A/N: hey guys, I'm finally back with the 3rd and final installment of the Protection series. I apologize for the sudden absence, but I wanted to take some time off to focus on school, track, and just relaxing a little. The end of my school year ends in 2 weeks, but that doesn't mean I'll be free all summer. I'm not gonna go into detail because I'm pretty sure you all don't care about my summer plans, but I'm just saying this so you'll know. Also, just a head up, if you have a webtoons account, my friend and I are making a story. I'll be the author while she does the art style (since I can't even draw). If you are interested in reading it, let me know and I'll let you know when the first chapter is published. I do not know when the chapter will be first published considering we are still getting everything together.

Anyway, this chapter is longer than I intended it to be, so you're in for a treat for the first chapter, but I can't promise anything for the 2nd one when it comes out. So please review, and enjoy the first chapter!:)

I own nothing of TMNT

Leo's P.O.V.

Raph and I were patrolling the area, and currently, we are just running on top of buildings. Donnie and Mikey are on the other side of town, doing their patrol. Why...does this seem like it has happened before? Wait...oh no! I stopped running, only to feel Raph slam right into me. Quickly, I turned to see him on the ground, rubbing his head.

"Ow! What the heck was that for Fearless?!"

He gets to his feet, and I looked around cautiously.

"Doesn't this...seem familiar to you?"

He gives me a confused look. "Familiar? What do you mean by that?"

"Remember last time we were split up like this? We ended up...with him!"

"Well yes I do. Please don't tell me you're afraid of the same thing happening twice," he playfully punches my arm. "Are ya?"

"Uh...well..."

"Come on, Fearless! We are stronger now! We won't let those idiots beat us up again!"

"Raph, you just recovered from your leg injury! I feel it can still be prone to hurt every once in a while!"

He rolls his eyes. "Like your shoulder's a different story?"

I glanced at the scar that's formed on my shoulder, and then back at Raph. Taking a breath, I speak again.

"I think we should go find Donnie and Mikey."

He grunts. "You CAN'T be serious! Are you really afraid of the same situation happening again, that you'll just end the patrol right here?!"

"Raph-."

"Ok fine," he throws his hands up. "You win! I'm just tired of you lecturing me!"

And then before I could say anything else, he takes off running in the opposite direction.

"Raph, wait!" I exclaim and began to chase off after him.

How did he manage to get so far ahead of me?! Also what was with the whole lecturing thing? All I said was that we find Donnie and Mikey...that's it. It could be that Raph isn't in a good mood...again for some unknown reason.

I keep on running, calling Raph's name, but I didn't hear an answer. Why am I worried all of a sudden? It could be this gut feeling I'm having...hopefully my gut's wrong.

Right when that thought crossed my mind, there was the sound of a scream and then blades colliding. Thinking quickly, I took off towards the sound, and the closer I got, the more I can hear what's going on. There were the sounds of grunts and metals clinging to each other.

When I was close enough to see what what happening, I see that Raph got himself in a fight with the Shredder. This CAN'T be good! I hid behind the stairwell building to see how long this will last.

"How many times do I have to tell you?!" Raph snaps. "I ain't telling you where the lair is!"

"You will!" Shredder snaps. "Or you will die!"

"You can try all you want! It isn't gonna happen!"

Shredder growls in frustration as he charges full force at Raph. Raph looked ready to hold him off, but soon saw the weight was too much for him as he flown back a few feet and slammed hard with a thud. Shredder walked up to him, and put his foot on his chest, as Raph grunts.

"And now," Shredder says as I decided to intervene, "you will die!"

I ran as quickly as I could, and before I can even strike, Shredder turns around and strikes me as I fly back. That gave Raph the opportunity to break free of Shredder's foot overtop of him and get to his feet.

"What are you doing here, Fearless?!" he snaps.

"Looking for you!" I grunted as I get to my feet. "You were the one who ran off for no reason!"

