𓆉✩°｡ ⋆

  Leo smiled, maybe twin senses truly were a thing.

LAMEONARDO: omw  

  For the twins, staying awake late hours was nothing new. It was one of the reasons they’d get scolded by Raph at least four times a week. The thing was, no matter how much Raph would tell them to sleep early, it was not a task they could really achieve easily. For Leo, since he was a kid sleep was an enemy (it didn’t matter that he loved sleeping, going to sleep was a big no). As he grew up, the ‘ I don’t want to sleep ’ turned to ‘ I want to sleep but my body won’t let me till I crash during breakfast after three days ’. He knew that Donnie was similar; that some days he would also struggle to sleep– specifically post-invasion this happened more often– but also he would get too caught up with a project that he would forget that time existed.  

 Leo wondered if Donnie was having trouble with sleep since he was aware of how late it was to text him, or if had he an idea that he could experiment with– or on– Leo. Well, one way to find out. 

 He lazily got out of his bed, leaving the messy mess as it was and reaching for his mask. He got his pouch, katanas and phone too. Essentials in case they got caught by Raph (portaling was a good way to escape), or in case there was an accident with Donnie’s latest project (like Shelldon model one prototype three). 

 Getting out of his room to the lab was easy. Luckily Raph wasn’t a light sleeper, and Mikey didn’t care about his sleep schedule (in exchange for chocolate bribes). Dad’s room was the farthest away too, and he was probably the source of Raph being a heavy sleeper. So he was safe! And let’s not forget how talented he was with being quiet… 

 In no time he was in front of the lab, and he was sure he had made it safely— 

 “You owe me three more chocolates, Leoooo~” Mikey whisper sang as he passed by him sleepily, with a glass of water in his hand. 

 “Three?!”

 “It is 3 AM.” Mikey grinned as he kept walking.

 “It doesn't make any sense.” Leo protested, whisper shouting.

 “Either the chocolates or Raph, you chose.” 

 “Ugh, fine!” Leo groaned. He’d get him for that in the future though.

 As Mikey disappeared in the dark, Leo walked into the lab. “What do you say we prank Mikey sometime soon?”

 “You got caught by Mikey again, didn’t you?” Donnie didn’t even turn to look at him. He was too occupied with his laptop, as he sat like a shrimp on his chair.

 “He asked for three chocolates. He has started using this for evil.” Leo approached Donnie, curious to see what Donnie was working on. “It was expected, but it won’t justify what he does.”

 “I agree with you,” Donnie finally turned to look at his twin, who was now leaning on the chair. “But first, we got more important things to do!” 

 Donnie suddenly got up, tapping on his wrist something. He had a grin on his face.

 “Lighten me up with the knowledge of your findings?” Leo suggested, not moving from his spot. 

 “Look at this Nardo!” Donnie grabbed his tablet and showed what was on it. 

 Leo blinked at the sudden bright light of the screen, before looking at the picture. “You mean your Atomic Lass commission you got a while ago and showed me a million times since then, which now is your lockscreen?” 

 “What?” Donnie turned his tablet and took a look as well, “No, as much as it is deserved to look at, I meant look at this .” He said, as he unlocked and showed the screen to Leo again.

 This time Leo was looking at an article about a new type of  fungi being found in the Hidden City. The yokai had found it in the Mushroom Forest, and yet somehow it had disappeared the next day. There was other information about it too, but Leo didn’t bother to read. “Mushroom?” Leo looked at his twin.

 “A whole new species that has never been seen before!” Donnie grinned.

 “Mushroom.” Leo repeated, uninterested. 

 Donnie, unbothered but no more grinning, said, “Well, you could join me in my search and ultimate success in becoming the one who finds and defines this new species properly, or you could stay here and lay on your bed till morning.” 

 “Well, as much as it sounds boring, I can't let my criminal brother wander around a mystic forest.” Leo smirked as he put his arm on Donnie’s shoulder.

 “You were the first in the family who got a wanted poster.” Donnie stated.

 “I am innocent, it was the pirates, and then that weird creepy spa guy!” Leo protested.

 Donnie rolled his eyes. “Anyways, I was thinking you portaling us directly there would be much easier than sneaking out.” 

 “Oh, so you texted me just to have a transportation method? I am hurt!” Leo, as dramatically as possible, faked being in pain, leaning towards his twin more. Donnie glared at him and took a step back, causing Leo to lose his balance and fall. 

 “Ow!”

 “Now you are hurt.” Donnie smirked.

 “You are evil.” Leo huffed. 

