Hi, guys! I'm back!

(wipes forehead) Thew! The Fan Fiction Competition is finally over! In case you didn't know, I was on the committee this year. 'Twas a lot of fun, but a lot of hard work too.

Now all that's left is getting the diplomas out!

Now, so you know, the incident I'm about to describe in this chappie is not the one from the last one. It's something different. Leo's been around.

Anyways, here's the tenth chapter of Infection! Hope ya all enjoy!

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"Please!" The woman cried. She was attractive; petite- not even taller than him, and had long brown hair and big brown eyes, which were clearly wider than usual, and for good reasons. After all, not only was she facing a strange man who no doubt had only the intentions of raping and/or murdering her, her feet were dangling a good two feet off the ground while the attacker remained three yards away.

Landing quietly in the shadows, Don began to plan his assault, but not even seconds after his toes had met the concrete had the man stopped his maniacal grinning, only to whip his head around in the turtle's direction.

Donny had been as silent as a mouse, as concealed as a panther in a pool of black ink at midnight. But it quickly became apparent that ninja stealth meant nothing with these people- not when their senses were beyond mortal comprehension.

He felt a hard tug on his bo staff and knew that it was from a telekinetic source. Tightening his grip on it so hard that the wood began to burn his skin as it slid, he ran forward, swinging it back.

The man suddenly stopped trying to take the bo and instead pushed Donatello himself back into the wall of the building he'd been standing on.

Feeling himself floating through the air for a moment, the turtle's eyes widened. He knew that he was going to be sore in the morning. But before he hit, he brought his arm back and threw his staff at the man's head.

Having already turned his attention back to the woman, the assailant didn't notice the weapon until the thing the infected described as a sonar picked up on it. Too late, he turned his head back around- only to meet the end of the wooden staff as it hit him between the eyes.

At that moment, Don felt his shell collide with the wall- the impact vibrating through it to his spine and arms painfully. Sliding down it, he groaned before turning to look at the man.

After a startled moment passed over his face, he went down like a sack of potatoes.

So did the woman. Yelping in surprise, she fell on her bottom, one sneaker sent flying.

Getting to his feet, Don made his way over to her. "Are you all right?" He asked.

"Yes." She nodded shakily. "Thank you-" Seeing him, she gasped. "Oh my god, stay away from me!" She cried, trying to get to rise.

"I'm not going to hurt you." Don tried to assure her.

She started to back up, her brown hair getting into her face as she shook her head. "No- you're one of them. Just like him. I saw you." She insisted.

Don froze. She wasn't afraid of him because of his appearance, though it was obviously unforgettable to her.

Because of how similar it had to have looked to someone else- someone who did have abilities like the man that had just tried to hurt her.

Quickly, he moved towards her, but kept far enough away so as not to frighten her. "No, that wasn't me." He told her.

Before he could continue she looked at him closely. "Yes, it was! You're a turtle, just-" She cut off in mid-sentence. "Wait. Wait… it was blue." The woman said slowly. She looked him in the eyes- Don finally saw a light of credence. "You're wearing purple… he was wearing blue."

The turtle nodded. "That's right. It wasn't me. That was my brother. I'm looking for him. Where did you see him?" He paused. "Why are you afraid of him?"

She looked away, to the ground. In that time, Don turned to check on her assailant. He was still unconscious.

It occurred to him then that most and nearly all of the infected lost their sense of morals- especially if they had few to begin with. The ones back at Bishop's base, when they weren't sedated, were never… pleasant, anyways.

Had Leo become like the rest of them?

"Is he like him?" Don asked quietly, looking back at her. There was fear in his own eyes now. "Did he try to hurt you?"

Her eyes averted back to him, surprised. "No. No- he didn't even come near me. I didn't see him hurt anyone."

Don sighed in relief. "So," he repeated, "why are you afraid of him, then?"

The woman bit her lip. "He's not like the others." She whispered. "And I've seen the others. What they can do… it's amazing, it's terrifying. But… your brother- he makes their work look like child's play." She crossed her arms over her chest. "I saw him, two blocks down, about ten minutes ago. There were these people, those infected ones, and they were beating up this guy. Rocks floating towards his body as fast as a car. And then he showed up. Just… stopped them, like it was nothing. The asphalt beneath their feet- he actually cracked it open, tripped them. When one guy attacked him, he brought out his swords- but they were floating too. Those things were moving like they were being held by some martial arts guy, or something… but he just stood there." She took in a breath. "And then it was over. Just like that. And he walked away without a word."