He rolls his eyes. "Well get lost! This fight is mine!"

"You're insane if you think I'm leaving! You can't possibly defeat him on your own!"

"I can!" he says as he dodges an attack. "Just watch me!"

I pull my katanas out as I ran towards Raph.

"I'm fighting with you rather you like it or not!"

He growls. "Fine! But remember, I can handle this!"

I ignored him as we fought the Shredder together. He's just as hard as I remembered and the both of us were standing our ground. We tried sneak attacking, but that didn't work...it only resulted Raph being slammed harshly against the wall. It will be a few minutes before he fully recovers, so I'll have to hold my ground against Shredder until then.

I'm not sure how much time has passed before I find myself in a tough situation. Shredder and I were getting closer towards the edge of the building, and I'm running out of room to lure him away from Raph. As I was backing up, I felt myself trip, and I soon realized I was right near the edge. Crap...I just doomed myself.

"Now Leonardo," he says as he smacks my two katanas away from my hands before I could react. "You will die!"

He brings his gauntlets towards me, and before I could even react, a blur rushes in front of me. Before I knew it, the gauntlets go straight through it...and then to my horror, I realized that it was Raph who just saved me. My eyes widen in both shock and horror as Raph let's out an agonizing grunt and then turned his head to me. That's when I noticed Shredder stabbed him right through his chest.

"I told you...to...let me...handle this..." he says weakly before Shredder violently rips his gauntlets out of his chest, and he begins to fall.

I caught him and lowered us to the ground. By this point, Raph was unconscious and was hardly even breathing. His pulse was getting slower every second.

"Raph, come on! Don't be messing with me! If this is some kind of sick joke, it isn't funny! Why did you go and do it you idiot?!"

Tears were streaming down my face, and I looked angrily up at Shredder.

"Hm...pitiful. He's giving up his own life to save yours, but he would have died for no reason. Such a shame. Don't worry, you'll join him soon enough."

I growl. "YOU'RE GONNA PAY!"

I shot up from the ground and grabbed my katanas from the ground and charged straight at Shredder. He used his gauntlets to block, but the anger I'm feeling is making me stronger, as I gave a death glare towards Shredder.

"I WILL KILL YOU!"

"You are beneath me, turtle!"

I. DON'T. CARE! I WILL KILL YOU NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES!"

From there on out, I was in a daze of anger as I unconsciously fought Shredder. All I can remember are my fists and blades hitting Shredder, until next thing I know, he is on the ground, and I'm all set to kill him.

"Die!" I snapped.

I was about to bring my blade down, when there was a voice behind me.

"Leo?"

I snapped out of my anger, and turned around to see Donnie looking shocked at me.

"D-Donnie?"

I must've had my guard down because next thing I know, Shredder hits me full force, and I go flying across the rooftop, and then collided into Donnie. We both fell over from the impact, and groaned as we got to our feet.

"Donnie, what're you doing here...and where's Mikey?"

"We heard screaming so we thought it was better to search more ground so we split up."

I was about to yell at him for being so careless, but Raph's pale body caught my eye and made me stop. Lecturing them will have to come later.

"We will talk about that later," I say. "But right now, you have to save Raph!"

He looked confused. "What are you-?"

Then he looks over to see Raph and then his eyes widen as he looked back at me.

"Please," I practically begged him. "He'll die!"

There was a silence before he nods.

"I'll try to do what I can."

I weakly smile. "Thanks D! Don't worry I'll cover you!"

He opens his mouth as if to say something, but then closes it again. Then he nods.

"Ok, be careful!"

"You too!" I say back, and we both went on our separate ways.

I charged at Shredder, the thought of what he did to Raph and having to protect him and Donnie gave me the strength to fight. Hopefully Donnie can help Raph because his condition is scary me...even worse than when he broke his leg. At least when he broke his leg, I knew he was going to live...but this...why did he have to be an idiot?!