 “Stop slacking and let’s go before Raph notices.” Donnie poked him with his tech-bo. 

 Leo didn’t get up, just smiled and got his katana. “Okay.” He said, then quickly opened a portal under Donnie’s legs and watched him fall. Then he got on his feet and jumped in after him. In seconds he landed safely next to Donnie, who was laying on the ground. 

 The softshell gave him a glare as he got on his feet; meanwhile, Leo sheathed his katanas and took a look around them.

 They were used to portaling after midnight to random places for various reasons. Tahiti, Mexico, Nevada, the Greek Islands, their favorite Pizza locations, Japan, rainforests, Paris… They had their adventures once Leo had gotten better with his portaling powers, and a few times forgot to be back in time which had led to a worried Raph and Splinter, and a lot of scolding. 

 But Leo had never ever seen a place like this before. Giant purple mushrooms surrounded all over the place, the various hues of the color blocking the sky. Around them were smaller mushrooms, some green, some yellow, some white… but there was nothing else. Just mushrooms, and the shadows falling on the dark gray soil. The damp and cool weather didn’t help the eerie setting as well.

 “This place kinda creeps me out.” Leo commented.

 "Yeah, but it will be worth it." Donnie replied, with confidence.

 Leo knew he wouldn't stop till he reached his goal, and honestly he was reconsidering his decisions. 

 "Let's get started! Just don't get close to any mushrooms." Donnie added.

 "Donnie, we're surrounded by mushrooms." Leo huffed.

 "I meant the small ones– don’t touch, eat, or do anything stupid with them. It is a well known fact that this area has dangerous species." Donnie explained as he kept leading. “Like Fear Mushrooms.” 

 “And you are telling me that now.” Leo wasn’t surprised, just a bit annoyed.

 “Your mistake if you weren’t expecting danger in a forest.” Donnie shrugged.

 Leo rolled his eyes, “As long as you don’t put us in a situation that would need Raph to save us…”

 “Nothing like that.” He confirmed.

 “Good because I have already heard my weekly ‘why you should sleep Leo’ rant.” Leo said. 

 “I didn’t, and prefer to keep it that way.”  Donnie said. “Good thing there is nothing else in this forest that could do harm, other than a few species of fungi.” 

 “Good, I wasn’t in the mood to fight against wildlife.” Leo commented. As Donnie kept quiet, too focused on a clue on the ground, Leo began examining the forest around him once again. He wondered how a forest just made of mushrooms existed. Shouldn’t there be animals to provide food or nutrients for them or something like that? He also didn't like the quiet of this forest. Wasn't a forest supposed to be loud anyways? The other forests he and Donnie had visited were. This one was rather creepy though.

 Then he heard a sound. He quickly turned, but saw nothing around. Maybe it was just his imagination. Donnie was still walking, not paying attention other than reaching his goal. As usual, too focused.

 So he didn't say anything and kept following his twin. "Say, is there anything other than mushrooms?" Leo asked. Just in case.

 "Nope." Donnie answered. "Except the rumors about mutant fear mushrooms that can walk. But if it was the case, we'd have issues with them already. Not to mention how the local folk would've found out about them before we'd do."

 "Walking mushrooms? Are those rumors like your cryptids? Donnie, you didn't bring me to another cryptid hunt, right?" Leo squinted at him. Donnie was guilty of several times misleading Leo and taking them on a trip to find some fake creature living in the woods that drank tears, or some sea monster that sank ships it didn't like. 

Donnie stopped walking and looked at Leo, "I didn't, we are here to find the new mushroom species." He scoffed. "But, it wouldn't hurt to research local rumors at the same time." He added after a pause.

 Leo groaned, "They aren't real! They never are real!" 

 "That's what we'll prove, as our second goal." Donnie continued walking. Leo just rolled his eyes. Then Donnie added, "To be honest I am surprised you still don't believe in the possibility of something unnatural existing."

 "Like Pizzasaurus?" Leo said, sarcastically.

 "Like ghosts, which one of them was our ancestor and possessed our best friend, or yokai who match some cryptid descriptions?"

 "Doesn't prove anything." Leo said. "Just because some are real, it doesn't mean everything is real."

 "We'll see that—"

 Again, there was a noise. This time it wasn't just Leo who heard it.

 "You said nothing else was in the forest."

 "Correct." Donnie nodded. "Maybe it is a local."

 "Why would a local want to come to a place like that?" Leo whispered as he slowly approached the sound, katanas in hand.

 "To collect mushrooms?" Donnie suggested as a matter of factly, following him.

