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ginsu_master"SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII--"
Leonardo does not make a habit of cursing.
Shouting expletives when someone has left a bucket of pudding above your door that proceeds to fall on your head just leads down the path to more shouting expletives (and worse than pudding).
"--IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!"
But, he thinks he can make an exception here.
Right, still falling.
Still falling.
Well.
This is not at all what he expected the inside of the Lost and Found box would be like. Honestly, he had not really thought what the inside of the box would look like. He didn't lose things often, and therefore, had not thought about the existence of the box beyond a few jokes from his brothers. Really, he should learn to stop doing that. As soon as he gets home, he should make a list of things he should think about the inside of, how to escape the inside of, and how not to fall into/be trapped in the inside of that he would not normally ever think about the inside of.
...well, that was a good diversion.
Still falling.
The inside of the Lost and Found box is... well, there isn't really an "inside", as far as Leo can figure out. It is just a big, black void.
Well, that isn't true. It is a big, black void, but there are things floating in the void. Sometimes falling with him for a period of time, sometimes he rushes straight past them and only has a vague impression of a red police box or a saucer shaped craft. He swore he saw a giant, green vine growing out of the void at one point.
Swords and guns like to fall with him for the longest time, he has observed. It was hard not to reach out and touch a shining long sword that gave off an aura of purity, but he held himself at bay. Who knows what destiny he would find himself chained to, if he did that. Don would be sad to have miss the giant mechbot (it waved good by when Leo finally sped past).
The cat was the strangest thing. It was a fat tabby with mismatched eyes. It would appear and disappear, sometimes sleeping peacefully on a falling chair, other times leaping from one side of the void to the other, glaring at Leo the entire time. At one point, it sat on a falling dressing table, glaring at him for what he was sure for hours. Then, it jumped into the void and he had not seen it since.
The giant purple glowing mushrooms were not something he wished to experience again. Leo rubs at his arms and still thinks there might be some of the glowing fungus might be still on him.
Ug. Things he has discovered: astral katanas can cut giant, purple glowing mushrooms just as well as real ones. Good thing to add to the list of "important facts to remember when inside of things you do not normally plan to be inside of". That would be #182.
He hates mad hatters.
He is friends with Miyamoto Usagi, so he knows he only hates that particular rabbit.
Really, though, he hates mad hatters.
Leo is not entirely sure how long he has been falling, but it has been a Long Period Of Time.
He has added a few new things to his "important facts to remember when inside of things you do not normally plan to be inside of" list.
#196: Don't pet the cat, no matter how much it bothers you to pet it.
#208: Do not talk to the potato.
#217: Robots are people, too. Always be polite.
#218: Except when they have rocket launchers.
#219: Or nuclear warheads.
#231: If it has a giant sign on it that says "drink me", DON'T DRINK IT. No matter how much the teapot might yell at you.
#263: Talking teapots are bastards.
#265: Talking furniture are also bastards.
#266: So are beachballs that won't stop smacking him.
#289: Do not answer riddles form purple ocelots. They are not just making conversation.
#291: Orange ocelots are just as frustrating as purple ones.
#301: It's always poison, never tea.
One moment, he was in the void, as he had been for... he doesn't know for how long, to be honest.
Suddenly, there was a grey, washed out sky and he was falling with a sense of gravity.
"CRA--"
And Leonardo crash lands, face first into hard (actual real ) dirt.
The beachball bounces off the top of his head and lands next to him.
Leonardo does not make a habit of cursing.
Shouting expletives when someone has left a bucket of pudding above your door that proceeds to fall on your head just leads down the path to more shouting expletives (and worse than pudding).
"--IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!"
But, he thinks he can make an exception here.
Right, still falling.
Still falling.
Well.
This is not at all what he expected the inside of the Lost and Found box would be like. Honestly, he had not really thought what the inside of the box would look like. He didn't lose things often, and therefore, had not thought about the existence of the box beyond a few jokes from his brothers. Really, he should learn to stop doing that. As soon as he gets home, he should make a list of things he should think about the inside of, how to escape the inside of, and how not to fall into/be trapped in the inside of that he would not normally ever think about the inside of.
