Leo's POV

I had run about eight blocks when the storm started. The rain started off as a harmless drizzle, but one minute passed, then another and soon enough the "harmless drizzle" turned into a full on downpour. I grimace at the thought of returning to the apartment. Not that I'm not grateful that April opened up her home to us, but her apartment is a bachelorette pad, not a bed and breakfast, fit for six. We had moved into her place after we returned from the underground city to find that our home had been overrun by foot ninja. We'd been hiding at April's for about a week, and the crowdedness was really starting to get to me. Everywhere I looked, I saw one of my brothers, or Master Splinter, or April; and it was driving me nuts. I could I wasn't the only one; everyone else was going stir crazy too. Especially April. She may be kind, welcoming and strong, but she simply wasn't ready to handle living with four giant mutant turtles and a giant mutant rat. I groan before turning back the way I came.

I began to make my way across the rooftop, when I stopped. Something didn't feel right. I scanned the area around me and I didn't see anything out of the ordinary, at least not right away. On a rooftop towering above me, I just barely make out a dark, shadowy, figure. "What the…" I didn't get to finish my sentence. I was interrupted by the sound of a sword sheathing, on instinct, I grabbed one of my katana and sliced in the direction I'd heard the sound. There was a brief yelp of pain, then a thud. I looked down see a black clad, stranger clutching his shoulder. Foot ninja. I thought to myself. I scanned the area around me and felt my blood run cold. I unsheathed my other katana and got into my fighting stance. Three more foot ninja jump out and charge at me with full speed. One of them throws a kunai at my head and I duck. When I come back up, he's right in front of me and I smash the end of my hilt into his skull and he falls to the ground with a weak moan. I turn my attention to the other two foot ninja, who look reluctant to attack; I decide to take advantage roundhouse kick both of them before they have a chance to block. All three are down, but that's not the last of them. How do I know? Because I look around me and every rooftop surrounding me, and foot ninja cover all of them. They all just stand there. Staring down at me. None of them try to attack. How did they find me? I think as I prepare myself for an attack. It's gonna be a very long night.

April's POV

I woke up to the sound of booming thunder from outside. I sat up in bed just as a flash of lighting lit up my dark room. I got out of bed and slid my feet into my fuzzy, pink slipper boots and wandered into my bathroom to brush my teeth. I lazily walk out of my room and into the kitchen where Mikey's making breakfast. "Morning sleeping, beauty." Don says with a smile as he hands me a cup of coffee.

"Morning April!" Mikey called happily from the stove, he was making eggs and wearing a green apron.

"Sup'" Raph said from behind a newspaper.

"Good morning Ms. O'Neil." Master said warmly.

"Thanks, Don. Morning guys." I say accepting the coffee. "Where's Leo?" I ask after taking a sip of coffee.

"He went out for run." Raph said.

I look out the window and wrinkle my nose, "In that?" I asked pointing at the storm outside.

"Yeah, I think he was going stir crazy or something." Don said sitting at the table.

"He ain't the only one. This place is like a sardine box." Raph grumbled.

"Raphael!" Master Splinter said sharply as he hit Raph in the back of his head with his walking stick. I hide a laugh in my mug of coffee but he catches it and scowls at me.

"It's cool, I understand. It must've been hard difficult making the transition from such a spacious living area to an apartment fit for one." I said. Raph rubbed the spot on the head where Master Splinter hit him.

"Nonsense, Ms. O'Neil. We are simply thankful for your generous hospitality. We will do our best to be out of your way soon." Master Splinter said.

"What? No, you guys don't have to rush anything. You stay here as long as you need to." I say with a small smile.

"You say that now but, you haven't spent 18 years with Mikey yet." Don said with a grin.

"Hey! I'm not that bad to live with." Mikey said defensively. He turned around wielding a spatula, and has a scowl on his face, the front of the apron reads, Kiss me, I'm Irish. I laugh as he waves it angrily at Raph who just rolls his eyes and mutters something about immaturity. He begins to serve us sunny-side up eggs and toast. "This one's for you." He says as he serves me a slice of toast in the shape of smiley face. I can't help but toss my head back and laugh. We begin to eat and half-way through the meal, a brash clap of thunder sounds making us all jump. "I hope Leo makes it home okay, this storm is really picking up." I say.

"April, this is Fearless, we're talking about. He'll be back soon enough." Raph says in what I assume was supposed to be a comforting voice. I can never really tell with him.

Another boom of thunder.

"God, I hope so." I say with a frown.