 The closer they got, the quieter the noise became. Leo nodded to Donnie before moving to face the possible threat. But the moment he was in the noise source, he was met with nothing but mushrooms.

 "What?" Leo lowered his katanas and looked around, trying to find any clue of sorts.

 "Let me guess, it is nothing." Donnie joined him.

 Leo turned to him, "Why do you sound glad about that?"

 "Because it might just be what we are after." Donnie answered. He wore his goggles and examined the ground, enthusiastic.

 "Ugh, don't tell me mushrooms with feet." Leo groaned, leaning on one of his swords.

 " Mutant mushrooms with feet. How do you explain the missing fungi here, huh?" Donnie pointed to the dirt in front of him.

 "Maybe someone took them. I am sure there is an explanation that makes sense." Leo said. 

 "Mutant fungi make sense." Donnie retorted, no longer wearing his goggles and instead glaring at Leo.

 "They don't. Not the ones running. Also, there is almost no reason for oozesquitoes to hang around here. Didn't you tell us they'd prefer humans and animals instead of plants or mushrooms?" After a horror movie night, Mikey had some ideas about Draxum's bugs, and Donnie had told a very very long explanation why they would prefer humans first. He had explained why they hadn't heard any mutant get mutated again as well, and many other things.

 Donnie looked surprised at him. "You remember that?"

 "It is hard to forget when a simple question is answered with an hour long explanation." 

 "It wasn't that long."

 "Watch your records." 

  CRACK

 Leo and Donnie stopped their banter to look up to where the noise came from. A giant mushroom was falling down. Without saying anything else, they began running.

 “Is this natural?” Leo asked.

 “Definitely not.” Donnie answered. 

 Leo didn’t like what that implied— someone or something cutting down mushrooms likely. “I am sure a walking mushroom can’t cut down a bigger one though.”

 “Maybe it can, depending on—”

 The loud sound of the fall and the sudden cloud of dust made them stop. Leo protected his face with his arms. After seconds he lowered them to see the dust disperse and Donnie removed his goggles from his eyes. 

 “Want to go and see what caused this mess?” Leo approached him, to see better in case his twin had gotten hurt. Thankfully he seemed fine.

 Donnie simply nodded, and the two began walking back. Once they reached the fallen mushroom, they could clearly see that there was a cut that clearly was done by someone. As if cut by an ax, similar to how trees would be cut down. 

 “I don’t think your running mutant mushrooms are doing that.” Leo turned to Donnie.

 But Donnie didn’t answer, instead, his eyes were focused somewhere away. Leo followed him and saw what he was looking at. Something big was standing in the shadows, with a silhouette reminiscent of a mushroom. It started to walk slowly and disappear in the dark.

 “Ah.” Leo couldn’t help but feel some sort of deja vu, the situation a bit too similar to what happened with Gumbus or Piebald. 

 “I was right!” Donnie grinned, then turned to Leo with a smirk. “What do you say now, my dear non-believer brother?” 

 “I still have my suspicions.” Leo crossed his arms. 

 “You are unbelievable.” Donnie huffed.

 “I am just being realistic. It was just a silhouette.” So what if it looked like a scary mushroom man?” He didn’t want to relive what happened with Gumbus again. “There is only one way to find out what it really is.” 

 “If it is what it takes to prove and unravel the truth, then what are we waiting for?” Donnie began walking, and Leo grinned.

 “Wanna bet it is not a mushroom man living in a forest, cutting down mushrooms and most likely eating them?” 

 “I bet that I am right.” Donnie replied. “Some mutant that eats other mushrooms. Or collects them.”

 “I bet that whatever or whoever is in the forest is just a lost fellow.”

  “I don’t think it would be that simple.” 

 “Sureeee,” Leo rolled his eyes. “But hermano , when it comes to such situations, you know that I am never wrong.” 

 Donnie turned to look at him, “Do you want me to prove every single time you have been wrong since we were fourteen?” 

 “You’ve been recording everything since we’ve been fourteen?” Leo questioned, genuinely surprised. How had he missed that?

 Donnie realized his mistake and averted his eyes, “Uhh… nooooooooooooooh what is this?” He walked towards something Leo couldn’t see. Leo followed after him with curiosity. He was inspecting some footprints on the mushy ground. They weren’t clear, but they were small. 

 “They must belong to whoever we saw earlier.” Donnie said.

 “Aren’t they too small for a hypothetical mushroom guy?” Leo pointed out.

