{/Here we are, folks... the end of the line! Well, sort of. This is the final chapter of Eyes Wide Shut before the mandatory epilogue (trust me, this story needs one). I know a lot of you out there are now plotting my eminent demise after that last cliffy, but you love me enough to wait and see what I do... right? Right?!
-cough- Anyway, this chapter is almost entirely Leo-centric (bet you all were wondering if I'd forgotten him, huh?) and has the most drama (or MELOdrama in Leo's case... he's such a drama queen). Watch your step for random pools of mushy, angsty brotherly love and buckle up for the final chapter!
Reinbeauchaser: you've been incredibly helpful in editing the previous chapters! I'm going to try to get through this one without too many flubs (I think my hands get ahead of my brain, heheh), so let's see how it goes! And hey... I had no idea that fillet and filet were both acceptable spellings. We learn something new everyday!
Darktiger2: wow, that's vehement! Will I kill Donny? Will I let him live? Only this final chapter will tell the truth. Just don't get your hopes up or down until the end. ;3
AnimeDreamers45: thanks a lot, T! I'm glad you like it. We're training you well, aren't we? XD
KayceeRonin: you haven't reviewed because you've read every chapter as I've written it, but thanks so much for your undying support. Much luff!/}
{={Eyes Wide Shut}=}
==Part 5: My Brother's Keeper==
For a long moment, Leonardo regarded the scientist with a mixture of distrust and full-out hatred. How he was here was a moot point to him... it was the why that concerned him most.
"It is rather unusual, speaking to you and not being permitted to rend you limb from limb," Stockman mused idly. His voice grated violently on Leonardo's nerves, but the teen remained silent as he spoke. "However, the Shredder wishes you alive... so that you may know the full extent of the damage you have done."
To this, Leonardo's eyes narrowed. "Damage I've done? What are you talking about?"
Stockman chuckled. "I suppose you wouldn't know, would you? My machine kept you almost constantly in a state of half-consciousness... the result is a sort of memory loss. You have no idea what you've done, do you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Leonardo growled in reply. "However, I will not be kept prisoner here."
It was almost as if Leonardo had just said the funniest thing in the entire world. Stockman burst out laughing almost hysterically, leaving the teen to ponder over what in the world was going on here in front of him. "You foolish child! Do you honestly think your brothers will accept you now that you've personally dealt a crippling blow to all of them?"
Leonardo's heart felt like it stopped beating, his eyes widening just briefly. "Wh-... what are you saying?"
"Your brothers... Raphael and Donatello, if I recall correctly - were attacked, by YOU. Your very master, that rat you call father, was also injured at your hands." As Leonardo's expression grew more and more distressed, Stockman only grinned wider and wider. "I have video footage of the battle you engaged in with your brother in the sewer. He'll be lucky if he ever opens his eyes again, with the injuries YOU inflicted!"
"You... you're lying!" The teen clenched his fists, his entire form shaking with rage. This couldn't be true. He would never harm his family! "I would NEVER--..."
His words cut short as Stockman started the video footage. True enough, something - a Mouser, most likely - had been watching, and there he was, laying into Donatello with swing after swing of a pair of lead pipes. The purple-clad brother seemed to be trying to yell at him to stop, but in the end, the assault was only ended by Donatello finally being knocked unconscious. Leonardo's mouth moved without words, tears stinging at his eyes as he choked.
Stockman sneered. "And you think they would have you back? Foolish boy!" He grinned. "This was obviously your own doing... blocked out by some sick sense of honor. They're holding you back and you know it... you have potential far beyond theirs. You did this because you want to be the one in charge... in control."
"No..."
"With no one holding you back..."
"No...!"
"You could destroy them ALL! Be your own master!"
Silence swallowed the room, and at first, Stockman thought he had won. Then, Leonardo's fists clenched. "Maybe you're right, Stockman," he growled. "Maybe it's true. I attacked my own master, and my own brothers. One of my own family may be dying because of me." Slowly, he shook his head. "But what you could NEVER understand is that right now, that doesn't matter. They are my family, and nothing will ever change that." Frowning, he advanced. "No matter if they blame me. If they hate me forever for what I've done, it's of little consequence now. I love them... and I will die to protect them."
His words angered Stockman, and the scientist growled. "You're right, freak. You will die. As painfully as possible!"
Smoke swirled into the room and, as if on cue, the Shredder's elite surrounded Leonardo. The teen closed his eyes. He felt his body grow heavy as the machine instated its control again... he wouldn't be able to defend himself. He concentrated all of his strength and mind into a thought... someone HAD to hear it. /My brothers... Master Splinter... I'm sorry. I love you all. Stay safe./
=====
Raphael's shoulder twitched. He had been trying to meditate for the past hour... trying to wait. Something had clicked in his mind... he swore he heard Leonardo's voice in his head. The line of his brow tightened as he gritted his teeth, worry gnawing away at every molecule. Had he been this worried when Leonardo had been injured?
No. That was a drop in the bucket compared to this. Now, his whole family was in jeopardy.
His shoulder twitched again.
[My brothers... Master Splinter... I'm sorry. I love you all. Stay safe.]
This time, his eyes shot open. "Leo?!"
A tired pair of eyes opened to look at him from the couch, barely noticeable past the arm that hid his face. Michelangelo yawned drowsily. "Whu...?"
Raphael shot his attention to his youngest brother. If he could have paled, he would have. "Mikey! Leo, he..."