I have to focus on Shredder and try to get Donnie and Raph out of here. They need to get back to the lair while I go find Mikey afterwards. I'm not sure how long Raph will last...but they need to get out of here.

"Donnie!" I shouted after a few minutes. "I need you to get Raph back to the lair, now! Don't worry about me, I'll be fine! I'll find Mikey after this too!"

There was a silent, and I smacked Shredder, as he went a small distance away from me, and I looked back at Donnie.

"Donnie, did you hear me?! Get moving while you have the chance!"

He looked up at me, and tears were coming down his face. That made my heart smash into pieces and then it felt like a brick went to my stomach.

"Donnie?!"

"I...I think it's too late," he says. "He's lost so much blood and the wound is near his heart. I'm sorry but...I don't think he'll make it back to the lair even if I did try."

My eyes widen. "So Raph's gonna..."

Tears continued streaming down his face as he nods slowly. My eyes widen in horror and tears leaked from my eyes. After a moment of shock, I get angry and turn to face where the Shredder was.

"YOU!" I snapped angrily. "YOU'RE GONNA-!"

And then I stopped when I saw he wasn't there.

"What the?! Where did he go?! That coward!" I turned towards Donnie. "Donnie, we can't let this go in vein! We gotta-!"

I stopped when I suddenly see Shredder suddenly appear behind Donnie, and my eyes widen.

"Donnie, behind you! Look out!"

His eyes widen as he turns his head to see Shredder, but he didn't react in time. Shredder brought down his gauntlets as he stroke Donnie's head, and he collapsed right beside Raph. His body remained lifeless.

"DONNIE!" I screamed, and that got me more angry. "THAT'S IT! YOU'RE GONNA DIE TONIGHT!"

I charged, and the two of us engaged in battle. My anger took over and I could see nothing but red. I will make sure Raph's and Donnie's death wasn't for nothing. At this point, Mikey is the only brother I have left...I will protect him at all cause even if he isn't here.

I continued attacking, until I was on the ground. He looked ready to end me, but once he was bringing down his gauntlets, I see chains come out of nowhere and wrapped around his hand. The next moment, he's being yanked back and falls over. I looked up to see Mikey, and my eyes widen.

"M-Mikey?!"

Oh no, what's he doing here now out of all times to show up?!

"Hey ShredHead, leave him alone!"

Shredder growls and I quickly get to my feet.

"Mikey, get out of here! I can't lose you too!"

"What are you talking about?!" Mikey asks.

Tears threatened to come out of my eyes, but I wouldn't let them. I can't hesitate to tell him...even though it's painful.

"Donnie is dead, and Raph is dying!"

His eyes widen as he looked shocked.

"N-no! Y-you're lying! If this is some kind of joke, it isn't funny! I should know that better than you guys!"

"Why would I lie about this, Mikey?! Why would I kid about our brothers like this?! They are both to the side, covered in blood!"

Mikey glances over to their bodies and his eyes widen.

"N-no! T-that's impossible!"

Suddenly, Shredder charges towards Mikey.

"Mikey, look out!"

Mikey turns his head towards Shredder, and I started running, but I wasn't quick enough. Shredder got to Mikey first and threw him off the building. All that could be heard was the sound of Mikey screaming, and then a sickening thud of a body hitting pavement.

"MIKEY!" I screamed, and at this point, all the anger rushed right out of me.

At this point, I could move...I was too paralyzed with fear and shock to move. This is some kind of nightmare...yea! I need to wake up! Please! I can't afford to lose my brothers like this! Especially since one gave his life for me.

"Pathetic!" Shredder says, and I looked up to him. "I guess I finally broke you! After I finish you, I'll go after your rat master!"

I should feel angry, but I couldn't stop shaking, and the tears were streaming out of my eyes.

"And now, it ends! Farewell, Leonardo!"

He brings down his gauntlets towards me.

"No..." I whisper as it got closer to my head.

...

"NO!" I screamed loudly as I felt myself spring forward.

