Chapter Nine:

Love and Deceit Runs Deep



Linda felt as if she was in some horrible nightmare. She was surrounded by Foot soldiers and had no way of escaping. Only minutes ago, she had crawled up through the trap door from the sub station and made her way across the balcony. Opening the door, she climbed down the ladder and hid among the shadows, watching the occasional sentry walk by. She moved towards another room and was unaware that she was secretly followed. Finding the room had no other door, Linda had turned around to leave when she saw the Foot had followed her in, and had blocked her only means of escape.

Linda looked around her, watching every soldier, watching their every move. She counted twelve in all, with more possibly on the way. Closing her eyes, Linda opened her other senses to the room. She heard the shuffle of feet ; she could smell the mold form the ceiling ; her inner voice told her to think quickly and strike fast. Her eyes flashed opened as she hurdled herself towards the soldier directly in front of her. Screaming out, she delivered a kick to the stomach, followed by a punch to the face. The soldier fell to the ground in a loud thud. The other soldiers stood in disbelief, wondering how someone could move that fast. Linda then turned around, bringing her hands up, right to fight the next person. All at once, the Foot ran at her, attacking from every side. She fought with a constant string of energy, making sure not to tire quickly. If only her father could see how she fought. He would probably finally agree that the martial arts training was not a waste of money.

Minutes later, the fighting was over. Linda stood victorious over the bodies on the ground. She was proud of herself, suddenly wishing Leo could have been there to see her fight. As she celebrated her small victory, the door swung open and more soldiers filed into the room. Linda turned quickly, but then began to back away. Shredder had entered the room behind the Foot and was staggering towards her. Two soldiers caught Linda's arms and held her tightly. She struggled for a second, but then froze as Shredder came within a inch of her. Her eyes became wide with fear as she stared into his face, and the stench that lifted from Saki was almost sickening. He studied her for a second before speaking.

"What are you doing here?"

Linda narrowed her eyes. " I'm looking for my father and I know he is here!" She continued to struggle her arms free. " I wish to see him, NOW!" Linda shot her leg into the air and caught Shredder in the abdomen. He fell over, clutching at the rip in his flesh. Linda pulled at the soldiers again, only to receive a slap in the face by one of them. Shredder returned to feet and glared at Linda.

"You have a wild spirit which needs to be broken." Shredder backed away then raised his arm. "Release her."

"Huh?" The two that held Linda looked at each other.

"I command you to release her." Shredder's voice boomed throughout the warehouse. "If she wants to fight, she can fight me." He leaned towards Linda. "But she will not win."

Linda's anger got the better of her as she charged at Shredder. She screamed in rage as she delivered various kicks and punches; everything she had ever learned, she used. Shredder just stood in one place, blocking every move Linda made.

Finally, after exhaustion set in, Linda collapsed to the ground at Shredder's feet, panting wildly. Shredder laughed again, raising his head up to the ceiling.

"You are a fool!" He kicked at Linda, making her curl into a ball. Tears of frustration streamed down her face. "But, you do fight well. You are fast, and you think quickly. You style is something I have not seen in many years."

Linda looked up, not knowing what to say. Was the Shredder actually complementing her? Shredder snapped his fingers and the two soldiers that once held her pulled her to her feet. She hung her head down, trying to regain her composure. Shredder placed his rotting hand under her chin and brought her eyes to his own.

"Since killing you would be a waste of talent, how would you like to join me and my Foot?"

Linda spat in Saki's face. "I would rather die! Where is my father, you monster?!"

Shredder could still not understand why the girl kept asking about her father. He then decided to use it to his advantage.

"Fine! If you will not join me, I will destroy you and your father!" His evil laughter rang loud in Linda's ears.

"NO!" Linda cried. " Please no!" The tears started down her cheeks again.

"Then join me!" Shredder grabbed the collar of her shirt. " I do not bluff, young fool. You will both perish if you do not agree!"

Linda closed her eyes, letting the tears fall. She began to think of Leo, and how much she wished he and his brothers would come through the door and attack Saki. But she had told Leo not to follow her, and she knew he would honor that request. She didn't know what to do. The nerves in her brain raced, thinking of every possible way out of there.

"Well? Do you or not?" Saki screamed in her face again.

Leonardo, Linda thought, Please try to understand. Please don't hate me for what I am about to do. I love you.

"I will join you." Linda whispered into the dark. "I will join you."




"I think we're lost, dudes."

"No, we're not, Mikey. This is right way. We were just here a few days ago."

"Didn't we see this tunnel once before?"

"You're the smart one! Can't you figure that out?"

Splinter sighed heavily as he listen to his sons argue. They had been wondering the sewers for a few hours trying to find their way back to the old subway station, hoping to find Linda. Splinter walked ahead of the Turtles, sniffing the air to find his way.

"Ahem!" Splinter cleared his throat. The Turtles turned to him. " I believe it is this way." He pointed his walking stick down a dark tunnel.

"Oh yeah!" Mike exclaimed. " That way!" Raph threw Mike a dirty look and smacked his shoulder.

"There you go with the abuse again!"