Taking all of this in, Donny frowned. They'd seen a small display of Leo's skill on the television. And that apparently was all that it was.

Small.

"Thank you." Don said. "Are you sure you're all right?" He asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Nodding, the ninja moved. "Okay. Um, I'm sorry. I gotta go. I need to find him."

He ran as fast as he could.

&&&&&

The bark peeled off of the tree like it was shedding a jacket, unzipping it and discarding it lazily on the earth around it.

Leo watched it in fascination. It was something new he'd figured out; the power wasn't just a force used to manipulate objects. It could be made into something resembling a sharp yet invisible instrument, used to split open objects previously immovable, like the tree or the ground.

Glancing at a drinking fountain, Leo used the power to hold down a button that released a curved stream of water. He made a barrier between it and the drain, so that the water filled up the small basin until it was a miniature pool.

The water began to divide, like a shark was swimming through it. Grinning, the turtle created patterns in the pool, parted it until he could see the surface beneath it.

Pleased, he released the barrier and watched all of the water spin down the drain. With the sonar he watched it go. It was amazing.

Yawning, he moved away and further down the street. Five or so people walked amongst him, two in fear, and the rest doing whatever they pleased.

He didn't feel like stopping them right now. All they were doing was experimenting with the power, anyways. Besides, he had grown far too weary in the last few minutes. He'd have to find a place to rest.

At the end of the year, it got darker earlier. Though it was no later than four thirty in the afternoon, the sky was growing gray. It was cold, and Leo was too exhausted now to do much.

Trudging along, he came to a building. Stopping, he craned his neck upwards and stared at it for a long while, the symbol that represented the company, in particular. It reminded him of a dinosaur, or a dragon.

Something seemed so familiar about it- something that sent chills down his spine…

There were three dark figures at a window in the middle of the building. They were gazing at a billboard across the street.

The light bulbs that illuminated it shattered.

Frowning, Leo looked back at them. They were laughing. He knew that they too had the power… but something told him that he didn't want to interfere with them. Not tonight- not for a petty crime like that.

They're dangerous. The voice told him. Wait until you're stronger- then you can fight them.

"Okay." He mumbled.

And he kept walking.

&&&&&

Stockman glanced at the large crocodile occasionally as he worked on examining some blood samples he'd taken from the other subjects.

He still didn't understand why Agent Bishop had insisted on enlisting Leatherhead's help. Sure, the mutant was plenty endowed in the matters of the mind- had aided them in curing the Outbreak virus.

But Baxter Stockman knew what he was doing. He didn't need any help on this project- the few roadblocks were being solved even as Leatherhead and the rat were flying to the base. Just a few more bumps along the path, but it wouldn't be long before they were smoothed out. Stockman expected to have a cure ready by the next day.

Leatherhead frowned, staring down at some of the papers Stockman had given him relating to his theories thus far. "It appears that you have made a mistake here." He said, gesturing towards the paper.

"What?" The scientist asked incredulously. "Impossible!"

The croc handed him the papers. Stockman knew that Leatherhead was no more fond of another temporary partnership than he. Why then had Agent Bishop arranged for this?

"Here." The mutant explained, pointing a large, green finger at the page involving summaries on each of the test subjects. "Earlier, you discussed with me your plans for the cure, mainly by incorporating the use of white blood cells."

"Yes…" Stockman hissed. He was being explained his own plans- he knew those plans- he'd been the one to theorize them! "And what, pray tell, is your point?"

Leatherhead's eyes flashed a little as he growled, but he quickly turned back to the subject. "Well in this situation, I'm afraid, one size does not fit all. As you're well aware, this is an infection. As the days pass, it spreads throughout the body. It does not plateau- it increasingly worsens. View it like you would a cold. Someone who catches the problem early and treats themselves soon recovers faster and needs less medicine. But if another person is not as lucky and goes for a time without treatment, the cold too worsens and they will need more medicine than another will.

"Thus," the crocodile concluded, "someone like Michelangelo may be cured by this remedy, but someone like Leonardo, who is much farther along than he is, may not benefit at all from it."

"So what you're saying," Stockman said, "is that we'll be needing to make multiple cures?"

"Exactly."

Had he still had teeth, the doctor would've gritted them. "Very well, then."

I would've figured that out. He thought to himself. In just a matter of time. That mutant isn't anywhere near as busy as I am- I've done all the work! He just went off of it.

Frowning, he finished looking at the blood samples. Indeed, even now, he could see why that would be an issue.

