Chapter Fourteen:

The Rescue




As the Foot helicopter landed on the roof of the warehouse, Leo pulled himself out of the cold river and scrambled up the chain link fence that surrounded it. The barbed wire that wrapped around the top was no match for his katana; the sword cut through it like it was butter. From there, he jumped down and ran to a dark corner of the warehouse outside wall just as two Foot soldiers approached him from behind. One stopped and looked up at the fence, he had swore he had heard something. No sign of entry was seen; Leo had bent the pieces of wire back together. The other solider just shook his head, saying something about getting a hearing aid, then the two continued their patrol around the building. Leo released the breath he had been holding, then began to look for the safest way into the warehouse, if there was such a thing. There were no doors, only a few boarded up windows, and what seemed to be a trap door at ground level covered with fake grass. Leo looked at the trap door, but thought against it. It was the way the Foot entered the building. There was no doubt in his mind that they had many sentries guarding this door, so he moved onto the only other possible way to get in: the roof.

Stepping back, Leo looked up, and suddenly became dizzy. The building had to be at least thirty stories and there was no places to grab onto to climb. Leo was becoming very discouraged with the situation when his eyes landed on an old scaffolding that was used years ago to clean the building. He ran over to it, then studying it, realized it had been there for a very long time. The chains and pulleys were very rusty, almost to the point where they were unrecognizable and the ropes that were used to hoist it up were dry and moldy. Leo took a deep breath, swallowed his fears down, then jump up onto the scaffolding. It rocked furiously when he landed, the pulleys squeaked loudy. He held onto the railing and waited patiently for the rocking to stop, closing his eyes as he felt his stomach do a somersault. After a few minutes, the rocking movement stopped, and Leo held onto the rope, then began to pull his way up. The rope felt so ruff under his hands and it seemed to break apart as he pulled. He turned his thoughts to Linda instead of thinking about falling ten stories to the ground. He was still in a state of shock, not wanting to believe what Raph had been trying to get through him this whole time. Leo cursed himself for being so naive, so trusting. It had never been like him to let his emotions take control of his thoughts, so why was it that with Linda it was different? That was something he still couldn't figure out. Now that he knew the truth, Leo couldn't find it in his heart to forgive her. She had lied to him, and turn against them. But even in his moment of anger, Leo still felt love for her.

Leo's thoughts were broken as the rope suddenly made a snapping noise. He stopped pulling and looked up. He was almost to the top, only nine more stories to go, but Leo watched in horror as the left side of the rope broke it two and the entire scaffolding fell. Leo managed to jump up onto the railing and held on tightly until the scaffolding stopped at a horizontal position. Leo's breathing was staggered, his entire body shook with fear. He hated heights, even after all of those years of leaping buildings and jumping out of planes, he still couldn't get rid of his fear.

"It's okay," He spoke to himself, closing his eyes. " I'm fine. I'm not going to fall. I'm not going to look down." Opening his eyes, he looked down at the ground below him. Dizziness then began to take over his judgement.

"Okay, I looked down." Leo began to panic. Just then, the other rope began to snap. Leo looked up, his eyes becoming wide with fear.

"Oh, yeah. I needed that."

He brought himself slowly into a sitting position and reached for one of his katana blades. He held it in his hand, waiting for the right moment to move. He took a deep breath, keeping his eyes on the rope as it began to unwind itself under the pressure of his weight. Swallowing down his fears, Leo launched himself up- words, cut the rope with his sword and held onto to it as he sailed into the air. Before the rope fell out of the pulley near the roof, he threw his body into a flip and landed safely onto the roof. The crushing of the scaffolding was heard seconds later, followed by the voices and shouts of several Foot ninjas. Leo looked down and watched them for a second, slowly regaining his breath. Placing his sword back, he turned for the door on the roof and made his way down the stairs.


Darkness was the only thing he could see for the longest time. He only had his hands and his senses to guide him. After what seem to take an eternity, caused by the sudden rush of adrenalin, Leo finally made it to a door. A single red lightbulb above the door gave off an ominous glow, as if it warned Leo of upcoming danger. He glanced at the light, then clutched the base of his katana and slowly pulled them out without a sound. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then kicked at the door with all of his strength. As the door came crashing down, Leo flew into the middle of the room and prepared himself for the fight. It took him a second to realize that no one else was in the room with him.

"Man, I just wasted a kick ass entrance," Leo shook his head, then replaced his blades back into their sheaths. "Where is everyone?"

His answer came in the form of a hand across his mouth. He fought with the figure behind him until he recognized the touch of that hand.

"Master?" Leo flung around. "Master!" He picked up Splinter in a big bear hug. "Oh, it's so good to see you!"

