Chapter 10: The Snow

Judy's P.O.V.

The idea of Chief Bogo being speechless blows my mind. But that's what we came to an hour ago. Chief Bogo, standing in the lobby, speechless. I mean, I would be too, if Phantom and the Ninjas were standing in front of me and handing me a hundred grand.

"For letting Judy and Nick come with me," Leo had said.

Bogo had took it, eyes as big as his horns.

Mikey had asked me, Nick and Clawhauser is we were going to the concert. We shook our heads. All the police would be out at the cemetery which meant the three of us had to hold down the fort. So the whole band showed us off. Usagii gave me a kiss on the cheek which I'm still blushing about. The turtles said they'd be back to talk to Nick. They said it was important. I hope they aren't inviting him to be part of the band. That would stink.

So, it's ten 'O clock, the moons shining on a perfect night and the three of us are crowded around Clawhausers portable TV, laying across the counter. Well, I am anyway.

"Oh, I wish we could be there, "Clawhauser says longingly as he stuffs two doughnuts in his face.

"We would be," Nick says, "if Bogo had gotten Shred-head by now."

"I wonder what's taking them so long," I say.

"Did you see that guy? Besides, their all ninjas. They've probably got their hands full."

We turn back to the TV as everyone screams out Gazelle. Gazelle comes out singing her best song, Try Everything.

"Gazelle! Gazelle! Gazelle!" We chant.

As we chant, Gazelle reaches her chorus. At the end, she yells in to the mic, "I wanna try even though I could fail… Ladies and Gentlemen, PHANTOM AND THE NINJAS!"

The camera swivels from Gazelle and lands on the other side of the stadium. Out of the pure white light pops the four brothers. The lights dim and we can see Usagii and Karai. They are all in matching leather jackets. They are singing a song I've never hear, but everyone is screaming to it.

Uh ain't nothing that could come

In between me and my brothers

We all around if it's going down

It's just us, all for one, yeah

You hear 'em right

Our business done, we

Disappear into the night

"This. ROCKS!" Clawhauser shrieks. "Phantom and Gazelle FOREVER!"

"GO, LEO! GO, LEO!" Nick Howls.

"Leo and Gazelle! Leo and Gazelle!" I yell.

Then Gazelle and Phantom sing their songs at the same time and the crowd roars.

All for one we fight together

Knock, Knock, you about to get shell shocked

(I won't give up, no, I won't give in till I reach the end)

All for we ride together

Knock, knock you about to get shell shocked

(And then I'll start again)

All for one we fight together

Knock, knock you about to get shell shocked

(No, I won't leave, I wanna try everything)

Together we can bear any weather

Knock, knock you about to get shell shocked

(I wanna try even though I could fail)

By now we're all screaming their names. Good thing we're alone or else we'd get yelled at. The songs end and we howl like wolves.

I look back at the screen. The cameras are turned on Leo. His back is turned to the camera. It looks like he's talking on his phone, "What is he doing?"

Nick leans forward. Raphael grabs mic and yells, "Welcome. We are-"

Leo runs up to his side and whispers something in his ear. Raph's face goes from smiling to terrified. Leo yells something to the band and grabs the mic from Raph. "I'm sorry, but we must leave."

"What?" we say. The crowd grumbles.

Leo continues, "Something has come up. I'm sorry. Gazelle, you win. You're great. But, I'm sorry. We gotta go."

With that Leo takes off after the band, disappearing into the darkness.

I jump as my phone starts ringing. Nick stares at me as I answer. "Hello?"

"Judy?"

My eyes bulge, "Don-"

"Listen to me, Judy. Get Nick and meet us at the train station."

"Why?"

He sighs, "Just come, Judy. Leo made a promise to you and he intends to keep it."

Then he hangs up. Promises? What prom…

And I promise that no harm will come to your family, no matter what happens.

My heart stops. I turn, grab Nicks paw and pull him toward the door. "Judy, wha-"

"My family! It's in danger! The turtles- come on, come on, come on!"

Nick starts running as soon as he hears that. He yells to Clawhauser," Clawhauser, call the others. We're going to need back up in Bunnyborrow."

Minutes later we reach the station. The turtles are already boarding the train. Michelangelo spots us. "HURRY! HURRY!" he shouts.

"Mike!" Nick yells, "What's happening?"

Don sticks his head out the window and yells back, "JUST GET ON THE TRAIN!"

So we run faster. The minute we jump on the train it starts moving. Donnie grabs our arms and pulls us clear up to the second cart on the train. Raphael and Leonardo are already there. Leo looks sick and Raph is whispering to him. They stop and look as we come in.

Mike and Don sit as I ask, "What's happening? What happened at the concert?"

Leo folds his hands and sighs sadly, "Shredder called me. He," Leo chokes and starts over, "He put little Tara on the phone. He's…He's threatening your families' lives, Judy. Theirs for mine."

My world is spinning, bending me every which way and that. I cling to Nick's arm as he says, "Leo, what's the plan here?"

"Yeah, Leo," Don echoes.

Mikey finishes, "You always have a plan."

Leo's head drops. I watch Raphael and I wonder if my eyes are showing the same kind of horror.

"L-Leo," he says, "you do have a plan."

"Yeah. One. I do as he asks."

Raphael lurches to his feet, "Are you kidding me?! I won't let you."

"I promised Judy I would keep her family safe, Raph." Leo hisses, also standing. "That includes giving my life."

"You don't really think Shredder will just let them go as soon as he has you, do you, Leo?" Don says lowly.

Leo shakes his head, "No. But what choice do we got?"

"Leo…"

My ears droop. I've never heard Nick whimper like this. He sounds scared and worried. It makes a chill go through my whole body.

Leo looks at Nick Sadly, "Remember the note, Nicholas. I promised I'd be back before the snow. Well…this is the snow."

With that, Leo walks out of the car to be alone.

Nick sits me down then turns to Raph," Are you really gonna let him do this?"

Raph glares at Nick, arms crossed over his bare chest, "Yeah, Nick, I'm gonna let him die. SHELL NO, YOU IDIOT! I can't spend two days away from him, let alone live without him!"

"Then what are we gonna do?!" Mikey yells.

"I DON'T KNOW!...I don't know." Raph sits and puts his head in his hands, "I just...it's just...if he goes..."

Mikey nods, "You go."

After a moment of silence, Nicks asks,"Where's Karai and Usagii?"

"With the conductor," Donnie says weakly," Leo wanted them with him in case he was part of the Foot."

"...we'll fight."

"What?" I say, facing the red, tear stained turtle.

He slowly lifts his head, "We'll fight. Just like we always have and always will."

"We barley took him down before, Raph. What makes you think we can do it again?" Don retorts.

Raph looks over at me, "We have to. For Judy's family and for Leo."