Now they were set back. This meant another two days. Stockman shook his head. Agent Bishop would not be pleased.

&&&&&

It pounded his temples, squirmed in the back of his head, and jack hammered behind his eyes. But the headache, to Michelangelo, wasn't half as bad as all the noise, though it certainly made it worse.

The turtle lay curled up on the small cot he'd been provided. Raph had been staying with him for the most part but had left nearly an hour ago after being informed that Master Splinter and Leatherhead had been on the base for a good ten hours without their knowledge.

The red-clad turtle had been pissed; he'd wanted to know why Splinter hadn't been brought to the room yet and had gone to find out.

Had he waited ten minutes or so, Mike would've been able to tell him. The range of his senses had broadened exceedingly in that time- he was constantly hearing odd sounds and bits of conversations- that between Master Splinter and Bishop, for one. From what he could tell, the rat Sensei was being briefed.

Raph had left, joining them. Raph had left, and now it was just Mikey himself.

Mikey and all the noise.

It's no so bad. The voice was familiar, but softer. You just need to get used to it, learn how to control it.

Suddenly, he didn't feel so alone anymore.

&&&&&

Watching Splinter, Raph knew that his Sensei was growing impatient. And if Splinter was impatient, then Raph was not one to be messed with at the moment.

Finally, Bishop was done talking. "Now if you wish, you may go and see Michelangelo now. You honestly don't have much time, though. He should be experiencing some signs of schizophrenia by now. And before too long, we'll be needing to put him in an isolated room so he cannot pass the infection on to someone else."

Raph balled his fists. "Yeah, we don't have any time 'cause you've been yakking Splinter's ear off for hours, you son of a-"

"Raphael!" Splinter scolded. He too look peeved, but as always, Splinter understood when to keep his mouth shut. "That is enough, my son." The rat sighed. "Please, let us just go and see Michelangelo now."

Gritting his teeth, Raph reluctantly nodded.

Bishop grinned at him. "Raphael, you may escort Splinter to Michelangelo's room. I know you're well aware of it, and have little use for my accompaniment."

Glaring at him, the red-clad turtle jerked his head in the direction he'd come from, knowing all too well that Bishop was only allowing him this free movement because guard were posted all along the way.

Splinter glanced at him. "Has there been any word from Donatello?" He asked.

The young ninja shrugged. "I ain't sure, Sensei. They aren't too great about tellin' us what's goin' on here."

I hope Don's found Leo by now, though. He thought. There ain't much time left.

Recalling time, and what Bishop had said, Raph moved faster towards Mikey's room.

The youngest of the turtles was asleep on his cot. He mumbled something in his sleep… something Leo had once said.

"The power…"

Frowning, Raph looked at Splinter. "He kinda sleeps on and off like this, Sensei. He should wake up before too long." He assured him.

Sitting down, the teenager glanced at his own hands. His biological clock was ticking too. Right along with Splinter. They had a few more days than Mike and Leo… but not that much when you thought about it.

Being manipulated by something out of his control was not a high manner of enjoyment on his list. Raph couldn't stand that there was nothing he could do about it, that he had to be pulled along in the current of this infection's river.

That he could end up doing things like those people behind the window- like the ones he'd seen in the streets.

Raph didn't want to be like them.

&&&&&

A garbage dumpster didn't make much of a pillow, but Leo didn't mind. He was just tired- so very tired.

But he could only rest in spurts, always waking up to someone doing something. Blinking tiredly, he glanced at some of the trash on the ground. He just stared at it for a long while.

It wasn't organized in any manner. It looked horrible and created a sense of tenseness in his chest.

Using the power, he raised the items up into the air until they were sitting atop the dumpster. There, he arranged them- crumpled papers went into one pile, rotten food into another. Metal pieces went with metal pieces and plastic with plastic.

When it was finally all in order, Leo relaxed, feeling more at ease. He was about to drift off with a loud crash caught his attention.

More looters, throwing police officers into things. Killing.

Leo shuddered. Those men hadn't deserved to die.

Frowning, he got up and walked over in that direction.

One more time. Then he could sleep.

&&&&&

Not that he'd expected to find him in the same place that the woman had seen him at, Donatello was nevertheless disappointed when no signs of Leo turned up.

With the exception of the cracked asphalt, of course. The state of that small area made the turtle think of a serious earthquake- one that had hit no more than a six foot squared section.

Knowing he couldn't possible have gone that far, Don set off in search, trying to stick to the shadows that the buildings provided.