Leo's POV

I just barely make it to the next rooftop. I stumble when I hit the ground and collapse. It took me a lot longer than it should have to get to my feet, and when I do the rest of my body screams in protest. I've been on the run from foot for about seven blocks now. I had taken on more foot ninjas then I could handle and I was covered from head to toe in cuts, blood and bruises. My shell cell had been destroyed before I could contact anyone for help and I sure as hell wasn't going to head back there for refuge. There were just too many of them following me. I really hated myself at that moment. I felt like a coward. I felt like a helpless, vulnerable, outnumbered, beaten up, coward. But what other choice, did I have? Taking them all on on my own would be suicide, but the further away I got from April's apartment, the weaker I felt. And I couldn't afford to get any weaker. I had just landed on the next rooftop when I heard a deep, gravelly voice. "I didn't expect you to get this far, freak." I just stood there breathing heavily as I stared at Hun. "If I were you, I would just give up. Save us both some trouble."

I unsheathed my swords and took a fighting stance. "If half of the foot ninja army wasn't able to defeat me so far…what makes you think you can?" I say between breaths. I try to shoot him an intimidating look, but apparently fail, because Hun just grins and balls one of his large hands into a fist slams it into his open palm; then lets out an ear splitting battle cry, just before charging me.

April's POV

I set the last two mugs of hot chocolate on the tray than headed out to the living room. I serve the guys their hot chocolate, than gave Master Splinter his tea, I grabbed a mug for myself then sat down on the couch next Mikey. I had changed from my shorts and tank top into a woolly yellow sweater, a pair of jeans, and a pair of furry black boots. I turned up the thermostat, and I was still cold. The storm outside was only getting worse. Leo still wasn't back yet and I was getting more and more worried every second he didn't return. Apparently, everyone else was feeling the same way. Mikey kept staring out the window with a sad look on his face, Don was trying to contact Leo every five minutes, and Raph just kept pacing back and forth with his fist clenched. Master Splinter was doing his best to calm everyone down.

"I still can't contact him." Don said as he angrily slammed his shell cell shut. He strode over to us and angrily sat down between Mikey and me.

"Have tried tracking him?" Mikey asked as he turned his gaze away from the window. His baby blue eyes were full of distress and sadness.

Don rolled his eyes and snorted. "Of course I tried tracking him. But I'm not picking up a signal." He glared at Mikey for a moment than his face softened. "Sorry, Mikey. I didn't mean to snap like that. I'm just so worried."

"Master Splinter, you have to let us go out and look for him." Raph said as he finally stopped pacing.

"Well Raph, maybe Leo just found somewhere to hide out until the storm passed over. I'm sure-

"Look, don't tell me what my brother is doing. I've known Leo all my life; you've known him three months. So don't sit there and try to tell me what "you're sure" he's doing. " Raph hissed with a grimace. He spat out every word, as if it was poison in his mouth. He glowered at me, daring me to retort. I decided to keep my mouth shut. Not only because I didn't want to anger him, because he was right. I hadn't known Leo long enough to assume what he was doing out there.

"Cool it Raph, she's only trying help." Don said in my defense.

"I'm not the one who needs help! I have a brother out there somewhere and he could be hurt. And we're just sitting around here not doing anything about it!" Raph yelled irately.

"Raphael! Calm yourself! There is not much we can do while this storm passing. There is no way for you to travel around the city without being affected by it. All we can do now is hope he returns home safely." Master Splinter said. His voice was calm but I was still able to detect the slightest bit of concern in it.

Leo's POV

I bit my tongue to hold back my scream of pain as Hun sent me flying into a brick wall. "That all you got, freak!" He shouted from the other side of the roof. I slowly got back to my feet and my body screamed in protest; I fell back down my plastron with a pathetic groan. A few feet away from me Hun was laughing sadistically. "Once I'm done with you, the rest of your family is next! I'm gonna track them down and make you watch while I bleed each and every one of them dry! Except, that sexy little redhead. Her I'd like have, hang around a bit." Hun continued. I suddenly felt my blood begin to boil and I heard myself release another pathetic groan.

"What was that?" Hun asked teasingly.

This time I found myself standing up. "I said, No one threatens my family!" I tightened my grip around my hilt and forced myself to stand up.

"You just don't know when to quit do you?" Hun growled. As a response I charged at him and attacked when he was least expecting it. I lashed out at him with my katanas, slashing them in any direction. My vision was blurry as a result of the adrenaline rush so I couldn't see where I was slashing, but I could hear Hun screaming out in pain. The adrenaline began to die down, and my vision became clear. Hun was standing in front of me crutching his shoulder, grimacing. His black shirt was torn and he was bleeding from several cuts on his torso. He stood up and for a moment it looked like he was going to charge at me, but he stopped. He turned his gaze to something behind me. He looked back at me and grinned maniacally. He bowed and then took a few steps back. I turned around and looked in the same area he was and when saw who he was, my blood ran cold. I began to stagger backwards.