"He's not here, stupid," grumbled Michelangelo as an interruption. Raphael would have been mad at him, had it been pretty obvious that the goofball hadn't the slightest clue what was going on. "What's got your goat, huh?"
The older brother turned where he sat, leaning against the couch next to Michelangelo. "Leo's in trouble, Mike. I just heard 'im... he needs our help."
Michelangelo's brow lifted. "You... heard him?" Raphael nodded. "Like... in your head?" Growing impatient, Raphael nodded once more. "Dude, did you get knocked upside the skull or something? You have a tougher time at concentrating than me, and you think Leo contacted you?"
Almost instantly, Raphael was up in arms, growling slightly at his little brother. "Mikey, I'm not stupid enough to make somethin' like this up! Leo's in trouble, an' we--..."
"Got it!"
The sound of April's happy shout from the other room was music to Raphael's ears (/Do turtles even have ears?/ he mused). He bounded to his feet, instantly sorry for it with the pain that shot from overstrained muscles. "Mikey," he managed past gritted teeth, "I'll be right back. Just rest here... I think things just got betta!"
He slipped into the kitchen to where April stood, a bright grin on her face as her fists clenched by her face. "I did it, Raph! If I'm right, this should totally scramble whatever was messing with Leo's head!"
"That's great, Red," Raphael grinned. "I was startin' to worry."
The woman smiled even wider in response, putting her hands on her hips. "Well, I helped Donny build it. It's only right that I should be able to figure out how to use it!"
Raphael smirked and almost made some wisecrack about his brother and their lady friend, but he was interrupted by Splinter's voice suddenly breaking the silence he had been in for an hour. "Donatello!"
Instantly, Raphael's blood ran cold. "No..."
Fearing the worst, both he and April darted into the other room, fearing what might be waiting for them there.
=====
The weight suddenly lifted from Leonardo's shoulders, awareness flooding back to him as his eyes saw clearly the Elite that stood before him. Stockman shouted and cursed at the machine, which told Leonardo that by some miracle, he must have been released from its strange hold.
A solemn expression of readiness crossed his face as he threw himself headlong into one of the Elites, managing to grab his naginata in the process. The turtle rolled into a kneel, spinning to face his adversaries. The weapon was unfamiliar in his hands, but Leonardo had made it a point to learn basic katas on as many weapons as possible... and to master at least two others, just in case of such a situation.
The naginata may not have been one of his favored weapons, but it would do in a pinch. He just had to make it out of the tower alive... and somehow get back to his brothers.
One hand came up, held in front of him, motioning as if he was daring the Elite to make their move. Long ago, he had given up his fear of these terrible mystics, and he would not let it hold him back now.
The first of the four lunged forward, this one the unarmed one. He was making a bid to retrieve his weapon, thinking the turtle would be easy pickings by himself. Leonardo spun, blocking with the long staff of the naginata, using one end of it much like his younger brother's bo, sweeping his adversary off his feet. He spun the naginata over his head, using the blade to wound the ninja enough to prevent further combat. One down, three to go.
The remaining three attacked together, timing their blows in succession to try to slip past Leonardo's defenses in a moment of lapse. However, the blue-clad leader had been training since their last encounter... he was ready to face them this time.
With one swift upward motion, he disarmed the Elite armed with the axe, managing to badly wound his leading arm in the process. The first two Elite ninja defeated vanished in a swirl of smoke... two down.
The remaining two did not seem discouraged in the least by the defeat of their others. They continued their onslaught, hoping to slowly wear Leonardo down. He was not buying this ploy. Instead, he spun, roughly tearing away the spear one of them wielded. It may have taken a few of his fingers with it, what with the amount of blood that went flying, but this barely registered to Leonardo. Now, all that mattered was escape... and finding out if his brothers were safe.
He imagined, as he dealt with the final of the Elites, that his only option after making certain his family was safe was ending his own life. Too much pain and suffering had come to his brothers and father by his hands for him to force more up by returning. The Shredder would only target him again, after all.
His moment of thought nearly cost him his head, but the oldest turtle came back to his senses with just enough time to block the swipe of a kama blade with the staff of the naginata. He glared at the Elite, who tried to stare him down with a glare that rivaled his own. Leonardo narrowed his gaze just that much more. "You can kill me," he growled, "but I will allow you to threaten my family no longer!"
Growling, he pushed foreward. This was obviously the strongest of the four Elites, and he was more than willing to show Leonardo just how strong he was. However, while sleepwalking would take a lot out of most people, Leonardo's training allowed for more bodily strain than most humans. Despite his weariness, he fought on, the blade of the naginata clashing again and again with both the kama itself and the chain attached.
After a lengthy struggle, Leonardo finally allowed the chain of the kama to wrap about the bo of the naginata. With an angry shout, he ducked and tossed, sending the Elite Ninja flying straight into the machine that Stockman had been trying frantically to get online again.
Leonardo barely heard his bellow of "NOOOO!" through the loud crackling of wild electricity that zipped through the air, as well as the body of the Elite.
Once the surge of energy had passed, Leonardo reached to pick up the discarded kama... a weapon he was more familiar with than the naginata. He stood silent and still for just a moment before he spun, and with one swipe of the deadly weapon, he had removed all of the legs of Stockman's spiderdroid body on one side. "That was just a taste of what I could do to you... but it is against the way of bushido to wound anyone who cannot fight back."
