WHEW! This was the hardest chapter to write yet (rides around the track once in victory while blowing kisses)...Thank you! Thank you! You're too kind...

WARNING: I portrayed Leo here as a little Raph-like with some impulsive actions, sarcastic comments, cursing, you get the picture (personally I thought I should cut Leo some slack and let loose here since he's already had an emotional night - poor Leo)

DISCLAIMER: Not even close to owning any certain terrapins (but you can just let me keep on dreaming...)

Alright, so now we're just gonna rewind 5 minutes back, and…

5:45 PM – The Rooftops

LEO:

I HATE YA…I HATE YA…I HATE YA…

The words played over and over in my head like a broken tape-recorder, matching the rhythm of my feet slapping against the slate & concrete rooftops.

I ran and ran and ran, not caring at all where I was going. I just had to get away from those destructive words. But no matter how far I ran, my heart still felt like it had been ripped out of my chest, stomped on, then kicked a few times for good measure.

We don't need ya… We don't need ya… We don't need ya…I let out a soft sob, my vision blurring with unshed tears threatening to spill. I quickly wiped them away to keep them from staining my mask, trying to pull myself together. You can't break down like this. I thought, You've got to stay strong for your brothers.

I paused at the mixture of emotions that one word managed to evoke from me. My brothers…Mikey…Donnie…do they also think I'm an overbearing and emotionless leader who nags them all day? That I don't act like a big brother? I scrunched my eyes shut, trying to block the memories out of my mind.

-10 minutes earlier (IN AN EXTREMELY LONG FLASHBACK)-

I bolted from that dojo like a bat outta hell, trying to get away from those words still piercing me like tantos. He hates me…my little brother HATES me…

I could still see the image burned behind my eyelids:

The look on his face hard and cold as ice with eyes burning into me with intense loathing and disgust as he loomed over me. Those familiar sais whirled and gleamed in the dim light, poised to strike.

I could already feel the bruises from the dumbbells throbbing in a constant rhythm. But the most painful of them all were wrapped around my upper arms where Raph had pushed me. The marks traced clear indents left by each finger around my limbs, pulsing like he was still gripping me while he screamed those words into my ear. They bloomed shades of purple and black, mixing with the blood that was already dripping down my right cheek onto my shoulder. The colors blended into a muddy brown hue that reminded me of sadness and despair, emotions that now filled my heart with a greater pain than I had ever felt in my whole life. (A/N - I was in a poetic mood when I wrote this - don't hate)

It was worse than any of Bishop's attempted experiments, Shredder's painful tortures, even Splinter's disappointed gaze. That expression on my brother's face is what brought me closer to the breaking point than I had ever been. I bit back the wrenching sobs clawing up my throat, barely holding myself together by the seams.

I sprinted over to the main entrance as fast as I could, feeling like the walls were closing in around me. As I let my eyes flicker around the main area, memories sprang to mind from our early childhood up until the past few months. We had always been together, the for of us...turtles forever...brothers forever. Now we were broken, no longer the invincible team that had brought down our most powerful enemies. Bonds had been shattered that may never heal. And that is what shook me the most.

I closed my eyes, trying to block the memories that reminded me of happier times. They only made me feel even more sorrowful about what we had become. I…need to get out in the open…I frantically thought, clear my head…

Quickly I blended into he shadows on the far walls, desperately hoping none of my brothers were around to witness my near emotional breakdown. Seeing one's "Fearless Leader" curled up in a ball and sobbing on the floor would not exactly help to raise moral around here. I shook my head, With all the Shredders popping up around us, Stockman and Bishop still lurking around, not to mention that creepy presence in the air, we can't have anything distracting us.

I smiled slightly, I love my brothers and trust them implicitly, but as Leader I hold their faith in me as the key to our success. I cannot afford to make mistakes. That is my burden. Having a mental breakdown would not exactly give them a vote of confidence.

I shook my head resolutely, No, I must sort this out on my own. If only I can get out of here without any of my nosy bros finding me. I prayed to whatever entity may be out there to please grant me this small reprieve in my time of need. But of course Fate decided to throw me a curveball as I inched closer to the entrance. Almost there, I thought, reaching for the access keypad, So close to freedom and….

I was almost out the door and home free when I felt a hand on my shoulder, causing me to practically jump outta my shell. Stupid turtle luck running true to form, I bitterly thought. Now I know how my brothers feel when I sneak up on them. Usually I could hear someone approaching me from about a mile away. But in my current emotional state, I hadn't really focused on tuning into my environment.

