please... just don't look at me..."

"Why?"

"Because... I'll..." 'I'll be melted away.' I tilted my head. "I... we need to go home."

I blinked. "What? So soon?"

"I need... I need space..." why does it sound like we're breaking up? "We're not -! We weren't in a relationship!" ouch. That stung. By the expression Leo was giving off, he didn't mean it either. "This is a lot to handle. I need to think things through. This whole thing is overwhelming." he messaged in his head. I felt his migraine. I nodded. I understood. This was overwhelming. Maybe some time apart will be good for us. "Yeah... I'll text you or something." He exited the library.

I watched him leave. That that he knows... what's next?

What's our next move?

"Leo!" I yelled; the slider paused but didn't turn, "Look me in the eyes and tell me you haven't seen any visions of the past!"

He spun around. "I'll see you later..." and with that, I saw him speaking with his brothers and April. I just stood there and watched feeling hollow.

Did I do the right thing?