Ignoring the angered words of the scientist, he turned and started out, the kama his one line of defense against what waited for him outside those doors.
What waited for him was a behemoth of a man. Hun stood there, and although Leonardo did not know if his presence was to guard or to ensure Stockman's success, he obviously was not pleased that the rabbit was escaping while the fox was preoccupied.
"Well, well... and where do you think you're going, freak?"
Leonardo's eyes narrowed. "Home... and I won't let you stop me."
Hun chuckled in response, cracking his knuckles. "How sentimental. I can assure you that they won't be pleased to see you. You made quite a mess of all of them... almost entirely with your bare hands."
It took all the young turtle could muster to hide the flinch he felt rise in his shoulders. Hun may have been right, but he could not show any weakness. "That will not stop me from protecting them, Hun. Get out of my way."
The mountain of a man raised his brow, just slightly. "And if I refuse?"
"I'll be forced to MAKE you move."
The threat amused Hun, bringing up a chuckle from deep in his throat. "All right then, turtle. I'll bite. Make me move. I dare you."
Leonardo gave a slight growl. He hadn't wanted to prolong his return home any longer than he had to, but he had no choice in the matter now. Fists clenched, he ducked down low, and prepared to attack.
Hun lunged first, his fist barely missing the top of Leonardo's head as he struck out. The turtle was quick to remain at least one step ahead at all times, bounding over and around the behemoth. One foot darted out to strike Hun's feet from beneath him, and as he fell, Leonardo leapt into the air, landing a kick to his face.
The attacks stunned Hun, but they did not stop him. With each strike Leonardo landed, the Shredder's walking mountain simply became more and more angry. The teen realized with a slowly dawning horror that he would HAVE to strike a vulnerable point, or this battle would end with him as the loser.
Time and time again, he struck out at Hun's neck. The thug seemed to know what he was bidding on, however, and he was quick to block each time. There HAD to be a better way!
Then, it dawned on him. In the back of Leonardo's mind, a thought began to formulate, and finally, he knew what he had to do. Whipping the chain of the kama around, he spun it twice before wrapping it tightly around Hun's wrists. While the enormous man worked on wrenching himself free, Leonardo freed himself for the task at hand, and sprung into the air.
One hand came down with lightning precision, and with one grunt, Hun finally collapsed to the cold floor of the hallway.
Leonardo landed gracefully, although obviously worn down by his exertions. He sighed deeply, then gave a quiet bow to his adversary, removing the chain from Hun's unmoving hands before making his way towards the nearest point of exit.
It was time to face his toughest adversary ever... the fear of his family. And this was one foe he was not sure he could overcome.
=====
The window to April's apartment slid open slowly to reveal Leonardo's tired form. Michelangelo, the only one in plain sight, grinned broadly when he saw his brother, bounding to his feet as if he had never been injured. "Leo, you're back!" He ran forward, grabbing his brother's shoulders as his face grew serious... too serious for even Michelangelo. "For god's sake, were we ever worried! Raph's about ta go into fits, and April's been totally beside herself - takin' care'a Casey, who's been wanting to go after you. Master Splinter's been with Donny... but he's been worried about ALL of us... he looks tired."
Leonardo was almost overwhelmed by Michelangelo's outburst. The younger of the two did not seem miffed at all by the course of events... either that or he did not know about them. He gave Michelangelo a weak smile, lifting his hands to rest them on his brother's arms. "Yeah... I'm back, Mikey." His expression faltered. "Look... before, did I...?"
"You didn't touch me," Michelangelo interrupted. Now, his expression grew depressed. Leonardo was almost immediately reminded of when they were younger, and Michelangelo had stressed himself over where Splinter would go sometimes in the dead of night. "But Raph and Donny... and Master Splinter, they..." Instantly, he stopped, staring at Leonardo. His brother's expression looked as if he had just killed a puppy. "Aw, no, Leo... it's not your fault! Really! None of us blame you!"
In response, Leonardo just shook his head, gently removing Michelangelo's hands from his shoulders. "Who else would you blame, Mikey?"
His answer stunned the baby brother into silence. Leonardo gave him a pat on the shoulder, letting his hand linger long enough to attempt to be comforting before moving into the next room. Raphael stood by the window, bandaged and broken, his expression solemn and lacking even its usual rage. By a fold-out bed nearby sat Splinter, his head bowed in meditation, next to the inert form of Donatello, who looked as if he was literally at the end of the line.
Leonardo choked, alerting Raphael to his presence in the room. Splinter did not seem surprised, but his long expression told Leonardo that things were not going well.
He could not say a word before Raphael was at his side, uninjured arm slung around his shoulder. "You dumbass!" he shouted hoarsely, locking his elbow in what Leonardo knew was about the closest he was going to get to a brotherly hug from him. "We were worried sick!" He growled, narrowing his eyes as he held back emotions he rarely showed, even to his own family. "It's good you're alive, but couldn't ya have at least dropped a line? Geez!"
Splinter stood silent for a moment before leaving Donatello's side rather reluctantly, standing in front of the oldest brothers of the four, regarding them both before speaking. "I am overjoyed that you have returned to us safely, Leonardo... far more than words could truly express. We all are. I am certain Donatello is as well."
Leonardo only bowed slightly in reply, slipping out from beneath Raphael's arm. He excused himself silently, then moved to kneel next to Donatello, taking his brother's limp hand in his own. Raphael and Splinter watched quietly, not even moving when April burst through the door and into the room.