 The sudden shadow falling on them and on the footprints made the twins go quiet. Leo was not expecting company so soon, and with the forest’s eerie vibe, the shadow was enough to make him shiver with fear for a second. He once again wished it was just someone from Hidden City, collecting mushrooms at a very late hour. Then they glanced at each other, Donnie looking equally uncomfortable, nodded to Leo. Weapons at hands, they turned quickly and got ready to attack possible enemies. 

 Much to Leo’s surprise, whoever it was- or whatever it was- was not a yokai. It didn’t look like it, with how it was covered in mud, leaves, and mushrooms. Maybe Donnie was right and it was some sorts of mutant. Whatever it (or they) was, it was approaching them and Leo didn’t want to risk and find out what it was.

 Donnie must’ve had the same idea (or perhaps he didn’t want to get any of the mud touching him) because just like Leo, he jumped forward to attack it with his staff. Leo joined his brother. Their enemy moved sloppily, dodging their attacks and trying to run away. Leo wouldn’t admit it, but he relaxed a little seeing it not attacking back. 

 The fight kept going on the same, until Leo noticed something. “Dee, look!” He pointed, taking a step back to put space between him and the stranger thing. 

 “Wha- an ax!” Donnie realized. “Then it was you who cut the mushroom.” He said, landing a hit with his staff. It made a noise and fell in return. Donnie approached it cautiously, “What are you..?”

 Meanwhile, Leo was thinking. If it carried an ax on him, which meant under the dirt he must have been wearing some sort of belt, it would mean it had human intelligence. Which led to the fact their enemy was not a monster. Maybe a mutant or a yokai, but not the rumored mushroom man. 

 “Donnie, have you inspected them with your goggles?” Leo asked. 

 “Not during the fight, no. But I am about to do so.” He put on his goggles, and Leo watched him stand there confused. After a while he took them off, keeping staring at the stranger. “It is not a mushroom man or some stranger mutant or yokai.” He explained. “It is just Todd.” 

 Leo stared at him. “What?” 

 Donnie took a water bottle from his battle shell, opened it and poured it on Todd. The water cleared some of the mud and trash on the stranger’s face, and revealed the familiar capybara. Leo only looked more confused. He was not expecting that.

 Todd grinned, “Thank you! Finally I can breathe and see clearly!” 

 “What are you doing here? And why are you looking like this?” Leo started asking his many questions, “And why did you try to kill us?” 

 “Try to kill you?! No! I didn’t do such a thing!” Todd gasped. 

 “Then care to explain why you cut that mushroom?” Leo looked at him suspiciously. Todd may have been their friend, but he was hanging out with villains once. 

 “Oh that big mushroom? I needed the liquid in it.” Todd said. “Were close by? I didn’t notice, I am sorry.”

 “Needed the liquid?” Donnie repeated.

 “Yes! It is one of the secret ingredients of my lemonade.” Todd smiled. “But since you helped me, I don’t mind sharing the secret with you boys.”

 “Uh. Okay. What about this?” Leo gestured to him, “Trying a new look or something?” 

 Todd shook his head, “No no no. I slipped and fell. And then I kept falling and falling and falling- just like the first time I ended up here by accident! Then I ended up surrounded with all of this, unable to find the big edible mushrooms I collected either. It was a real shame, I thought your brother would’ve liked them. Specifically the one which was almost as big as my head.” He sighed. “But it is good that you were here. Even if you did beat me up a little.”

 “Yeah, sorry about that.” Leo said.

 “Apologies, Todd.” Donnie joined.

 Then Leo and Donnie looked at each other. “I think that explains what we saw back there. And everything else.” If Todd had been coming here for a long while, that would also explain the rumors. “Which means I won the bet.”

 “Technically, I said it could be a mutant or a yokai that collects mushrooms.” Donnie smirked.

 “But you meant a mushroom man.” Leo glared.

 “Didn’t say such a thing while betting.”

 “Oh you are playing dirty! And you guys say I play dirty!”

 “Um, excuse me,” Todd interrupted, back on his feet. “Could you take me back home? I think I need a good shower.”

 Leo glared at Donnie one last time before turning back to Todd, “Sure. I can portal you back safe and sound. We should probably be going too.” 

 “My only question is how did you know which mushrooms are edible.” Donnie asked Todd.

 “Trial and error.” The capybara answered.

 Leo didn’t want to learn more, already too tired with everything that happened in the past hours. He opened a portal, and led them to Todd’s place. After saying farewell to Todd and petting a few dogs, he opened another portal back to Donnie’s lab. 

