I've arrived back home with questions and doubts swarming my mind. Did I make the right decision? From what I've seen by the PD's actions, they aren't nice people, mostly Kendra, the leader. Her henchmen followed her commands like soldiers. Comparing the Purple Dragons to Leo's comrades is comparing water to oil. Leo's newfound friends are... loud; expressive; crude, not rude, well, not per se; above all, loyal. Seeing my young brother bond with his friends, their bond was evident. It tells that they would have each other's back if one of them gets in a bind.

My relationship with the PD is questionable. To be fair, I spent a day with them, and I barely know much about them. Yet, it had been a day and I'm questioning my decision. I've witnessed firsthand what their behavior was like; especially Kendra and what she did to Diana. My new jacket over my hoodie felt heavier like I'm carrying an anvil on my back. I smoothed my jacket.

Are you worth it, satin, purple jacket?

When I returned home, I was faced with a snarling snapping turtle. "Where have you been, mister?!" Raph's voice boomed across the lair as he leaned over my body with his hands on his hips, "You said April needed your help and it shouldn't take long. That was hours ago! We got a curfew! At least Leo made it on time!"

"Um, I'm sitting right here", Leo said sitting across the platform reading his comics.

"Eye roll", I said, rolling my eyes, "I was with friends."

"Don't you roll your eyes at me, young man! We were worried si... hold on, back up! You said you made friends?" Raph's mood was depleted.

"Irritated sigh. Yes, while I was at April's school, I've met a few intellectuals who are as brilliant as I." I didn't add their behaviors; testing the waters, so to speak.

Michael hopped onto our older brother's back with an excited gasp. "Donnie made friends! I wonder if I can make some too! Can I, Raph? Can I?"

Raph reached over to grab Mikey's shell with his large hand. "Settle down, little man." Mikey groaned. "Are they trustworthy, Donnie?"

"Acquaintance would be a better term. We just met", I defended(?), "I'll meet them again tomorrow."

"I don't know about this, Dee. My gut's telling me they can't be trusted."

"Was it the same gut that told you of your affection towards Alex?" Raph's face grew bright red. I knew I shouldn't say it, but I was too tired to care.

"W-w-w-wh-wha-what?! I don't have a crush on Alex!" Raph denied. "We're just friends. Good friends! Really good friends! Such good friends! Good friends with two or three age gaps!"

Mikey gasped in glee. "Oh. Me. Gosh! Raph is in love!"

"No-no-no-no-no-no-no! No love mentioned here!"

"I knew I felt a spark flared seeing how cozy you held Alex on Halloween night."

I rolled my eyes. How obvious. I didn't stop there. "Mikey is lucky enough to not meet the misfortune of trusting another individual." Our little brother's eyes shifted as though I misspoke or offended him. Once again, I could care less.

Leo had already got up and stood beside Mikey placing a hand on his shoulder. "You're crossing the line, Dee", Nardo said, glaring daggers at me.

"Let's not forget the main protagonist here! The one who started it all!" Damn, I'm on a roll of being the world's douchebag.

Leo's eyes hardened. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Don't play coy with me – with us! Meeting Merrill, you've been enamored with him since day one! Tell him how you feel and get on with it! Everyone knows how you feel! Don't drag us along with your love life."

Leo stomped close to me. "Just because you have new friends doesn't mean you can criticize my decision. Yes, I like Merrill, but it's my choice to tell him on my own time!" he let out a dark chuckle. "Why am I explaining to you? You've never had a crush on anyone real aside from your fictional characters." I wasn't going to stand there and take his insults.

I released a copy of my dark chuckle as well. "So says the turtle who had a massive crush on Jupiter Jim when we were kids. Your whole room is memorabilia dedicated to him."

Leo snarled. "You're an asshole! I swear those guys probably poison your brain or something."

"I'm certain Merrill does the same to you."

Leo harshly shoved me. "Fuck you, Donnie!"