The startled woman almost exclaimed something about Leonardo's rather unexpected return, but Splinter raised a hand in a motion of silence. April blinked, then looked up. "What...?"
"Raphael, do not stray far from your brothers. Mind Leonardo's actions... I fear that he may attempt something drastic," Splinter stated quietly. "Miss O'Neil, have you any tea left...?"
With a barely masked expression of both great relief and great sorrow, the rat lead April calmly back into the kitchen as Raphael sighed, sinking to sit down beside the door, watching Leonardo and Donatello in silence.
Leonardo did not seem to acknowledge the other presence anymore. He gave Donatello's hand a gentle squeeze, as if trying to get some sort of reaction. "Don?" he murmured lightly. "Donny, it's Leo." Tears stung at his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Donny... I... I don't know... I don't know how I can ever make this better..."
Slowly, he shook his head. Everything he had fought and trained for his entire life was falling down around him. He had always striven to protect his family, and now, he had a hand in destroying it. Raphael frowned. /Even Leo can't handle this kinda pressure.../ he thought bitterly. /Ain't right... this ain't his fault... he shouldn't hafta take the rap by 'imself... but who else is gonna help 'im shoulder it?/
"I won't leave until I'm certain you're all right, Don... I can't let you down again. Not now." Raphael flinched at Leonardo's words, but he still did not speak up. "I don't care if you hate me. None of you have to hide that from me. I want the truth... and I'll take that to my grave. Don't give up, Donny... not now. You can't give up now!"
His words finally bit one too many times at Raphael's mind, and finally, the red-clad brother stood, growling. "We don't want you dead, Leo... and Donny ain't gonna die either!"
Leonardo just barely flinched, not turning his eyes to Raphael. "You're bad at sugar-coating things, Raph."
"You honestly think I'd want you ta jam a katana through your heart?! You think I'm that fuckin' heartless?!" Raphael's fists clenched at his sides as he stormed over. For a moment, Leonardo anticipated a punch, but what he received was different. Raphael's hand came to rest on his shoulder, drawing his attention to the other's face. "I ain't no good at this sentimental shit... but you ain't no good to any of us pushin' up daisies."
"Usefulness is hardly the issue here, Raphael."
Groaning, Raphael shook his head, his hand tightening on his brother's shoulder. He waited a moment for the urge to throttle Leonardo to quiet, then sighed, his voice softening. "Maybe I ain't your favorite turtle... and you sure as hell ain't mine... but that don't change the fact that all of us need ya, bro. And no matta what, you've always been there... even for me. I think I speak for even Donny when I say that if you die... you'll just hurt this family more than you already think you have."
The eldest brother frowned. "Oh, yeah. Real comforting, Raphael. And you're actually trying?"
Raphael bristled at the accusation. "Stop bein' a wiseass and listen for once in your life ta someone else that isn't your own bull head or Master Splinter, wouldja? Just 'cause we always fight don't mean I care about you any less than the others. Mikey pisses me off a lot, sure... and Don's kinda hard to relate to. You and me, we just rub each other the wrong way. But you're family. And family sticks t'gether to the end. Right?"
"Brothers to the end," Leonardo reiterated quietly. "You're not just saying this so that you'll have someone to argue with?"
"Heh... maybe that's part of it. But I don't wanna think of you dyin', Leo. I don't wanna think of anyone dyin'. Y'gotta live... I mean, come on. If somethin' happened ta you, we'd never hear the end of it from Mikey!"
The younger brother forced a smile. Leonardo stared at him for a long moment, and for the first time in a long time, all he read was sincerity in his sibling's expression. In the end, he slumped forward, tears soaking his headband beneath his eyes. "...Thanks, Raph..."
Raphael stared for a moment, then looked around warily. Sighing softly, he put his arm around his brother's shoulders, giving his arm a faint squeeze with his other hand. "Hey... what're brothers for, ey, Leo?"
Leonardo nodded, then returned his attention to Donatello. "...Do you think he'll be all right?"
Raphael answered with a nod. "It's Donny, Leo. You think a few whacks from you'd slow him down?"
That made Leonardo laugh, albeit softly. "Yeah... right... what was I thinking...?"
Slowly, Raphael smiled, his eyes lifting to their younger brother as well. The two sat quietly for several long minutes, unaware of the figures watching them from the doorway of the kitchen.
Michelangelo wrung his hands together nervously, leaning down to mumble quietly to his master, "...are Donny and Leo really gonna be okay, Sensei...?"
"Only time will tell, my son," Splinter replied, keeping his voice low. "Donatello is weak, but with his strong spirit, he will hopefully return to us... as for the condition of his legs..." He shook his head. "There are some things in life we cannot change... and others we simply cannot control. However, we can correct them by learning from our mistakes. Leonardo will have a great deal of difficulty coping with what has happened, and he perhaps will never recover from the emotional scars... it is perhaps true, as well, that the price to pay for this lesson was too high... but we will pull through, as we always have and as we always will."
Puzzled by his sensei's words, Michelangelo just blinked and returned his attention to his brothers. In the background, the sounds of yet another argument between Casey and April had erupted, but the rather unusual family was hardly phased.
Splinter watched his sons with a gentle expression, his eyes glazed, picturing a time when this was not a concern... when his sons had been young, and their greatest worry had been flooding in the sewers. It was a time too far away to grasp, and this staggering reality threatened to overcome the happier times even now.