 Donnie declared he wasn’t going to walk back to his room, instead immediately after removing his battle shell falling to his makeshift bed. Leo yawned as he put his katanas down, following Donnie and also laying on his bed, claiming he was too tired to go back to his own room- much to Donnie’s annoyance. Though neither would talk about it, it was what always happened when they went on a midnight adventure. Just like when they were kids, after getting tired from doing something together (making a disaster most of the time, as Splinter would joke sometimes) the twins would end up sleeping together. Both wouldn’t admit it but it was comforting and relaxing, knowing the other is by his side no matter what. Something that had become more important post almost-invasion. 

 The next day Mikey woke them up, happily announcing the breakfast:

 “Mushroom toast!”

 Which the boys answered with groans and hiding back under the covers.

Leo smiled, maybe twin senses truly were a thing.

LAMEONARDO: omw

For the twins, staying awake late hours was nothing new. It was one of the reasons they’d get scolded by Raph at least four times a week. The thing was, no matter how much Raph would tell them to sleep early, it was not a task they could really achieve easily. For Leo, since he was a kid sleep was an enemy (it didn’t matter that he loved sleeping, going to sleep was a big no). As he grew up, the ‘I don’t want to sleep’ turned to ‘I want to sleep but my body won’t let me till I crash during breakfast after three days’. He knew that Donnie was similar; that some days he would also struggle to sleep– specifically post-invasion this happened more often– but also he would get too caught up with a project that he would forget that time existed.

Leo wondered if Donnie was having trouble with sleep since he was aware of how late it was to text him, or if had he an idea that he could experiment with– or on– Leo. Well, one way to find out.

He lazily got out of his bed, leaving the messy mess as it was and reaching for his mask. He got his pouch, katanas and phone too. Essentials in case they got caught by Raph (portaling was a good way to escape), or in case there was an accident with Donnie’s latest project (like Shelldon model one prototype three).

Getting out of his room to the lab was easy. Luckily Raph wasn’t a light sleeper, and Mikey didn’t care about his sleep schedule (in exchange for chocolate bribes). Dad’s room was the farthest away too, and he was probably the source of Raph being a heavy sleeper. So he was safe! And let’s not forget how talented he was with being quiet…

In no time he was in front of the lab, and he was sure he had made it safely—

“You owe me three more chocolates, Leoooo~” Mikey whisper sang as he passed by him sleepily, with a glass of water in his hand.

“Three?!”

“It is 3 AM.” Mikey grinned as he kept walking.

“It doesn't make any sense.” Leo protested, whisper shouting.

“Either the chocolates or Raph, you chose.”

“Ugh, fine!” Leo groaned. He’d get him for that in the future though.

As Mikey disappeared in the dark, Leo walked into the lab. “What do you say we prank Mikey sometime soon?”

“You got caught by Mikey again, didn’t you?” Donnie didn’t even turn to look at him. He was too occupied with his laptop, as he sat like a shrimp on his chair.

“He asked for three chocolates. He has started using this for evil.” Leo approached Donnie, curious to see what Donnie was working on. “It was expected, but it won’t justify what he does.”

“I agree with you,” Donnie finally turned to look at his twin, who was now leaning on the chair. “But first, we got more important things to do!”

Donnie suddenly got up, tapping on his wrist something. He had a grin on his face.

“Lighten me up with the knowledge of your findings?” Leo suggested, not moving from his spot.

“Look at this Nardo!” Donnie grabbed his tablet and showed what was on it.

Leo blinked at the sudden bright light of the screen, before looking at the picture. “You mean your Atomic Lass commission you got a while ago and showed me a million times since then, which now is your lockscreen?”

“What?” Donnie turned his tablet and took a look as well, “No, as much as it is deserved to look at, I meant look at this.” He said, as he unlocked and showed the screen to Leo again.

This time Leo was looking at an article about a new type of fungi being found in the Hidden City. The yokai had found it in the Mushroom Forest, and yet somehow it had disappeared the next day. There was other information about it too, but Leo didn’t bother to read. “Mushroom?” Leo looked at his twin.

“A whole new species that has never been seen before!” Donnie grinned.

“Mushroom.” Leo repeated, uninterested.

Donnie, unbothered but no more grinning, said, “Well, you could join me in my search and ultimate success in becoming the one who finds and defines this new species properly, or you could stay here and lay on your bed till morning.”

“Well, as much as it sounds boring, I can't let my criminal brother wander around a mystic forest.” Leo smirked as he put his arm on Donnie’s shoulder.

“You were the first in the family who got a wanted poster.” Donnie stated.

“I am innocent, it was the pirates, and then that weird creepy spa guy!” Leo protested.

Donnie rolled his eyes. “Anyways, I was thinking you portaling us directly there would be much easier than sneaking out.”