"As you, my son." Splinter struggled to breath as Leo tightened his grip. "Leonardo!"

Leo then let go, almost ashamed of his emotional out burst. "Sorry, sensi." He lowered his head.

"It is alright." Splinter placed his hand under Leo's chin and lifted his head back up. "I am very thankful to see you alive." Splinter then studied his oldest sons' face. He could see the change in Leo, how much he had been though, and how much he had grown. Yet Leo's eyes were still sharp and bright. But Splinter could see the hurt that laid beneath. Splinter dropped his hand and smiled. Leo smiled back, then felt the sharp smack of Splinter stick.

"Ow!" Leo rubbed the top of his head. " What was that for?"

"For making so much noise!" Splinter turned around, looking for any movement in the dark shadows. "You and Raphael obviously need more training in the art of silence!"

Leo's eyes perked up. "Raph? Have you seen him?"

"No. Not for a very long time." Splinter turned back to Leo, sadness spread across his face. "But I can feel him here. He is in great pain."

Leo shook his head. "It's all my fault sensi. I told him to leave, and I told him I hated him." Splinter seemed to be shocked, but let Leo continue.

"But don't hate him! Not at all! I was just so-so angry with him! All because of-" Leo stopped suddenly.

"Of who, Leonardo?"

"Linda. This happened because of her." Leo grabbed his eyes, trying to stop the tears that found their way out. " Raph was right. How could I have been so blind?"

Splinter placed his hands over Leo's and brought them down. He watched the tears flowed down Leo's face. "My son, you must put this behind you for now. Your brother needs you."

Leo wiped at his tears. "I know."

Splinter's smile then returned. "I will help you. Come." He directed Leo to follow him as they quietly made their way to another staircase.


Splinter and Leonardo traveled down several more flights of stairs before they found any sign of the Foot. They avoided some, but they were found by many more. They worked fast together, knocking the soldiers out quickly before anyone had a chance to contact more. As they approached the stairs that led to the tenth floor, a shuffling noise made them turn around. A short, slightly, over- weight ninja was trying to make an escape through another door. Leo flipped in front of the man and held him back with his blade while Splinter pulled the man down to his knees. Splinter was ready to hit him, but then froze.

"Uh, master. What is it?"

Splinter said nothing, but instead took off the mask of the Foot ninja.

"Han!" Leo gasped.

"Please! You must let me explain myself!" He pleaded at Splinter, the sweat dripping down his forehead. "There is reason for my actions, old friend."

Leo rolled his eyes, feeling a little of Raph's cynic nature creep up into his head. "Yeah, right. Just like your daughter does, I suppose."

Splinter silenced Leo, then let Han raise to his feet, and let him speak.. " You see, in my past, I was used as a spy, and that I have told you." Splinter and Leo nodded. " Well, it seems I was called upon to again spy on the enemy. There is a group in this city that is from our homeland, and they have dedicated their lives to stopping Saki's reign. When they had heard he was defeated, by you and your sons-" Han gestured at Splinter. "They felt as if they had no reason to stay. Only one of them continued to live here, and he is a very good friend of mine. We stayed in touch for some time, then it was as if he had vanished." Han walked over a nearby wooden crate and sat down, wanting to rest his old bones. "Then, one night, he showed up at my door, telling me Saki was back."

"But, how did he know?" Leo interrupted, trying to make sense of things.

"He had heard from street connections that the Foot was reassembling, and that would only happen under Saki's power." Han sighed. "So, when he came to me that night, I agreed to join as well. Even though I am old, and not as strong as I used to be, I agreed. My friend stayed at my house for some time, waiting to talk to Linda. It seems she ran away from him, then found her way here," Han grabbed his forehead in his hand. "-and she found me."

"But why have you been here so long?" Leo asked.

"I had no choice!" Han cried out. " Saki's power is very great. You step within his reach, he can see your thoughts. I have tried to leave, but there was always someone watching me! I have been trapped in this Hell for too long." Han slowly regained his composure, then spoke some more. " It has also taken a long time to get information on the Madria. Saki does not speak of them too often."

"So," Leo tired to place the pieces together. " You spied on the Foot to get info on the Madria, but for what purpose?"

"My friend, after I gave him everything he needed, has gone across the world to gather troops to fight against the Madria. They have technology so great, it was very hard to break their codes. It has also taken so long to get everything ready." Han again sighed. " It is sad that things went so slow. So many beings have lost their lives. If only I had acted sooner." Tears welled up in the old man's eyes, and Splinter placed a hand on Han's shoulder to comfort him.

"Do not take the blame, my friend. If it was the only way to bring an end to this war, then it was the only way."

