Whoot! Next chapter!
I decided to update now, because I am in an exceptionally good mood! :D Almost done with classes, turned in my portfolio, done with my term paper, and everything else is just going great! Thought I'd share my good mood with you all :)
Though, this chapter is probably the saddest I have ever written... ironic, huh?
Okay, enough of my babbling. Here you are!
Disclaimer: I do not own the TMNT. Oh, and the song "Never Alone" belongs to Jim Brickman and Hillary Scott and Lady Antebellum.
TMNTTMNTTMNTTMNT
Don gently slid the DVD into the player and stepped back, remote in hand, sitting on the couch next to his father and younger brother. Raph was pacing behind the couch.
The T.V. was blank for a moment, and then the screen was filled with the familiar sight of Don's lab. That's all the small family saw for a few seconds and then there was movement as someone sat in Don's chair.
"Leo…" Mikey breathed, eyes glued to the screen. Raph's pacing had stopped.
A very young-looking Leo sat in front of the screen, looking very relaxed. He smiled and waved at the camera.
"Hey, guys," he said. "I hope you're doing well. But the fact of the matter is… if you're watching this then I am no longer here." He closed his eyes for a moment and then opened with another small smile.
"Maybe I should start from the beginning. It's March 6, 2008. It's about…" his eyes shifted off the screen for a moment, "6:50. We've just had dinner. Mikey, you're playing a video game and Raph, you and you, Don, are in the garage, fixing up some last minute details on the Battle Shell. Master Splinter, you're watching your stories on that little T.V. Don set up for you. We're about to leave for patrol soon, so I don't have much time…"
He closed his eyes again and opened them after a moment, face becoming serious. "I'm not going to make it back home tonight… Though, if you're watching this… then I guess you already knew that… it's already happened…
"I woke up this morning knowing that tonight I am going to die. Don't ask me how, I just know. That's why I was getting all 'deep' at breakfast, Raph." He smiled. "I wanted to know if anyone else got that feeling… Guess not, huh?"
"I don't know what's going to happen tonight. I don't know anything except the fact that I'm going to die. Which is why… I' recording this. I don't know if I'll have time to tell you all this before I go, so I'm making this video in case I don't. I don't know how long it will be until you find this… days, weeks… months, shell, it might be years. But I'm glad you did find it." He smiled comfortingly at them. "But the other purpose of this is to reassure you that whatever happens tonight, it was none of your faults. It was just the way it's supposed to be. If it doesn't happen tonight, it'll happen eventually. And there's nothing you or I can do to stop it. So stop blaming yourselves. That's my job."
Mikey let out a half sob, half choked laugh. Raph snorted and Don smiled a little, as did Master Splinter.
"So Don, stop beating yourself over the head about not being able to do anything to save me. I have a feeling that nothing will work anyways; it's just the feeling I get. And Mikey, you need to stop thinking that if only you were paying attention, you would have been able to prevent it. You're not God. And Raph, will you lay off yourself about not being fast enough? Because then it will have to be you, and I know that I can't live with the fact that one of my little brothers went before me. Master Splinter, please let the though that if only you hadn't let us go out, then I would still be alive. One us would have gone anyways, and then who knows who would be absent today? I know you guys. And I can guarantee that these are the things running through your heads. But, if it helps anyways, I forgive you."
There wasn't a dry eye in the room, save for the picture of Leo on the screen, who was smiling softly.
"Anyways, there are a few things I would like to clear up. First of all… I would like to be buried out at Casey's grandmother's farmhouse. It's always been my favorite place and it's got so many good memories there. If it's too late, then don't worry about it. You don't have to move my body. I understand completely. Second of all, there's a small wooden box under my bed. If you could, please burn it. "
Leo's eyes shifted off screen quickly again, then focused back on the camera. "It's almost time to leave for patrol. So, I must leave you… for now. But before I go, I want to tell you that everything will be okay. And I wanted to leave you with some words from my favorite song."
Leo pulled out a piece of paper and unfolded it. He smiled as he looked at the camera.
"Raph," he said. " 'May you always have plenty, your glass never empty.' And 'May you win, but stay humble, smile more than grumble.' That one might be hard for you," he snickered a little, "but I think that you can manage. Don, I hope "you find friends worth having, with every year passing, they mean more than gold.' And "when you face the unknown, wherever you fly, this isn't goodbye.' I know you. When you put your mind to finding out something, you're unstoppable. And Mikey, 'May your tears come from laughing,' and 'know when you stumble, you're never alone.' Be that light in the dark, baby brother. Things don't seem that bad when you are. And Master Splinter, 'I'll be in every beat of your heart.' I love you, father. I love all you
"And so I must go. 'I have to be honest, as much as I want it, I'm not gonna promise, the cold winds won't blow. So when hard times have found you, and your fears surround you, wrap my love around you. You're never alone.' I love you, and I'll always be here. You will never be alone, no matter what happens."
Leo smiled one last time and then reached forward. The camera went off, and the screen became black.
TMNTTMNTTMNTTMNT
Sorry it's kinda short...
But like I said, it was originally supposed to be a one-shot that got a little out of hand. But this song is one of my favorites and is what inspired this fic to begin with. So, please review and tell me what you think? I would really like to know what you think, as this isn't a traditional song-fic... I tried something a little different and I like the way it came out. But I want to know your opinions :)