“Oh, so you texted me just to have a transportation method? I am hurt!” Leo, as dramatically as possible, faked being in pain, leaning towards his twin more. Donnie glared at him and took a step back, causing Leo to lose his balance and fall.

“Ow!”

“Now you are hurt.” Donnie smirked.

“You are evil.” Leo huffed.

“Stop slacking and let’s go before Raph notices.” Donnie poked him with his tech-bo.

Leo didn’t get up, just smiled and got his katana. “Okay.” He said, then quickly opened a portal under Donnie’s legs and watched him fall. Then he got on his feet and jumped in after him. In seconds he landed safely next to Donnie, who was laying on the ground.

The softshell gave him a glare as he got on his feet; meanwhile, Leo sheathed his katanas and took a look around them.

They were used to portaling after midnight to random places for various reasons. Tahiti, Mexico, Nevada, the Greek Islands, their favorite Pizza locations, Japan, rainforests, Paris… They had their adventures once Leo had gotten better with his portaling powers, and a few times forgot to be back in time which had led to a worried Raph and Splinter, and a lot of scolding.

But Leo had never ever seen a place like this before. Giant purple mushrooms surrounded all over the place, the various hues of the color blocking the sky. Around them were smaller mushrooms, some green, some yellow, some white… but there was nothing else. Just mushrooms, and the shadows falling on the dark gray soil. The damp and cool weather didn’t help the eerie setting as well.

“This place kinda creeps me out.” Leo commented.

"Yeah, but it will be worth it." Donnie replied, with confidence.

Leo knew he wouldn't stop till he reached his goal, and honestly he was reconsidering his decisions.

"Let's get started! Just don't get close to any mushrooms." Donnie added.

"Donnie, we're surrounded by mushrooms." Leo huffed.

"I meant the small ones– don’t touch, eat, or do anything stupid with them. It is a well known fact that this area has dangerous species." Donnie explained as he kept leading. “Like Fear Mushrooms.”

“And you are telling me that now.” Leo wasn’t surprised, just a bit annoyed.

“Your mistake if you weren’t expecting danger in a forest.” Donnie shrugged.

Leo rolled his eyes, “As long as you don’t put us in a situation that would need Raph to save us…”

“Nothing like that.” He confirmed.

“Good because I have already heard my weekly ‘why you should sleep Leo’ rant.” Leo said.

“I didn’t, and prefer to keep it that way.” Donnie said. “Good thing there is nothing else in this forest that could do harm, other than a few species of fungi.”

Leo was about to say something when he stepped on something mushy, looking down he saw a small mushroom crushed under his foot. “Eugh…” Leo frowned as he stopped to clean his foot. This thing was sticky, hard to get rid of even with wet wipes. Finally he managed to clear it completely, and join his brother who was already examining various mushrooms as he walked around.

It had been at least half an hour, and they were still walking. Donnie kept saying they were close to finding the new species. Leo hoped they were, since walking around mushrooms was getting boring, and it was getting cold.

As they walked Leo began to feel cold and colder. It was weird, but the urge to get to somewhere warmer was strong. He wanted light. No, it was as if he needed it.

This place was just too cold. Misty. It made Leo feel bad. Like something was wrong.

He should be in a warmer place. Safer.

Cold meant bad. It meant very bad. Meant nothing. No air no safety.

He looked at Donnie, who still was walking in front eagerly. "Hey, Dee, don't you think it is too cold here?"

"No, why?" The softshell responded.

"Because I'm freezing." Leo huffed.

"You're exaggerating Leo." Donnie said, not even turning to look at him. "I know that sliders like you are whiny when it becomes a bit chilly, but it's not that cold. Maybe a bit damp."

"Maybe it is because you're a softshell." Leo retorted, a bit weakly. "Should I remind you how little you are aware of your surroundings whenever you're after something too? Trust me, it is cold here. We should've gone somewhere warmer."

Donnie stopped and finally looked at Leo, he had raised one of his drawn browns, "Why are you so persistent about this?"

"Because it's cold?!"

Donnie tapped something on his wrist-band. "Leo, the temperature is normal." He showed the screen to Leo, and while he could see that Donnie was right something in his mind was screaming the opposite. His instincts were telling him to get out of here. To go somewhere warmer.

"Well, I don't care. I'm going somewhere warmer." He couldn’t stand here any longer. It was wrong.

Donnie was baffled with Leo's response. Even a bit worried, maybe. "Leo, are you okay? Are you sure you aren't sick or anything?" He took a step towards him.