So of course, now I was left to my own devices against my brothers to suffer an infamous turtle interrogation from one of my bros. Great, I thought sarcastically, just what I need. I've got one brother proclaiming he hates me and another about to give me the third degree. This is definitely not my night.

"Leo? You ok?" Don asked, surprise showing in his voice. Apparently he hadn't expected to catch me off guard either. Ok, I lectured myself, just act normal and pull it together so you can go and sort out your dilemma later in peace.

Dragging myself out of my internal rant I gave Donnie a brief nod, not trusting my voice.

He raised an eye-ridge at that. "You sure? The dojo walls practically blew over from all your 'huffing and puffing'. I know you and Raph like to go at it, but I'm pretty sure you two almost broke the sound barrier that time. Also Mikey and I, well we…" I could see him looking a little sheepish, "We kinda caught some bits and pieces of the 'conversation'…"

I flinched, keeping my back to him. Shell, Mikey and Donnie had to stand by and listen to my ranting against Raph. I can't really even remember the last time I lost my control like that. I just felt myself let go and…

I hung my head in shame, What kind of leader and big brother am I? Poor Mikey is already hurt enough with his ankle; I don't need to add to his and Donnie's stress level… I could already feel my genius brother scrutinizing me, a puzzled look on his face. I shook my head. Don's already suspicious enough about me. If he sees these bruises he'll just overreact and drag me back into the Lair to give me that check-up. I tensed; I've got to get out of here.

"You know he didn't mean it." Don said softly, interrupting my reverie as stepped a little closer to me, "Raph just lashes out and says stupid things. You know he'll be out here soon trying to awkwardly apologize while keeping the tough guy persona." He smiled his familiar kind smile, "Don't worry about it, big bro."

I nodded slightly, keeping my face partly turned away so Don couldn't see my expression. You're wrong Donnie. I thought, those words are too hurtful to classify as just lashing out. They only run on real feelings…hateful ones...

My own thoughts and emotions were tangled like yarn, a million strands going in different directions. Yes, I'll admit they're were probably some momentarily hateful ones of my own mixed in there, but I knew I could never really hate my own brother. Even if he hates me, I bleakly thought.

I needed time to sort this all out. Right now I couldn't risk facing Raph… or any of my brothers for that matter. For once I didn't even want to talk to Sensei. I cringed at the thought, hoping he hadn't also been subjected to hearing our showdown too. I don't think I could even deal with one of Sensei's lectures right now. I know, call me a hypocrite, but if my speeches are bad, his are 100x worse.

"Hey, Leo? You there bro?" Don's hand slowly came into focus as he waced it in front of my face, trying to grab my attention. I blinked, "Um, sorry Don. Did you say something?" I asked.

He gave me a concerned look, "You were spacing out there for a second. You've been doing that more and more, are you alright?" he asked, moving to put his hand on my forehead to check my temperature.

"For the last time, Donnie. I'm fine." I said irritably, smacking his hand away.

He stared at me for a long time, causing me to squirm under his probing gaze. Finally, after a minute he reluctantly nodded, placing a hand on my shoulder before I could react. "Well, if you're ok, then are you ready to do that check-up now to analyze your…" his voice trailed away.

I tried holding in the yelp building in my throat as Don increased the pressure on my bruised shoulder. I could feel him tracing the unfamiliar dip in my bone from a particularly nasty dumbbell on the rack and willed myself not to flinch.

Finally couldn't take it anymore and as casually as I could tried to step out of my younger brother's crushing grip on my poor shoulder, but of course Doctor Don wasn't fooled. Before I could protest he dragged me out into the light so he could properly see me. I could feel see his gaze raking over each of my bruises, assessing each of them with a professional eye. He finally looked up at me, his gaze flaring in anger.

"Shell Leo," he breathed, "Did you substitute as Raph's punching bag or something?" I kept my eyes locked on a spot over Don's shoulder, refusing to look at him.

Suddenly I saw his eyes widen from the corner of my eye, "Leo…" he whispered, "Why is you mask wet?"

Confused, I brushed my fingers over my mask, finding it damp. I flinched, feeling the tear tracks already forming on the fabric. Disgust and self-loathing twisted within me as I clenched my teeth. No, no, no! You can't let them see you like this! I thought. Overwhelmed, I felt my flight instinct begin to take over. Gotta get out of here. NOW.

