Holy fuckity fuck nuggets! I have a fucking headache! I woke up to a loud ringing in my ears. My body ached with a heavy soreness. I really woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

"Finally awake, are we?" a booming voice echoed through the darkness. I willed my eyes to open. The brightness didn't help my vision. "Hangover. Consider that your punishment for starting a fight in the tavern. I told you resorting to alcoholism can lead to consequences. All for what? Jealousy? Sit, but slowly." I manually obeyed as I was handed a cup of warm liquid. "I thought I raised you better than that. Drink this. And take your time. Let the medicine process. I swear, where have I gone wrong?" His voice sounded familiar. I can't place my finger on it. "It's as though I never raised you in the first place."

I drank my tea. This shit is nasty, but I felt my headache lessen. Whatever he put in this, it was kicking in fast. I let this man continue his scolding for the last few minutes as I enjoyed his disgusting concoction; the aftertaste wasn't that bad.

"I know hearing the news of your childhood friend getting married must have been shocking, but it was decided long ago." Childhood friend? Is Kendra getting hitched? Eh, it's not my problem. "You need to accept Beauty's engagement." Beauty? I don't recall having a friend named Beauty.

The brightness dimmed as my vision became clear. Pacing back and forth was a yokai (I think) with purple skin, a chiseled jawline, and well-built muscles. He did look like someone I knew. Who did he look like? "Do I know you?"

The yokai stopped pacing to stare at me. He sighed. "Do I need to remind you of who your father is? Perhaps I need to do a diagnosis before releasing you out of bed rest." He came close with a stethoscope.

I gently pushed him back. "I'm fine! Just dandy!" with closer inspection, he really did look like... "Baron Draxom?"

"Baron?" Barry asked, "I am not a baron. I am a simple doctor taking care of a human child abandoned by his family. No one in the village calls me baron unless they refer to me as Baron of Medicine."

I slowly backed away. "That medicine worked like magic! I feel like a new man! I need some fresh air!"

Barry noticed my change in behavior. "Why are you leaving? I did not give you permission to leave!"

"Believe me I'm good! Bye, Felicia!" I yelled, darting out the door. I ran down the morning crowd.

"Merrill! I am Draxum, not Felicia!" I heard him call after me.

I maneuvered through the busy streets. Humans and yokai fraternize in harmony. My eyes wandered through the surroundings. I was in a small village in the countryside. Something doesn't feel right. I ran behind a house and jumped onto its roof. I watched Barry run past the house I was hiding. I released a relieved sigh. I looked over the horizon. I covered my eyes from the morning sun. I gasped. My hand. My arm; my arms! I pulled my pants up. They weren't metal! My eyes were... normal! What?

What's going on here? I know I don't live in a village. I know Barry isn't my father (even though he's more caring). I know my limbs weren't flesh and bone! I don't remember anything! It feels natural, yet it's not. I don't know!

Think, Merrill! Fucking think! What do you remember?!

…

…

… Leo! I know I was with him! I hope he's here...

Over the small stone bridge, over a river, was a cottage with a water wheel that gave me an idea. I hopped from rooftop to rooftop. Thank goodness I have accuracy and dexterity. I managed to land in a bakery and slinked down.

I checked my surroundings before revealing myself. "Merrill? Is that you?" I stared at a pig yokai. Mind you, it's not Meat Sweats. "You're looking lively! Off to see Beauty! Young love! Do try not to sway him. He is betrothed after all."

I still have no clue what he's on about. "I'll... keep that in mind", I said, politely leaving the pig baker. I guess I'm visiting Beauty whoever he is. Maybe he'll give me some insight. As I walked to the cottage, I heard the villagers whispering about me saying I'm a troublemaker; a rapscallion; a lost cause. It's like I never left home.

I made it to the cottage. I took a deep breath as I raised my hand to knock. Was this a good idea? For all I know, I could be chasing my tail without realizing it. No, a lead's lead. Without any more doubt, I knocked on the wooden door. It opened to reveal another face. A slender mutant turtle with a purple mask over his head and wearing an old-fashioned pair of goggles.

"Donnie?" I spoke.

"Merrill! You're awake! Beauty will be ecstatic to see you!" Donnie exclaimed. Again, that Beauty name.

"It's good to be awake, Dee. Hey, is Beauty home? I need to speak to him."