Suddenly Leo felt danger. Fear.

So he took a step back, away from his twin.

"I am fine, Donnie." He stated, a bit irritated. "I just think that we can't stay here."

Why wasn't he listening to him?

"Because it's cold?" Donnie asked.

"Yes?!" Leo growled.

Donnie stared at him, surprised.

Leo couldn't understand why Donnie looked at him like that. Wasn't it obvious? They couldn't stay here. They couldn't.

It was cold.

He couldn't stay here.

It wasn't safe here.

Leave.

He had to leave.

Leo noticed Donnie putting on his goggles. He was gonna do a scan. Why was he doing it? He was fine, he just was pointing out what they must do!

"Ah. Don't freak out but I have bad news." Donnie, after minutes of silence, said.

"What?"

"You are infected by a parasitic fungus. I am not entirely sure which species, but it is not anything like I've seen before. There aren’t any that I know that can affect species other than insects or arachnids anyways, but there is definitely one on you right now."

Leo looked at Donnie in disbelief. "Are you really lying just so we can stay here for your research?"

Donnie gasped. "Of course not!"

"Then what are you talking about Donnie? Don't you think I'd know if I got a parasite mushroom on me?" Leo pointed out.

"No. You are currently proving that." Donnie replied.

So he wasn't going to back off and try to understand Leo. Fine then. Leo didn't care, he still was leaving this place. He turned and began walking.

"Where are you going?" Donnie called.

"Somewhere warm. Adiós." Leo answered.

Immediately Donnie was standing on his way. "You can't leave, Leo!"

Leo blinked. "You'll stop me?"

"It is the parasite that wants you to leave, not you. Let me just get it off you and—"

Leo pushed Donnie's arm away. If Donnie wanted to fight, he'd fight. He must get out of here. Leo grabbed his katanas and waited for the softshell's next move.

He seemed to understand what this meant. He got his techbo and looked at him with sharp eyes. Everything told Leo that the turtle was no longer an ally.

Leo knew he was in danger.

Donnie made the first move.

He swung his bo, but Leo blocked his attack. He tried to attack back, but the turtle was quick. Both of them were skilled and aware of each other’s fighting styles, which made it impossible for them to land a hit on each other.

They turned around, ran and rolled to dodge. A few times Leo managed to land a hit on his shell. A few times the staff's hit almost caused Leo to fall. It was like dancing, except Leo was fighting for his life.

Then Leo made a mistake.

He stepped on a mushroom and fell face first to the ground. He groaned as the softshell approached. He saw him kick away his katanas, and then stop and gasp. The softshell was right next to him, staring at him in shock.

It was now or never.

Donnie had never seen something like that before. Except one time, in a disgustingly similar tentacle like organic alien surrounding him situation. The mushroom had spread its body, which looked like tentacles (why had they look like that) in the back of Leo's neck and head. Donnie tried not to curse for not noticing earlier.

How had this even happen in the first place?

"You wouldn't hurt your brother." Leo, who definitely wasn't himself because normally he'd not say that, said.

Donnie couldn't help himself, "Actually, I would, you stupid fung—"

Something came out of the mushroom- spores, Donnie realized. He coughed and shut his eyes, taking a few steps away. He was caught unprepared, and he could hear Leo getting back on his feet. Donnie blinked, trying to see, and caught a glimpse of Leo running away.

"No!" He shouted and began running, but something stopped him in his tracks.

Something icky was moving towards his shell and neck. He could feel it and he knew what it was. He turned behind, despite knowing it's impossible to see it. He was met with nothing though. Yet, the feeling was still there.

He had nightmares about that. He had done his research. He was sure there was nothing that could be just like that.

The technodrome was destroyed.

And yet, the tentacles were around his neck, his shell, his arms—

Donnie yelped as he saw the pink tentacles grabbing him, trying to become a part of him. He reached to his back this time, and he could feel them entering through his battle shell too.

"No no no no!" Donnie shouted. "You aren't real. Can't be."

The whispers in his head told another story.

Just like the invasion day, the time he took control, the organic spaceship was begging for destruction. To do what it did to other planets. Donnie had managed to ignore the weird 'instincts' that day. But now they were stronger, and he was afraid he'd not be able to do the same.

They kept spreading.

He would lose control.

He could hear the Krang. There was metal footsteps of an armor- or two?- and growls like Shredder's. He could hear the fights (dad was screaming, Krang Raph was growling). Mikey's yelps, Leo begging—

No.

Donnie shook his head, shut his eyes.

None of this was real.

His family had fought against them. They had defeated the Shredder. They had defeated the Krang.