The only light at the end of this tunnel was Donatello's shift in position on the bed... that sign of life alone was enough to remind them that in that world of uncertainty, there were still some things worth living for.
==End - Epilogue to Follow==
-cough- Anyway, this chapter is almost entirely Leo-centric (bet you all were wondering if I'd forgotten him, huh?) and has the most drama (or MELOdrama in Leo's case... he's such a drama queen). Watch your step for random pools of mushy, angsty brotherly love and buckle up for the final chapter!
Reinbeauchaser: you've been incredibly helpful in editing the previous chapters! I'm going to try to get through this one without too many flubs (I think my hands get ahead of my brain, heheh), so let's see how it goes! And hey... I had no idea that fillet and filet were both acceptable spellings. We learn something new everyday!
Darktiger2: wow, that's vehement! Will I kill Donny? Will I let him live? Only this final chapter will tell the truth. Just don't get your hopes up or down until the end. ;3
AnimeDreamers45: thanks a lot, T! I'm glad you like it. We're training you well, aren't we? XD
KayceeRonin: you haven't reviewed because you've read every chapter as I've written it, but thanks so much for your undying support. Much luff!/}
{={Eyes Wide Shut}=}
==Part 5: My Brother's Keeper==
For a long moment, Leonardo regarded the scientist with a mixture of distrust and full-out hatred. How he was here was a moot point to him... it was the why that concerned him most.
"It is rather unusual, speaking to you and not being permitted to rend you limb from limb," Stockman mused idly. His voice grated violently on Leonardo's nerves, but the teen remained silent as he spoke. "However, the Shredder wishes you alive... so that you may know the full extent of the damage you have done."
To this, Leonardo's eyes narrowed. "Damage I've done? What are you talking about?"
Stockman chuckled. "I suppose you wouldn't know, would you? My machine kept you almost constantly in a state of half-consciousness... the result is a sort of memory loss. You have no idea what you've done, do you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Leonardo growled in reply. "However, I will not be kept prisoner here."
It was almost as if Leonardo had just said the funniest thing in the entire world. Stockman burst out laughing almost hysterically, leaving the teen to ponder over what in the world was going on here in front of him. "You foolish child! Do you honestly think your brothers will accept you now that you've personally dealt a crippling blow to all of them?"
Leonardo's heart felt like it stopped beating, his eyes widening just briefly. "Wh-... what are you saying?"
"Your brothers... Raphael and Donatello, if I recall correctly - were attacked, by YOU. Your very master, that rat you call father, was also injured at your hands." As Leonardo's expression grew more and more distressed, Stockman only grinned wider and wider. "I have video footage of the battle you engaged in with your brother in the sewer. He'll be lucky if he ever opens his eyes again, with the injuries YOU inflicted!"
"You... you're lying!" The teen clenched his fists, his entire form shaking with rage. This couldn't be true. He would never harm his family! "I would NEVER--..."
His words cut short as Stockman started the video footage. True enough, something - a Mouser, most likely - had been watching, and there he was, laying into Donatello with swing after swing of a pair of lead pipes. The purple-clad brother seemed to be trying to yell at him to stop, but in the end, the assault was only ended by Donatello finally being knocked unconscious. Leonardo's mouth moved without words, tears stinging at his eyes as he choked.
Stockman sneered. "And you think they would have you back? Foolish boy!" He grinned. "This was obviously your own doing... blocked out by some sick sense of honor. They're holding you back and you know it... you have potential far beyond theirs. You did this because you want to be the one in charge... in control."
"No..."
"With no one holding you back..."
"No...!"
"You could destroy them ALL! Be your own master!"
Silence swallowed the room, and at first, Stockman thought he had won. Then, Leonardo's fists clenched. "Maybe you're right, Stockman," he growled. "Maybe it's true. I attacked my own master, and my own brothers. One of my own family may be dying because of me." Slowly, he shook his head. "But what you could NEVER understand is that right now, that doesn't matter. They are my family, and nothing will ever change that." Frowning, he advanced. "No matter if they blame me. If they hate me forever for what I've done, it's of little consequence now. I love them... and I will die to protect them."
His words angered Stockman, and the scientist growled. "You're right, freak. You will die. As painfully as possible!"
Smoke swirled into the room and, as if on cue, the Shredder's elite surrounded Leonardo. The teen closed his eyes. He felt his body grow heavy as the machine instated its control again... he wouldn't be able to defend himself. He concentrated all of his strength and mind into a thought... someone HAD to hear it. /My brothers... Master Splinter... I'm sorry. I love you all. Stay safe./
=====
Raphael's shoulder twitched. He had been trying to meditate for the past hour... trying to wait. Something had clicked in his mind... he swore he heard Leonardo's voice in his head. The line of his brow tightened as he gritted his teeth, worry gnawing away at every molecule. Had he been this worried when Leonardo had been injured?
No. That was a drop in the bucket compared to this. Now, his whole family was in jeopardy.
His shoulder twitched again.
[My brothers... Master Splinter... I'm sorry. I love you all. Stay safe.]
This time, his eyes shot open. "Leo?!"
A tired pair of eyes opened to look at him from the couch, barely noticeable past the arm that hid his face. Michelangelo yawned drowsily. "Whu...?"
Raphael shot his attention to his youngest brother. If he could have paled, he would have. "Mikey! Leo, he..."
"He's not here, stupid," grumbled Michelangelo as an interruption. Raphael would have been mad at him, had it been pretty obvious that the goofball hadn't the slightest clue what was going on. "What's got your goat, huh?"
