Chapter 7: Breakdown
A/N: My, it's been a long time since I've updated this little tale. My apologies, but other stories got in the way and crowded this one out as they tend to do. However, I was looking over this story and decided it was time to give it a bit of an update. I want to thank all of those who have read and reviewed thus far. Your kind words mean the world to me and I'm really glad you're enjoying this story. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well.
Disclaimer: TMNT and all related characters are property of Nickelodeon. I only own the plot and nothing more.
Leo was feeling restless and really wished he could train. His knee wasn't better, but Leo was getting tired of not being able to do the things he used to do. Feeling bored, he left the house and arrived at the area where he normally trained. Everyone else had gone to the woods to hike, but Leo had opted to stay home, saying that due to his knee, he just didn't feel like joining them. The others accepted this, and though Raph had offered to stay with him, Leo had vetoed this and had urged Raph to go with the others. Leo was grateful for what Raph was doing, but he really needed some time alone to himself.
He took a deep breath and unsheathed his swords, relishing the sound they made as they came free from their confines. His muscles tensed in anticipation of practicing the moves. Yes, this was just what he needed to feel better. He moved through a series of katas, the moves coming to him as they had when he'd first learned them. He heard Splinter's voice in his head, coaching him through the katas, reminding him to take it slow. So far, everything was fine, and he began to speed up the katas. He could do this. He was going to get better.
Suddenly, his knee gave out, and he collapsed to the ground.
"Leonardo, get up!" he heard Splinter's voice commanding him.
Leo tried, but his knee gave out, and he fell again. "I can't," he said.
"You are a ninja!" chastised Splinter. "A true ninja does not let weakness blind him. Get up!"
Once again, Leo tried to get up, but his knee buckled. He was too weak. He couldn't do it.
"You're so pathetic, Leo!" Raph snarled. "You act like you're so smart, but you can't even get up when you're told to! Some leader you are!"
"Stop it!" Leo snapped. "I am a good leader!"
"I never thought I would see the day when Leo would fail," Don said sadly. "You really are a disappointment. I knew I should have been chosen as the leader. I never would have let this happen."
"That's not true, Donnie," Leo said. "You know you never wanted the job. Stop acting like I've failed you."
"Dude, it's such a bummer," Mikey said with a sigh. "I really looked up to you, Leo. I wanted to be like you, but now I see that you're not the brother I thought you were. I guess I'd better look up to Raph instead."
"Don't say that, Mikey!" Leo begged. "I'm still the brother you think I am. I haven't changed."
"I always knew you were a phony," April laughed. "I could see right through you, Leo. You'll never be a good leader. You should have died in the Technodrome."
"I did that to protect you guys! Please, don't say that!"
"Dude, just face it," Casey piped up. "You suck as a leader. Raph's a way better leader than you are."
"No, he's not! Stop saying that!"
Sinister laughter joined the voices of his family and friends. "You are a fool, Leonardo," Shredder's voice taunted. "You are nothing more than a failure to your family and your friends. You are not fit to lead your clan, and your failure will now be your downfall."
Leo watched helplessly as Shredder vanquished his family one by one. The blue-clad Turtle did his best to stop it, but he was too weak to get up and help his family. He kept calling to them, but they didn't wake up. Then Shredder loomed over him.
"You have failed, Leonardo, and now your family and friends are dead because of you. Now I will finish what I started that night in New York."
"No!" Leo cried. "You stay away from me!"
"There is nothing you can do now, Turtle. You are finished!"
Leo cried out as Shredder's gauntlet came down and his world faded to black.
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The woods were quiet, and it was nice to be outside and roaming them for a change. But something told Raph that they had to get back.
"Guys, I think it's time to head back," he said.
"Do we have to?" whined Mikey.
"We've been gone for a few hours now, and Leo might be getting worried," said April. "He's never been left alone like this."
"He'll be fine, Red," Casey reassured her. "He's probably watching TV or something right now."
"April's right though," Don said. "Leo hasn't been left alone since we got here. I just hope he didn't come after us."
The five of them left the woods and headed for the farmhouse. A cry pierced the silence, and Raph stiffened as he recognized who it was.
"Leo!" he shouted. He took off at a run, not bothering to see if the others were following him. If something had happened to Leo, it was his fault for leaving him alone. He came upon his brother's unconscious form lying in the grass, his swords lying nearby along with his cane. He dropped down to his brother's side, worry filling him. What had happened while they were gone? Had someone attacked him?
The others arrived and gasped at what they saw.
"Spread out," Raph ordered. "Check the area and see if there was anybody here. I'll take Leo back to the house." He gathered his brother in his arms and gently carried him back to the house. Then he came back and retrieved his brother's swords and cane so he wouldn't miss them. Something had happened while they were gone, and if someone had hurt Leo, he was going to make them pay for it. Raph pulled out his T-Phone and dialed Don's number.
