In the darkness of the lair, the Ninja Turtles rested after a long day of battles. Leonardo, however, felt strange, as if a dark shadow had taken over his mind. While his friend, the teenage ally, slept on the couch, he fought the urge to follow Shredder's orders.

With a shaking hand, he brandished one of his Ninjatōs, his heart pounding as the temptation to end his friend's life consumed him. Just as he was about to do the unthinkable, a flash of clarity flashed through his mind. With a gasp, he dropped his Ninjatō, the metal clanging on the floor.

Clutching his head, Leonardo felt the internal struggle growing. "No! I can't let this happen!" he muttered, his voice barely a whisper in the dim light. The other brothers slept, oblivious to the storm raging in their leader's mind as he desperately tried to regain control of himself."

Leonardo, caught in Shredder's dark influence, turned to his sleeping friend. The look on his face turned cold and calculating. Without warning, he grabbed her by the neck, forcefully lifting her up and beginning to choke her. She snapped awake, eyes wide with terror as she desperately struggled to free herself.

Mikey, who had come out of the kitchen in search of a snack, stopped dead in his tracks at the sight. His heart sank as he recognized the danger. "Leo, no!" he screamed, running towards them. "Let her go! You can't do this!"

His brother's call echoed in Leonardo's mind, a flash of recognition crossing his face. However, the shadow controlling him was strong. "Shut up, Mikey!" he replied, his voice tense.