I managed to yank myself out of Don's clutches and ran as fast as I could, desperately trying to put as much distance between me and Don's prying eyes.

I glanced back to see his mouth dropped open in utter shock like I'd just grown a second head. I felt my famous Leader's guilt squeeze my chest and immediately squashed the urge to run back and apologize to Don. You can do that after you've cleared your head. I thought to myself, Just keep running…just keep running.

My feet automatically carried me to the Lair's back entrance. You know, the one Donnie said is only to be used in emergencies. Sorry Don, I thought, I'm not one to normally bend the rules, but to me this definitely counts as an emergency. I made a beeline towards the concealed doorway, praying I wouldn't run into any other hindering family members. But of course the world is quite literally always against all us poor mutant turtles.

Just as I skidded by the kitchen entrance Mikey walked out holding a scrap of paper. He quickly looked up at my approaching figure and grinned his famous you-know-you-can't-escape-my-little-brother-charm grin and he sauntered toward me. "Leo!" he called, "My favorite bro in all the universe! I was wondering if you could do your awesome lil' bro a solid and get some ingredients for dessert. The address is on the back—"

I snatched the paper out of my baby brother's unsuspecting hands before he could even finish, flipped over him, then bolted out of the Lair without another word.

I could still picture my last glimpse of the home, seeing Mikey's face flickering between surprise, confusion, and hurt. I couldn't help but think how much it mirrored Donnie's face only seconds ago. I'm sorry, Michelangelo, Donatello, my little brothers. I thought, as I splashed down the dark sewer tunnels. But this is one time when I need to be alone.

-End Flashback (finally done, *does happy dance*)-

In those past 10 minutes, I hadn't even been able to scratch the surface of my conflicting emotions. I was shifting too quickly between anger, guilt, surprise, guilt, confusion, did I mention guilt?

"Ugh," I scoffed to myself, "I might as well be on Oprah or something." (A/N - I'm sorry, but I just couldn't help myself)

I shook my head to clear away my tangled thoughts and glanced down at Mikey's list. The address was nearby. At least it gives me something to do. I bitterly thought before setting off. I ran at a punishing brisk pace that burned my arms, my legs, my lungs, and everything in between. It reminded me of my constant training in the dojo.

Training always helped me. It made me focus on what I was doing and not have to worry about any future obligations I had as big brother and leader. It lifted that burden off my shoulder, if for a short time. But still the relief was welcome and I enjoyed it when I could.

Of course Raph always thought I was just training more to outdo him. After I was made Leader he always called me a perfectionist, simply trying to show off in front of Master Splinter. That was when we really started to drift apart.

We used to be joined at the hip. I thought, and now we can't even be in the same room without fighting. I sighed. Sometimes I wonder if the cost of becoming Leader is worth it...

I was so engrossed in my own internal monologue I didn't even sense the shuriken flying at my head until it practically grazed my skull. I backflipped to avoid it and landed behind some sheltered roofs, trying to conceal myself in the shadows.

Attempting to control my breathing, I immediately ran through a list of possible perpetrators. Alright, you've probably faced worse than this, whatever "this" is. It can't be the Foot. They've broken up into their small factions after we made peace with Karai and none of them would be stupid enough to face us in direct combat. The Purple Dragons have also been keeping a low profile since Hun disappeared. Haven't seen Bishop around lately. It could be him but shurikens aren't really his style. I shook my head, I have to get out of here and warn my bros. Pulling even further back into the shadows, I began making my way down to street level to escape through the nearest manhole.

Unfortunately my plan was sadly interrupted when a powerful punch came out of nowhere and cracked me right across the jaw. I flew about 5 feet back and crashed into ventilator before I crumpled to the ground. Dazed by the unexpected blow, I tenderly brushed my fingers over my throbbing cranium. Well, I mused, wincing at the pain, I'm definitely gonna feel that in the morning.

"I'm afraid that disappearing act won't work very well with us, old boy." A bodiless voice declared. Invisible hands grabbed my arms and dragged me out into the open before pinning me into the ground. Foot tech ninjas. I immediately thought and rolled my eyes, Why not, it's not like this night can get any worse.

"Well well, if it isn't the famous Leonardo. Just the turtle I was looking for." The voice came again, a British accent tinting its words. "I must say it is a pleasure to finally meet you."