"Did you find anything?" Raph asked when his brother picked up.
"No," answered Don. "No sign of anyone here."
"Something must have happened for Leo to pass out like that," Raph mused.
"Maybe he was doing some katas and passed out because he was in pain," Don suggested.
"You might be right, but we won't know until Leo wakes up," Raph said. "Just come back."
Raph checked in with the others and all of them confirmed that there were no signs of anyone having been in the area. Raph wouldn't put it past the Foot to track them down and find them. But why would they attack Leo and just leave without finishing him off?
The others arrived back at the house, and they sat down to discuss what was going on.
"There was no one here, Raph," April reported.
"Are you sure there aren't any neighbors around here, April?" Raph asked her.
"I'm sure, Raph," she replied. "It was always just us when we would come out here."
"Do any other hunters come this way?" Don asked her.
"They might, but I've never seen any. Do you think it's The Finger again?"
"Nah, he was too busy crying over Bigfoot," Mikey answered. "I don't think he'd bother us again."
"And even if he did, Bigfoot would make sure he didn't hurt Leo," Don pointed out. "There are no signs of any visible wounds. I think Leo just collapsed from training too hard."
"But I heard him cry out," Raph insisted.
"He probably hurt his knee again, Raph," Don said. "I'm sure he'll feel guilty once he wakes up because he knows he's not supposed to be training right now."
"It wasn't a cry of pain," Raph said. "It was like someone was trying to hurt him. That's what it sounded like to me."
"Nobody was here, Raph," Casey told him. "I think you're just imagining things."
Raph glared at his friend. "I know what I heard!" he snapped. "Leo sounded like someone was attacking him! When he wakes up, I'm gonna find out who did this, and if someone hurt him again, they're gonna pay!"
The others didn't answer as they knew how Raph was and what he would do. They all retreated while Raph stayed at Leo's side. He was determined to find out who hurt his brother and seek his revenge. He cursed himself for letting Leo stay all alone. How could he have done that? What had he been thinking? He sighed and sat down next to his brother's prone form on the couch, keeping vigil just like he had once before.
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Not long after, Raph awoke when Leo began moaning. He jolted up and smiled when he saw Leo's blue eyes staring at him.
"Hey, bro, welcome back," he said. "Are you okay?"
Leo's blue eyes widened as he took in what he was seeing. "Raph? Is that you?"
"Yeah, it's me, Leo," Raph answered.
"Am I dead?"
Raph was shocked at the question, but he did his best to remain calm for Leo's sake. "No, you're alive. You just passed out. What happened while we were gone?"
"You can't be alive," Leo protested. "I saw Shredder kill all of you. I tried to help, but I couldn't get to you in time." He hung his head as tears filled his eyes. "I failed you again, Raph. I'm so sorry. I didn't want this to happen."
Raph pulled Leo into an embrace. "Leo, don't say that," he said gently. "You didn't fail us. We're all right here with you. You're gonna be okay. I just need to know what happened out there."
"Are you sure I'm not dead?" Leo asked him.
"Yeah, I'm sure, bro. Here, feel this." He took Leo's hand and put it to his chest. "What do you feel?"
"My heart," Leo answered.
"Yep," Raph said. "Do you believe me now?"
"I guess I do. But then what happened to me?"
"What do you remember, Leo?"
"I remember you guys went to the woods, and I decided to stay home," Leo answered. "I went outside to do some katas because I didn't want to stay inside. I was doing fine until my knee gave out. Then I heard Splinter's voice telling me to get up. I tried, but I couldn't do it. Then Splinter yelled at me, and all of you guys yelled at me, too. Then I saw Shredder, and he killed all of you and was gonna kill me. After that, I don't remember anything."
"That must have been when you blacked out," Raph said. "Did you see anyone around the house?"
Leo shook his head. "No, I didn't see anyone. I guess I must have imagined it."
"Yeah, that makes sense given what you're going through."
"Raph, can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Do you think I'm a bad leader?"
Raph sighed. "Of course not, Leo. You're the best leader I know. Is that what I said to you?"
Leo nodded. "All of you said stuff like that to me."
"It was just your mind playin' tricks on you, bro. None of us think that of you, so don't dwell on it, okay?"
Leo started to tremble. "But it was so real, Raph. All of you were so real, and you all sounded so mean. It was like you all hated me and didn't want me around anymore."
"Hey, calm down, bro," Raph soothed. "It wasn't real. We've got your back, Leo, and I'm sure Sensei does, too. He loves you and thinks you're awesome." He smiled a little. "There was one time where I was mad at you, and Splinter talked to me about it. I told him I didn't like how you were so bossy, and he said that you only wanted to protect me. And that time when you left because I was mad at you and said you were the worst leader, do you know what Splinter said to me?"