Donnie blinked before threateningly narrowing his eyes. "Do NOT provoke my brother. His engagement is the best thing for this village. We NEED the protection!" he sneered.

I quirked an eyebrow. "Protection? From what? This village looks serene and peaceful."

The genius turtle had the nerve to roll his eyes, which is weird I was expecting him to monologue his action. "Has the concussion damaged your memory?"

"Somewhat", I answered with a white lie, "I was hoping a walk around our town would help jog my memory." And maybe give me some insight into what's going on.

"Who is that at the door, Donatello?" an elderly turtle shuffled next to Donnie. He walked with a wooden cane and was barely holding his feet up.

"Father, there's no need to move. It's Merrill." Hold up! This old tortoise is his dad! I'm calling BULLSHIT!

"Who?"

"You know. Merrill. You call him Merriweather once." There's no way this old fart is going to remember me with that.

"Merriweather!" Fuck me sideways; I'd much prefer Goth Boy. "I heard you were sick! How are you, my boy?"

Fine. I'll indulge him. "I'm doing good. I feel like a new man!" So to speak. "Um... is Beauty here?"

"Oh... OH! Oh... who is Beauty?" I am a pinch away from shoving my way into the house.

"Your son, Papa!" Donnie yelled closely.

"Son? I have a son?" Oh. My. God. This was more agonizing than the headache.

"Yes! You have four! Me, Michaelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo who is Beauty!" Leo's Beauty? I should've seen that coming. Who the fuck am I portrayed?

"What is all the shouting? I could hear you from upstairs." In comes the muscle machine Raph and the energetic fireball Mikey. Raph saw me and frowned. "Oh. You're awake. Wish it was longer", Raph drawled. Great. Back to the good old days when the Big Guy hates my guts.

Mikey jumped onto Raph's shoulders. "Merrill! It's good to see you! I've missed you! I know Beauty does too."

"Michaelangelo. We need to leave. We have school to attend. We barely have enough time before reaching adulthood", Donnie told his younger brother. "Raphael needs to go to his post. It's his first day as a hunter, and he cannot afford to miss the opportunity."

I took a step back. "Okay. I can take a hint. I'll come back later." I retreated, but I hid behind the water concealing my body in the shadow. I bid my time.

The three brothers came out of their little house. "Make sure that troublemaker doesn't get an inch close to Beauty", Donnie ordered his two brothers like a ringleader. I narrowed my eyes. Are they really going through the trouble of meeting their brother? This has sus material. "We cannot afford to lose this opportunity."

"If I see him anywhere near him, he will be answering to my rifle", Raph said, cocking his gun.

"I thought you were going to hunt", Mikey said.

"I am!" The big guy bolted like a marathon runner.

And the last and final turtle stepped outside. Was it me or was Leo glowing? Damn. He's... stunning. Holy shit! My palms are sweaty! "Why was there yelling? I checked Dad and he kept mentioning Merriweather."

"Nothing to worry about! Merrill came by!" Mikey answered.

"He came over?"

Donnie stepped forward as he glared at Mikey. "He did and left suddenly. He wanted to borrow some sugar."

"Oh…"

"On second thought, you should stay home with Papa! You're getting married soon and be a housewife to Gregory." Gregory? What a lame name. "School would not be your trouble", Donnie explained. Leo's face lowered.

"Oh... Gregory... I'm getting married... yay", my friend cheered with as much enthusiasm as a child going to his first dental appointment without a tantrum.

Donnie wrapped his arm around his depressed brother. "Dearest little brother, think of this as a golden opportunity for a better life. Someone strong. Handsome. And less of a nuisance than that troublemaker." Um, excuse you, bitch! You're lucky I'm not over there clawing your eyes out!

Leo smiled. "You're right, Dee! I should focus on being a househusband and start practicing pleasing my man." I know that was forced.

"That's the spirit! Come along, Angelo!"

"Bye, Beauty!" Mikey and Don walked down the trail. As soon as they were gone from sight, I snuck behind Leo and pulled him to the shadows. I covered his mouth from yelling, but he elbowed my stomach. I am plainly pissed.

"Fuck! That hurts!"

"Merrill? Is that you?"

"No, I'm Marilyn Monroe. Of course, it's me!" I hissed massaging my abdomen. "God, Lee! You've got a sharp elbow!"