Leo then asked another question, one that had been eating at him ever since they discovered Han.

"Why is Linda here?"

Han stopped his cries, then stared blankly at Leo. " I am sorry, Leonardo, but I have no answer for that. I have not been able to talk to her, nor question her. It is difficult when there are so many ears around you. But it does seem Saki has taken a liking to her. She is always by his side, and she travels with his elite guard." Han then gave Leo a curious look. " How did you know Linda was here?"

Leo sighed, dropping his head. "I'd rather not speak of it at the moment."

Sounds from the doorway behind them echoed towards them, and they jumped to their feet.

"We must leave!" Han grabbed Splinter's arm. "Please take me with you! I have done my part."

"Sensi," Leo pushed them towards the staircase. " You take Han. I need to go find Raph."

Han turned around before he entered the stairs. "Your brother is on the second level, and hurry." Leo watched as Han and Splinter left the room, then found his own exit, just before the Foot came crashing into the room.



Leo did not stop his decent down the stairs until he reached a sign that read: 2nd floor. Preparing for the unexpected, he readied his katanas, then opened the door. A few sentries ran to him, and he knocked them out, one by one. He then ran down a long corridor, feeling Raph's spirit grow stronger the farther he went. Another sentry stood by a thick, metal door, waiting for Leo with his own sword drawn. He didn't last long. Leo's anxiety reached its limits, and he knocked the soldier down without thinking. After making quick work of the door lock, he pushed it opened and headed down another set of stairs.

"Geesh, no wonder these guys are in such good shape! These stairs are killing me!"

He stopped suddenly, realizing he had reached his destination. There in front of him, was a gray cell door, complete with a small barred window. He dropped his swords down and ran to the window.

"Raph? Raph! Please answer me! It's Leo! I'm here!" Leo called out into the darkness of the cell. He strained to listen for any sound or movement, but heard nothing.

"Please Raphael, please answer me. Tell me you're okay." Leo felt the tears again, fearing he had come too late. "Please...." He began to sob harder as he slid down the cell door.

"Geez, when did you become such a cry baby?"

Leo straighten back up and grabbed onto the bars of the window. "Raph! Oh thank God! You're alive." Leo watched as a hunched over figure made it's way to the door. He gasped in horror as Raph came into the light.

"What did they do to you?" Leo whispered. He stared at the cuts and bruises that covered his brother's body. Raphael looked up at his older brother, giving him a smile.

" It's not so bad." Raph moaned, holding his arm to his chest, which Leo could see it was obviously broken. " He gave me a little time to heal this week."

"Jonas..." Leo whispered. " Is that who did this?"

Raphael lowered his gaze. "Yeah. The guy is crazy." He winced as pain shot through his arm again.

Leo reached through the window and placed his hand on Raph's. "I am really sorry for the things I said to you, Raph. I didn't mean them."

"Leo, you don't have to do this-" Raph sighed, not wanting to remember the things he had pushed out of his thoughts.

"Yes I do. I let my judgement become blinded by-her"

Raph could feel the anger in Leo's voice when he mention Linda. "So, I figure you know now?"

Leo sadly nodded. "Yes. I should have listened to you."

"Now you admit it." Raph joked, winking at Leo with his good eye. "Come on, enough babbling. Get me out of here!"

Leo smiled. "Alright. Step back."

As Leo lifted one of his swords to break to door lock, Linda appeared from out of nowhere. She didn't speak or make eye contact, but lifted her open palms to Leo. In them were the set of keys to the cell door, and under the keys were Raphael's twin sais. Raph watched as Leo slowly moved over to Linda and took the items from her. Linda then lifted her head, meeting Leo's eyes for only a second, then she disappeared back up the stairs. Leo fought back the feeling of running after her and instead unlocked Raph's cell. He walked in, placed Raph's sais into his own belt, and helped his brother walk out of the door. They made it to the end of the long hallway when they were cut off by a swarm of Foot. Leo stood in front of Raph, swords drawn, ready for the attack, when the Foot parted and a strange creature made its appearance.

"Well, how sweet is this?" The creature laughter shook the ground beneath their feet.

"What the hell...." Leo heard Raph mutter, as if Raph had read his thoughts.

The creature was a bright red color, with long black hair and a long tail, complete with a ball of fire at the tip. The claws on it's hands and feet were as sharp as razors, and smoke streamed out of it's nostrils.

"No freakin'way." Raph whispered, his fear coming out in his words. Leo said nothing, for he was lost in the red eyes of the creature, and lost in the fire that danced in them.

"Jonas." Was all Leo managed to say before he and Raph were captured and carried away.