DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or anything associated with them. They belong to the Mirage Studios and Eastman and Laird. I just use them because I love to write and they're brilliant creations that are fun to write about. I am not making any money off of this. I promise. No infringement is intended.
A/N: I'm not even going to try to explain this one. I just... yeah... maybe I need more sleep.
After all these years of training, the fighting, the sneaking, the training, the victories, the training, the sparring and, yes, the training, the great Leonardo had finally met his match.
Shocking, yes. Sad, definitely, but true. There seemed to be no way out of this one. No brilliant escape plans, no well-thought out defense, no sudden blind attack that seemed doomed to fail but miraculously saved them all in the end. This enemy had Leo all but begging for mercy.
(Except, of course, he had his Ninja dignity; he wouldn't degrade that by begging. Plus, his brothers were there.)
Dust and dirt swirled around his trembling body. Leo gasped for breath, his eyes closed. Already the battle was wearing him down; he knew he would not be able to hold out much longer. He clenched his teeth and fought for control. Losing was such a degrading experience.
The three remaining turtles were completely still as they watched their brother in his last moments before surrender. Mikey and Don were dumbstruck. Save for Master Splinter himself, they didn't know there was anything that could defeat The Great Leonardo. This was a lesson learned.
Raph had the slightest hint of a smirk on his face. He was going to enjoy watching this. Satisfying, in a way.
Leo's shaking hands gripped the sheaths of his Katanas as his eyes narrowed. Every inch of his weakened body was tingling. He could feel his insides burning. Defeat was near. This fight was simply one he could not win. This adversary was far too strong.
Resistance was futile, but he tried anyway. He wasn't giving up yet. Nothing and no one got control of him without a fight. Nothing. No. One.
And the battle dragged on. Resistance to his opponent's strength dwindled. Leo knew he wasn't going to be able to hold on much longer. His strength would collapse, his defenses would fall and he would be defeated. For the first time in his sword-bearing, battle-fighting, shadow-ridden life, he, Leonardo, would taste defeat.
His breath was coming quicker now. Leo screwed up his face in concentration. His brothers leaned forward, watching with wide eyes.
There was no second when Leonardo decided to give up. More, his strength had been holding on for so long that it simply snapped without his consent. Cursing it, Leo dropped his Katanas. This was it. He had lost the battle. His enemy was a good fighter, for sure. He didn't stand a chance against its indomitable strength.
"Ahhhhh... choo!"
Raph smirked. Mikey's young eyes grew round.
"Bless you," said Don.
"Thanks." Leo wiped his beak and picked up his swords.
They continued sparring.
A/N: I'm not even going to try to explain this one. I just... yeah... maybe I need more sleep.
After all these years of training, the fighting, the sneaking, the training, the victories, the training, the sparring and, yes, the training, the great Leonardo had finally met his match.
Shocking, yes. Sad, definitely, but true. There seemed to be no way out of this one. No brilliant escape plans, no well-thought out defense, no sudden blind attack that seemed doomed to fail but miraculously saved them all in the end. This enemy had Leo all but begging for mercy.
(Except, of course, he had his Ninja dignity; he wouldn't degrade that by begging. Plus, his brothers were there.)
Dust and dirt swirled around his trembling body. Leo gasped for breath, his eyes closed. Already the battle was wearing him down; he knew he would not be able to hold out much longer. He clenched his teeth and fought for control. Losing was such a degrading experience.
The three remaining turtles were completely still as they watched their brother in his last moments before surrender. Mikey and Don were dumbstruck. Save for Master Splinter himself, they didn't know there was anything that could defeat The Great Leonardo. This was a lesson learned.
Raph had the slightest hint of a smirk on his face. He was going to enjoy watching this. Satisfying, in a way.
Leo's shaking hands gripped the sheaths of his Katanas as his eyes narrowed. Every inch of his weakened body was tingling. He could feel his insides burning. Defeat was near. This fight was simply one he could not win. This adversary was far too strong.
Resistance was futile, but he tried anyway. He wasn't giving up yet. Nothing and no one got control of him without a fight. Nothing. No. One.
And the battle dragged on. Resistance to his opponent's strength dwindled. Leo knew he wasn't going to be able to hold on much longer. His strength would collapse, his defenses would fall and he would be defeated. For the first time in his sword-bearing, battle-fighting, shadow-ridden life, he, Leonardo, would taste defeat.
His breath was coming quicker now. Leo screwed up his face in concentration. His brothers leaned forward, watching with wide eyes.
There was no second when Leonardo decided to give up. More, his strength had been holding on for so long that it simply snapped without his consent. Cursing it, Leo dropped his Katanas. This was it. He had lost the battle. His enemy was a good fighter, for sure. He didn't stand a chance against its indomitable strength.
"Ahhhhh... choo!"
Raph smirked. Mikey's young eyes grew round.
"Bless you," said Don.
"Thanks." Leo wiped his beak and picked up his swords.
They continued sparring.