I did my best to glare at what sounded like the source of the voice before vehemently demanding, "And who would I have the 'pleasure' of being mauled by on this fine night?"

A quiet chuckle sounded that sent shivers all through my shell. "Such an amusing terrapin." The voice replied, "I dare say you have quiet a sense of humor in the face of possible death and destruction."

I scowled at where I assumed the voice's face to be. It let out another chuckle that sounded like nails on a chalkboard to me.

"Oh, but where are my manners. I forgot to introduce myself to you." A middle-aged man wearing a standard white lab coat slowly flickered into my vision. He was average height, with a sturdy strong figure and large round glasses perched on his slightly hooked nose. His hair was dark brown, curled around a slight balding spot. Overall he looked like the run of the mill college professors. Well, except for the foot symbol painted on the side pocket of his lab coat. And the knife.

He gazed down at me while pressing the said tanto against my throat, giving me a calculating look that reminded me of Stockman. Except as far as I could see he still had all his physical body parts where they should be. His mental parts? Yeah, not so much.

Great, I reasoned. We finally take down the Shredder and another loony takes his place.

He peered at me with beady black eyes like I was some kind of bug in a jar he was studying. I shuddered. It made me want to jump into the Hudson River and scrub every inch of my skin raw. Yeah, that's how desperate I was.

Finally after studying me, he continued, "My name is Professor A.D. Dire. I wish our first meeting could be more cordial but this seemed to be the most…effective method to contact you."

"Oh yeah, I'm sure this is the start of a long and beautiful friendship." I shot back, channeling my inner Raph. Usually I don't taunt my enemies as much as my brothers, I like to go for the silent and deadly image. But I was running out of options here and angering your opponent leads to distractions and possible escape routes. Plus I had enough emotions to deal with, so directing it into sarcastic comments didn't hurt me either.

Dire narrowed his eyes at me but chose to ignore my remark, "Yes Leonardo, I am sure that we could get along quite well. Which is why I wanted to meet with you, to put some…ideas in perspective for you."

I snorted, "Nuh uh. Sorry Prof, I already heard the villain sap-story from the Shredder once, I'm not falling for it a second time."

"Ah," Dire interrupted, "But my proposition could be very beneficial for you, Leonardo. I ask you to simply listen to my terms, then you are free to go." He flashed me a smile that I'm sure would have had Hun running for his life. "And our little chat may help to protect three certain terrapins relatives currently wandering around the sewers below our very feet."

I quickly masked my churning emotions, giving him a blank look, "What relatives?"

He gave another chilling smile, "Let us not play games, Leonardo. I am speaking of your three younger brothers. I believe their names are Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo." He paused, "Oh and let us not forget your adopted father, Splinter."

I gritted my teeth at his words, "Fine, you may know about my family, but it's not as if you could find them." I smirked, thinking of Donnie's state of the art security systems. They might as well try breaking into Fort Knox.

He returned my smug look, "Who said I needed to find them? I am a scientist, Leonardo. I can easily procure a toxin specified for those of terrapin and rodent ancestry. It would wipe out your fraternal siblings and father in only a matter of hours."

I clenched my fists and growled at him, "Don't you DARE hurt my family."

He gazed at me without even flinching, "Now let us not be too hasty, my friend. I am sure we can easily negotiate an agreement that could leave us all quiet content. But let us be civilized beings about this. Won't you please sit down?" It wasn't a question. He slowly pulled the knife back and gestured toward a ledge for me to sit down on. Of course even if the roofs seemed deserted I knew I was still undoubtedly surrounded by who knows how many Foot ninja. But at least the short journey allowed me to discreetly scope out some possible escape routes.

"I wouldn't think about that if I were you, old boy." Dire said without even glancing at me. "I may look like I just stepped out of a university's lecture hall, but trust me…." In one swift move he grabbed a tanto from a hidden sheath in his boot, turned and threw it at my heart. The knife would have skewered me into turtle shish kabob had I not used my honed ninja reflexes to dodge the blade. The Professor smiled his chilling smile, "…I know what I am doing." he finished before turning around and leading me and my invisible escorts over to the ledge.

Well, the direct approach just went out the proverbial window. I grimly thought before hesitatnly following him. If he only wants me to listen to him and let me go, then my bros and I can lay low for a while until he moves on and we never have to see his sorry hide again.

I paused, Of course, that's to say I probably shouldn't trust the word of a man who's already tried using me for target practice twice within the past 5 minutes.