I panted as I looked around to see where I was...and that's when I noticed I was in my room. After I caught my breath, I let out a sigh of relief. It was only a nightmare...so why did it feel so real? Why do I keep having these kinds of nightmares?

It was silent for a few more moments, before I see my door fly open...and Raph stood in the doorway.

"Leo, are you ok? I heard you screaming."

I'm still shaken up from what I've seen him do in my nightmare, but I'm glad to see him ok.

"Yea, I'm fine. It was just a nightmare is all. I think I just had too much to eat before bed."

He stood there for a moment, before smirking and then chuckling.

"I told you not to eat too much of Mikey's pizzas...it does those kinds of things to you."

I chuckle slightly. "Heh, yea I guess so."

"Anyway," he rolls his eyes. "If you don't want to sleep, you can just come out with the rest of us."

I shake my head. "No, I'm fine. Like I said, I had too much to eat...I'm fine now."

He shrugs and rolls his eyes again. "Eh...whatever you say Fearless. I'm heading out in the main room. Get some sleep, bro."

I nod. "Yea...I will."

He gives me one nod before turning around, and closes the door behind me. I just laid in my bed, and stared at the ceiling until I can get myself to fall back asleep.

Raph's P.O.V.

I closed Leo's door before sighing and leaning against the wall. This is the 2nd time this week that Leo's had one of his nightmare. Honestly, I'm seriously worried about his nightmares. I mean...they're less frequent than a month ago, but they still happen. It's one thing that his shoulder is still healing a little, but his mental state is what's taking forever to heal.

It's been nearly 3 months since this entire thing started with the two of us being kidnapped by the Shredder, and he's still having trouble. He doesn't constantly blame himself anymore like he used to, but he's still having trouble. I've been trying to play it off by acting like my usual self, but I feel that Leo is starting to suspect that I'm letting my guard down.

Besides, as far as he knows, I'm just brushing off his nightmare problem because he knows that he's becoming overwhelmed over nothing. I sighed as I glanced down at my leg. I haven't had any pain in it for 3 weeks, since it isn't broken anymore, but I can't help but to think that Leo still watches me as if my leg would suddenly become a pain again. It isn't just him, Donnie and Mikey have been watching too...well, mainly Donnie.

I get away from the wall as I began making my way to the main area, where Donnie was sitting there on his laptop. Whenever I got closer to him, he looked up at me. All I did was stare at him and sighed.

"Is everything ok?" he asks after a few awkward moments.

I sigh. "Yea...Leo had another one of his nightmares."

"Again? This is the 2nd time this week!"

"I know...it's getting concerning."

"I agree...although, you act like its no big deal."

"Oh shut up!" I unintentionally snapped. "You know I'm just as concerned as you and Mikey! He would expect me to make it no big deal! Besides, I don't want to get conflict in that!"

"It doesn't matter that he expects a certain thing from you. You know you can't keep up this tough guy act! He'll suspect something is up eventually!"

I groan. "I don't want to hear it! He already has a lot on his mind! The last thing he needs to worry about is me and my worries!"

"Raph, we're brothers," he says flatly.

"I don't care. We don't have to tell everything you know. I bet you've kept secrets. Like how April doesn't know your obvious crush on her."

His face goes red. "H-hey shut up! Don't talk about that!"

I throw my hands up in defense. "Hey, I'm just saying bro!"

"Ok, that's different."

"Oh yea, how?"

There was a silence before he growls.

"Just forget it!"

I roll my eyes. "Whatever. Listen, I'm gonna head out with Casey. If anyone asks, just tell them the truth."

I began walking away, before he stops me.

"Wait! A-are you sure that's a good idea? Your-."

"I don't want to hear anymore about my leg! Honestly, it's been 3 weeks! I'm fine!"

"You never know!"

"Oh, I know! Well, I'm heading out! Bye!"

And then I turned and ran out of the lair without letting Donnie say another word.