Linda ran as fast as her legs could carry her. She was so afraid the Foot would follow her and discover where the Turtles lair was located. She kept glancing over her shoulder, making sure no one was in sight.


"You know what I was thinking?"

Don sighed. " What's that Mike?"

"Like, if we get through this war, that we could be like heroes and be on T.V. and stuff! Wouldn't that be cool?"

Leo rolled his eyes. " Are you only in it for the glory?"

"No, just the chicks." Raph shoved his elbow into Mike's side, causing Mike to laugh in response.

Leo suddenly stopped in his tracks. "Guys, did you hear that?"

They strained their ears, listening for whatever Leo had heard. Splinter had heard the noise too, and traveled farther ahead.

"Be ready, my sons." Splinter lifted his walking stick as the Turtles drew their weapons. All was quiet, then they heard footsteps approaching, coming closer to them every second.

"Sounds like someone running," Mike whispered.

"Shhhhhh!" Leo commanded. He walked up behind Splinter and waited. Finally the steps stopped at the end of the tunnel.

"Ready," Leo drew his katana blade up and rushed forward, his brothers close behind him.

"AAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" A woman's scream echoed in the tunnel, causing the Turtles to drop their weapons and hold their ears.

"Man! What the hell is that?!" Raph yelled over the scream.

"What?!" Mike yelled back.

"Huh?!" Don yelled at Mike.

"What did you say?" Mike turned to Leo as his lips moved.

"I said it's Linda you guys," Leo pulled Mike's hands down. " We scared her."

"Damn," Raph rubbed at his ear holes. " She's got some freakin' big lungs."

Linda ran to Leo and fell into his arms. " I am so glad to see you! I never should have left! Please do not hate me, Leonardo!"

"Hey it's okay." Leo wrapped his arms around her and stroked her hair. " I'm not mad, just worried."

Splinter placed his hand on Linda's shoulder. " My child, it was very foolish of you to go to the Foot and look for your father without us."

"I'm sorry Splinter." Linda lowered her head. " I just don't know what to do anymore." her eyes raised up and meet Raph's. He looked at her, suddenly sensing something was very wrong with her. Linda turned away quickly, but Raph had already picked up on her guilt. He placed his sais back into his belt and headed back for the lair. Linda pressed her head against Leo's chest and closed her eyes. She wouldn't let Raph get to her this time, even if he comes to discover the truth, she wouldn't let him tear her and Leo apart. And besides, Linda had a very good reason for joining the Foot. Leo will realize that in time. She looked into his eyes and smiled.

"Come on. Let's go home." Leo pulled Linda close to him as he followed his brothers out of the tunnel.




Jonas sat alone in his basement hideaway. Ripples of smoke filled the ceiling above his head as he leaned back in the chair and put out another cigarette in the ashtray in front of him. He blankly stared at a small stream of water that seeped from a crack in the concrete and left a rusty-colored mineral stain behind on the wall. Jonas thought of all of the madness he had helped create in the past weeks; how the world as he knew it was suddenly coming to an end. He smiled and began to chuckle softly.

As he laughed, his eyes began to burn and red was replacing the ice blue. The stream of water he had been staring at began to steam and boil as it hit the floor. The wall then began to buckle and crack from the intense heat. Jonas's laughter became more high pitched as the wall rumbled. Suddenly, a place in the wall burst and a spray of boiling water shot out, hitting the wall behind Jonas. Another hole opened, then another. Jonas's eyes were as red as fire as his laughter increased. Then, the wall exploded in a tidal wave of water.




Linda's eyes flashed open and she flew up into a sitting position. Her breathing was fast and heavy in her chest, and small beads of sweat had formed on her brow. She placed her hands to her head and began to regain herself. Leo noticed Linda stir and rushed to her side.

"Are you okay?" Leo grabbed one of Linda's hands and held it tightly.

Linda blinked a few times then looked around. She was in Leo's bedroom again. " I had a bad dream." She continued to look around. " It felt so real."

"What was it about? I'm pretty good at reading dreams." Leo looked concerned.

Linda shook her head. " Jonas."

"Huh?" Leo sat down next to her on the bed.

" He was sitting in a room, and there was water falling from a wall. He began to laugh and his eyes became red like fire, then the water began to boil and the wall exploded."

Leo scratched his head in confusion. " Okay, I'm not that good."

Linda smiled at him. " It's alright. I'm sure it was nothing." She brushed her black hair out of her face. " I need to get some air."

Leo jumped up and helped her to her feet. " Can I join you?"

Linda smiled again and placed her palm on Leo's cheek. " I want to be alone for awhile. I'm sorry."

Leo turned his eyes to the ground. " It's okay. I understand."

Linda then reached up and kissed Leo softly on the lips. " I'll be right outside. Just give me a few minutes."

As he watched her walk out of the room, Leo touched his lips with his finger tips and sighed deeply. "That was unexpected."



"General Zard?"

Zard gasped in anger then pressed the talk button. " What?! Didn't I say not to bother me with your stupid problems?!"

"Yes sir, but Mr. Riley is on the uplink. He wants to speak to you, and he's not taking no for an answer."