...well, that was a good diversion.
Still falling.
The inside of the Lost and Found box is... well, there isn't really an "inside", as far as Leo can figure out. It is just a big, black void.
Well, that isn't true. It is a big, black void, but there are things floating in the void. Sometimes falling with him for a period of time, sometimes he rushes straight past them and only has a vague impression of a red police box or a saucer shaped craft. He swore he saw a giant, green vine growing out of the void at one point.
Swords and guns like to fall with him for the longest time, he has observed. It was hard not to reach out and touch a shining long sword that gave off an aura of purity, but he held himself at bay. Who knows what destiny he would find himself chained to, if he did that. Don would be sad to have miss the giant mechbot (it waved good by when Leo finally sped past).
The cat was the strangest thing. It was a fat tabby with mismatched eyes. It would appear and disappear, sometimes sleeping peacefully on a falling chair, other times leaping from one side of the void to the other, glaring at Leo the entire time. At one point, it sat on a falling dressing table, glaring at him for what he was sure for hours. Then, it jumped into the void and he had not seen it since.
The giant purple glowing mushrooms were not something he wished to experience again. Leo rubs at his arms and still thinks there might be some of the glowing fungus might be still on him.
Ug. Things he has discovered: astral katanas can cut giant, purple glowing mushrooms just as well as real ones. Good thing to add to the list of "important facts to remember when inside of things you do not normally plan to be inside of". That would be #182.
He hates mad hatters.
He is friends with Miyamoto Usagi, so he knows he only hates that particular rabbit.
Really, though, he hates mad hatters.
Leo is not entirely sure how long he has been falling, but it has been a Long Period Of Time.
He has added a few new things to his "important facts to remember when inside of things you do not normally plan to be inside of" list.
#196: Don't pet the cat, no matter how much it bothers you to pet it.
#208: Do not talk to the potato.
#217: Robots are people, too. Always be polite.
#218: Except when they have rocket launchers.
#219: Or nuclear warheads.
#231: If it has a giant sign on it that says "drink me", DON'T DRINK IT. No matter how much the teapot might yell at you.
#263: Talking teapots are bastards.
#265: Talking furniture are also bastards.
#266: So are beachballs that won't stop smacking him.
#289: Do not answer riddles form purple ocelots. They are not just making conversation.
#291: Orange ocelots are just as frustrating as purple ones.
#301: It's always poison, never tea.
One moment, he was in the void, as he had been for... he doesn't know for how long, to be honest.
Suddenly, there was a grey, washed out sky and he was falling with a sense of gravity.
"CRA--"
And Leonardo crash lands, face first into hard (actual real ) dirt.
The beachball bounces off the top of his head and lands next to him.
no subject
on 2012-03-15 08:48 pm (UTC)Where, where, where? he repeats to himself.
The trees limbs overhead look like they've grown closer together. The beachball is almost vibrating under his arm.
He can feel something watching him right now. If he looked too long out into the forest, he is sure he could see glowing eyes reflected back at him.
"There."
And he heads further down the path, sure he has picked the right direction.
no subject
on 2012-03-15 08:58 pm (UTC)Lucky for Leo, he doesn't have far to go in that regard.
Again the ground beneath him shifts, this time with every footfall. Asphalt to dirt road, dirt road to yellow brick, yellow brick to well worn path, well worn path to gravel.
"HOLY HIPPO SPIT, LEO! I'M OVER HERE!"
The voice is louder now, less drowned out by the cacophony which has begun to now cry his name.
Leo!
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on 2012-03-16 07:16 pm (UTC)He drops the beachball and runs at the sound of Mike's voice, unsheathing both swords as he goes. Family in trouble, HE IS COMING.
"Mike, I'm coming! Stay where you are!"
Entirely ignoring the constantly changing landscape and insistent cries of his name that echos through out the forest/farmland/cityscape, he just runs. As quickly as his feet will carry him.
no subject
on 2012-03-16 07:33 pm (UTC)On the right, high above the street level, is a blue sign with white lettering.
