A/N: An update two days early? Yes, because apparently puppy dog eyes work just as well on me, as they did on Master Splinter in the last chapter. Thank you to the reviewers!

Please note: Character thoughts are in italics.

Disclaimer: Maybe if I sport puppy dog eyes of my own, I can own the turtles? *puppy dog eyes* Bah, it was worth a shot.

Chapter 13-Four Brothers

Leonardo stood in the darkness behind Master Shredder. His arms were crossed in front of his plastron as he listened to Hun's next assignment. There had been no sign of the two turtles for days now. This was the first night that Leonardo was to be included in a mission since his punishment.

The activity of the Purple Dragons and the Foot Ninja had increased considerably the past few weeks. The black masked turtle did not know what his Master was planning, but it was apparent that whatever it was, things would not stay quiet for much longer.

The hulking blonde giant bowed his head as he left the room. "Yes, Master."

Saki waited for the sword wielding youth to walk forward and face him. Normally Saki did not need to tell the turtle what to do, for he always knew exactly what his Master wanted from him. But in light of the youth's recent rebellious behavior, Saki felt it was necessary to remind the troubled child of his place.

"Leonardo, do not fail me."

His Master's words were few, but the meaning behind them was clear. Master Shredder's mission required the skills of all of his best Foot Ninja's, including Leo's. And while the Elite Guard would also be participating in tonight's mission, they were still going to be keeping an eye on Leonardo as well.

Out of habit to his sensai, Leonardo knelt before Saki. He slowly placed his head to the floor in the traditional bow, and then silently left the room. His mind already spinning through various plans, attempting to figure out a way to find those troublesome turtles, now that he would be free.

Michelangelo lead Raphael and Donatello across the rooftops. The activity of the Foot Clan had increased significantly lately, and it would only be a matter of time before they ran into their eldest brother.

Raph and Don came to a stop besides their energetic brother, both panting heavily. "Where does he get all this energy?" Donatello asked between gulps of air.

His older brother gasped his reply. "I ask myself the same thing sometimes."

Mikey heard his two panting brothers and whirled to face them, a big grin on his face. But before the orange turtle could reply his older brother stuck his hand up in a signal to be quiet.

The two siblings searched the rooftops, looking for what concerned Donnie.

A few blocks away they saw the shadows moving.

"The Foot."

"Let's go."

Leonardo and the Elite Guard silently crossed the industrial park, a few blocks away from Hun and the Foot Ninja. Once they reached building Ten, the five ninja's would split into two groups. Three of the Elite Guard would go to the left, while Leo and the fourth Elite Guard would continue onward to the right. They were looking for some sort of electrical gizmo that Leo didn't really have a clue about, but the five ninja's each carried a picture of it to help with the search.

Inside the building Leonardo and his guard quickly found the device. The black masked turtle stored it inside his belt for safe keeping. The clash of weapons in the distance caught his attention. This could be them! Leonardo sped off in pursuit before the Elite Guard could grab his arm to stop him.

After finding out about lost brothers and having a rat for a father, the three siblings should be used to surprises by now. Yet they still stood transfixed by the three well dressed ninja's before them.

"What do you think guys?"

"I dunno Raph, but they sure have nice hats!"

"Indeed, it seems that the Foot do not skimp on the head gear."

The six warriors charged each other at the same time.

Leonardo jumped through the open window and landed off to the side of the warriors. He pulled the swords from the sheaths on his back. Prepared to jump into the fray, he was stopped when a trident blocked his path.

The Elite Guard shook his head, No.

Leonardo's eyes narrowed as he charged the Elite Guard. Just try and stop me.

The turtles and the Elite Guard appeared to be well matched. Suddenly the well dressed warriors broke off their attack and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

The three brothers looked at each other in confusion.

Confused at their foes abrupt departure Raph turned to his brothers. "What the shell?"

Donnie held up a hand. "Wait, listen."

In the distance, they could hear the sounds of metal on metal.

"Let's check it out."

It didn't take long for the three ninja's to find their missing foes. It looked like Leonardo was fighting all four of the ninja's with the nice hats.