The older brother turned where he sat, leaning against the couch next to Michelangelo. "Leo's in trouble, Mike. I just heard 'im... he needs our help."
Michelangelo's brow lifted. "You... heard him?" Raphael nodded. "Like... in your head?" Growing impatient, Raphael nodded once more. "Dude, did you get knocked upside the skull or something? You have a tougher time at concentrating than me, and you think Leo contacted you?"
Almost instantly, Raphael was up in arms, growling slightly at his little brother. "Mikey, I'm not stupid enough to make somethin' like this up! Leo's in trouble, an' we--..."
"Got it!"
The sound of April's happy shout from the other room was music to Raphael's ears (/Do turtles even have ears?/ he mused). He bounded to his feet, instantly sorry for it with the pain that shot from overstrained muscles. "Mikey," he managed past gritted teeth, "I'll be right back. Just rest here... I think things just got betta!"
He slipped into the kitchen to where April stood, a bright grin on her face as her fists clenched by her face. "I did it, Raph! If I'm right, this should totally scramble whatever was messing with Leo's head!"
"That's great, Red," Raphael grinned. "I was startin' to worry."
The woman smiled even wider in response, putting her hands on her hips. "Well, I helped Donny build it. It's only right that I should be able to figure out how to use it!"
Raphael smirked and almost made some wisecrack about his brother and their lady friend, but he was interrupted by Splinter's voice suddenly breaking the silence he had been in for an hour. "Donatello!"
Instantly, Raphael's blood ran cold. "No..."
Fearing the worst, both he and April darted into the other room, fearing what might be waiting for them there.
=====
The weight suddenly lifted from Leonardo's shoulders, awareness flooding back to him as his eyes saw clearly the Elite that stood before him. Stockman shouted and cursed at the machine, which told Leonardo that by some miracle, he must have been released from its strange hold.
A solemn expression of readiness crossed his face as he threw himself headlong into one of the Elites, managing to grab his naginata in the process. The turtle rolled into a kneel, spinning to face his adversaries. The weapon was unfamiliar in his hands, but Leonardo had made it a point to learn basic katas on as many weapons as possible... and to master at least two others, just in case of such a situation.
The naginata may not have been one of his favored weapons, but it would do in a pinch. He just had to make it out of the tower alive... and somehow get back to his brothers.
One hand came up, held in front of him, motioning as if he was daring the Elite to make their move. Long ago, he had given up his fear of these terrible mystics, and he would not let it hold him back now.
The first of the four lunged forward, this one the unarmed one. He was making a bid to retrieve his weapon, thinking the turtle would be easy pickings by himself. Leonardo spun, blocking with the long staff of the naginata, using one end of it much like his younger brother's bo, sweeping his adversary off his feet. He spun the naginata over his head, using the blade to wound the ninja enough to prevent further combat. One down, three to go.
The remaining three attacked together, timing their blows in succession to try to slip past Leonardo's defenses in a moment of lapse. However, the blue-clad leader had been training since their last encounter... he was ready to face them this time.
With one swift upward motion, he disarmed the Elite armed with the axe, managing to badly wound his leading arm in the process. The first two Elite ninja defeated vanished in a swirl of smoke... two down.
The remaining two did not seem discouraged in the least by the defeat of their others. They continued their onslaught, hoping to slowly wear Leonardo down. He was not buying this ploy. Instead, he spun, roughly tearing away the spear one of them wielded. It may have taken a few of his fingers with it, what with the amount of blood that went flying, but this barely registered to Leonardo. Now, all that mattered was escape... and finding out if his brothers were safe.
He imagined, as he dealt with the final of the Elites, that his only option after making certain his family was safe was ending his own life. Too much pain and suffering had come to his brothers and father by his hands for him to force more up by returning. The Shredder would only target him again, after all.
His moment of thought nearly cost him his head, but the oldest turtle came back to his senses with just enough time to block the swipe of a kama blade with the staff of the naginata. He glared at the Elite, who tried to stare him down with a glare that rivaled his own. Leonardo narrowed his gaze just that much more. "You can kill me," he growled, "but I will allow you to threaten my family no longer!"
Growling, he pushed foreward. This was obviously the strongest of the four Elites, and he was more than willing to show Leonardo just how strong he was. However, while sleepwalking would take a lot out of most people, Leonardo's training allowed for more bodily strain than most humans. Despite his weariness, he fought on, the blade of the naginata clashing again and again with both the kama itself and the chain attached.
After a lengthy struggle, Leonardo finally allowed the chain of the kama to wrap about the bo of the naginata. With an angry shout, he ducked and tossed, sending the Elite Ninja flying straight into the machine that Stockman had been trying frantically to get online again.
Leonardo barely heard his bellow of "NOOOO!" through the loud crackling of wild electricity that zipped through the air, as well as the body of the Elite.
Once the surge of energy had passed, Leonardo reached to pick up the discarded kama... a weapon he was more familiar with than the naginata. He stood silent and still for just a moment before he spun, and with one swipe of the deadly weapon, he had removed all of the legs of Stockman's spiderdroid body on one side. "That was just a taste of what I could do to you... but it is against the way of bushido to wound anyone who cannot fight back."
Ignoring the angered words of the scientist, he turned and started out, the kama his one line of defense against what waited for him outside those doors.
