Chapter Eleven:

Facing Reality



The trip across the bridge into the city seemed to take an eternity. The silence was only broken by the gunfire and explosions that rocked the city in front of them. No words were passed between the Turtles as they walked side by side; each lost in his own thoughts. Several times Mike stopped, his fears overcoming him, and he would begin to cry. Leo and Don took turns in retrieving him, trying their best in giving him reassurance that they would be okay. Over time, Raph began to fall back from his brothers and joined Leslie. He asked her more questions about her family. Leslie was taken by surprise of Raph's sudden interest in them, but she found the more she talked, the more the war seem worlds away. That was until they reached their destination.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *



"TAKE COVER!!"

Leo shouted over the gunfire as a gas bomb flew over their heads. It landed twenty feet behind them and exploded seconds later. The smoke filled the air, making them all cough and causing their eyes to burn. They had only been in the city for an hour, and after separating from the rest of the MM, they found themselves at the mercy of a human rebel group, consisting of about ten men. The Turtles pulled the troops to a demolished building and there is where they sat. The S.O. group fired their rifles in a sequence, so that each had time to reload. Soon, they began to tire from the fighting, and Leo knew they had to move on.

"Okay, you guys." He brought his brothers close to him. "We need to sneak around behind them and take them down. It's not safe for us to stay in one spot."

Another bomb flew overheard and shook the ground when it landed. Smoke once again floated to them.

"Gee, do ya think?" Raph asked, pulling out his sais. Leo stared at Raph for a second, wanting to reply, but he bit his tongue. He motioned for Raph to follow him, and he sent Don and Mike around the other way.

"Sir?" a young soldier spoke up and waved his gun. " Don't you need one of these?"

"Kid, we don't use them damn things," Raph twirled his sais around. "This is the only gun I need."

"Shut it Raph." Leo whispered loudly. " Okay, Donnie. Go!"

Don nodded as Mike followed him along the piles of bricks and glass. Leo then pressed himself against the only remaining wall of the building. He walked slowly and peeked around the front. Donnie gave Leo a thumbs up, then he motioned Raph to join him. The rebels were also behind a half demolished building, only theirs' was a little higher, and was also blocking the gunfire of the S.O. troop. Raph could feel Leo's body tense up as the wheels turned in his head. Leo looked around until his eyes landed on a manhole cover. He whistled to Don and nodded towards the street. Don and Mike flew out, prying the manhole cover up in a second, then disappearing into the sewers.

"What's the point of that?" Raph nudged Leo.

"Don and Mike can get the next street up, behind these guys, and distract them, while we sneak around the front and take them by surprise."

"Oh." Raph said blankly. " Good idea."

Leo smiled. "That's why I'm the leader."

Raph stuck out his tongue and mocked his brother, making Leo laugh in response. Suddenly, yelling was heard, followed by gun fire. Leo clutched onto his katanas tightly.

"That's our cue."



Shredder looked out over the city from the outside balcony. Smoke filled the air, almost choking it of oxygen. He took a deep breath of it, tasting the gun power and blood that carried on the wind. He knew his hated enemies were out there, trying to protect their precious city. Shredder only wished he held the strength to find them, but he knew he had to wait a while longer. Another sharp sting ripped through his body, causing him to tighten his fists around the balcony railing. The chemicals in the alien metal were not adapting well in their new home, but Zard had warned Shredder of this. He could live with it. He had been to Hell and back. A little chemical breakdown was not going to faze him. The pain then passed and his released his grasp.

A Foot member suddenly appeared behind him, but Shredder did not turn to face him.

"We are ready, Master."

"Good." Shredder's voice droned. " And you had better find them."

In the doorway behind them, Linda stood, holding her breath so she was not discovered. She knew exactly what Saki had meant by 'them', and she prayed that she would not run into a certain one of 'them' who went by the name of Leonardo.



Another explosion rumbled the ground as General Lee tried to radio his troops on the east side. Next to him, Leslie reloaded her rifle quickly and returned to the fight. Another shout of "INCOMING" was heard and they all ducked down. The bomb landed only yards away behind the trench line, spraying the soldiers with more dirt.

"Dammit! They're getting closer!" Lee again used the radio. " We must move Lieutenant!" He ducked down as gunfire raced over his head.

"Easier said than done, sir!" Leslie shouted as she lifted her rifle over the trench and took down three humans. " I'm afraid we're closed off on the north side.! We could go back towards the river-"

"Lieutenant!" A female soldier called out. " Someone's approaching from the east." The soldier again peered through her binoculars. Leslie squinted her eyes and tried to make out the shapes through the smoke and dust. A sudden flash of metal glistened in the sunlight, and Leslie smiled.

"It's okay. It's some of our own." She watched as the group moved quickly around the buildings, then across the field, and down into the trench. Lee slowly rose to his feet and quickly saluted.

"Leonardo! It's wonderful to see you!"