Zard shoved his hand to his face and shook his head. " Fine! Fine! Send the uplink!" He turned to chair to face the monitor on his desk.

"Hey Zardie! How's it going?"

Zard narrowed his large black eyes. " Riley! I am very busy and I do not have time for your stupid human chit chat! What do you want?"

"Geesh, don't have to get testy there, buddy!" Jonas's toothy grin stretched across his face. " I just got a problem, that's all."

"Well, don't we all, Mr. Riley." Zard rose from his high back silver chair and walked to the window that over looked the Earth. " And yours would be what?"

"I, uh, blew up my hideout."

Zard stopped walking and turned sharply. " Well, isn't that lovely. And I am to do what about it?"

Jonas's smile faded and desperation covered his face. " You gotta help me get rid of it! It won't go away!! I can't take this shit anymore! Help me please!!"

"Well, Mr. Riley," Zard walked towards the screen and hovered his finger over the buttons. " You should have thought of that before you made a deal with the Devil. Good bye."

"No! Wait! Where am I gonna go?"

"Go to your master. He'll take care of you." Then Zard pounded on the buttons and the screen went blank. "Stupid human."



Linda sat on a long wooden crate, just about ten feet from the lair, and looked up through a sewer grate to the stars in the sky. A warm summer breezed passed through the grate and swept her hair from her face. Linda could hear the sounds of gunfire and explosions in the distance, and it saddened her. Then she heard the laughter of the Turtles as they watched an old comedy movie and it gave a small sense of peace. She tried to concentrate on the stars and their fascinating beauty, but all she could think of was her father and the fateful deal she had made with Shredder. She was so full of doubt, and had no one to really talk to about anything. She had Leo, but he couldn't know about her talk with Saki. Not just yet, but in time, she will tell him. She will show him it all had a purpose. Linda still felt she had betrayed him and his brothers. They were all she had right now.

Linda sighed as she pulled her knees to her chest and locked her fingers together. Another breezed passed by, carrying the smell of flower pollen and gunpowder, making Linda queasy. She buried her head in her knees and waited for the odor to pass. A small noise startled her out of her thoughts and she raised her head.

"Hi." She smiled at Leo, who smiled back. She patted the space next to her. " Have a seat."

Leo softly sat down and looked up through the grate. " I can't believe it's already July."

Linda nodded, but did not reply. She buried her head into her knees again and closed her eyes.

Leo looked over at Linda. " Did I come out here too soon? I could leave if you need more time."

Linda reached out for his hand without raising her head. Leo grasped it as Linda mumbled into her lap.

"What?" Leo laughed as Linda raised her head.

"I said, it's okay. I needed you." She laughed at herself and squeezed Leo's hand. Her laughter then soon faded.

"Are you thinking about your father? Did you find him?"

Linda looked back up to the stars. " Yes, and no."

Leo held her hand tightly. "Linda, I don't think you father would betray you. He must have a reason for being with the Foot."

Linda felt the tears that she had been holding back starting to fill her eyes. " I know. I can feel in it in my heart. But, with everything happening at once," She turned her eyes to Leo. " I'm not sure about anything anymore."

Leo wiped at the tear that raced down Linda's cheek. "Please don't cry. It hurts me to see you upset." Linda dropped her legs back down to the ground and allowed Leo to wrap his arms around her. She let the tears fall silently as he stroked her hair. Linda closed her eyes and she could hear Leo's heart beat through his chest. They sat in silence for what seemed an eternity, listening to all of the sounds above and below the streets.

Linda finally opened her eyes and spoke. " Are you afraid to fight?"

Leo stared up at the sky. " I'm not afraid to fight. I'm afraid of the outcome. No one knows how this will end, or if ever will. I'm fear for my brothers, for Splinter, for everyone we have known throughout the years. Not all of us will make it."

Linda began to get chills in her body. " Don't talk like that, Leonardo."

"I'm sorry, but that's the harsh reality of it. I have to face it or I won't have the strength or the courage to led our army into battle." He looked down into Linda's eyes. " This has all happened so fast, and at the worst possible time."

"What do you mean?" Linda asked.

" This is hard for me. I'm not good at expressing my feelings."

Linda smiled. " Just try."

Leo sighed, then let his thoughts pour out. " I have meet the most incredible person, someone I can relate with on every level, and someone who I feel a deep soul connection too. I never in my life thought that it would happen, because of who and what I am. I don't want anything, not even a war, to take that away from me." He placed his hand on Linda's cheek and gazed deeper into her eyes. " I just want to say, I love you Linda."

Linda's heart melted into Leo's words as she cling tightly to him. Her tears of pain turned into tears of happiness. She felt his words were true and returned his love with another kiss.

Later that night, Linda laid in Leo's bed as Leo slept on the floor beneath her. She watched him sleep and thought about the words he had said. Suddenly, her worries and doubts floated back to her and the reality of her own betrayal hit her again. She didn't want to lose Leo, but at the same time, she didn't want to lose her father. Linda rolled onto her back and stared into the darkness of the ceiling. Tears crept up in her eyes and rolled down onto the pillow under her head as she slowly drifted off to sleep.