"No…that's impossible! Master Splinter finished you off! We saw you die!" I yelled. Although, I couldn't see his face through his mask, I was sure that the Shredder was smirking at me.

"Looks like you were wrong, turtle." He growled at me. "You may have defeated me once, but this time you will not be so fortunate!" He then charged at me with his arm raised. And the next thing I knew, one of his claws was coming down at me, aiming for my head.

April's POV

"That's it. We have to go look for him. He's been gone too long." Raph said. I didn't try and console him this time; in fact, I hadn't said anything since his outburst, earlier. Master Splinter sighed and looked out the window.

"I think I have to go with Raph on this one, Sensei. Even Leo wouldn't want to train in this weather, something must." Don said worriedly.

"Very well, my sons. Just please be safe." Master Splinter said, with a rueful look on his face.

"We will sensei." Don said with a small bow, and a reassuring smile. I walked with him over to the window. I glanced out the window with a frown. "Call if you find anything." I say in a small voice.

"Sure thing, Ape." Mikey says with a salute. I smile and turn to walk away. I've taken a couple of steps when I hear glass shatter. A few glass shards manage to lodge themselves into my arm before Don is able to shield me with his own body form the rest of them. I looked up and saw Leo lying on the ground. He was bloody, bruised and wasn't moving at all. His brothers and Master Splinter all rushed to his side. But, me. I just gaped and did what any idiot/coward would do and screamed.

"Leo! Leo, who did this to you!" Raph demanded. Leo opened his mouth to respond but instead only coughed up blood and moaned. Raph drew his Sais and stormed toward the window. "When, I find the bastard that did this-

"Raph…"

Raph instantly turned at the sound of Leo's voice and returned to his side and took his hand. "Leo, who did this? Tell me!"

"It was…it was…..it was the Shredder….he's back." Leo managed to moan. I saw the other's faces go white.

"The Shredder?!" I exclaimed. "As in the Shredder you said fell from a multi-story building then was crushed by a water tower?"

"Yeah, that's one." Mikey said with a grimace as he made his over the window.

"This is impossible. No one should have able to survive that!" Master Splinter said in a shaky voice. "We must get him out here! There might have been someone following-

More glass broke, and foot ninjas began pouring in through the windows. Mikey defensively pushed me behind him as more foot ninja began to flood into my apartment. Soon enough, we were surrounded. "So…what's the plan?" Mikey asked as he drew his nunchuks.

Raph twirled his sais in his hands then took a defensive stance. "No plan. Just kick ass." He growled. He lunged at the foot ninja nearest to him and shoved the tip of his sai through his throat. He pulled back out and blood was dripping form it. He kicked him away and moved on to his next target. When my path was clear, I quickly made my way over where Leo was lying behind the couch, Master Splinter fending off foot ninjas and Don doing his best to tend to him. I was almost there when I felt a sharp pain in my leg and I fall to the floor, cutting my hands on stray shards of glass. I looked at my leg and a kunai was sticking was sticking out my calf. The culprit was making his way over me, katana raised, ready to take my head off. Thinking quickly I wiggled it around some, making the wound even worse before I finally ripped it out and barely managed to hold back my scream. I threw it back at him and it landed right between his eyes. He dropped his katana and fell to his knees, before collapsing right on top of me. I shuddered and shoved him off, and made quickly crawled over to Leo, and when I saw him I could barely stop the bile from rising in my throat, from the coppery smell of the blood that was oozing from two, parallel, five inch, gashes on his head. When Don saw me his eyes immediately wondered to the blood stain on my pants. "What happened to your leg?" He asks frantically as leaned over to examine. I waved him off.

"It's nothing just a scratch." I lied. "Leo's more important." I took off the sweater I was wearing over my tank top and handed it to Don. "Will that help with the gashes on his head?" I asked. Don nodded and took the sweater from me. He began to press it against the wound and tie the sleeves around tightly. "That won't hold for long, we need to get him out of here." He said tying one final knot. I looked over at the front door, which was free of any ninjas. "I need you to cover me while, I get him downstairs." I said.

"April I don't think-

"She is right Donatello. It is the best option." Master Splinter said as he kicked a foot ninja several feet away from him. Don reluctantly nodded in agreement and helped me get Leo to his feet. I turned away from Don and winced at the pain in my leg when I stood up. I threw one of his arms over my shoulder and began to half drag- half carry him towards the door. It's only a few feet away from where I previously was, but between my injured leg and hauling along a mutant turtle who was weighed twice as much as I did, I might as well have been walking across the Sahara, with an elephant on my back. By time I finally reach the door, the last foot ninja had been taken down. Don came over to the door and motioned for me to step back a few feet. I obeyed and the second he opened he opened the front door, three other ninjas rushed in only to be taken out by a bo staff. "C'mon!" Don shouted as he made his way out the door. I made my way over there as quickly as possible; ignoring the pain that came with each step I took. Once we got to the bottom of the stairs, Mikey peeked through the door of the antique shop. "Uh-oh." He mumbled.

