Fall of a hero

Chapter 1

Raph P.O.V

The fight appeared to be going reasonably well, or at least Raph thought so.

He was managing to keep both Razar and Fishface at bay with Donnie while Mikey was occupying Stockfly. Leo had left them during the heat of battle to confuse the enemy and- more importantly- to sneak down to the dungeons and rescue Karai. He had told the others the plan to start with and ordered them to keep all of Shredder's goons busy in the throne room so he could complete the rescue undisturbed.

So far all was going to plan.

"Raph! Heads up!" Instinctively, Raph ducked a second before one of Mikey's numchuck chains came flying through the air, right where Raph's head had been a moment before, and wrapped around the approaching Fishface, sending him flying sideways.

Raph gave his younger brother a thumbs up then spun, landing a solid roundhouse kick onto Razar's snout. There was a pained whimper in response making the hot headed turtle smile smugly to himself.

Donnie spun his staff and caught Stockfly- sending the mutated scientist spiralling to the ground, skidding to a halt at Mikey's feet.

The brothers shared a smile and Raph recalled the words Leo had said once, "We're not overconfident- maybe we're just that good."

As he knocked another foot bot's head from its shoulders, Raph couldn't help but agree with his older brother- this was getting too easy.

Leo P.O.V

Meanwhile, below the fight raging on in the throne room, the eldest turtle was using the chaos to sneak down unnoticed. With a dagger in one hand and a throwing star in the other, Leo was prepared to take out any opponent quickly and stealthily.

So far there had only been three foot bots guarding the entrance and they had been easily avoided, but since them- there had only been silence.

Leo only hoped Karai hadn't been moved since the start of the battle, he wouldn't put anything past the Shredder.

At last he reached her cell- the one Donnie had found a heat signature in- but as he peered around the unlocked door, he realised he had a problem. Tigerclaw was there behind Karai, one gun pointing to the back of her head- his yellow eyes locked firmly on the bars of the door. Thankfully he hadn't appeared to have seen Leo yet.

Taking a deep silent breath, the blue banded turtle debated on the best plan- he needed to be silent so not to alert anyone else to the dungeons. He tucked away the dagger- slipping back into the hilt of his katana handle, then he palmed a smoke bomb. He counted to three and leapt out from the cover of the door, throwing the smoke bomb into the room, blinding the giant mutant cat. Following the startled yelp as Tigerclaw's senses failed him, Leo executed a perfect knife strike to Tigerclaw's temple, knocking him out cold.

It was only once the purple haze had cleared did Leo realise Karai wasn't conscious. She had been held upright by Shredder's henchman, yet her eyes were closed. He moved towards her, checking for a pulse and was relieved to see she was still alive, yet slightly disappointed she didn't see the spectacular- if he said so himself- rescue. Rolling his eyes he gently shook Karai- or Miwa.

"Karai! Wake up!" He hissed urgently, cutting the chains which bound her to the floor, "Karai!"

He shook her again, knowing he was running out of time. He needed to get her out of the building before he went back for the guys.

A moan emitted from her mouth and after blinking several times, Karai bolted upright, her hand reaching for her sword which was no longer on her back. She looked at her saviour for a moment before stating,

"Leo? How did you-"

"No time for that." Leo shushed her, explaining that she needed to get out to the Shellraiser and to wait for him and his brothers. However, as he guessed, Karai bit back.

"I'm coming with you." She stood up with her hands on her hips. Sadly- Leo didn't have time to listen.

"No. You don't have a weapon and I need both of mine-" he added quickly, seeing how she was eyeing his swords. "I know you can handle yourself," he raised a three fingered hand, knowing her next argument, "But do this for Splinter- please."

At the mention of her father's name, Karai fell silent, and Leo was thankful his ploy to bring Splinter into it- although their master knew nothing of the rescue mission- had worked.

"Take this, and go and wait for us there." He finished, handing her his Tphone before moving back towards the door "We'll meet you in a minute."

He looked back to catch her guarded yet thankful smile as he slipped out of the cell and began running towards the throne room. Karai was safe, that was all that mattered. All he had to do was collect his brothers and they would-

"Where do you think you're going, turtle?" A deep, menacing voice echoed out from behind one of the pillars, "You dare walk into the spider's web?"

Shredder stepped out from his hiding spot and extended his blades. Swallowing back his fear, Leo kept a steady gaze on his enemy- remembering how quick the villain could move.

"Haven't you already used that expression once before?" He resorted, hoping to appear confident, yet Shredder's next comment made him realise it didn't work.

"Ah, how you tremble inside that shell of yours. How about I rip it from your back and send it to Hamato Yoshi as a warning. He's sent a mere child to do a man's work."

Leo felt his blood boil at the insults Shredder was hurtling at Splinter, yet with great difficulty, he managed to refrain from charging in at Shredder. He wanted him to have the first move, as he knew Shredder's skills outmatched his own, so charging in would be suicide.

With a growl, the Shredder darted forward, gauntlet up and ready to strike, but Leo unsheathed his swords and blocked the shrike, yet to his horror, the Shredder grinned as his foot came down sharply on his right kneecap and a shockwave of pain hit him. He screamed out as he heard a snap and he nearly passed out from the pain- but somehow he managed to block the next blow from one knee.

He gulped. Somehow he knew he wouldn't escape this fight alive unless he got some help.

As one of Shredder's blades ripped into his arm he looked at the ceiling, silently willing the guys to help him…

DUN DUN DUN!

WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK?!

What's going to happen to Leo?

Will Karai escape?

Will the guys come to help?

What will Splinter say when they get home?

Review your thoughts!

LL99 OUT!