Deciding to bide my time, I settled down on the ledge next to the madman, fuming silently. Just because I'm 'listening' to what he has to say does not mean I have to be happy about it. I thought back to a similar scene. It reminds me of Raph's expression when I was lecturing him earlier, before…and with that unwanted thought properly shoved to the back of my mind, I turned to face my 'dear friend' the Professor.

Dire must have taken my death-glare as a sign to continue as he began to speak, "As you have most likely guessed I am employed by the Foot." He smirked slightly, "I am currently the Head Scientist of our European operations."

I looked up at him, startled. They have a European Branch? I thought, then cursed myself. Of course they do. Shredder headed the American division. It is only logical that they have other headquarters all over the world.

"As you know," he resumed, "our late associate the Shredder has been…disposed of by his kind and now exiled on some dreary far off asteroid." He sighed, "It is quite a shame. Oroku Saki used to be highly regarded throughout all the Foot organizations as the best of the best in his line of work. But since he met you terrapins he frankly became quite obsessed and, shall we say, lost his touch." He shook his head like he was discussing a cancelled TV show, " Such a pity."

"This is all very fascinating." I said sardonically, "But what does it have to do with me and my brothers?"

He looked up in surprise "Leonardo my friend, it has everything to do with you." He paused, giving me a teeth-chattering smile, "Your defeat of the Shredder was so unexpected it caught the interest of my employers. They have sent me here to study you. I believe the American expression would be, 'to see what makes you tick.'"

I snorted, "Sorry Prof, but you'll have to get in line. I already have enough government agents and mad scientists chasing me around trying to cut me into itty bitty turtle bits."

I gave him my famous cold-hearted gaze that has sent it's fair amount of Purple Dragons scurrying home, "If you want to dissect me, do it. But you are forbidden from EVER harming a hair on their heads." Well, technically we don't have hair. But I think the initial message still holds. I winced, I'm sorry Mike and Donny,…and Raph, I wish I could apologize for all the cruel things I said to you. I held back the sadness threatening to overwhelm me. I know you'll make a great leader.

"My dear fellow," Dire interrupted, "I'm afraid you are quite mistaken. I am not here with you tonight to drag you down to one of my labs."

My head snapped up. I narrowed my eyes in suspicion, "Well what other way would you try to find out 'what makes us tick'?" I hissed.

His lips quirked into a disturbing half-smile "Let me rephrase my sentence. I am not here to capture and dissect you tonight. However after this meeting has come to pass my scientists and soldiers will immediately begin combing the area for your family. Once we do find you, we will bring you back to my labs and test your physical, mental, and emotional limits quite mercilessly."

"You bastard." I shouted, flinging aside all sense of decorum to lunge at what I thought to be Satan's own spawn only to be stopped by multiple unseen hands that roughly grabbed and shoved me back down into a sitting position.

Dire continued unabashed, "In spite of this, I am giving you, Leonardo, the chance to avoid this fate." He looked me in the eye, "You are the leader of your brothers. The warrior, strategist, and big brother all rolled into one. You have shone almost unmatched skill in your battles against the Shredder and his various incarnations. Ergo the council has recognized this and allowed me to give you the once in a lifetime chance to join us."

I stopped my struggling, my mouth hanging open in utter shock at the absurdity of his statement, "What?" I choked out.

"Yes Leonardo," Dire declared, "You are being given the opportunity to join the proud Foot clan." He smirked at me, "You would have a high position in our organization. With your skills you could one day be one of its leading members. Despite your…"he briefly raked his gaze over my form. "…distinctive physical characteristics."

"What about my family." I demanded, undeterred, "Would you only then leave them alone?"

He cocked his head, "I'm afraid that would be impossible. I still have orders from my superiors to investigate your unique capabilities. And even if you joined our people you alone could not give me enough data to draw any solid conclusions.

"But," he added, "you would be completely spared from any of my experiments and could potentially gain quite a bit of power and respect from some of the most influential figures around the world.

"So what do you say, Hamato Leonardo." He concluded, giving me an unsettling grin, "I believe the phrase is 'are you with us or against us?'."

Once I got over the shock of the very idea of me mixing with the Foot, I felt a rage start to uncurl in my belly that felt truly Raph worthy. "You filthy," I began, "despicable, conniving, obsessive son of a bitch!" I hissed. "Unlike you, I protect my honor and would never EVER betray my family." I spat in his face, "I'll join you when hell freezes over."