Raph had told him how proud he was with how strong Donnie was against the Krang's spaceship once Donnie had opened up. Mikey had told him how brave he thought Donnie was for not giving up, even though the spaceship was disgusting as heck. And Leo—

Donnie gasped sharply. Mushroom Forest, Leo being in danger, fear fungi. It all came back to him. The fear and panic was still here, and so was the Technodrome, but Donnie finally snapped out of it.

The spores were fear spores. Nothing was real.

(They were screaming.)

He could fight against it.

(His heart was pounding with the fear of losing control.)

He had the antidote.

(He'll become one with the Technodrome.)

He had to reach—

(He'd hurt them all. As he did before—)

Shutting his eyes and reaching his wrist band, Donnie tapped on the screen (on the tentacles). He hoped he tapped right, because he wasn't sure how long he'd manage to hold up against his own mind. (Against the Technodrome.)

It was nothing but the screams.

Then a sharp sting.

Finally, quiet.

Donnie opened his eyes. He was back in the forest, and he wasn't feeling anything surrounding him anymore. It had worked.

He took a deep breath.

He didn't have any time to rest, he had a dumdum to save.

His family may protest about his decision on putting trackers on all of them, but once again Donnie was proven he had done the right thing. Finding Leo so fast would've been impossible if not for it.

Leo was laying on a tree, in the outskirts of the mushroom forest. It could be considered the entrance to the forest, which explained the visible sky and the change in the flora. It was just a bit less damp, and warmer, too. His eyes were focused on the sky above him, looking hazily.

Donnie knew he had to be cautious, so he walked in the shadows and approached him carefully. He was also glad he now had the chance to use his latest version of his Genius Built™ gas mask.

Soon he was standing near Leo. He could see where the mushroom had planted itself, and knew once he got it separated from Leo, it wouldn’t be able to control him. At least this was his theory, based on the information he was gaining through his goggles and his guesses from the way the fungus behaved. If it didn’t want Donnie to come near its body, there must be a reason. As long as he was delicate, but quick, he could do it.

He looked at Leo again. It was now or never.

Donnie attacked swiftly, using his staff to get rid of the mushroom. The fungus attacked back with its spores, while Leo yelped as if he had been hurt. Maybe he was feeling what the mushroom did. Leo tried to move, to reach him and stop him. But Donnie dodged his moves as his tech-bo did its job. “I am trying to save you, you dumdum!” Donnie hissed as Leo’s punch came a bit too close to his face. Leo in return growled.

Then there was a SNAP, and then a scream, before Leo’s eyes rolled back and he began to fall. Donnie managed to catch Leo before he fell to the ground. He slowly lowered him to the ground, at the same time checking his vitals though his goggles. Thankfully he seemed to simply have fainted. Donnie then turned to the mushroom, which squirmed at the tip of his bo. “Arrivederci, fungus.” He said before proceeding to fry it up with the electricity function of his staff, and ending it for good. In seconds, the threat from before had turned to nothing but a fried mushroom. Finally Donnie removed his mask and took a deep breath.

“Donnie?”

He turned around to see Leo blinking, still on the ground.

“Leo!” Donnie kneeled beside him, “Are you okay?”

“I never ever again want to see mushrooms in my life.” Leo groaned.

“As rare as it is, I completely agree with you.”

Leo slowly sat up, “What was that thing?” He asked, eyeing the dead mushroom.

“A mutant fungus. Most likely one of the fear mushrooms of this forest somehow got mutated to… this.” Donnie answered. “I’ll take it to examine it.”

“And burn it, right?”

“Oh, definitely.”

“Good.” Leo sighed. “Because that thing was some Last of Us themed crap and I don’t want any more of that.”

“I thought we agreed to no more apocalypses.” Donnie stated as he got back to his feet.

“Exactly.” Leo followed him, though a bit wobbly. “Now let’s get out of here.”

Donnie nodded while putting the mushroom into a (Genius Built ™) jar.

With Leo portaling them back to Donnie’s lab, they decided they were too tired to go to their own rooms for rest and decided to sleep on Donnie’s make up bed in his lab. Perhaps Leo was lying when he said he was too tired, and perhaps Donnie was lying too when he said he’d spend the night in his lab and that Leo could stay. Perhaps he just wanted to be sure his dumdum twin was safe for tonight. Perhaps this was why they did what they used to do as toddlers, and sleep under the blankets, hugging for comfort.

The next day Mikey woke them up, happily announcing the breakfast:

“Mushroom toast!”

Which the boys answered with screams and hiding back under the covers.