Chapter 21 – Win or Lose
Raph and Elmira were hugging, and it seemed that Raph wasn't aware of what Donnie had done to the dude. It was hard to believe that the guy hugging Elmira was my brother…what the heck had Donnie done?
Although we were all pretty awe-struck, including Shredder, the fight between us ceased. Leo, Donnie and I stood together, unsure if Shredder was going to unleash on us again. I could tell Shredder was getting pissed; he could potentially lose his best soldier, his not-so-secret secret weapon to tear us a part.
Before Raph and Elmira could break from their embrace, Shredder had advanced towards them, tearing them away from one another. Before we could even comprehend Shredder's actions, Raph and Elmira's staggering bodies fell to the pavement, we were up against Shredder in a heartbeat. The three of us had our weapons at the ready; Leo already had his aimed at Shredder's heart and the other katana at his neck. Donnie and I flanked Leo, both of us beside him – no matter what, we were going to endure, it was worth it.
It was worth it for Raph, Elmira and even Sensei. Vickie was no longer in the picture.
We had believed that Shredder would turn on Elmira, trying to end her before he put an end to my brothers and I. As we braced ourselves for the worst, it wasn't until we heard Raph scream that our own believes about Shredder's plan had entirely collapsed. The three of us knew right then and there that Raph could hold off Shredder, knowing that if we saved Elmira and she was out of harm's way, it was enough reason for Raph to sacrifice himself for her and us.
Donnie and I quickly made our way to Elmira who lay in a bruised and broken state; Leo was the last to arrive by her side.
As Donnie and I helped Elmira up onto her feet, Leo made no effort in helping; a skeptical and somewhat passing glance overlooked us entirely.
"Leo, she needs us to help her get out of this war zone. Raph can't hold off the Shredder forever…"
Donnie stated as he carefully shifted Elmira's weight between himself and I. The both of us were staring at Leo, quietly pleading him to help her, despite backstabbing us.
Leo walked closer towards the three of us, his katana drawn and pointed at Elmira. She was too weak to question him, and sadly, her fate relied on Leo's next move.
"No matter what you want us to believe, what you may think Raphael believes about the two of you, you haven't been able to fool me Elmira. This is all an elaborate scheme, a trick…in battle and that faulty death of yours."
Donnie and I hardly believed Leo's cold-hearted nature towards Elmira, it wasn't she who handed herself over to the Shredder and the Foot, she was taken against her will!
"You better watch your accusations Leo! You have no right to say anything like that t and about her!"
Donnie snapped, ushering us away from Leo and his drawn weapon.
"Yea Leo! You can't just go around blaming the dudette! Come on bro…she didn't just decide to go over to the Shredder's side!"
Leo looked at me almost disgusted by Donnie and I…was he even more pissed and disturbed by Raph then?
As Donnie and I carefully moved Elmira out of the line of fire, Leo was left alone to save Raph and ward off the Shredder. Donnie and I carefully watched as Raph and Leo did their best, Raph in his new changed human state and Leo, resentful as ever.
"Why didn't you make me human bro?"
I whispered casually to Donnie.
Don just rolled his eyes until his gaze locked onto something out in the battle field. I thought Leo or Raph had gotten hurt, the sight before us was worse than that.
Vickie.
I carefully let go of Elmira, leaving her in Don's arms, quickly telling him to take her, Raph and Leo out of here. I ran out into the open, signaling and yelling to my brothers to get lost. They knew this fight was over, but not for the reasons they thought. Raph believed we had won as Elmira was now his again. Leo believed we had lost as his leadership was cracking and crumbling. Donnie and I were neutral but I had unfinished business with Vickie, business between us that would never come to a win or lose status.