I shoved back. "Right back at you, Leo!" No sooner than later, we were beginning to fight. Raph pulled us apart before things get crazier.

"Alright, cool it guys!" Raph yelled. "We're all tired. I think we should call it a night. Right?"

"Whatever", Leo scoffed.

"Sure", I answered with a scoff. We parted ways to our rooms. I dropped off my tech-bo and hung my jacket over it. I quickly grabbed it. I wanted to keep it close in case any "accidents" occurred.

~Lady Ai~

I rode through the city on a motorcycle. I wore my new jacket; it blew against the wind. I wore a pair of badass sunglasses. Beautiful Diana sat in front wrapping her arm around my neck. "Oh, Donnie, you're so handsome, strong, and intelligent. That jacket brings out the fierceness in your eyes", her voice soothed in her earlobe. For some reason, her voice overpowered the engine.

I gave her a smirk. "Your compliment is appreciated, darling. I love how sincere and honest you are. You are an angel sent from Heaven."

"Kiss me, you sexy beast!" I leaned down to taste the forbidden fruit. Unfortunately, a louder engine noise disturbed the moment. I looked up to see an airplane flying down. In fact, its engine was closing in. The force was pulling me in. I cried as I held my grip on the bike's handles. My grip slipped. I tried reaching for my bike again, but I couldn't. I saw Diana reaching out to grab my flailing arm. I was soon met with darkness.

I woke up with a jolt. My heart hammering against my ribcage. It wanted to break free like a wild animal. I gathered my bearings and steadied my breathing. I noticed the purple jacket beside me. I brought the piece of clothing in my line of sight. I examined the purple dragon with its red eyes. The jacket had fine intricate designs, yet it wouldn't compare to Alex's fashion designs. The costume I portrayed as the Caterpillar; I still have the outfit well-kept in its bag hanging beside my battle shells.

I nodded my head coming to a decision. Tomorrow I'll meet the Purple Dragons and excuse myself from their group. It was short-lived, I know, but the small group was not the friends I imagined myself socializing with. I was about to sleep again when my phone rang. I grabbed it. I saw April's caller ID.

"April, isn't this a little late for homework advice?" I snarked.

"Check the news, Einstein", she demanded.

I was curious about what she was implying. I checked the local news. There was a breaking news story playing. My eyes widened at the news. There were tech thieves using high-tech equipment. what shocked me the most was how identical they are. I scrambled out of bed to see all three battle shells were gone!

Those high-tech punks!

~Lady Ai~

Merrill and I were on the beach. What beach was it? I'm not sure and I didn't care. We were enjoying a nice picnic gazing at the sunset. I grabbed a strawberry from a plastic container. I was going to dip it in chocolate, but Merrill grabbed my wrist and pulled my hand to his lips. I understood what he wanted. I pushed the strawberry through his lips. His sharp, canine teeth munched on the fruit. The juices were squirted and some of it was on my fingers. Merrill's tongue trailed the juices with a slurp. My throat became dry. His eyes became primal as he leaped on me like a lion pouncing on a gazelle.

My shell hit the sand. We laughed like it wasn't a big deal. I know I wasn't in danger, even with my best friend's sudden animal instinct. I was at ease. He nuzzled me in my neck. I heard soft growls like a wanted puppy. I wrapped my arms around his neck pulling him closer.

"Mine", he mumbled.

"Mine", I copied. I pushed him back. Merrill stared into my eyes with confusion. "Merrill", I started, "there's something I wanted to tell you. I've wanted to say this for a while now, and I know this might be too soon."

"I think I know what you wanted to say", he said, "and I feel the same way."

"Merrill... I... I... I love-"

"Hurry up already!" We both jolted. We spotted an unexpected spectator. Light as my copy sitting on the hill with a bag of popcorn. "This is longer than watching maple syrup drip."

My eye twitched. "Do you mind?! We want to be alone here!" I yelled as I was still lying on the sand.