Leo returned the salute as the troops ran passed him and settled quickly into the trench. Talking and laughter erupted from the soldiers as they all greeted one another. Mike and Don kneeled down in between Lee and Leslie, while Raph moved around to Leslie's right side.

Lee slide back down to the ground, still trying to radio. Leo leaned back against the dirt wall and also kneeled down.

"How have you and your troops been holding up, Commander?" Lee asked, pounding the radio into his open palm.

"We ran into a little trouble awhile ago." Leo answered, remembering the attack on them by the rebel group, who were now knock out cold and tied up. " But we came through."

A sudden whistle sounded through the air causing everyone to look up.

"Aw shit," Leslie's eyes squinted in the sunlight as she grab Mike's arm. "Everyone to the ground!!!" The bomb sailed right over their heads but landed the southern banks of the trench, causing another loud explosion. Mike covered his face as shards of metal and clumps of dirt flew at him. After the dust settled back down, Mike dropped his hands down slowly, then suddenly gasped. Right across from he sat, an MM solider had been hit. The body was scorched black, the left half of the head was completely gone. The brains of the solider leaked down the body, reminding Mike of melted ice cream. Blood was splattered all around. Some had even landed on Mike's own uniform.

"I'm gonna be sick," Mike held his mouth, trying to fight back the feeling of nausea that swept him. Leslie, who had stood back up to watch the front lines, looked down at Mike and watch the color drain from his face. Mike looked back at her, his eyes wide with fear.

"It's just like a movie." Mike placed his hands over his ears and began to rock back and forth. " It's just a movie. It's just a movie." Leslie bent down and pulled Mike's hands down.

"Snap out it! This is real! You better get used to it!"

"NO! I can't!" Mike pushed her away. " I can't do this! I can't handle this! It should be like the movies! That guy's not dead! It's just like makeup and special effects! Right, Donnie?"

Don looked at his brother, then back at Leslie. Sighing, he stood up and walked over to the dead body. Holding his breath, he heaved the body over the trench line, then moved back over to Mike.

"He's coming back right? Right?!" Mike grabbed Don and violently shook him. "RIGHT?!!"

Then, out of nowhere, Leslie's hand flew out and smacked Mike across his face. She grabbed Mike away from Don and held him tightly by the shoulders.

"Snap out of it, Michaelangelo!" Leslie growled. Don and Raph slowly backed away as they watched the fury in Leslie's eyes.

Mike sat dazed for a second, then shook his head. " Thanks. I needed that." Then, he fainted and slumped down to the ground.

"Oh good lord!" Leslie let Mike's body drop to the ground and she returned to her spot on the sidelines. Leo walked over to his brother, and grabbed a water canteen from a fellow soldier. He sprayed the cool liquid onto Mike's face, and he awoke, still in a dazed state of mind.

"Can I have another pop tart?" He asked, smiling stupidly at Leo.

Suddenly, a shrill, high pitched ring echoed through the trench.

"What was that?" Mike woke out of his daze. Everyone then looked around for the source. The sound again came, seeming louder than before.

"Oh, wait!" Don reached down into his back pocket and pulled out his cell phone. The ring again echoed. He looked down onto the screen. " Hey! It's Splinter!" Leo then threw his hand over the phone, snuffing the noise.

"Hurry up and answer it! You're making too much noise!"

Don pulled the phone back quickly and pushed the talk button. "Sensi?" He held his open hand over his ear and strained to hear Splinter's voice.

"Donatello! Where is Leonardo? I must speak with him immediately!"

Don said nothing, only handed the phone over to Leo, who took it with a weird expression on his face.

"Master? What is it?

"Linda has gone again, my son. She disappeared when April arrived."

Leo's straight backed posture sunk down. "Why would she do that! I told her to stay there." His brothers gave him questioning looks. "See, I knew us getting into this was a big mistake. I never should have left her." Raph turned his head, glaring into the ground. Linda had snuck off again. Raph knew she would the moment they left the lair.

"Do not worry, Leonardo. I will find her. I believe she went to find her father."

Leo sighed. " Alright Master. Please be careful."

"As you. I will contact you when I find her."

Leo turned the phone off and handed it back to Don. "Linda ran off again. Splinter is going after her."

"So am I!" Raph stood up.

"Raph! No!" Leo reached out to him, but Raph was already gone. "What an idiot!" Shaking in his head in frustration, Leo took his place back beside the general.

"Come in, Jansen! Come in, goddamn it!" Lee's voice screamed into the radio. Again, nothing. Lee sighed and began to return the radio to his belt when the static was broken by a small voice.

"General! I read you!"

Lee shoved the radio back into his face. "Jansen! What is going on over there? Talk to me!"

"Sir, we are still on the east side but we are blocked on all around! We can't hold out very much longer! We need-" A sudden booming noise came over the radio, blocking the rest of Jansen's sentence.

"What was that Commander?" Lee talked back.

"Oh my god-" Was the response he heard. The remaining turtles and Leslie leaned in closer.

"No! What are they doing here?! What are they doing?!!!"