"What is it?" Master Splinter asked.

"See for yourself." Mikey said stepping aside. Master Splinter made way over to the door and peeked out. "The foot elite." He gasped.

"The what?" Raph asked.

"The foot elite. They are the most ruthless and skilled of the entire foot clan. They are the Shredders, personal attack force."

"April, stay here with Leo. We'll take care of these guys, and let you know when the coast is clear." Don said. I nodded and sat down, letting Leo's head rest in my lap. The guys quickly made their way into antique shop, closing the door behind them, and leaving Leo and I alone in the dark stairwell. I heard him moaning and looked to down to see that his were open. "April?"

"Yeah, Leo it's me." I said soothingly, as I began to stroke his cheek.

"Where are the others?"

"They're fine. They're just…taking care of things right now.

"April you have to get out of here…I wasn't supposed to lead them back here…I'm so sorry."

"Leo, I'm not leaving you ok? I never run out on anyone and I'm not going to start now. You mean way too much to me for me to just leave you here." I said sternly.

"April, I don't want you getting hurt. If you have the opportunity to get somewhere safe, then you need to take it."

"Look Leo, with all due respect you are in no position to be giving me any orders. I'm not leaving you, no matter what you say, and that's final."

I suddenly felt something cold tap me on my shoulder. I whipped my head around and saw what may just be the biggest man on the planet. He was at least seven and a half feet tall and looked like he weighed a quarter of a ton. He had blond hair that was styled in a braid that fell to his shoulders. He was wearing a large black, sleeveless shirt that was torn in several places. He had fresh scars on his chest and a tattoo of a purple dragon that snaked up his large right arm. His eyes fell to Leo and he smiled, he looked back up at me and his smile grew even wider. In his hands was a large crowbar.

"This can go one of two ways, sweetness." He said stepping closer. "You can either hand the freak over like a good little girl, or you can try to be a hero. I would suggest that you go with the first choice because I would hate to have to rearrange that pretty little face of yours."

"Piss off you fat ass, son of a bitch!" I spat back. Dammit April, why'd you say that!? I scolded to myself silently.

The large man chuckled and slammed his fist into his open palm. "You got guts little girl. Too bad I'm gonna have to spill them all over the place." He came one step closer and I did what may have been the dumbest thing, in the history been of dumb things. When he got close enough to me, I spat directly in his face.

Now when I was growing up my Uncle Augie had a motto. The line that separates the brave from the foolish is a very thin one. And sitting here looking at man. This seven and a half foot man. This seven and a half foot, quarter ton man. This seven and a half foot, quarter ton, crowbar wielding man who'd face I'd just spit in, while I sit here helpless and my only means of defense is unconscious, I must say that I didn't feel brave at all, in fact, I felt quite foolish. The blond man's face turned beet red. And he sent the back of his hand flying across the side of my face, and left me sprawled on my back. He grabbed my arm and yanked me off the ground so that I was dangling in the air His eyes fell to the bloody area on my leg, and he smiled smugly before hitting, that exact spot with his crowbar. A yelps of pain escapes from my mouth and laughs as he continues to beat me like a piñata.

"Let her go Hun!" I heard Leo say in the most intimidating voice he was able to manage.

Hun (strange name) grinned and said. "As you wish." And threw me against the door so hard that I went right through it. I heard several voices call my name but I was too dazed to answer. I looked back into the stairwell and saw Hun dragging Leo's limp body into the antique shop. Well damn, some protection I am. Leo would've been better off, if a crippled, newborn kitten was his only protection.

Who I'm assuming is one of the foot elite, grabs me and pulls me to my feet, then forcefully pins my arms behind my back. I struggle but use. The foot elite guy had me in an iron grip. He grabbed my hair and pulled my head back, and I felt cold metal press against my neck. Dammit, now I'm a hostage. God, I'm useless.

"Drop your weapons or she dies." The foot ninja says. There's a hesitant pause before I hear, wood and metal clatter against the floor. I look on as they stand there helpless. "I'm so sorry." I mouth.

The front door opens, and in walks a man wearing a metal suit of armor that has spikes just about everywhere. Beady, red eyes poke out from a slit in his mask. "Shredder…" Raph mutters. The Shredder laughs humorlessly as he looks around him. "It is time that we end this once and for all. You may have defeated me once, but you will not defeat me again! I vowed that I would get on you freaks and nothing will get in my way!" He turned his attention to me and even though I couldn't see his face, I could tell he was smirking. "But first…you will watch your friend die!"