(A/N: I know, not very Leo like, but when Leo's emotional and broody I find he tends to get a little Raph-like, ergo I'm letting him cut loose a little here)

I saw a flash of anger in the Professor's eyes that was quickly masked as he slowly pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket to wipe the spittle off.

He stared at me for a moment before finally speaking. "I'm sorry that we could not come to an agreement, Leonardo." Dire calmly stated, "I would like you to remember that that was your only chance at freedom."

He faced me, an arrogant smile tugging the corners of his mouth, "Oh and thank you ever so much for the DNA sample you have given me. It shall be the first to be tested in my experiments."

He stood up and slowly began to walk away from the ledge without a second glance. Well, I thought, He's either going to:

a) let me go (doubtful),

b) Drag me back to his lab to do who knows what (more likely), or

c) Kill me (even though the bastard gave his word). Let's hope he's at least honorable enough to retain his promises.

Immediately Dire snapped his fingers and barked in Japanese, "Ashi ninja wa, kame o korosu."

My eyes widened in horror at his words, Foot ninja, kill the turtle.

Suddenly over a hundred foot ninja materialized around me, overflowing onto the neighboring roofs. I cursed, so much for keeping his word. I quickly took care of the foot ninja already holding me down before drawing my familiar twin katanas.

Well my old friends, I thought squeezing my hands against the leather handles, We've been through a lot together over these past few years. Let us at least end this battle together in an honorable death.

With a war cry I know would have made Mikey proud, I leapt into battle. I struck, kicked, dodged, whatever I could do to avoid the deadly fists, feet, and weapons all aimed at me. By this point I was cutting down bodies without even a second thought. Even when the niggling guilt rose in the back of my mind I quickly squashed it, thinking of their dishonorable methods for which they deserved Death.

I will grieve for all the carnage I have caused later, I thought. I will suffer all the consequences Master Splinter may give me for bringing about such a massacre. I paused, feeling the tears already welling in my eyes, I simply want to find my brothers and protect them from this new evil. Their safety matters more than all the Foot ninja in the world.

Even with the corpses piling high in my wake I could already feel my strength beginning to wane. The battle was tiring me and I could feel a familiar pain beginning to lance through my chest. Damnit, not now! I screamed to myself, anytime but now! Slowed by the increasing pain across my torso, I barely dodged three shurikens all aimed at my head.

Pain suddenly flashed in the back of my skull like fireworks as a bo staff caught me in the back of the head, right on the bruise from my earlier run in with the ventilator. What a cheap shot, I thought before crumpling to the ground. I held my head groaning at the sharp throbbing before I felt a tanto again pressed against my throat, pushing against my aorta.

I looked up to meet the glittering mad eyes of Professor Dire. "And now we end this, Leonardo." He declared, raising the tanto above his head. "I believe you once beheaded the Shredder in an attempt to kill him. Now I shall return the favor." He laughed hysterically like it was the best joke in the world, before regaining an eerily calm countenance. "And now," he exclaimed with a frenzied gleam in his eyes, "It is time for you to die, old boy!"

"NOOOOO!" a guttural scream tore through the air from behind me, so primal and emotional it left shivers all through my shell. The whole scene immediately froze like a still-life painting as everyone's eyes turned to where the cry had come from. I craned my neck to catch sight of the source before my eyes widened in shock. This can't be happening...

Gotta love cliffhangers...I hate reading 'em, but I sure love writing 'em!

Alright, down to business. Let me put this bluntly - Leo's gonna kick the bucket soon (I'm sorry to all sensitive Leo-lovers out there, but it's gonna happen). BUT WAIT! DON'T GET OUT YOUR MOB TORCHES AND PITCHFORKS YET! Leo may be d-e-a-d soon, but he is still present in the story (For now I will leave this statement to your imaginations...). And yes, there is still a 99.99% guaranteed happy ending.

So, on from my ramblings - I want a vote on what's the best way for Leo to go (yes, I just went there):

1. In battle in the arms of one of his brothers (probably Raph)

2. In the Lair's infirmary during a severe...incident (nope, still not telling you what's wrong with Leo, but it's coming up soon)

3. In his sleep (possibly surrounded by his brothers)

4. Any other option you can think of (I welcome all T-rated or under possibilities with open arms)

Alright, so crack your knuckles and get typing (please no horrible insults or flames, I know I seem quite morbid right now...BUT IT'S GONNA GET BETTER!)