Service Area
2 Miles
Next Area 21 Miles
Half way between the sign and its advertised destination walks an idea, almost entirely intangible save for its Hawaiian shirt.
no subject
on 2012-03-16 07:46 pm (UTC)Leo is running full tilt.
Monster not in front of him, that means the monster is behind him. Right. Must go faster.
"Running is a good plan right now!"
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on 2012-03-16 07:55 pm (UTC)In fact it doesn't look like Mike, or what can be seen of him, is doing much. Just ambling along along with his easy loping gait as always.
The growl gets louder, and with it the cries of both of their names. The voices are borrowed from those they've met, loved, and protected.
But mostly they come from the voices of those they've failed.
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on 2012-03-16 08:07 pm (UTC)He huffs again. He can do this for a good bit longer, but not forever. "How long have you been running? Can you fight at all?"
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on 2012-03-16 08:14 pm (UTC)It sounds as if he's fighting back a sob.
"I didn't...I didn't think anyone would come. I'm so sorry, Leo. I'm so so sorry."
YOU SHOULD BE!
NOT AS SORRY AS YOU WILL BE!
THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!
no subject
on 2012-03-17 02:28 am (UTC)Huff, huff. "Why--why are you--sorry? You--you--"
YOU WEREN'T FAST ENOUGH.
NEVER GOOD ENOUGH! LOOK, SOMEONE IS SUFFERING BECAUSE YOU WERE TOO BUSY MAKING LISTS.
YOUR BROTHER. YOUR BABY BROTHER!
The guilt is bone need. While he was playing in some void hole, Mike was here being chased by a monster, convinced his family had abandoned him.
I am disappointed, Leonardo. Your brothers depend on your example. His father's voice, now. Not just the ever present voice in his head.
no subject
on 2012-03-17 03:31 am (UTC)"It...it was my fault. All of it, my fault," he says between breaths. "The bar wasn't ready. No one was prepared. And everything with Abigail...my fault.
...
I don't even know what I did..."
OH YOU KNOW. YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID. AND THAT'S WHY I'M GONE, AND NEVER COMING BACK.
"...she's gone."
His voice is grows more and more faint.
no subject
on 2012-03-17 03:36 am (UTC)He and Mike dodge around a pillar on the side of the highway and quickly come back together.
"The bar is fine! We're cleaning up, things are messy, but everything--"
Yeah, some leader YOU are. You were even THERE.
YOU GOT LOST FOR A DAY. YOU CAN'T EVEN COME OUT OF THE DOOR AT THE RIGHT TIME.
How can you lead them if you can not lead yourself in the right direction?
Leo shakes his head and shouts, "This isn't normal!"
no subject
on 2012-03-17 03:42 am (UTC)From behind them the darkness grows.
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on 2012-03-17 03:50 am (UTC)YOU WOULD LET US DIE.
Everyone. Every last one of us. You know you would, if you had to make that choice, you would--
"ENOUGH."
The voices aren't silent. If anything, they grow into a chorus. His brothers screaming, his father's disappoint. Every person that asked him for help and just fell too short of the mark. The Shredder, in his ear, always laughing. You think you are so different, you and I?
"Mikey, you have to hide. No matter what happens, you get away, you hear me? Do it."
And he stops and pivots into a fighting stance facing to face this... this thing.
no subject
on 2012-03-17 03:59 am (UTC)Using borrowed voices it laughs, deep and hearty. And with tendrils of smoke it reaches out for the spot where Mike cowers behind a mile marker.
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on 2012-03-17 04:17 am (UTC)"Is that what you are? You feed off of other people's sadness and guilt? The bad things?"
With a weary smile, he asks, "And you're still reaching for my baby brother? When I'm right here for the taking?"
If it is one thing Leo knows, it is how to live with the guilt and the loneliness. It never goes away. The guilt about the choices he has made, the ones that might come.