What waited for him was a behemoth of a man. Hun stood there, and although Leonardo did not know if his presence was to guard or to ensure Stockman's success, he obviously was not pleased that the rabbit was escaping while the fox was preoccupied.
"Well, well... and where do you think you're going, freak?"
Leonardo's eyes narrowed. "Home... and I won't let you stop me."
Hun chuckled in response, cracking his knuckles. "How sentimental. I can assure you that they won't be pleased to see you. You made quite a mess of all of them... almost entirely with your bare hands."
It took all the young turtle could muster to hide the flinch he felt rise in his shoulders. Hun may have been right, but he could not show any weakness. "That will not stop me from protecting them, Hun. Get out of my way."
The mountain of a man raised his brow, just slightly. "And if I refuse?"
"I'll be forced to MAKE you move."
The threat amused Hun, bringing up a chuckle from deep in his throat. "All right then, turtle. I'll bite. Make me move. I dare you."
Leonardo gave a slight growl. He hadn't wanted to prolong his return home any longer than he had to, but he had no choice in the matter now. Fists clenched, he ducked down low, and prepared to attack.
Hun lunged first, his fist barely missing the top of Leonardo's head as he struck out. The turtle was quick to remain at least one step ahead at all times, bounding over and around the behemoth. One foot darted out to strike Hun's feet from beneath him, and as he fell, Leonardo leapt into the air, landing a kick to his face.
The attacks stunned Hun, but they did not stop him. With each strike Leonardo landed, the Shredder's walking mountain simply became more and more angry. The teen realized with a slowly dawning horror that he would HAVE to strike a vulnerable point, or this battle would end with him as the loser.
Time and time again, he struck out at Hun's neck. The thug seemed to know what he was bidding on, however, and he was quick to block each time. There HAD to be a better way!
Then, it dawned on him. In the back of Leonardo's mind, a thought began to formulate, and finally, he knew what he had to do. Whipping the chain of the kama around, he spun it twice before wrapping it tightly around Hun's wrists. While the enormous man worked on wrenching himself free, Leonardo freed himself for the task at hand, and sprung into the air.
One hand came down with lightning precision, and with one grunt, Hun finally collapsed to the cold floor of the hallway.
Leonardo landed gracefully, although obviously worn down by his exertions. He sighed deeply, then gave a quiet bow to his adversary, removing the chain from Hun's unmoving hands before making his way towards the nearest point of exit.
It was time to face his toughest adversary ever... the fear of his family. And this was one foe he was not sure he could overcome.
=====
The window to April's apartment slid open slowly to reveal Leonardo's tired form. Michelangelo, the only one in plain sight, grinned broadly when he saw his brother, bounding to his feet as if he had never been injured. "Leo, you're back!" He ran forward, grabbing his brother's shoulders as his face grew serious... too serious for even Michelangelo. "For god's sake, were we ever worried! Raph's about ta go into fits, and April's been totally beside herself - takin' care'a Casey, who's been wanting to go after you. Master Splinter's been with Donny... but he's been worried about ALL of us... he looks tired."
Leonardo was almost overwhelmed by Michelangelo's outburst. The younger of the two did not seem miffed at all by the course of events... either that or he did not know about them. He gave Michelangelo a weak smile, lifting his hands to rest them on his brother's arms. "Yeah... I'm back, Mikey." His expression faltered. "Look... before, did I...?"
"You didn't touch me," Michelangelo interrupted. Now, his expression grew depressed. Leonardo was almost immediately reminded of when they were younger, and Michelangelo had stressed himself over where Splinter would go sometimes in the dead of night. "But Raph and Donny... and Master Splinter, they..." Instantly, he stopped, staring at Leonardo. His brother's expression looked as if he had just killed a puppy. "Aw, no, Leo... it's not your fault! Really! None of us blame you!"
In response, Leonardo just shook his head, gently removing Michelangelo's hands from his shoulders. "Who else would you blame, Mikey?"
His answer stunned the baby brother into silence. Leonardo gave him a pat on the shoulder, letting his hand linger long enough to attempt to be comforting before moving into the next room. Raphael stood by the window, bandaged and broken, his expression solemn and lacking even its usual rage. By a fold-out bed nearby sat Splinter, his head bowed in meditation, next to the inert form of Donatello, who looked as if he was literally at the end of the line.
Leonardo choked, alerting Raphael to his presence in the room. Splinter did not seem surprised, but his long expression told Leonardo that things were not going well.
He could not say a word before Raphael was at his side, uninjured arm slung around his shoulder. "You dumbass!" he shouted hoarsely, locking his elbow in what Leonardo knew was about the closest he was going to get to a brotherly hug from him. "We were worried sick!" He growled, narrowing his eyes as he held back emotions he rarely showed, even to his own family. "It's good you're alive, but couldn't ya have at least dropped a line? Geez!"
Splinter stood silent for a moment before leaving Donatello's side rather reluctantly, standing in front of the oldest brothers of the four, regarding them both before speaking. "I am overjoyed that you have returned to us safely, Leonardo... far more than words could truly express. We all are. I am certain Donatello is as well."
Leonardo only bowed slightly in reply, slipping out from beneath Raphael's arm. He excused himself silently, then moved to kneel next to Donatello, taking his brother's limp hand in his own. Raphael and Splinter watched quietly, not even moving when April burst through the door and into the room.
The startled woman almost exclaimed something about Leonardo's rather unexpected return, but Splinter raised a hand in a motion of silence. April blinked, then looked up. "What...?"