This was familiar territory. Foot Tower loomed nearby, but it was little more than a landmark in his mind's map of the city.

It wasn't long after that when rioting started to kick back up again. The police seemed to be doing their best, but their skills were little more than tossed pebbles compared to those of the infected.

Drawing his bo, Don was about to join the fray when one of them lifted a cop and slammed him forcefully, face-first, into the windshield of a cruiser. Blood sprayed as glass cracked- the officer was completely limp.

Knowing all forms of stealth here were practically useless, the purple-clad ninja nevertheless employed all of them to sneak over to the man.

"Sir?" He whispered. Upon getting no response, he gently, he placed two fingers against the exposed flesh of the officer's neck.

There was no pulse. He'd been killed instantly.

Shaking his head, Don let him be. His comrades would find him soon- one was already on his way. And he didn't particularly want to see the bloody and shattered face.

Ducking back down. The turtle glanced at the violent scene and tried to assess the situation, walking away and backing into another ark alley next to some apartment buildings.

There were seven of the infected out there, looting, fighting, and killing. Defeating them had been so much easier when there was only one.

Just as he was about to move back out and try to beat the infected, he saw two hit a wall, like they'd been pushed. The lights went out for them. Another quickly found himself locked inside the car he'd been jacking before getting hit in the head by a toolbox that was also inside.

Surprisingly, the other four grabbed their prizes and sped away. No one except two police cruisers went after them.

Slow and lazy footsteps made their way close to Don. Eventually, the figure could be seen, moving into sight and farther away from the apartments. He looked dead on his feet.

"Leo?" Don spoke softly, knowing that his brother would be able to hear him.

Sure enough the turtle stopped, staring ahead at nothing. "Leo…" He mumbled, as if testing a new word; "…Oh. That's my name."

Moving closer, Don nodded vigorously as Leo turned to look at him. "Yes. Yes, that's right, Leo." His brother's eyes stared at him in confusion, eye ridges wrinkling in thought. "Leo… do you remember who I am?"

Cocking his head, Leo stared at him for a long while. With each minute that passed, some of the techno-turtle's hope wasted away.

And suddenly, his brother's face relaxed and he smiled. "Brother." He said.

The grin that Donatello found himself with could not be contained. "Yes, Leo. That's right- I'm your brother. Now how about my name. Do you remember my name?"

Again, that look of concentration. But it quickly became far more intense. Leo was clearly striving to fish out the simple fact from his feverish mind.

Memory was a huge issue with the infected. Don was surprised, but more than grateful, that Leo recalled this much.

"Bro, it's okay. You don't need to-"

He was interrupted by a fierce headshake. "No, I can do it- sit… fit… hit." Before Don could take in and realize what the rhyming implied, Leo was grinning again. "Donny." He said, holding his head.

Don nodded. "That's correct. You- uh, Leo? Are you all right?"

"Headache." The turtle mumbled. He looked so droopy. "I'm tired." He mumbled.

That could easily be seen. "Don't go to sleep yet, Leo. We need to talk. I'm here to take you with me."

The blue-clad ninja yawned. "Okay. How come?"

"Because you're very sick." Don tried to make him understand. He felt Leo's forehead but removed his hand quickly.

Back at the lair, he'd thought Leo had been warm. Now, his brother seemed to be on fire.

Biting his lip, Donny continued. "We need to get you help. This could kill you-"

With a shattering of glass, a television flew through a window at them. But it paused in mid-air along with the shards. An infected man inside was cursing at them.

Don gaped. Leo hadn't so much as turned his head or blinked. Casually, like he was used to it, he tossed the television back inside.

It came nowhere near their attacker… but the man went down like he'd been hit in the head.

It was one thing seeing Leo do something like this on television- but so different witnessing it in person.

They hadn't been kidding when they'd said Leo was powerful.

"Sick?" The oldest one asked. It was like nothing had happened. "I don't feel sick- kick… lick… stick."

Deciding to talk about this later, Don went on. "But you are. You just don't know it. And if we don't get you help… you might die."

"Hmm… guess that wouldn't be too good." Leo said lethargically.

He nodded in agreement. "So you're ready to go?"

Leo yawned and gave an affirmative.

"Don't go to sleep yet." Don reminded him, leading him out of the alley. "There's still some stuff we need to talk about."

"'Kay. Where we going?"

"A place a bit away from here." Don said, avoiding the mention of Bishop in the case that Leo remembered him. "But first, we need to make a stop at the lair."

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All done! Anyone like?

Please review!