"To be fair, it's common sense to struggle when someone decides to grab you from behind."

"Noted." I stood up straight to look Leo in the eyes. I was breathless. I couldn't describe it in words. His eyes were bluer than blue. He wore a simple white fabric shirt, light brown trousers, and a blue vest that complemented his mask. A red rose was pinned to his right side on his mask.

"Merrill? You in there?" I blinked out of my stupor to see his hand waving in my vision.

"Yeah... yeah... I'm good. Question. Were you always this bright?"

"What?"

"Nevermind. We're together and now we can jet. So vamanos!"

"...It's not that easy..."

"Why?"

"We're trapped here. On the bright side, we're not alone."

Before I said anything, a light blue bunny jumped out the window. "Master!" I dodged the surprise attack. It was Mrs. Cuddles who was pulling herself up. "We're together again!" She hugged my leg.

"I didn't think Cuddles would have it in her to trap us."

"Your fangirl isn't behind it. She had a mission to get to you and promises to rescue you as your doting slave", Leo told me, "The icing on the cake, is she's not alone."

"Who else is there?" To answer my question, something slimy landed on my head. I was disgusted by the texture. I yanked the thing off. I was met with an abnormally big worm with large green eyes and red pupils and the smallest yet biggest head of hair I've ever seen. Wait, Marge Simpson holds the record. I dropped the worm without care.

He jumped up with a sudden energy after that drop. "Ah ha! Beware of your archnemesis! Me! Warren Stone!"

I gave Leo a questionable eyebrow quirk. "Who?"

"He's a mutant worm that I sliced in half before. I think he introduced me and my brothers to Hypno", my friend explained.

The mutant worm slapped his face in disbelief. "It's funny I know you simpletons better than you do yourself." Mrs. Cuddles was busy poking at the large beehive of hair which was about the same size as the worm. "Stop playing with my hair! I told you once and I'll say many times before! It's not a toy!" Warren yelled at the rabbit.

"But it's so puffy!" she said, gleefully.

"This is our backup?" I asked in disbelief, "A worm and demon puppet? Sounds like a Saturday morning cartoon."

Leo shrugged. "Beggars can't be choosers. It's all we've got. Plus, we have more pressing matters at hand."

"Oh, lay it on me, baby, 'cause I live for bad news."

Leo bit his lips. "...this isn't our first time..."

I blinked. "Come again."

"Worm Boy."

The tiny mutant frowned. "My name isn't Worm Boy. Alright! Listen up, Goth Boy!" Yeah, I missed that nickname. "This isn't the first occurrence we transpired."

"Okay...? What, is this the third or fourth time?"

Cuddles bounced on top of my head. "Oh, Master! You're so funny! But I think it's ten... maybe thirteen...?"

"It's 378 times."

My eyes popped as I looked at Warren. If I was drinking something, I would do a spit-take right there. "Huh?"

"This is the 378th time we're in this cycle", Warren crossed his tiny arms while explaining the situation. "Long story short, we're trapped inside the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast"; however, in this version, the Beast is portrayed as a carnivorous villain who comes here slaughtering anyone who's by themselves. His main target is Beauty, but he won't get a chance since Leo is surrounded by people constantly. Gregory, Beauty's fiancée, is the town's hero and is sworn to protect the town and its people from the Beast. The good news is with each cycle we're getting closer to getting out of here. The bad news is we still have no clue what it is."

There goes the hope I was holding on to. "And I stretched the fact that these are our backups. So... your brothers?"

"Not really. Someone is going through thick and thin to make them accurate", Leo said, wrapping his arms around himself, "Not to mention, I've only remembered bits and pieces. Do you remember anything before waking up?"

I gave it some thought. I only remembered waking up with a huge ass migraine. "Sorry, Lee, nada. Hell, I don't remember starting a bar fight and winning. I don't even remember having my arm damaged", I emphasized by raising my bandaged forearm.

"There's more."

"Fantastic! More bad news! That's what we need! Lay it on me!"

"We... have no powers... didn't you notice our lack of mental connection? I don't have my sword and I couldn't get a grasp of Light or Misa." Now that I think about it...

I have no prosthetics; I have no link to my dark powers; I just notice I have no connections to Roku or Dark, not even telekinetically linked with Leo. I'm an average Joe.

"We're screwed..."