Turtle H2O Series

Splash 4

It's been a couple of weeks since Venus and her family left. Leo and the others aren't sure if they will return or not. Ever since the festival incident occurred, the mermaids feel like a burden to everyone. They don't go out or interact with their normal friends and family in fear of messing up. Mona noticed their withdrawal.

"How's Leo been since Venus left?" she asked during school lunch. Raph just answered casually, "He seems to be doing fine. Leo is still Leo." Mona is amazed that Raph can't notice something is wrong. "Raph, how can you be so dense? Haven't you or the others noticed?" that got Raph's attention. "Noticed what?" she pinched her nose in irritation.

"He's been distancing himself from us. It looks like something's bothering him. I'm not sure if it's just because Venus left, but the other mermaids are acting the same way. They only hang out and talk among themselves. Something is off, Gerry's been cold to me." Now Raph began to feel concerned as he observed Leo and his friends at their table. They were picking at their food and not smiling and goofing off like they always do.

"I'll confront him tonight." Mona held his hand. "I appreciate you finally noticing this behavior, but you can't just barge in and demand what's going on? You need to be more subtle about this. Maybe you and the others can take him to the arcade or dinner or something? Hopefully, that can help him open up more easily."

He squeezed her hand. "Babe, you are a genius. Don't tell Don, he would get offended." She laughed. After school, Leo and the others were at the beach sitting on the sand just staring at the ocean. They were silent for a good hour before April spoke up. "We can't keep this up. We're not happy. We make everyone else unhappy. Maybe, we just don't belong here."

"It's a shame we can't ask Joy or Sydney for advice since they moved to New Zealand. Who knew their family owned land over there?" Gerry chimed in. "I wish I knew what to do. My parents have apologized for yelling at me, but I just feel like whatever we do and wherever we go; we cause trouble. Mona's been concerned, but I just can't talk to her or anyone other than you guys right now."

April contemplated. "Maybe, we should do what Venus and her family did?" everyone looked shocked. "You mean leave?" she nodded her head. "Yes, but for a trip. We can swim to Hawaii, Fiji, or Australia. Somewhere to reflect on what we are going to do. It's too hard to do that here." The others didn't answer her.

"How about this?" she added. "Think about it and let me know on Friday. That way we could leave during the weekend. Whoever wants to go with me will go, and whoever wants to stay behind to deal with everyone can stay. It's up to you." she walked home. The others were in shock. "It's really affecting April if she wants to leave this badly. Last time she was like this, was before anyone found out we were mermaids."

Angel was freaking out. "We can't just leave everyone, can we?" Gerry spoke up. "I feel bad saying this, but I would love some time away from everyone. I feel trapped. I try so hard to be careful with my powers and the full moons, but it isn't enough for them." he stood up. "I think I'll go with April. I hope you guys join us."

He began walking. "I'll see you guys Friday!" Leo and Angel decided to walk home. Before they parted ways Angel finally spoke. "Maybe the others are right? Besides, I don't think Ryan would be affected that much with me gone anyways. He's still working the graveyard shift. He probably would be better off without me. I hope you join us Leo. I really do." She went her own way to her home.

Leo returned home to find everyone greeting him exuberantly. "Hey bro! Welcome home!" he squinted his eyes wearily. "Are you guys up to something?" they stared at him. "What? No! we were just thinking about going to the arcade. All four of us." They saw Leo stiffen. "It'll be alright Leo, we already asked dad if that's what's bothering you." he down casted his eyes. "The others and I got expelled from there a month ago." He said sadly.

That surprised them. "Wait, what? How?" Leo was equally surprised. "You guys don't remember?" they shook their heads. "And to think you guys laughed at us and everything and you can't even remember?" "Sorry Leo. Maybe it was over something petty and maybe we laughed in the moment?" Leo just shook his head. "It wasn't petty. It was when Gerry saw the full moon and turned everything into gel. We stopped him at the arcade, but the owner wasn't happy with us."

They now remembered. "Oh yeah, the night when you came home looking like you had a giant puke all over you." they began laughing. Leo decided to go upstairs. Donny stopped and went after him. "Maybe not the arcade. How about seeing a movie? There's that space hero live action movie you've been wanting to see." Leo turned to them, looking embarrassed. "Angel got us kicked out of there for life six months ago when she and Hun got into that major fight." He turned around to cringe. "I wish I could forget that night."

Raph was beginning to get frustrated. "Is there anywhere you guys haven't been expelled or kicked out of for life?" Leo put his hand on his chin to try and think of a place. The others stared at each other with worry. Raph crossed his arms, trying to be patient. "No, can't go there." He looked at them in excitement for a second before shaking his head. "Never mind. Can't go there neither." Seeing Raph about to blow a fuse, Donny decided to ask the opposite.

"That's okay. Where can you go that we can hang out?" Leo looked depressed and ashamed. "I'm sorry guys. We just cause you nothing but trouble huh?" "You guys just go without me. I'll just head to bed early okay?" now they were very worried. "Wait Leo, you're not a bother. It couldn't be helped with your mermaid abilities." Leo looked almost ready to cry. "Leo? what's wrong?" Leo started trembling. "It's nothing, I just."

Raph has decided to do what he was originally going to do in the first place. 'Sorry babe.' He thought before making his way over to him. "The truth is Leo; we were up to something." He looked up at him. "Mona, we've noticed that you and the others seem sad. Is it Venus? She'll come back." Leo began crying. "We don't know if they are or not. It's not just that." They guided Leo to the couch.

"What is it?" Donny asked worried. He blew his nose with the tissue Mikey gave him. "I was hoping to talk to you guys about it when I slept on it but..." he blew his nose again. "Talk to us about what?" "Get dad. He needs to know as well." Once they got Splinter into the living room, Leo took a few deep breaths to calm himself.

"Take your time my son." Splinter put his paw on his shoulder to comfort him. "I feel like I'm tattling on them, but we can't just leave without saying anything." "Leave? You guys are going to leave us?! I thought we were your brothers?! What about dad?! And!"

"Silence Raphael! I got this." Leo can see the vein forming on his dad's forehead. Leo was quick to answer. "It was April's idea! It's supposed to be just a trip to reflect what's been happening recently! The others are thinking of going! I'm not sure if it's just a trip or forever! I can't leave you guys forever! But with us burdening everyone it's too much!" they were stunned. "Leonardo, calm down my son. what made you think you are a burden to us?"

"C'mon dad! Everywhere we go something happens and we end up ruining everything! Look at the festival! That's why Venus and her family left. They caused so much chaos and you guys weren't exactly helpful with your attitudes!" now it clicked in everyone's minds. The brothers grouped hugged him. "We're sorry for making you guys feel that way. We were upset because we worked hard to make the festival happen and in a flash it was destroyed.

We understand that you can't control these things. If we would've known this was going to hurt you guys like this, we would've never acted the way we did." "Guys." tears were welling up in his eyes. They hugged tighter. "You're not leaving us, ever." Raph said very clearly in his ear. Leo clung to them. "I won't. Sorry I even thought about it. Next time I'll just talk to you guys, before it gets extreme again. They pulled away. They took their cell phones out.

"You know we gotta tell everyone though right?" Leo waved his hands. "Let me talk to them first. See if I can convince them to talk to their families. If I don't succeed then you can blow up your phones." They were hesitant but decided to trust him. "You better not plan to still leave us. We are keeping a better eye on you guys for a while." He nodded his head in understanding. He took a deep breath before dialing the others. "It's me, before you do anything rash, maybe you should tell your families how you feel first?"