"What?" Leo asked him.
"He said that now I knew the burden you carried and how it was hard for you. I think in that moment, I realized exactly who you were and what it was like to be you. And when I did, I began to understand you better. You don't nag because you're better than us. You nag because you want to protect us from harm. You carry the burden because you were brave enough to ask for it and you didn't give a reason why. You just asked. And when Splinter gave it to you, you carried it and continue to carry it. I know it's hard, Leo, but you should remember that you don't have to carry it alone. We're here for you, bro. So if you need help with the burden, I'll help you carry it, and so will Mikey, Donnie, April, and Casey. Heck, I'm sure Sensei will help, too. Don't do this alone, Leo."
Leo smiled after Raph was done talking and gave him a hug. "Thanks, Raph," he whispered. "I promise that if the burden gets too heavy, I'll let you know."
"Good," said Raph. "That's the Leo I know. I'll let the others know you're awake."
Leo nodded and waited while Raph reported to the others who came in shortly after that. Don asked Leo a few questions, and Leo answered them honestly and assured everyone he was fine.
"You up for some grub, bro?" Mikey asked.
"That sounds fine, Mikey," Leo answered.
"Cool. Anything in particular?"
"No, whatever you have will be fine."
"This calls for some pizza," Mikey said and hurried to the kitchen to make it.
Leo felt better after his talk with Raph and joined everyone in the kitchen for some pizza. They didn't discuss what had happened but talked about lighter subjects. After their meal was over, they retreated to the living room to watch television until it was time to retire for the night. Leo kept his eyes on the screen, but his mind kept replaying Raph's words. Yes, he didn't need to carry the burden alone anymore. He had others who were willing to help him, and he knew that asking for their help wasn't a sign of weakness. He was still strong, but he was stronger with his family and friends beside him.
"Leo, are you okay?" Raph asked him.
Leo snapped out of his thoughts when he saw everyone was staring at him. "Yeah, I'm good," he said. "I was just thinking."
"About what?" asked Mikey.
"I was thinking about what Raph said about me not carrying the burden alone," replied Leo. "He's right that I have others who are willing to help me carry the burden of being a leader and what has happened to me. I've been through a lot, but all of you have been there for me and supported me through it. I can't repay you enough, and I have to remember that you guys will be there for me when I need you. I'm not alone, and I shouldn't act like everything rests on my shoulders."
"That's deep," commented Casey.
"You're right, Leo," said April. "You're not alone, and you don't need to act like you are. We're here for you whenever you need us. If you need to talk, you can talk to us. Don't bottle everything up inside. My dad told me not to do that because he said your feelings will still be there and will continue to get worse if you bottle them up inside."
"Sensei said the same thing," Leo told her. "And he's right, too."
"He definitely is," agreed April. "And a certain Turtle once told me not to give up hope. You can't give up hope either, Leo. You're going to get better, and we'll be here for you when you heal."
Leo smiled at her words. "Thanks, April," he said. "I'm lucky to have good friends like you guys beside me."
"Yep, you can't get rid of us that easily, bro," Mikey said as he slung an arm about Leo's shoulders.
Leo laughed. "No, I can't get rid of you, Mikey. I'm stuck with you guys, and I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Group hug!" Mikey announced and everyone crowded in together. After a few moments, they parted and then Mikey began to grin.
"What are you smiling about?" Raph asked.
"Now it's time for a pillow fight!" Mikey yelled and whacked Raph with one of the couch pillows.
"Oh, you are SO going down for that," Raph teased as he tackled the youngest Turtle.
That led to an all -out pillow war and even Leo participated in it, getting in a few hits of his own. Exhausted, all of them collapsed to the floor to rest before retiring for bed.
Leo sighed as he settled into bed. He was definitely a lucky Turtle to have his brothers and their friends by his side. He would remember Raph's words and do his best not to carry the burden alone from now on. But he knew that there were still going to be some struggles ahead for him and obstacles he'd still have to encounter before he was fully healed. He would succeed as long as he had his family by his side. With that last comforting thought, Leo fell asleep and dreamed of the day when they would take back New York and be reunited with their father.
A/N: And that's the end of another chapter. Sorry for the delay, but I kind of hit a wall with this. So what made me come back to it? Listening to Adele's new CD brought back the inspiration. Yes, I'm serious. If you ever have writer's block, listen to Adele. She'll get you out of your funk and help bring you back to your muse. I have a few other muses thanks to her music, so I'll be sure to work on those as well. Feel free to leave a review and have a shelltastic day.