"Dammit Jansen!" Lee screamed. "Answer me!"

"The Madira, sir! It's the Marida! They're attacking us! NO! NO!! Oh GOD!!!" Then, there was nothing but static. Lee stood frozen, staring at his radio, not wanting to believe what had happened. He breathed in sharply, his nostrils flaring. He flung the radio down to the ground, smashing it pieces and startling everyone close to him. Lee looked at Leslie for a moment, then turned away.

"We must move now." He grabbed his pistol from its' holster and snapped the clip into the base. "We need to get to the rendevous point and we must move quickly."

Leo helped Don to his feet, then reached for Mike. " Come on, Mikey. We have to go."

"But, what-what- about-" Mike felt the tears coming. "Raph?"

Don reached down and pulled Mike up. " Raph will be okay. We can't go after him. It's not safe right now."

Leslie walked passed them, her head hung down. She offered her hand and a small smile to Mike. "Come on."

Mike grasped her hand and followed them out of the trench.




Down under the streets, in the old sub station, Raph stood under the entrance to the Foot hideout. Taking a deep breath, he reached up and pulled himself through the hole. Through the darkness, he found his way to a door, only to find it locked. Using one of his sais, he ripped the lock apart and he slowly peered around the next room.

You would think they would have sentries or somethin! Raph thought to himself. Where is everyone?

He continue his search, entering different rooms, and each time he found nothing. Raph began to grumble in frustration. As his eyes darted around in the darkness, he was suddenly thrown to the ground, and something sharp and wooden was held to his face.

"Raphael! What are you doing here?" Splinter's voice whispered into the darkness.

"I got lost," Raph tried to joke, but could already tell his sensi was not pleased with him. Splinter pulled his walking stick away from Raph's face and help him to his feet.

"Why did you leave your brothers?"

"I'm looking for some truth, that's all." Raph crossed his arms in annoyance. "I still think Linda is workin against us and I'm gonna prove it!"

Splinter sighed. " Raphael, why do you wish to-" Splinter's words stopped and his ears perked up. He slowly moved over to an unopened door where a soft light poured out from the crack at the bottom, and muffled voices were heard through the thick wood. Raph followed Splinter over to the door and pressed his ear against it. He immediately recognized one of the voices.

"Linda's in there!" His eyes narrowed. " I knew it." He was answered by Splinter's walking stick smacking his shoulder.

"Do not passed judgement so soon, Raphael!" Splinter strained his ears and then heard Linda's soft voice. "You do not know the reason she is in there."

"Yeah, but I can take a wild guess." He then heard another voice, male this time and Raph knew who this one belonged too also. " Jonas Riley." He looked down at Splinter. " Now I know they ain't out on a date or anything, sensi."

Splinter glared at Raph. "Not a time to make a joke my son." Suddenly, a loud, spine chilling laugh rang out from behind the door, making Splinter and Raph freeze.

"That- sounded like- like." Raph started but shook his head. "No way. It can't be." Raph then reached for the door knob and turned it. Splinter grabbed his hand.

"Quietly, my son."

Raph nodded, trying to hold back his anxious feelings. He slowly turned the knob, making sure no noise was made and pushed the door back, allowing just enough room for their eyes to peer in. Raph first noticed Jonas Riley, puffing away at a cigarette, reminding Raph of the smoke stacks at the power plants on the outside of the city. He then glared at Linda, who was wearing the black Foot uniform. Both of them seemed to be talking to an unseen figure.

"See? I WAS right!" Raph chuckled. "Man, Leo is such a dope!"

Splinter was about to respond when the horrible laughter again erupted. Pushing the door a little farther back, Raph gasped in shock as he saw the Shredder seated across from Linda and Jonas.

"Holy shit! It's him-again!" Raph almost yelled out. He was again met by Splinter's stick.

"Language!" He glared at Raph. " Come! We must leave before we are discovered." They stepped quietly backwards and Splinter closed the door without making a sound.

"This is quite terrible. I didn't want to believe that Linda would do this." Splinter held his face in his right hand. " I still do not believe that Han would betray my master. Something is not right about all of this."

"Right?" Raph scoffed. " What can be right about a bunch of lairs?" He pounded his left fist into his right palm. " Man, Linda is gonna pay for hurting Leo this way. Wait until I tell him!" He turned to leave.

"No!" Splinter grabbed Raph's shell and pulled him back. " You will do no such thing! Do not bring this news to your brother! It will only bring him pain."

"Yeah, well, pain is all Linda has brought Leo!" He pulled away from Splinter and replaced his sais back into his belt. " I'm sorry Sensi, but I gotta tell Leo. I think he needs to know." And before Splinter could react, Raphael had run off.

" What troubles will this new finding bring to my sons?" He asked to the heavens as he closed his eyes and bowed his head. " Only sorrow and pain could come." His ears suddenly perked up as footsteps approached from behind the door. As quick as the wind, Splinter turned and disappeared, and headed back to the sewers.