Confused at the turn of events Mikey addressed the group. "Umm, bros, what's going on?"

Raphael settled back on his heels, a smug grin on his face. "It looks like Fearless has his hands full."

Michelangelo pleaded with his brother. "Raph, we have to help him."

Raphael shook his head, No. "Let them tire him out first. It's about time Fearless got his shell whipped for a change."

Donatello placed a hand on his brother's arm. "Raph, he's fighting the same ninja's that we were. This may be our chance to grab him."

Realizing that his smart brother was right, Raphael huffed as he grabbed the sais from his belt. "Fine, but this time, we knock him out for a change."

Leonardo was in trouble. He could easily defeat any one of the Elite Guard. Even two of them were no problem for the skilled turtle, but four against one was proving to be more than the black masked warrior could handle alone.

A jubilant voice cried out, followed by a flash of orange and green. "We've got ya back bro!"

Leo raised an eye ridge as red and orange jumped out of the shadows and joined the fight. The addition of the two turtles began to tip the odds in their favor. However, Leonardo knew that it was only a matter of time before one of the members of the Elite Guard could seize him. It was best to retreat before their opponents could gain the upper hand.

Finding everyone's backs facing each other's, Leonardo called out. "Duck."

The two turtles immediately obeyed. Leonardo leapt into the air, spinning, he threw blinding powder into the faces of the Elite Guard.

Continuing to take the lead, he growled out. "Let's go."

The two brothers followed the black masked leader without question.

Once he felt like they were at a safe distance Leonardo stopped and turned to face his fellow turtles.

Unsure of what to do next, now that he was with them, the black masked leader crossed his arms in front of his plastron. He waited in silence, a wary look in his eyes.

Still not entirely trusting the sword wielder, Raphael responded by crossing his arms as well.

Mikey looked back and forth between his two brothers, uncertain about what to do. I wonder where Donnie is? Mikey was certain if his sword carrying brother pulled out one of his blades, he could cut the tension in the air with the sharpened steel.

"Um, so now what bros?"

Donatello's eyes shifted back and forth between his two eldest brothers as he watched from the shadows. Come on guys, you need to distract him.

Attempting to give his missing brother the time he needed, Mikey rubbed the back of his head as he continued. "So Leo, I don't suppose you would come with us?"

Suspicion flashed across the stubborn turtle's face as he shook his head, No.

Well look at the stubborn turtle. I hope Donnie knows what he's doing. Raph's voice cut in, taunting the sword wielder. "What's the matter, Fearless? Afraid of just us two lowly turtles?"

Leo immediately felt his temper rise at the red turtle's words as he growled his reply. What is it about this guy that gets on my nerves. "No."

Mikey tried again. "We are all looking for some answers, and we've got a way to get them. But bro, you have to come with us. Please?"

Leo raised an eye ridge but said nothing.

Raph was losing patience. We don't have time for this, the foot are still in the area and could find us at any moment. We need to act now. With a glance towards his brother hidden in the shadows, Raph reached for the sais in his belt as he growled. "Look here, Fearless. We can do this the easy way, or the hard way."

Leo tensed, ready to reach for his swords. Why do I get the feeling they are setting me up?

"Well then, looks like you just picked the hard way, bro."

Before Leo could respond, Raph charged. Mikey groaned before grabbing his nunchaku to once again fight against his skilled older brother.

Watching from the shadows, Donnie saw his two brothers charge at Leo. Now's my chance! He pulled the portable transmat device from his brown bag, and already pulling the bo staff from the holder on his back, transported himself directly in front of Leo.

Leonardo prided himself on being a skilled ninja, and a ninja is always prepared. But a third turtle materializing out of thin air in front of him, was something he was NOT prepared for. What the shell?

Donatello appeared in front of his startled brother, as his bo staff continued it's downward trajectory. With the element of surprise to his advantage, Donnie's staff completed it's forward arc, and knocked Leo unconscious.

A/N: Donnie, what a sneaky turtle you are! Thanks to those who review. Virtual banana split sundaes to those who do!