"Raphael, do not stray far from your brothers. Mind Leonardo's actions... I fear that he may attempt something drastic," Splinter stated quietly. "Miss O'Neil, have you any tea left...?"
With a barely masked expression of both great relief and great sorrow, the rat lead April calmly back into the kitchen as Raphael sighed, sinking to sit down beside the door, watching Leonardo and Donatello in silence.
Leonardo did not seem to acknowledge the other presence anymore. He gave Donatello's hand a gentle squeeze, as if trying to get some sort of reaction. "Don?" he murmured lightly. "Donny, it's Leo." Tears stung at his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Donny... I... I don't know... I don't know how I can ever make this better..."
Slowly, he shook his head. Everything he had fought and trained for his entire life was falling down around him. He had always striven to protect his family, and now, he had a hand in destroying it. Raphael frowned. /Even Leo can't handle this kinda pressure.../ he thought bitterly. /Ain't right... this ain't his fault... he shouldn't hafta take the rap by 'imself... but who else is gonna help 'im shoulder it?/
"I won't leave until I'm certain you're all right, Don... I can't let you down again. Not now." Raphael flinched at Leonardo's words, but he still did not speak up. "I don't care if you hate me. None of you have to hide that from me. I want the truth... and I'll take that to my grave. Don't give up, Donny... not now. You can't give up now!"
His words finally bit one too many times at Raphael's mind, and finally, the red-clad brother stood, growling. "We don't want you dead, Leo... and Donny ain't gonna die either!"
Leonardo just barely flinched, not turning his eyes to Raphael. "You're bad at sugar-coating things, Raph."
"You honestly think I'd want you ta jam a katana through your heart?! You think I'm that fuckin' heartless?!" Raphael's fists clenched at his sides as he stormed over. For a moment, Leonardo anticipated a punch, but what he received was different. Raphael's hand came to rest on his shoulder, drawing his attention to the other's face. "I ain't no good at this sentimental shit... but you ain't no good to any of us pushin' up daisies."
"Usefulness is hardly the issue here, Raphael."
Groaning, Raphael shook his head, his hand tightening on his brother's shoulder. He waited a moment for the urge to throttle Leonardo to quiet, then sighed, his voice softening. "Maybe I ain't your favorite turtle... and you sure as hell ain't mine... but that don't change the fact that all of us need ya, bro. And no matta what, you've always been there... even for me. I think I speak for even Donny when I say that if you die... you'll just hurt this family more than you already think you have."
The eldest brother frowned. "Oh, yeah. Real comforting, Raphael. And you're actually trying?"
Raphael bristled at the accusation. "Stop bein' a wiseass and listen for once in your life ta someone else that isn't your own bull head or Master Splinter, wouldja? Just 'cause we always fight don't mean I care about you any less than the others. Mikey pisses me off a lot, sure... and Don's kinda hard to relate to. You and me, we just rub each other the wrong way. But you're family. And family sticks t'gether to the end. Right?"
"Brothers to the end," Leonardo reiterated quietly. "You're not just saying this so that you'll have someone to argue with?"
"Heh... maybe that's part of it. But I don't wanna think of you dyin', Leo. I don't wanna think of anyone dyin'. Y'gotta live... I mean, come on. If somethin' happened ta you, we'd never hear the end of it from Mikey!"
The younger brother forced a smile. Leonardo stared at him for a long moment, and for the first time in a long time, all he read was sincerity in his sibling's expression. In the end, he slumped forward, tears soaking his headband beneath his eyes. "...Thanks, Raph..."
Raphael stared for a moment, then looked around warily. Sighing softly, he put his arm around his brother's shoulders, giving his arm a faint squeeze with his other hand. "Hey... what're brothers for, ey, Leo?"
Leonardo nodded, then returned his attention to Donatello. "...Do you think he'll be all right?"
Raphael answered with a nod. "It's Donny, Leo. You think a few whacks from you'd slow him down?"
That made Leonardo laugh, albeit softly. "Yeah... right... what was I thinking...?"
Slowly, Raphael smiled, his eyes lifting to their younger brother as well. The two sat quietly for several long minutes, unaware of the figures watching them from the doorway of the kitchen.
Michelangelo wrung his hands together nervously, leaning down to mumble quietly to his master, "...are Donny and Leo really gonna be okay, Sensei...?"
"Only time will tell, my son," Splinter replied, keeping his voice low. "Donatello is weak, but with his strong spirit, he will hopefully return to us... as for the condition of his legs..." He shook his head. "There are some things in life we cannot change... and others we simply cannot control. However, we can correct them by learning from our mistakes. Leonardo will have a great deal of difficulty coping with what has happened, and he perhaps will never recover from the emotional scars... it is perhaps true, as well, that the price to pay for this lesson was too high... but we will pull through, as we always have and as we always will."
Puzzled by his sensei's words, Michelangelo just blinked and returned his attention to his brothers. In the background, the sounds of yet another argument between Casey and April had erupted, but the rather unusual family was hardly phased.
Splinter watched his sons with a gentle expression, his eyes glazed, picturing a time when this was not a concern... when his sons had been young, and their greatest worry had been flooding in the sewers. It was a time too far away to grasp, and this staggering reality threatened to overcome the happier times even now.
The only light at the end of this tunnel was Donatello's shift in position on the bed... that sign of life alone was enough to remind them that in that world of uncertainty, there were still some things worth living for.
==End - Epilogue to Follow==