"But I'm bored!" Light complained, "And your romance is dull. Rather sad, isn't it? Even in your dreams you couldn't utter those three words to him." he mindlessly popped popcorn into his mouth.

I shoved Merrill's face away in annoyance much to my friend's groan as I sat up. "For your information, Mr. Know-it-All, I have said those words to him!"

"Saying them as your lover was unconscious does not count in my book."

I really wanted to punch, strangle, or stab the living shit out of him probably all three if it comes down to it. "Why are you here? Can't you bother someone that's not me? Like Misa! I'm sure she wouldn't mind talking to you."

"Misa is too busy walking down memory lane. I wanted to see what was in your dreamscape. Sadly, I was disappointed. Out with it already. Your dark friend feels the same. It's a matter of taking the first step."

Great! First Donnie. Now Light. Who's next? Is my father giving me love advice, too? "Of course, I wanted to say it!" I admitted, "I wanted to so much! But... well... things happen..."

"I see... you're afraid", Light told me.

I wanted to decline his statement, but since Light and Misa inhabit my body there wasn't a point in lying. Yeah... I'm afraid... afraid of losing my best friend whether he neglects my affection or he disappears without telling me. I'm afraid in general. "What are you doing here?" I repeated, changing the topic, "I mean you said you're never going to let me use your power or even bother to teach me. What's the point in confronting me now?" Light and I shared a hard glare. It was two minutes in when Light looked away with a scoff. God, he's such a brat!

"I heard you met an earlier acquaintance of your beloved. I felt the uneasiness and searched through your memories." Wow. Talk about personal space. Invading my memories without permission was uncalled for. "You disliked Kendra not only for having an earlier relationship with your dear friend but for having the knowledge to her advantage. Cocky for a little girl."

"Like you're one to talk", I mumbled.

"Therefore, if she ever decides to overstep her boundaries, I will consider a temporary truce."

I blinked. "In other words?"

"Meaning, you dolt, I will consider you using my abilities when the time is right." my eyes widened. Holy sweet cheese!

"Really!" I squealed, "I get to learn magic! Yay!"

Light stood up and walked over to me. "Unless... you give me a proper confession. I want an honest confession. Even if it's in a dream world, a confession is all the same." I gulped. I was planning on it anyway without an audience. Now... ho, boy. I didn't expect to be pressured. "No pressure."

"Not reassuring", I commented. I took a deep breath and looked at my friend who was standing there the whole time. I knew it was a dream. I knew it the whole time. I wanted to have this moment without anybody bothering us. I walked up to him. "Merrill... my strong Merrill..." I cupped his cheek. "I know you're not real... you're a figment of my imagination... regardless I wanted to say... I love you... maybe one day... I'll tell you in person... but for now... I think this should be enough..."

Merrill gently grabbed my hand and kissed it. "I feel the same way, Leo." He vanished like sand blowing in the wind.

"...right..." I looked down sadly letting my arm drop. I wished that was true.

"I guess that's suffice."

I turned to Light. "Entertained enough?"

Light tapped my forehead. "It's enough... for now..." a shock went through my brain bringing me back to reality.

I jumped out of my bed. I groaned rubbing my face. Could've warned a turtle. Such a bastard. I looked at the time. Great... two a.m. not much sleep there. Oh well. I was used to it. I decided to go grab a cup of coffee.

I trudged to the kitchen making a nice cup of Joe. I brought the cup over to my room until I heard noises coming from Dee's room. I contemplated if I should go investigate or head to my room. I'm still a bit peeved at my brother. I sighed. Curiosity got the better of me and headed to Donnie's room. I leaned against the doorframe seeing my smart brother scurrying around the room.

"Problem, Dee", I asked, sipping my drink.

Donnie noticed my presence. He opened his mouth to speak then he closed it. He immediately stood in my line of sight with his hands on my shoulders. "I need your help, Nardo."

I didn't expect that.