(He knows in what order he would send his family to their deaths, if he had no other choice; it would have to be no other choice, that he couldn't go. But he'd do it. That self knowledge is sometimes always consuming.)
no subject
on 2012-03-17 04:23 am (UTC)Appetizer, it explains in a voice not unlike his baby brother.
And then with the full brunt of its might, it lunges at Leonardo.
Main course!
The assault comes from all sides, including from within his mind.
Shame, despair, guilt. They all come crashing down with the might stolen from Michaelangelo.
no subject
on 2012-03-19 02:46 pm (UTC)YOU THINK YOU'RE BETTER THAN ME?
Leo, won't you just leave me alone?
I wish you would just get that--
--I don't need you--
--SOME FEARLESS LEADER YOU ARE!
Damn it, how could you do this?! Look what they did to--
DON
Mikey
Raph
Splinter
YOUR FAULT.
It's your fault.
Leo, I can't believe you--
How could you, my son?
"You know," Leo whispers as he dangles from the monster's tentacles. He almost smiles, "The day I stop hearing those voices in my own head is the day I know I've lost the fight."
And he stabs the thing with both swords right between its glowing red eyes.
no subject
on 2012-03-19 04:09 pm (UTC)Signs along the highway rattle, and their supports bend. A shock wave can be seen on the guardrails that line the road. Asphalt under the creature begins to melt.
The tentacles supporting Leonardo grip him tightly at first, and then throw him as far as they can to get him away from the center. Appendages now free, it once again reaches out for Mike.
NOOOOOOO!
"Noooooo!"
From behind his guard rail hiding spot, Michaelangelo screams in anguish along with the creature.
However, only one voice continues.
"You. Don't. You. Will. Not. Win."
no subject
on 2012-03-19 04:36 pm (UTC)It slams into the creature's face, it's back, legs, tentacles, anywhere it can reach. It bounces off sign posts and guard rails, each time striking again and again.
Leo drags himself upright and runs full speed up a cement wall. Using it as leverage, he pushes himself off and lands on the creature's back.
"Never touch my family."
He slices with both his swords in scissor motion just behind the glowing red eyes.
no subject
on 2012-03-19 04:43 pm (UTC)Thunder rolls as the plane seeks to balance the vacuum that has just been created.
no subject
on 2012-03-19 04:47 pm (UTC)"...ow."
It takes him a moment to make the world stop spinning then he instant sits up.
"Mikey! --shit."
That hurt. First, brother. Then, escape. Then, investigate injuries.
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on 2012-03-19 04:51 pm (UTC)"...i just... wanted some cinnabon... was that too much to ask?" He coughs weakly.
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on 2012-03-19 04:57 pm (UTC)The beachball rolls next to both of them and knocks against Leo's shell.
"Mike, can you-- can you move at all?"
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on 2012-03-19 04:59 pm (UTC)...
for a couple of years first?"
no subject
on 2012-03-19 05:07 pm (UTC)"Right."
Leo forces himself to stand, slowly. "You need to help me a little here--" He starts to tug Mike up to lean on his shoulder, but changes his plan.
He can barely feel any weight as he lifts Mike up into his arms.
He also has no idea where to go now.
"So, you, me, and a cinnabon after this," he stalls and tries not to focus on the real worry he has for Mikey right now. "Don's treat. He owes me for that memory I got him last month."
no subject
on 2012-03-19 05:12 pm (UTC)Worse, even.
"leo? i don't want to alarm you, but...we're being followed by a beach ball."
no subject
on 2012-03-19 05:23 pm (UTC)What the hell is he supposed to do? There is no hint of where he is supposed to go from here for an exit. He needs to get Mike back to his body right now and--
Deep breath.
Right.
He followed Mike's spiritual trail into the Lost and Found box and...this place. Then, he can follow it--
He looks down at Mike and can see through his brother to his hands under his body.
-- he can follow his own trail back the way he came.
Taking another deep breath, he tries again. ...there. The faint smell of lilac and Splinter's favorite green tea.
Careful of his burden and moving as quickly as his body will let him, Leo sets off. And the beachball followed.